Illinois lawmakers reach a deal on assault weapons ban
The legislation, which needs final Illinois House approval, would ban the sale, manufacture and delivery of assault rifles like the one used to kill seven people in Highland Park.
From free college to universal preschool, Gov. JB Pritzker pledges a second-term ‘agenda as ambitious and bold as our people are’
Pritzker also vowed to “fight against a rising tide of hate,” protect women’s reproductive rights and finally get the assault weapons ban passed.
GOP party leaders pick Tom Bennett to fill Barickman’s Illinois Senate seat
State Rep. Tom Bennett of Gibson City was chosen Saturday by local Republican party chairs to fill the state Senate vancy in the 53rd District that was created by the resignation of Jason Barickman.
Former Speaker Michael Madigan’s racketeering trial set for April 2024
Madigan is accused of leading a “criminal enterprise” for nearly a decade designed to enhance his political power and generate income for his allies and associates.
Words and Phrases Now Banished
Would-be guardians of the English language have spoken, and banished another list of words and phrases for mis-use, over-use, and general uselessness.
Supreme Court sets March timeline for oral arguments in cash bail appeal
Both sides agree to timeline that would further delay Pretrial Fairness Act’s implementation.
Illinois House votes to ban assault weapons and broaden abortion protections
About six months after the Highland Park mass shooting, Illinois lawmakers advanced a bill to ban assault weapons.
Illinois Reps. Bost, Budzinski and Miller each disagree on who should be next House speaker
Illinois’ congressional delegation remains split on the choices for the U.S. House’s next speaker as the body took a rare sixth unsuccessful vote Wednesday afternoon. However, Rep. Mike Bost, R-Murphysboro, and Rep. Nikki Budzinski, D-Springfield, agree on one thing: They are ready to put the voting behind them. While Bost, who represents the 12th District…
Rockford community disappointed by school board’s response to school violence protests
ROCKFORD — In October, the family of a Rockford Public Schools student filed a federal civil rights lawsuit against the school board, a school resource officer and several administrators from Auburn High School. The suit says that in the fall of 2021, Parris Moore, who was a freshman at the time and stood less than…
Vice president touts bridge funding in Chicago: ‘We will finally fix this problem’
Vice President Kamala Harris’ visit to Chicago is part of the Biden administration’s united effort to highlight how the bipartisan infrastructure law is driving the economy.
Latex gloves are no longer allowed in Illinois food service, next is health care in 2024
ALTON — Illinois food service providers are now barred from using latex gloves as a new state law takes effect. The Illinois General Assembly passed the Latex Glove Ban Act this year, which Gov. JB Pritzker signed into law in June. The goal of the new law is to protect workers and customers who may…
Illinois Supreme Court halts abolition of cash bail
The justices issued their order Saturday evening, hours before the new law was slated to take effect, to maintain the status quo across the state.
A judge ruled the portion of the SAFE-T Act ending cash bail is unconstitutional
A Kankakee County judge has ruled that the portion of the state’s controversial SAFE-T Act that ends cash bail is unconstitutional. The judge’s ruling late Wednesday comes just four days before cash bail was set to be abolished across Illinois as part of the massive criminal-justice reform law. In his ruling, Kankakee County Chief Judge Thomas W….
Rodney Davis set to exit after a decade in Congress
Rodney Davis is set to leave office after a decade of representing central Illinois in Congress. In June, the Taylorville Republican lost in the GOP primary to fellow incumbent Mary Miller. One of Davis’ final acts in Congress was to help pass the a bill that formalizes same-sex and interracial marriage protections. President Joe Biden signed the…
Retiring Illinois Secretary of State Jesse White reveals the racism that shaped his legacy
You may know White because his name is on your driver’s license or you’ve seen his tumblers at parades. But there’s a lot more to White’s legendary political career as it comes to an end. CHICAGO — Democrat Jesse White is leaving office next month as Illinois’ longest-serving and first African American secretary of state….