Darin LaHood endorses Donald Trump for president ahead of Iowa caucuses
The Dunlap Republican representing Illinois’ 16th Congressional District said he believes Trump is the man to beat heading into the Iowa caucuses.
Illinois Supreme Court weighs admissibility of ‘reenactment’ in murder case
Case plagued by procedural issues could be retried.
US Supreme Court declines to hear 2nd Illinois case challenging state’s ban on semiautomatic weapons
Caulkins and his co-plaintiffs claimed that participation in the decision by two state court justices violated the 14th Amendment guarantee of equal protection of the laws because they accepted millions of dollars of campaign contributions from gun restriction advocates.
Trump downplays Jan. 6 on the anniversary of the Capitol siege and calls jailed rioters ‘hostages’
Trump held a pair of commit-to-caucus events in Newton in central Iowa and Clinton in the state’s far east.
Voters file an objection to Trump’s name on the Illinois ballot
The petition filed Thursday with the Illinois State Board of Elections is similar to those filed in other states.
Madigan trial delayed until October for SCOTUS review of bribery statute
CHICAGO – Former Illinois House Speaker Michael Madigan won’t be spending his 82nd birthday in a federal courtroom this spring after a judge on Wednesday granted his request to delay his bribery and racketeering trial originally set to begin April 1. Madigan claimed the small victory while appearing in court for the first time since he…
Governor names new DCFS director
Former director Marc Smith will stay on until Feb. 1 The troubled state agency charged with the protection of abused and neglected children will have new leadership in the new year. Gov. JB Pritzker announced Wednesday that Department of Juvenile Justice Director Heidi Mueller will take over the embattled Department of Children and Family Services…
An Illinois lawmaker wants to ban ex-Speaker Michael Madigan’s portrait from the capitol
Madigan, the longtime Illinois House Speaker, is charged with bribery and conspiracy. A lawmaker wants to ban his portrait from the House.
New Illinois law should help survivors of gender violence who sue their employers
The law, which took effect Jan. 1, is intended to hold employers accountable for failing to act on complaints of workplace violence.
Laws banning semi-automatic weapons and library censorship to take effect in Illinois
Illinois will usher in 320 new laws on New Year’s Day. The production or purchase of a semi-automatic weapon will be prohibited, and employers will be required to allow paid vacation for any reason.
Black ministers and scholars discuss the state of the Black Church in Central Illinois
More than 200 people came to The Virginia Theatre to learn the history and current role of the Black Church in Central Illinois. The event showcased a panel of Black church and community leaders discussing the evolving role of pastors, the diminishing influence of predominantly Black churches, and the overall journey and significance of the Black Church through the years.
Prohibition on book bans, right to sue for ‘deepfake porn’ among new laws taking effect Jan. 1
More than 300 statutes will become law in the new year.
Congress passed so few laws this year that we explained them all in 1,000 words
Much of the news in Congress this year had little to do with actual legislation, but lawmakers did manage to send 27 bills to President Biden’s desk for a signature. That’s a dramatic productivity decline relative to previous years, even when compared to other eras of divided government. But they’re set to start next year…
Longtime Chicago Alderman Ed Burke found guilty of corruption
A federal jury convicted former Alderman Ed Burke on 13 corruption counts Thursday after hearing allegations the longest-serving City Council member in Chicago history with a 54-year tenure had used his power to win private law business from developers.
Palestinian UIUC student reflects on the loss of her family in Gaza
Palestinian Americans are grieving the loss of tens of thousands of people in Gaza, including their own family members and loved ones. One young woman in Champaign, who attends the University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign, shared her story with the student newsroom at Illinois Public Media. She asked that we not use her name out…