This Independence Day holds special significance as communities across Illinois and the nation begin celebrating the 250th anniversary of the United States. The milestone marks two and a half centuries since the signing of the Declaration of Independence and serves as an opportunity to reflect on […]
The Illinois Department of Natural Resources has announced that annual waterfowl blind drawings for the 2026 hunting season will take place July 25 and 26 at several public hunting areas across the state. These drawings allow hunters to be assigned specific, pre-set blind sites for the […]
After no action was taken during the regular spring legislative session, Senate Republicans are renewing their calls for Governor JB Pritzker to opt Illinois into the federal Education Freedom Tax Credit Program. The program would help provide a lifeline for struggling students by offering them the […]
Newly released data from the U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) shows Illinois’ error rate for the Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP) continues to climb, raising concerns about accountability and the potential cost to taxpayers. According to USDA’s Fiscal Year 2025 data, Illinois’ SNAP payment error rate […]
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. When the calendar turned to July 1 this year, 19 new laws took effect (18 from the 104th General […]
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 […]