by Andrew Adams, Capitol News Illinois May 14, 2025 Natural gas customers in the Chicago suburbs and downstate Illinois are likely to see an increase in their monthly bills next year, but it’s up to state regulators to decide how big a hike, if any, to approve. Nicor Gas, which […]
State of Illinois
Illinois Senate Panel Advances Bill Raising Senior Driving Test Age
The Illinois Senate Transportation Committee advanced House Bill 1226, a measure set to bring major changes to the state’s driver’s license examination and renewal process. The measure would increase the required behind-the-wheel testing age from 79 to 87. The legislation, which amends several sections of the Illinois Vehicle Code, will […]
What Trump’s cuts to federal climate research could mean for Illinois
by Isabella Schoonover and Medill Illinois News Bureau, Capitol News Illinois May 9, 2025 CHICAGO — The Trump administration took the unprecedented step of halting work on the next National Climate Assessment last week, dismissing all 400 volunteer scientists who were tasked with writing the new version of the report. […]
Illinois Lawmakers Advance Bill to Boost Cardiac Emergency Preparedness in Schools
Illinois lawmakers have taken a significant step toward improving student safety with the advancement of a new bill aimed at strengthening schools’ readiness for cardiac emergencies. House Bill 3275, which recently passed the House with broad bipartisan support, would require schools across the state to implement comprehensive cardiac emergency response […]
Illinois regains access to $77M in federal education funds following judge’s order
by Peter Hancock, Capitol News Illinois May 7, 2025 A federal judge in New York issued a preliminary order Tuesday blocking the Trump administration from cutting off states’ access to hundreds of millions of dollars in pandemic relief funds for public schools, including more than $77 million for Illinois. U.S. […]
Illinois Lawmakers Advance Bill to Strengthen School Cardiac Emergency Preparedness
The Illinois General Assembly has moved forward with House Bill 3275, a measure designed to improve emergency preparedness and student safety in schools by mandating enhanced training and planning for cardiac emergencies. The bill aims to ensure a rapid and effective response to life-threatening cardiac incidents during school activities, potentially […]
Pritzker signs order to protect personal autism data in response to federal action
by Jade Aubrey and UIS Public Affairs Reporting (PAR), Capitol News Illinois May 8, 2025 SPRINGFIELD — Gov. JB Pritzker issued an executive order Wednesday that bars state agencies from collecting and disclosing data about autism to the federal government unless it’s medically or legally necessary. The order was in […]
Noem Faces Backlash for Using Shaefer’s Tragedy in Political Messaging
Homeland Security Secretary Kristi Noem visited Springfield, Illinois, today, sharply criticizing the state’s “sanctuary” immigration policies and Governor JB Pritzker’s leadership, while Illinois officials and demonstrators pushed back, calling her appearance a “publicity stunt”. Standing near the site where community advocate Emma Shafer was killed in 2023, Noem held a […]
State revenue projections improve as economic uncertainty grows
by Ben Szalinski, Capitol News Illinois May 5, 2025 SPRINGFIELD — The General Assembly’s independent forecasting commission has improved revenue projections for the upcoming fiscal year despite growing economic volatility. That’s good news for state lawmakers who are in the final weeks of crafting the fiscal year 2026 budget set […]
Illinois Senate Passes Statewide Ban on Polystyrene Foam Food Containers
The Illinois Senate has passed a landmark environmental bill that will ban the sale and distribution of disposable food service containers made from polystyrene foam, commonly known as Styrofoam, across the state starting in 2030. Senate Bill 1531, known as the Disposable Food Service Container Act, prohibits any person from […]