Gov. JB Pritzker dismissed a last-ditch pitch from Chicago Mayor Brandon Johnson to keep the Chicago Bears from leaving city limits, telling reporters Monday morning that the mayor had “no plan” to do so.
Law EnforcementTechnologyAmerican Civil Liberties Union of Illinois (ACLU)artificial intelligence concernsbiometric surveillance restrictionsBluhm Legal Clinic at Northwestern University Pritzker School of LawChicagoEd YohnkaElectronic Privacy Information Centerfacial recognition legislationfacial recognition regulationHomer GlenIllinois Association of Chiefs of PoliceIllinois Sheriffs’ Association (ISA)Illinois State Police (ISP)Jeramie ScottKelly Cassidylaw enforcement technology useMatthew KuglerMelaney ArnoldPatrick Sheehanprivacy versus public safety
Backers are no longer pushing a bill that would have prohibited police from using facial recognition software this session.
BusinessEconomyAdam SiglerBob IlibasicBolingbrookChance HunnicuttCheryl PhillipsChicagoDallasDanny BaylesDelilah LeGrettDon SchaeferElwoodGaige KerrIan HunnicuttIllinois Department of Employment Security (IDES)Illinois Department of Transportation (IDOT)Illinois Manufacturers Association (IMA)Jennifer Bertino-TarrantJoe BaezJolietLos AngelesMadison Rose FrostManhattanMark DenzlerMid-West Truckers AssociationOntarioRiverdaleRobert Roach Jr.Ryan HartRyder HunnicuttSara WittchenTruck Safety CoalitionZach Cahalan
The rapid expansion of warehouse hubs in the Chicago metropolitan area has bolstered the local economy while simultaneously causing a significant increase in heavy truck traffic, infrastructure damage, and fatal accidents.
BudgetHealth340B drug pricing expansionCommission on Government Forecasting and Accountability (COGFA)Cyrus WinnettDave KoehlerDepartment of Central Management ServicesEdwardsemployer healthcare expenseshealthcare provider fundingIllinois Primary Health Care AssociationNational Alliance of Healthcare Purchaser CoalitionsPeoriaprescription drug pricingrural hospital accessShawn GremmingerSpringfieldstate employee insurance costsTravis Weaver
Debate continues over expansion of 340B discount drug program
Immigrationalleged civil rights violationsAllena Martinand Firearmsapartment raid allegationsBroadviewBureau of AlcoholChicagoFederal Bureau of Investigation (FBI)federal tort claimshousing discrimination investigationIllinois Department of Human Rightsimmigration raid lawsuitJonathan ManesMacArthur Justice CenterMexican American Legal Defense and Educational FundNational Immigrant Justice CenterOperation Midway BlitzStephen MillertobaccoU.S. Border PatrolU.S. Customs and Border Protection (CBP)U.S. Department of Justice (DOJ)U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE)University of Chicago Immigrants’ Rights Clinic
Former residents of a Chicago apartment complex targeted by a massive immigration raid in September are seeking millions in damages.
EducationAdriane JohnsonBuffalo GroveCarol AmmonsCassie CreswellChannahonChicagoChris BalkemaDavid KoehlerEdChoiceeducation equity concernsfederal education policyIllinois Families for Public SchoolsJB PritzkerJessica HandyLeslie HinerPaul BrunoPeoriapolitical impact on schoolsprivate school scholarshipspublic school funding debateSavannaschool choice tax creditStand for Children IllinoisTony McCombieU.S. Department of EducationU.S. Department of TreasuryUniversity of Illinois Urbana-ChampaignUrbana
The governor, education advocates and legislators weigh whether to opt Illinois into a federal school choice tax credit.
EnergyEnvironmentTechnologyBrad TietzCarol AmmonsClimate Jobs IllinoisComEdData Center Coalitiondata center regulation debateenergy grid concernsIllinois Clean Jobs CoalitionIllinois Environmental CouncilJB PritzkerJed DavisJen WallingJoe DuffyJolietKady McFaddenNapervillePekinPJM InterconnectionPOWER Act negotiationspublic input and disclosure rulesrenewable energy requirementsSangamon CountySpringfieldTyshianna BankheadUrbanawater use transparencyYorkville
Pressure is mounting for lawmakers to pass data center regulations.
Capitol News InsiderAI safety reporting rulesAnn O’LearyAnthropicartificial intelligence regulationBuffalo Grovecatastrophic risk oversightchild chatbot protectionsDaniel DidechEmanuel “Chris” Welchfederal versus state AI policyGlenviewHillsideIllinois Senate Executive CommitteeJames HartmannJennifer Gong-GershowitzLibertyvilleMary Edly-AllenOpenAISpringfieldstate regulatory negotiations
After months of hearings and behind-closed-doors negotiations, Illinois lawmakers are moving towards a legislative framework for regulating artificial intelligence that has the backing of two of the largest players in the fast-evolving industry.
BudgetAndy ManarArlington HeightsCommission on Government Forecasting and Accountability (COGFA)David Harrisdeclining revenue projectionseconomic uncertainty concernsEric Nogglefiscal discipline warningsIllinois Department of Employment Security (IDES)Illinois Department of Revenue (IDOR)JB PritzkerJolietMark WalkerRachel VenturaRubina HafeezS&P Globalsales tax slowdownSpringfieldU.S. Department of Laborstate budget forecastsunemployment growth
Deputy Gov. Andy Manar warned lawmakers will have limited room for new spending.
Capitol News InsiderAlexi GiannouliasBrandon JohnsonChicagoIllinois Department of InsuranceIllinois Manufacturers Association (IMA)Illinois Retail Merchants Association (IRMA)Illinois Secretary of State’s OfficeKam BucknerMaria PappasMike QuigleySpringfieldSusana Mendoza
Illinois Secretary of State Alexi Giannoulias said Tuesday that he’s “focused right now on finishing the session” but acknowledged that conversations about a widely-speculated 2027 campaign for Chicago mayor are just on the horizon.
Governmentartificial intelligence policy disputeBEAD program reviewChicagoDonald Trumpfederal broadband funding delayfederal-state tensionsGovernment Accountability OfficeHoward Lutnickinfrastructure investmentJB PritzkerNational Telecommunications and Information Administrationrural internet expansionU.S. Department of Commerce
The administration’s past comments on “wokeness” in the program suggest political targeting.
Law EnforcementAddisonAddison Fire Protection DistrictAlsipBolingbrookChannahonChicagoChicago Fire DepartmentChicago HeightsDavid MeyerDerek DeRoseElmwood Parkemergency service recognitionfirefighter bravery awardsfirefighter memorial ceremonyFirefighter Memorial Foundationfirefighter service honorsFirefighting Medal of Honor CommitteeGino CasciolaJolietJoshua MifflinKevin McNicholasKwame RaoulLaGrangeline-of-duty death remembranceMarionMatthew HillMedal of Honor recipientsMonmouthNathan RiordanNormalOrland ParkRiver GroveSpringfieldSusana MendozaWashington
The annual ceremony honored dozens of firefighters, including one Chicagoan who died in the line of duty last year.
BusinessEducationBill MurrayBob WaldmireChicagoDarrin ThurmanEd WaldmireFederal Route 66 Centennial CommissionFelipe de la Cruz TenorioIllinois State MuseumJoan SestakJolietJosh WaldmireJulie AlaimoLivingstonLiz VincentPontiacRoute 66Santa MonicaSpringfieldSpringfield Illinois Convention & Visitors BureauTonia PickerillUniversity of Illinois SpringfieldVirginia WaldmireWayne Pickerill
A drive down Illinois’ stretch of Route 66 highlights the people, landmarks and small businesses keeping the legacy of the “Mother Road” alive during its centennial year.
CourtsImmigrationCook County CourtCook County State’s Attorney’s OfficeEileen O'Neill BurkeElyssa CherneyErica ReddickIllinois Attorney General’s OfficeIllinois State PoliceJB PritzkerKwame RaoulLocke BowmanNorma HernandezOperation Midway Blitz Accountability CommissionSilverio Villegas GonzalezYvette Loizon
A ruling on appointing a special prosecutor to investigate alleged abuses by federal immigration agents has been delayed as the case grows more complicated.
ElectionsHealing IllinoisAaron AmmonsAmanda BarnesAnthony VegaChicagocybersecurityDHSDOJDon GrayDonald Trumpelection 2026election securityFBIHillary ClintonIllinois Association of County Clerks and RecordersIllinois Department of Human Services (IDHS)Illinois State Board of ElectionsIllinois State Police (ISP)Jennifer CrowderJill SteinJoe BidenJohn AckermanJohn BrimJosephine OkeKash PatelMatt DietrichmisinformationPam BondiParis DunkU.S. Supreme CourtWashington D.C.
Amid lower rates of voter faith, officials say elections are safe and secure — and they’re working to prove it to the public
EducationGovernmentC.D. DavidsmeyerChicagoJolietKarina VillaMike SimmonsMurrayvilleRachel VenturaSpringfieldSteve McClureTaylorvilleTaylorville School DistrictTitle IXWest Chicago
The bill received strong bipartisan support in the Senate.
InvestigationsCartervilleCarterville Board of EducationCarterville High SchoolCarterville Unit No. 5 School DistrictColes CountyFBIIllinois State Board of Education (ISBE)Jeff DiederichJohn “Jake” WakeyLivingston County JailMarionPontiacsexual abuseWilliamson County Sheriff’s Office
The arrest comes 18 months after authorities first received a tip.
CourtsAndre MartinApril PerryBrian StrawBroadviewChicagoChris ParenteKat AbughazalehMichael RabbittOak ParkOperation Midway BlitzU.S. Customs and Border Protection (Border Patrol)U.S. Department of Homeland Security (DHS)U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE)
A federal judge has officially dismissed the main conspiracy charge against the remaining “Broadview Six” ICE protesters while other arrested demonstrators filed suit over DNA cheek swabs in detention.
