Category: State News

Lawmakers seek ways to prevent data centers from straining Illinois’ power grids by Leonardo Pini and Medill Illinois News Bureau, Capitol News Illinois April 9, 2025 SPRINGFIELD — Illinois has been at the forefront of the data center boom, but…

Bill banning dwarfism slur as mascot passes House by Bridgette Fox and UIS Public Affairs Reporting (PAR), Capitol News Illinois April 8, 2025 SPRINGFIELD — The House passed a bill Tuesday that would ban public schools from using mascots that…

Illinois nursing homes seek Medicaid rate hike by Peter Hancock, Capitol News Illinois April 8, 2025 SPRINGFIELD — Nursing home industry officials are urging Illinois lawmakers to increase the rates they receive from the state’s Medicaid system, arguing the current…

It’s not just Chicago. Downstate public transit agencies face funding challenges by Ben Szalinski, Capitol News Illinois April 7, 2025 SPRINGFIELD – Outside the busy systems of buses and trains moving about a million commuters around Chicago and its suburbs…

Intellectual and developmental disability services brace for potential Medicaid cuts by Erin Drumm and Medill Illinois News Bureau, Capitol News Illinois March 28, 2025 SPRINGFIELD — Intellectual and developmental disability service organizations are bracing for potential cuts to Medicaid and…

Potawatomi to reclaim tribal land in DeKalb County by Peter Hancock, Capitol News Illinois March 24, 2025 SPRINGFIELD – More than 175 years after their reservation in Illinois was illegally sold at auction, the Prairie Band Potawatomi Nation is now…

Billions were pledged, but many Illinois university construction projects stalled by Ryan Grieser and The Saluki Local Reporting Lab, Capitol News Illinois March 24, 2025 Buildings on Illinois’ college campuses were falling apart when lawmakers approved $2.9 billion for higher…

Proposal stalls to strengthen law mandating foster kids move placements with luggage, not trash bags by Erin Drumm and Medill Illinois News Bureau, Capitol News Illinois March 18, 2025 SPRINGFIELD — Four years ago, the General Assembly unanimously approved a…

Pritzker’s community college initiative stalls in House committee by Peter Hancock, Capitol News Illinois March 20, 2025 SPRINGFIELD — One of Gov. JB Pritzker’s top legislative initiatives stalled in the General Assembly this week when the chair of the House…

Illinois’ community colleges see nearly 9% spike in spring enrollment by Peter Hancock, Capitol News Illinois March 18, 2025 SPRINGFIELD — Enrollment at Illinois community colleges grew to more than 285,000 in the spring semester this year, an 8.9% increase…

Cell phone ban legislation clears Senate committee by Peter Hancock, Capitol News Illinois March 19, 2025 SPRINGFIELD – Legislation that would prohibit public school students from using cell phones and other wireless communication devices during class time cleared a Senate…

Trump administration ends reimbursements for Illinois food programs by Ben Szalinski, Capitol News Illinois March 4, 2025 SPRINGFIELD — The Trump administration has stopped reimbursing Illinois for a program designed to help farmers and supply fresh food to Illinois food…

Illinois bill aims to add more oversight of homeschooling  Following a ProPublica and Capitol News Illinois investigation, an Illinois lawmaker has introduced legislation that would require families to tell their public school districts if they are homeschooling. By Molly Parker…

Pritzker to call for expansion of 4-year degree offerings at some community colleges by Peter Hancock, Capitol News Illinois February 19, 2025 Editor’s note: This article has been updated to reflect a correction to Martin Torres’s job title. SPRINGFIELD –…

Pritzker says federal funds still being withheld; warns of further spending cuts 770K Illinoisans could lose health coverage under GOP federal budget plan By PETER HANCOCK Capitol News Illinois phancock@capitolnewsillinois.com SPRINGFIELD – Gov. JB Pritzker accused the Trump administration this…

Illinois banned life sentences for young offenders—but not for those already behind bars by Ethan Holder, Julia Rendleman, Molly Parker and The Saluki Local Reporting Lab, Capitol News Illinois February 25, 2025 This story was supported by the Pulitzer Center….

Pritzker positions himself at forefront of Trump opposition by invoking Nazis’ rise to power by Hannah Meisel, Capitol News Illinois February 25, 2025 SPRINGFIELD – A month into President Donald Trump’s second term in the White House, Gov. JB Pritzker…

Lawsuit threatens Illinois minority teachers scholarship by Jordan Owens and Medill Illinois News Bureau, Capitol News Illinois February 25, 2025 SPRINGFIELD – Gov. JB Pritzker has proposed continuing funding for a program aimed at getting more minority teachers in classrooms…

As federal deadline approaches, Illinois Secretary of State urges residents to “Get Real” by Jade Aubrey and UIS Public Affairs Reporting (PAR), Capitol News Illinois February 20, 2025 With a deadline approaching for U.S. citizens to obtain Real IDs, Illinois…

State official: renewable investments ‘best thing’ to lower energy costs by Andrew Adams and Leonardo Pini, Capitol News Illinois February 18, 2025 SPRINGFIELD — With an increasing number of officials warning Illinois might struggle to meet its renewable energy goals,…

Committee advances bill to ban vehicle searches based on smell of cannabis by Ben Szalinski, Capitol News Illinois February 18, 2025 An Illinois Senate committee advanced a bill on Tuesday that would strictly limit police’s ability to search a vehicle…

New state transportation chief hopes for ‘a good kind of disruption’ by Andrew Adams, Capitol News Illinois February 14, 2025 CHICAGO — Gia Biagi made her name building parks. Now, she’s leading the department that oversees more than 145,000 miles…

House Republicans ask state Supreme Court to toss out legislative map by Ben Szalinski, Capitol News Illinois January 28, 2025 SPRINGFIELD — Democrats continue to hold a supermajority in the Illinois House thanks to illegally gerrymandered House districts, House Republicans…

House Republicans ask state Supreme Court to toss out legislative map by Ben Szalinski, Capitol News Illinois January 28, 2025 SPRINGFIELD — Democrats continue to hold a supermajority in the Illinois House thanks to illegally gerrymandered House districts, House Republicans…

Illinois House lawmakers file almost 1,800 new bills only 2 weeks into legislative session by Jade Aubrey and UIS Public Affairs Reporting (PAR), Capitol News Illinois January 28, 2025 Illinois lawmakers kicked off their spring legislative session roughly three weeks…

Illinois Shelter Alliance calls for $100M state funding boost to fight homelessness by Atmika Iyer and Medill Illinois News Bureau, Capitol News Illinois January 14, 2025 CHICAGO – With homelessness increasing in Illinois, a coalition of shelter providers and advocates is…

Potawatomi land transfer clears General Assembly by Peter Hancock, Capitol News Illinois January 9, 2025 SPRINGFIELD – Nearly two centuries after losing its reservation in Illinois in a land sale that most people now concede was illegal, the Prairie Band…

Hemp regulation bill stalls amid Democratic infighting by Peter Hancock, Capitol News Illinois January 7, 2025 SPRINGFIELD – A bill that would have imposed regulations on new types of intoxicating substances derived from hemp stalled in the Illinois House Tuesday,…

Local journalism tax credit application window opens by Bridgette Fox and UIS Public Affairs Reporting (PAR), Capitol News Illinois January 6, 2025 News organizations in Illinois can now apply to receive tax credits for journalists that were on their payroll…

Federal judge strikes down Illinois assault weapons ban, setting up likely appeal by Peter Hancock, Capitol News Illinois November 8, 2024 SPRINGFIELD – A federal judge in East St. Louis on Friday struck down Illinois’ assault weapons ban on the…

By the numbers: Unions lead the way on funding state elections in Illinois by Andrew Adams, Capitol News Illinois October 30, 2024 This year in Illinois, there are no statewide elections. There are no fights over a Supreme Court seat….

Governor Pritzker Announces $18 Million for Illinois Works Pre-Apprenticeship Program Eligible Community-Based Organizations Can Now Apply for Illinois Works Pre-Apprenticeship Program Funding CHICAGO – Today, Governor JB Pritzker and the Illinois Department of Commerce and Economic Opportunity (DCEO) announced $18 million…