Gun Owners Rally In Springfield With Legal Battles Against Illinois' Gun Ban Continuing

“Each one of us has a right to defend ourselves, our families and our own homes, end of story."

Most Illinois Patch Readers Oppose Lowering Drinking Age To 18

With more than 4,000 respondents to a Patch poll, 86.2 percent disagreed with a Republican-sponsored bill to change state law.

Illinois House Passes Bill Prohibiting Single-Use Foam Containers

The ban would go into effect in 2024 and heads to the Illinois Senate after passing through the House of Representatives with a 67-43 vote.

Illinois Lawmaker Seeking To Lower State's Legal Drinking Age To 18

Should the bill be passed and the drinking age be lowered? Take Patch's poll and let us know what you think.

Legislation Outlawing Cat Declawing Up For Final Passage In Illinois House

But one lawmaker said the measure will force some pet owners to give up their cats.

Illinois Legislators Push For Access To Fentanyl Testing Strips, Stricter Punishments For Dealers

"This bill will help save lives. Fentanyl is a deadly drug that is taking far too many lives."

Mandatory Paid Time Off: 'A Strain' For Illinois Business

"You can't close your business because everybody wants to take off cause there's a concert," one business owner said.

Illinois Bill Would Ban Video Calls While Driving

“We need to take steps to change the culture surrounding distracted driving" to save lives, secretary of state says.

Prosecutors Object To Proposed Defense Expert On Lobbying In ComEd Bribery Case

The 4 are accused of rewarding Madigan with jobs, contracts and payments in exchange for help with legislation in Springfield.

SAFE-T Act: Illinois Supreme Court Hears Oral Arguments Over Cash Bail

Justices heard from prosecutors looking to have the SAFE-T Act ruled unconstitutional and a representative of the Illinois attorney general.

Trial Begins For 4 ComEd Officials Accused Of Trying To Bribe Mike Madigan

Charges range from bribery to falsifying records.

IL Gov. Pritzker Signs Paid Time Off For All Workers Act Into Law

Illinois becomes only the third U.S. state to have a law on the books requiring employers to provide paid time off for workers.

Lap Dogs For Illinois Drivers Could Lead To $50 Fine With New Legislation

"The new law would allow police officers to pull you over if they see that you are driving with an animal in your lap."

Pritzker Says It's ‘Ridiculous' To Expect Justices To Recuse Themselves After $2M Donations

Pritzker donated $2 million from two separate accounts to then-Illinois Supreme Court candidates Mary O’Brien and Elizabeth Rochford.

Year After Madigan Indictments, Republicans Push For More Ethics Reform

Madigan, D-Chicago, and four associates, including former ComEd officials and lobbyists, face allegations of a nearly decade-long scheme.

Giannoulias Pushes Anti-Book-Ban Legislation

Giannoulias insists the move is less about partisanship and more about protecting the free-flow of information.

Measure At Illinois Statehouse Proposes Sex-Ed Curriculum Changes

Sue Rezin, R-Morris, says the measure may be too much for some conservative belief systems.

Measure Would Phase Out Use Of Single-Use Plastic Polystyrene Foam Food Ware

The Coalition for Plastic Reduction want the hard-to-recycle containers phased out by 2024.

Multi-Occupancy Genderless Bathroom Bill Advances At Illinois Statehouse

The measure follows a 2019 bill that made all single-occupancy bathrooms in Illinois into gender-neutral restrooms.

Pritzker Responds To DeSantis' Illinois Visit Criticizing 'Woke' Politics

(The Center Square) – Florida Gov. Ron DeSantis criticized Illinois leadership for its stance on several issues during a Monday visit to ...

Federal Judge Denies Motion To Block Naperville And Illinois Gun Bans

A temporary restraining order sought by a Naperville gun store owner and other plaintiffs was denied.

Pritzker Calls For Universal Preschool In Illinois By 2027

Gov. J.B. Pritzker delivered his fifth annual State of the State and budget address Wednesday in Springfield.

IRS Clarifies Whether 2022 IL Inflation Relief Payments Are Taxable

The agency asked taxpayers in multiple states to hold off on filing if they received an inflation relief payment or refund from their state.

Illinois Board Of Higher Education Seeks 7.7% Funding Hike As Enrollment Dips

The board is asking lawmakers for a 7.7 percent or $180 million increase for general funds.

Additional 2,100 Illinoisans Not Subject To State's Gun Ban After Latest TRO

The order affects plaintiffs in the group “Law-Abiding Gun Owners of Macon County.”

Illinois U.S. Rep. Miller To Boycott Biden's State Of The Union Speech

Miller cited President Joe Biden's "record of lying to the American people" and lack of accountability for her absence at Tuesday's speech.

Illinois COVID-19 State Of Emergency To End In May, Pritzker Announces

The state's public health emergency ends May 11 — the same day President Joe Biden plans to conclude the national public health emergency.

Pritzker In Switzerland For World Economic Forum; Responds To Questions Of Presidential Run

The governor told CNN he is focusing on the challenges facing Illinois.

2023 Income Tax Season Opens In IL: When To File 2022 Returns With IRS

State income tax returns are due April 18 in Illinois.

Pritzker Headed To Europe To Promote Illinois Among World Leaders

Pritzker will appear at the World Economic Forum in Switzerland to promote Illinois, which the governor says is "already on a world stage."

49 More Children Died In Illinois DCFS Care Last Year Than Year Before: Report

A new report shows that 171 children died while in contact with DCFS in Illinois last year.

Pritzker To Police On Gun Ban Enforcement: ‘They Will Do Their Job Or Won't Be In Their Job'

Guns Save Life Executive Director John Boch said the ban is unconstitutional, and they’ll prove it in court.

Prosecutors: Madigan Told McClain That Benefactors Of Alleged Scheme 'Made Out Like Bandits'

Madigan, McClain and others have pleaded not guilty in the case.

More Than 30,700 Mail-In Ballots In Illinois For November Election Were Rejected

On Friday, the Illinois legislature further modified the mail-in balloting law.

Illinois Legislators Approve $85K Salary For Lawmakers In $1.7 Billion Spending Bill

The measure also increases the salaries of the governor from $181,670 to $205,700 and the lieutenant governor from $140,000 to $160,900.

Cannabis Sales Hit Record High For Illinois In 2022

For the year, adult-use cannabis dispensaries in the state sold more than $1.5 billion in product, up 12 percent from 2021.

Elimination Of Cash Bail In SAFE-T Act Ruled 'Unconstitutional': Judge

Kankakee County judge's ruling delays elimination of cash bail from going into effect Jan. 1 in 65 Illinois counties.

Illinois Bill Defines These Guns As ‘Assault Weapons'

A measure being debated at the Illinois statehouse defines dozens of semi-automatic pistols, shotguns and rifles as “assault weapons.”

25 New Illinois Laws That Could Change Your Life In 2023

Hormonal therapy, ending cash bail, hair discrimination and corn appreciation are the focus of new Illinois laws taking effect Jan. 1, 2023.

Illinois Drivers Can Expect Two Gas Tax Increases In 2023

(The Center Square) – Illinois drivers will see increased gasoline taxes next month, with another increase six months after that.