Energy costs bring State Rep. Chris Miller and IL Freedom Caucus together for town hall
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Energy costs bring State Rep. Chris Miller and IL Freedom Caucus together for town hall

ByHarrison Malkin

EFFINGHAM — The cost of living isn’t cheap in Illinois. For many, energy costs are a particular concern this summer with hot weather and high inflation. Some constituents are looking for answers. “I had a disabled veteran call me the other day…and he said his electric bill from Ameren went from in round numbers…$200 a…

Abortion is legal in Illinois. In Wisconsin, it’s nearly banned. So clinics teamed up
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Abortion is legal in Illinois. In Wisconsin, it’s nearly banned. So clinics teamed up

ByIllinois Public Radio

Around two days a week, Natalee Hartwig leaves her home in Madison, Wisconsin, before her son wakes up, to travel across the border into Illinois. “Luckily it’s summer,” said Hartwig, a nurse midwife at Planned Parenthood of Wisconsin. “For now he can sleep in. But any getting ready that has to happen will be on…

UIS ends contract with DCFS for training investigators

UIS ends contract with DCFS for training investigators

ByIllinois Public Radio

SPRINGFIELD — The University of Illinois Springfield has elected to discontinue its contract with the state’s Department of Children and Family Services to offer simulation training for DCFS investigators in a house on campus. The university decided against renewal of the agreement because the state had not followed its best-practice recommendation that simulation training be…

Rep. Raja Krishnamoorthi defends trip to Taiwan amid threats from China

Rep. Raja Krishnamoorthi defends trip to Taiwan amid threats from China

ByIllinois Public Radio

WASHINGTON — Illinois Congressman Raja Krishnamoorthi was part of the group that joined House Speaker Nancy Pelosi on a trip to Taiwan last week. This was the highest level U-S visit to that country in 25 years. WBEZ’s Mawa Iqbal spoke with the Schaumburg Democrat about why they went and how their trip could impact…

Champaign County resident judicial election pits a GOP incumbent against a Democratic challenger
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Champaign County resident judicial election pits a GOP incumbent against a Democratic challenger

ByHarrison Malkin

CHAMPAIGN — People shuffle in and out of the court; logistical decisions are made and cases are settled. These are nerve wracking moments for community members — some don’t have a lawyer and few have a law degree.  In the Sixth Circuit court, there are no jury members — only a judge presides over matters…

At CPAC, Rep. Mary Miller backs controversial bills, impacting LGBTQ community
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At CPAC, Rep. Mary Miller backs controversial bills, impacting LGBTQ community

ByHarrison Malkin

While addressing CPAC, one of the largest conservative conferences in the nation, Illinois Congresswoman Mary Miller (R-Oakland) defended her 2021 bill, “Safety and Opportunity for Girls Act.”  She described it as having two benefits: “To ensure that our girls have opportunities in athletics, and that we protect our girls in their private spaces.” Nikita Shepard…

10-day sales tax reduction on clothing, school supplies begins Friday
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10-day sales tax reduction on clothing, school supplies begins Friday

ByCapitol News Illinois

Tax on eligible items will decrease to 1.25% from 6.25% from Aug. 5-14 SPRINGFIELD – Beginning Friday and lasting through Aug. 14, the state will reduce its sales tax rate from 6.25 percent to 1.25 percent for certain clothing items costing less than $125 and school supplies. The “tax holiday” was included in Gov. JB…

Willard Airport receives $850,000 grant from Department of Transportation
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Willard Airport receives $850,000 grant from Department of Transportation

ByHarrison Malkin

The Small Community Air Service Development Program— a federal initiative designed to improve underserved airports — recently awarded nearly $17 million to 25 airports across the country. The University of Illinois-owned Willard Airport in Champaign County was the only one selected in the state. They took home $850,000 in grant money from the Department of…

Pritzker highlights Rebuild Illinois funding for Cahokia Heights sewers, Rend Lake Resort

Pritzker highlights Rebuild Illinois funding for Cahokia Heights sewers, Rend Lake Resort

ByCapitol News Illinois

Six-year, $45 billion spending plan passed on bipartisan lines in 2019 SPRINGFIELD – When state lawmakers voted on bipartisan lines in 2019 to double Illinois’ motor fuel tax and raise several driving-related fees, it laid the groundwork for a $45 billion infrastructure plan, the largest in Illinois’ history and the first in nearly a decade….

Republican candidate for governor Darren Bailey struggles to unite his party

Republican candidate for governor Darren Bailey struggles to unite his party

ByIllinois Public Radio

One month after staging a primary upset, Republican Darren Bailey is laboring to reel in supporters of a top Republican primary rival and has yet to log a six- or seven-figure campaign contribution in his fall fight against billionaire Gov. JB Pritzker. Compounding Bailey’s struggles, hedge fund billionaire Kenneth Griffin, who put $50 million into…

State Rep. Lisa Hernandez becomes Democratic Party of Illinois’ first Latino woman chair.

State Rep. Lisa Hernandez becomes Democratic Party of Illinois’ first Latino woman chair.

ByCapitol News Illinois

The vote for state Rep. Elizabeth “Lisa” Hernandez as the Democratic Party of Illinois’ first Latino chairwoman was unanimous and uneventful Saturday morning – the drama had occurred in the days prior in a power struggle of some of the state’s most prominent Democrats. Hernandez was backed Gov. JB Pritzker and House Speaker Emanuel “Chris”…

“Guns to Garden Tools” instills catharsis and social justice in community
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“Guns to Garden Tools” instills catharsis and social justice in community

ByHarrison Malkin

CHAMPAIGN — A few years ago, Rabbi Alan Cook of Sinai Temple heard about a group that transforms donated guns into gardening tools.  He thought it was a powerful idea, and said it was akin to the Jewish principle, tikkun olam. “We emphasize the idea of tikkun olam, literally repairing the world and making it…

Sen. Durbin becomes latest politician to test positive for COVID-19
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Sen. Durbin becomes latest politician to test positive for COVID-19

ByReginald Hardwick

URBANA – US Senator Dick Durbin (D-IL) said Thursday morning that he will work remotely after testing positive for COVID-19. In a statement, the 77-year-old said he is vaccinated against the illness. “Thankfully, I am fully vaccinated and double boosted and only experiencing minor symptoms,” said Durbin. “Consistent with CDC guidelines, I will quarantine and…

Congresswoman Mary Miller supports ‘maximum sanctions’ on Iran despite their ‘devastating’ impact
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Congresswoman Mary Miller supports ‘maximum sanctions’ on Iran despite their ‘devastating’ impact

ByHarrison Malkin

WASHINGTON — In April, Illinois Congresswoman Mary Miller met with Bryan Leib, Executive Director of Iranian Americans for Liberty, for a “meet and greet.” There was little reporting about the meeting — despite its potential implications on the world stage. While the interview lasted 27 minutes, Miller discussed her views on Iran for only a…

Illinois Dems stump for 2024 Chicago convention as party chair vote looms

Illinois Dems stump for 2024 Chicago convention as party chair vote looms

ByCapitol News Illinois

SPRINGFIELD – Illinois Democrats are vying to make Chicago the host city for the Democratic National Convention in 2024 while considering who will lead their party for the next four years. Meanwhile, the state’s Republican Party is hearing calls for a censure of one of its sitting congressmen. Officials for the Democratic National Committee were…