Illinois reaction to Donald Trump’s guilty verdict falls on party lines
Jurors convicted Trump on all 34 counts after deliberating for 9.5 hours. As the verdict was read, he sat stone-faced in court, looking down.
Once again working through the night, lawmakers finalize $53.1 billion budget
Democrats needed three tries to pass $1.1 billion revenue plan just before 5 a.m.
Lawmakers move to pause – then further regulate – carbon dioxide pipeline development
Deal brokered by governor’s office also creates state funds for training first responders SPRINGFIELD – After state regulators rebuffed several proposed carbon transport projects over the past year, lawmakers have moved to formally ban new projects until the federal government sets forth new safety rules. The technology is used to take carbon dioxide – a…
Senate Democrats send $53.1B spending plan to House
Representatives return next week for potential final approval.
Maternal health, abortion protection measures advance as session nears end
In the final days of their spring legislative session, Democrats in the General Assembly advanced measures aimed at expanding and protecting aspects of maternal and women’s health care. If signed into law, the measures would expand insurance coverage of pregnancy and postpartum services, maintain abortion as a viable treatment option for women experiencing certain emergencies,…
Budget negotiations will extend into next week as House leaves Springfield
Two chambers ‘very close’ on agreement, but further amendments expected.
Illinois could be 19th state to phase out subminimum wage for disabled workers
But some service providers say they’ll be forced to lay off staff without increased state and federal support After years of negotiations and continued opposition from service providers, Illinois appears poised to prohibit employers from using a federal exemption that allows them to pay individuals with disabilities less than the minimum wage. The federal Fair Labor…
Proposed Urbana City Council ward maps are available for review
The Urbana City Council is expected to review three proposed ward boundary maps at its June 3rd Committee of the Whole meeting. Meanwhile, the proposed maps are posted at the city’s website for public review and comment. A link on the website’s front page takes users to information on ward redistricting. The map that wins council approval will replace Urbana’s current ward map.
Peoria Planned Parenthood clinic is reopening, more than a year after firebombing
The clinic at 2709 N. Knoxville Ave. doesn’t currently offer surgical abortions, but it does have family planning, STI, and gender-affirming care services. The clinic does have medication abortion services available.
One voted Biden. One picked Trump. It’s a tale of two counties in pivotal Wisconsin
Wisconsin is one of a handful of pivotal states in the 2024 presidential election. Within the swing state, there are swing counties that could decide the election — even as people remain divided.
Nursing home industry unlikely to see much help from Springfield in tough budget year
It’s been four years since some of the worst scenes of COVID-19 played out in locked-down nursing homes during the early months of the pandemic. But while most of the world has moved on, the nursing home industry is still reeling from COVID, which exacerbated pre-existing challenges in long-term care – difficulties hiring and retaining…
Urbana Mayor Marlin confirms she won’t seek third term
Democrat Diane Marlin is confirming what she has been talking about for more than a year: she’ll step down as Urbana mayor when her current term ends next spring.
“After 8 years on City Council and 8 years as mayor, 16 in city government, is a good long run,” Marlin said in an interview with Illinois Public Media.
Hundreds of bills pass, including changes to state’s biometric data privacy law
Other measures regulate garbage truck littering, allow yoga in schools.
Justice Alito’s home flew a US flag upside down after Trump’s ‘Stop the Steal’ claims, a report says
The court is considering attack-related cases, including whether Trump has immunity from prosecution on election interference charges. Alito says his wife placed the flag.
Lawmakers consider tax break for news publishers, state-sponsored journalism scholarships
Local journalism measures have evolved, shrunk since beginning of session.