73K Illinoisans Could Receive Checks Up To $5K Ahead of Thanksgiving

The cash is part of the State Treasurer's Enhanced Money Program which cross-matches people who have unclaimed property with the state.

Federal Judge's Ruling Against California Gun Ban Could Impact Illinois Case

The judge rejected California’s argument that actual use in self-defense shootings is the relevant metric of "common use."

Gov. JB Pritzker, Community Leaders Denounce Rise In Hate Since Israel-Hamas War

Pritzker said hate crimes against Arabs, Muslims, and Jews have increased in Illinois in the wake of the war.

Illinois Murder Case Has SAFE-T Act Critics Concerned

He's currently free on bond after being charged with fatally shooting his girlfriend in September.

Booze, Beads, Art Among Unclaimed Gifts Lavished On Pritzker

Initiated in 1998, the Gift Ban Act was the first major ethics reform in Illinois since post-Watergate campaign-finance disclosure laws.

Outgoing Child Welfare Director 'Proud Of The Profound Progress' At Troubled Agency

A report by the inspector general showed that in 2022, nearly 50 more children died under DCFS supervision than in 2021.

Federal Bill Collapses, Shutdown Looms: What It Means For IL Residents

The shutdown would close national parks and stop work for some federal agencies, while other employees wouldn't get paychecks on time.

Illinois Long-Term Care Group Says Staffing Mandates Will Be Disastrous

The proposal calls for Medicare- and Medicaid-certified nursing homes to provide a staffing equivalent of three hours per resident, per day.

Illinoisans Can Expect To Pay More For Property Insurance Premiums

Illinois is one of six states with the steepest increases.

How A Federal Government Shutdown Would Affect IL Residents

Illinois has more than 42,000 federal employees residing in the state, as more than 123,000 women and children depend on federal benefits.

Illinois Legislators Seek To Protect Children On Social Media

The measure looks to stop targeted ads and deny access to children's social media pages to protect them from unwanted predators or messages.

How Biden's Approval Rating In Illinois Has Changed Since Taking Office

In the 2020 presidential election, Biden won Illinois with 57.5% of the popular vote, according to The Cook Political Report.

Illinois FOP Doesn't Blame Police Officers Moving To Florida

“Under Illinois law, foreign nationals are now able to become police officers,” the news release said.

Pritzker Doesn't Expect New Mandates With Updated COVID-19 Vaccine On Horizon

A vaccine for the new COVID variant is expected next month.

Attorney Presses ‘Vagueness' Challenge To Illinois' Gun, Magazine Ban

If this challenge doesn't work, he said he’ll revive his 5th Amendment argument that the law violates the right against self-incrimination.

New Illinois Casino Resort Opens Up Downstate

Walker's Bluff is the result of a nearly $160 million construction project to bring entertainment and jobs to southern Illinois.

Illinois Jobs Return To Pre-Pandemic Levels, Much Later Than Most Of Country

The state finally returned to pre-pandemic job levels in July.

Illinois Home Sales Down Considerably Compared To Same Time Last Year

The once red-hot Illinois housing market continues to cool off.

Multi-Occupancy Genderless Bathrooms Are Now Legal In Illinois

The law sets up protections for those using the bathrooms, requiring stalls to have floor-to-ceiling dividers that lock.

IL Law Prohibits Cops From Tracking Abortion Seekers With Technology

The law, which is set to go into effect in January, limits the use of automatic license plate readers in tracking out-of-state visitors.

Chicago Mayor Floats Idea Of Sending Migrants To Suburbs

So far, city and state taxpayers have set aside $94 million for migrant housing.

47 Illinois Human Services Workers Fired, Disciplined Over Pandemic Fraud

The workers sought loans for small businesses outside their state work — but some of those business did not exist: Inspector General

New Illinois Law Caps The Price Of Insulin

The law limits the patient's cost for a 30-day supply of covered prescription insulin drugs at an amount not to exceed $35.

Groups Look To Next Steps After Judge Blocks Illinois' Pregnancy Center Law

The law would have allowed the attorney general to shut down crisis pregnancy centers whose practices he deemed deceptive.

IL To Ban Gun Advertising Marketed To Kids And Militants

Firearms ads determined to be designed to appeal to kids, militants and others who might use guns illegally will be banned.

U.S. Judge Blocks IL Law Penalizing Anti-Abortion Counseling Centers

A U.S. District judge called the new law a "painfully and blatantly a violation of the First Amendment."

Non-Citizen Cops, No Zoom Calls While Driving: New Illinois Laws

New laws taking effect in the coming months include requiring school districts to offer all-day kindergarten, indoor vaping bans and more.

Illinois Law Allows Pregnancy Centers To Be Targeted For 'Deceptive Practices'

"This bill is a direct attack on pro-life pregnancy resource centers," the Illinois Right To Life executive director said.

Sen. Dick Durbin Tests Positive For COVID-19 For Third Time In A Year

The 78-year-old Senate majority whip also had the virus in March and in July 2022.

Illinois Legislators Suspend Day Care Rules Imposed By DCFS

A committee voted unanimously this week to suspend portions of day care licensing emergency standards filed by DCFS.

Plaintiffs Challenging Illinois' Gun Owner ID Law Plan To Appeal Ruling

The FOID card, required to own or purchase a gun in Illinois,was enacted in the 1960s and has gone through various reforms since.

Downstate Sheriffs, Bailey Decry Cashless Bail, SAFE-T Act Ruling

Law enforcement and political leaders downstate are making their objections known after the measure to end cash bail was upheld this week.

Biden’s Student Loan Forgiveness Struck Down For Illinois Borrowers

The U.S. Supreme Court struck down President Joe Biden's student loan forgiveness plan, dealing a blow to Illinois borrowers.

Supreme Court Bans Affirmative Action At IL Colleges

The U.S. Supreme Court on Thursday ended race-conscious affirmative action policies similar to those used for decades.

IL To Receive $1B In Funding For High-Speed Internet Access: Pritzker

The BEAD Program is the federal government’s largest-ever investment in the expansion of high-speed internet access.

Illinois Quick Hits: Lawmaker Wants To Limit Late-Night Votes; SIU Reports Suspicious Network Activity

News in brief for Friday, June 23, 2023.

Former Illinois GOP Governor Candidate Weighs Congressional Run

Darren Bailey said he is pondering a 2024 run for Congress.

Illinois Leaders Call On Federal Government To Help With Migrant Surge

On top of state funds, Chicago is also appropriating $51 million toward housing and other services.

Illinois Quick Hits: Police Seek Benefits, Waukegan Courts Bears

News in brief for Tuesday, June 13, 2023.

County Board Candidate Charged With Perjury, Forgery: Attorney General

He needed 9 valid signatures to make the ballot and is accused of forging some of them, according to a report.