While most new laws in Illinois take effect on January 1, some measures are scheduled to align with the start of the state’s fiscal year on July 1. Among the new laws taking effect is House Bill 1226, a long-overdue measure aimed at ending an unfair […]
A major power company has announced plans to close three Illinois power plants in the coming years, raising new concerns about the future reliability and affordability of the state’s energy grid. Vistra Corp., one of the largest competitive power generators in the country, recently notified the […]
Paul Jacobs has been appointed as the new State Senator for Illinois’ 59th Senate District, bringing decades of public service, military experience, and small business leadership to the Illinois Senate. Jacobs, a United States Navy veteran, longtime Southern Illinois optometrist, small business owner, and former state […]
Beginning July 1, the Illinois Department of Early Childhood is set to become fully operational, marking the next phase in the state’s effort to consolidate early childhood programs and services under one agency. The department was created in 2024 through Senate Bill 1, also known as […]
On June 16, Gov. JB Pritzker signed the Fiscal Year 2027 state budget into law, locking in a record-high $55.9 billion spending plan that continues Illinois’ troubling pattern of higher taxes, increased spending and misplaced priorities. The budget, which takes effect July 1, was passed by […]
Across Illinois, communities are gearing up for one of the state’s favorite summer traditions as county fairs prepare to showcase local agriculture, small businesses, entertainment, and the people who help drive Illinois’ rural economy. With more than 100 county fairs held across the state each year, […]
In the early hours of June 1, the Illinois General Assembly passed legislation designed to strengthen online protections for children and provide parents with additional tools to help keep their families safe in the digital age. House Bill 5511, known as the Children’s Online Safety Act, establishes new safeguards for minors on social […]
As the Illinois General Assembly wrapped up the spring 2026 legislative session, lawmakers approved two measures aimed at strengthening consumer protections in the online ticket sales and resale market. Senate Bill 318 creates the Prohibition on Bots Purchasing Tickets Act, which targets the use of automated […]
The Illinois General Assembly has once again delayed implementation of the state’s controversial Interchange Fee Prohibition Act, pushing the effective date from July 1, 2026, to July 1, 2027. The delay was included in Senate Bill 3645, which passed the General Assembly in May and is […]
On Friday, June 5, the Illinois Department of Corrections (IDOC) officially announced its plans to rebuild both The Logan and Stateville Correctional Centers in Crest Hill, Illinois. The Logan Correctional Center, built in the 1930s, currently is located just outside Lincoln, Illinois. Back in May 2024, […]