Governor JB Pritzker declared an agricultural trade crisis in Illinois Wednesday, signing Executive Order 2025-07 in response to mounting farm financial distress that state officials blame on ongoing federal tariff policies. Since February 2025, the United States has imposed steep tariffs—some reaching 145%—on Chinese imports, prompting China to retaliate with […]
State of Illinois
Illinois Governor Pritzker Directs $20 Million to Food Banks as Federal SNAP Benefits Halt
Governor JB Pritzker signed Executive Order 2025-08 on Thursday, directing $20 million in emergency funding to food banks across Illinois as nearly 2 million state residents prepare to lose federal food assistance this Saturday amid the ongoing federal government shutdown. The executive order launches a comprehensive statewide response to the Trump Administration’s unprecedented decision to halt Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program benefits beginning […]
House passes energy bill amid debate over costs to consumers
by Andrew Adams, Capitol News Illinois October 29, 2025 Article Summary House lawmakers passed a sweeping energy reform bill along party lines Wednesday evening. The bill would create new incentives for energy storage, allow construction of new nuclear power plants and give regulators expanded authority over the state’s electric grid. […]
7th Circuit temporarily halts judge’s order for daily appearances from Border Patrol’s Bovino
by Hannah Meisel, Capitol News Illinois October 29, 2025 Article Summary U.S. Customs and Border Patrol Commander Gregory Bovino was set to appear in front of a federal judge Wednesday evening for the first of his court-ordered daily check-ins over immigration agents’ use of force on civilians. But less than […]
Bovino ordered to make daily court appearances after three days of tear gas in Chicago
by Hannah Meisel, Capitol News Illinois October 28, 2025 Article Summary U.S. Customs and Border Patrol Commander Gregory Bovino spent a little more than an hour testifying in U.S. District Judge Sara Ellis’ courtroom Tuesday after she ordered him to appear for a hearing in ongoing litigation over CBP and […]
U.S. House Minority Leader Jeffries accelerates Illinois redistricting push
by Brenden Moore, Capitol News Illinois October 27, 2025 Article Summary As Indiana’s governor called a special session to redraw the state’s congressional maps, U.S. House Minority Leader Hakeem Jeffries urged Illinois Democrats to do the same. Jeffries’ pitch has been met with a cool reception in Springfield. Black lawmakers […]
Border Patrol Commander Greg Bovino ordered to testify in federal court
Border Patrol Commander Greg Bovino ordered to testify in federal court by Hannah Meisel, Capitol News Illinois October 26, 2025 Article Summary A federal judge on Friday ordered U.S. Customs and Border Patrol Commander Gregory Bovino to testify in federal court on Oct. 28. The order came the day after […]
Natural gas rate increases likely for Ameren, Nicor customers next year
by Andrew Adams, Capitol News Illinois October 24, 2025 Article Summary Nicor Gas and Ameren Illinois customers will likely see a rate increase on their bills next year, pending a final decision from state regulators in the coming weeks. An administrative judge recommended that regulators increase rates. Ameren customers would […]
Illinois Achieves Credit Rating Upgrade as Moody’s Raises State to A2
Moody’s Ratings upgraded Illinois’ credit rating to A2 from A3 on October 23, marking the state’s tenth credit rating improvement since Governor JB Pritzker took office in 2019 and bringing Illinois to its highest credit rating in more than 20 years. The upgrade, which applies to the state’s general obligation […]
Pritzker forms independent commission to document misconduct of federal agents
by Maggie Dougherty, Capitol News Illinois October 23, 2025 Article Summary JB Pritzker signed an executive order creating a new commission to document unlawful actions by federal agents. The commission has three primary goals: Creating a public record of abuses, examining the impact on families and communities, and recommending actions […]













