Illinois' rainy-day fund, emergency reserves lowest in country
(The Center Square) - With barely two weeks of reserves in its rainy day fund, new data from Pew Research shows Illinois now ranks last among all 50 states in its ability to withstand a financial crisis. Illinois state ...
18h ago
Illinois GOP chair calls Governor’s trade mission 'irresponsible'
(The Center Square) - Illinois Gov. J.B. Pritzker's trade mission to Mexico includes a delegation of more than 70 people. A statement from the governor's office said the trip, scheduled from March 30 to April 2, is aime...
Mar 28, 2025
Illinois quick hits: COVID grant canceled; sex trafficking conviction
COVID grant canceled The Trump administration canceled $125 million in COVID-related taxpayer funds to the city of Chicago. City officials say they were notified by U.S. Department of Health and Human Se...
Mar 28, 2025
Illinois bill to protect homeless from fines faces law enforcement backlash
(The Center Square) - An Illinois bill to stop fines or criminal charges for homeless people using public property or doing life-sustaining activities is opposed by law enforcement groups. State Rep. John Cabello, R-Mac...
Mar 28, 2025
McLean County sheriff investigating alleged election interference
(The Center Square) - McLean County school districts asked voters to approve a 1% sales tax on their taxpayer-funded websites, a move that has one resident accusing officials of a criminal offense. Dean Fletcher, an Ill...
Mar 28, 2025
U.S. Senator from Illinois blasts DOGE efforts to eliminate fraud
(The Center Square) - Illinois U.S. Sen. Dick Durbin is targeting President Donald Trump and Department of Government Efficiency leader Elon Musk with various criticisms of their efforts to cut waste and fraud. Speaking...
Mar 28, 2025
Illinois quick hits: Pritzker, Illinois delegation head to Mexico
Pritzker, Illinois delegation head to Mexico Illinois Gov. J.B. Pritzker is heading to Mexico this weekend. The governor will be joined by officials from several state agencies, including the Illinois De...
Mar 28, 2025
WATCH: Illinois In Focus Daily | Friday March 28th, 2025
(The Center Square) - In today's edition of Illinois in Focus Daily, The Center Square Associate Editor Greg Bishop revisits an Illinois House education committee hearing to pick up on a bill that would protect non-citizen children in ...
Mar 28, 2025
Council Member Faces Voter Backlash for Refusing to Recite Pledge of Allegiance
Story by Cat Barker A voter, Cristo Ortiz-Palafox, reached out to Ward 1 incumbent Jenna Kearns regarding her decision not to recite the Pledge of Allegiance at city council meetings and found out the council member participates in quiet "reflection" instead. Ortiz-Palafox asked Kearns a series of questions i...
Mar 28, 2025
Legislators to phase in universal school meals with $67 million spending request
(The Center Square) - State lawmakers are taking a phased-in approach to free school meals for all. Illinois House Bill 2365, sponsored by state Rep. Maurice West, D-Rockford, seeks to appropriate $67 million to the Hea...
Mar 28, 2025
