An Illinois House Bill aimed at strengthening protections for students with disabilities by prohibiting certain waivers in special education agreements has passed the House and moved to the Senate for consideration. House Bill 2337 (HB2337), sponsored by State Representative Laura Faver Dias and a broad coalition of co-sponsors, seeks to […]
by Sonya Dymova, Capitol News Illinois April 28, 2025 McHENRY — John Gerend, a Vietnam War veteran from Lake Villa, Illinois, was exposed to Agent Orange while on duty. Suffering from diseases associated with exposure to the toxic chemical, he said he still considers himself fortunate. “I’ve had some issues […]
The U.S. Department of Education has announced that it will resume collections on defaulted federal student loans starting Monday, May 5. This marks the end of a pause that began in March 2020 due to the COVID-19 pandemic. The average amount of student loan debt college graduates leave with in […]
The grassroots movement “50501” is planning a peaceful demonstration called “Light in the Darkness,” on May 1. The event will take place from 7:00 to 8:30 p.m. along Florida Avenue/Kirby Avenue in Urbana, stretching from Blair Park to Hessel Park. Organizers are encouraging participants to bring signs to display before […]
Kilmar Abrego Garcia, a 29-year-old father of three, has never been charged with a crime. Yet, the Trump Administration sent him to an infamous prison in El Salvador. Trump has since defied judges at every level, including the Supreme Court, ignoring orders to provide Abrego Garcia his right to due […]
The Illinois Network for Pretrial Justice has announced a public listening session to address the state’s ongoing public defense crisis, scheduled for May 1. The event aims to gather community input and spotlight policy solutions for improving legal representation for those awaiting trial across Illinois. Date & Time: Thursday, May […]
The U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) has suspended a major quality control program used in food safety testing due to significant staffing cuts at the Department of Health and Human Services (HHS), according to Reuters. These reductions, affecting around 3,500 full-time employees, nearly 19% of the FDA’s workforce, were […]
by Beth Hundsdorfer, Capitol News Illinois April 23, 2025 Editor’s Note: This story and subtitle have been updated to reflect that more than 800 cases have been confirmed in 25 jurisdictions, not states. The Illinois Department of Public Health confirmed Wednesday afternoon the first case of measles in the state. […]
by Jade Aubrey and UIS Public Affairs Reporting (PAR), Capitol News Illinois April 25, 2025 SPRINGFIELD — Insurance companies are reducing the scope of coverage for some community foster agencies in Illinois, leading to higher costs, diminished coverage and fewer options for agencies who say a continuance of the trend […]
The Trump administration is actively weighing a series of proposals aimed at encouraging American women to have more children. Among the most discussed ideas is a $5,000 “baby bonus” – a direct cash incentive that would be awarded to every American mother following childbirth. The bonus, if implemented, could supplement […]
