Capitol News Illinois

Responding to federal threat, legislation would protect Illinois waterways Article Summary Last November, the Trump administration proposed a stricter definition for “Waters of the United States,” excluding seasonal streams,

Illinois’ Democrat lawmakers hope 2026 will be the year they pass the Wetlands Protection Act, but the opposition for the bill remains. @medillschool.bsky.social student Gabriel Castilho reports ➡️ https://loom.ly/tTXNzD4

Biotechnology company to invest $1.5 billion in Illinois plasma-processing plan Article Summary Australian biotechnology company to invest $1.5 billion by 2031 to expand Kankakee plasma-processing facility. The expansion will create

Biopharma company CSL to invest $1.5 billion in Kankakee manufacturing facility, bringing 300 new jobs by 2031. @maggiedough.bsky.social has more ➡️ https://loom.ly/1SiO6hU

People who are homeless are much more likely to face ER room visits, hospitalizations & premature death than the general population, & state officials are struggling to stem the crisis. Jacques Abou-Rizk @medillschool.bsky.social reports. https://loom.ly/bTcOorA

After prison sentence, engineer collects nearly $1.5M from same state agency he was convicted of defrauding Editor’s note: This story was originally published by the Illinois Times and republished with permission. Outlets republishing this story must

A man sentenced to five years in federal prison for defrauding the Illinois Environmental Protection Agency out of $13 million has collected $1.5 million from the state for the same line of work since being sentenced. Story by Dilpreet Raju, Illinois Times. https://loom.ly/W5V2vko

What to know about COGFA’s Friday state revenue update EXECUTIVE SUMMARY: An update released Friday shows current fiscal year revenue is expected to be about 1.2% higher than what lawmakers

What to know about COGFA’s Friday state revenue update by @benszalinski.bsky.social. https://loom.ly/x70zvzE

Carterville school employee placed on leave for sexual abuse over a year after FBI received tip CARTERVILLE — The FBI received a tip about possible sexual abuse involving a Carterville High School employee and former students

A Carterville school employee has been placed on leave amid a sexual abuse investigation more than a year after the FBI received a tip. Molly Parker and Saluki Local Reporting Lab students Jackson Brandhorst and Lylee Gibbs have more ➡️ https://loom.ly/ML1DXbs

The former Sangamon County Sheriff’s Deputy convicted of killing an unarmed woman is receiving medical treatment. Beth Hundsdorfer has more: https://loom.ly/VjuVECQ

‘I didn’t believe it’: Illinois, Cook County wipe out $2B in medical debt for pennies on dollar Article Summary Illinois and Cook County have erased more than $2 billion in medical debt combined for over a million

Two state programs help Illinoisans eliminate medical debt, but lawmakers worry about future funding. @medillschool.bsky.social student Kaitlin Bender-Thomas has more ➡️ https://loom.ly/VEiZm7A

Gov. JB Pritzker is not one for labels, but his supply side solutions to address the state’s housing shortage and energy reflect an ‘abundance’ agenda, @brendenmoore.bsky.social writes in his column: https://loom.ly/HlM70Bw

Feds accuse former Carlyle police chief of wire fraud, theft Article Summary A federal grand jury in East St. Louis returned a four-count indictment against former Carlyle Police Chief Mark

The Carlyle police chief, who resigned Dec. 1, was indicted this week. @bhundsdorfer.bsky.social and @jayohday.bsky.social have more. ➡️ https://loom.ly/zGRDHpk

Illinois mayors call on Pritzker to rethink flat local government funding Article Summary Illinois municipal leaders are calling on state lawmakers to increase the amount of income tax revenue that is

Local government leaders call on the state to provide more funding to local governments after Pritzker proposed flat funding. @benszalinski.bsky.social reports ➡️ https://loom.ly/KnsfXaw

Pritzker part 2: Governor likes Illinois’ odds in Bears stadium tug-of-war EXECUTIVE SUMMARY: Gov. JB Pritzker told Capitol News Illinois this week that he likes Illinois’ odds to keep the Chicago

Part 2 from our exclusive interview with the governor: Pritzker likes Illinois’ odds in Bears stadium tug-of-war. https://loom.ly/gqRXYTY

28 Illinois schools receive state Blue Ribbon Schools award Article Summary Illinois honored 28 schools with Blue Ribbon Schools awards at an event at the Governor’s Mansion. Gov. JB

The state awarded 28 schools for academic excellence in the Governor’s Blue Ribbon Schools award program at an event Wednesday evening. Jenna Schweikert has more ➡️ https://loom.ly/88nTFsc

Exclusive interview: Pritzker says Illinois has ‘turned the battleship around’ as he ramps up bid for third term EXECUTIVE SUMMARY: In a wide-ranging interview with Capitol News Illinois, Gov. JB. Pritzker touted progress in his first seven years

In a wide-ranging interview with Brenden Moore and @benszalinski.bsky.social earlier this week, Gov. JB Pritzker touted progress but said there’s “more work to do” as he ramps up his bid for a third term: https://loom.ly/Ee41vuc

Lawmakers target hidden fees, predatory sales tactics with electric supply legislation Article Summary Lawmakers are looking to further regulate alternative retail energy suppliers, tying the rates they can charge for energy

Illinois lawmakers introduce legislation to improve transparency of utility pricing. @maggiedough.bsky.social and @nhytrek.bsky.social have more ➡️ https://loom.ly/Li5_R28

Bill expanding access to discounted drugs awaits House action Article Summary The 340B drug program requires manufacturers to provide steep discounts for certain medications to safety net clinics, Federally

Health care providers and pharmaceutical manufacturers at odds over 340B drug pricing program. Details by Peter Hancock ➡️ https://loom.ly/Z9YcSDw

Congressional Black Caucus accuses Pritzker of ‘heavy-handing’ Senate race EXECUTIVE SUMMARY: The Congressional Black Caucus is taking aim at Lt. Gov. Juliana Stratton — and Gov. JB Pritzker. The

The Congressional Black Caucus is taking aim at Lt. Gov. Juliana Stratton — and Gov. JB Pritzker. https://loom.ly/EFnaktQ

Former DOJ attorneys intervene in lawsuit seeking sensitive Illinois voter registration data Article Summary Eighteen former Department of Justice attorneys signed onto an amicus brief arguing the Trump administration has no legal

The Trump administration’s campaign to access sensitive voter registration data draws more opposition. Details by Peter Hancock ➡️ https://loom.ly/2I2q_iA

Pritzker denies traveling on Epstein’s plane after Bill Clinton’s since-recanted testimony Article Summary Former President Bill Clinton recently mentioned Gov. JB Pritzker in a deposition to Congress regarding sex trafficker Jeffrey

Gov. JB Pritzker denied any association with sex trafficker Jeffrey Epstein following testimony from Bill Clinton. A Clinton spokesperson said Clinton was referring a foundation trip to Africa on a plane supplied by Google. @benszalinski.bsky.social reports ➡️ https://loom.ly/hkVUgrs

Illinois lawmakers call for governor-appointed Epstein investigatory commission Article Summary Illinois lawmakers have introduced legislation to create a governor-appointed commission to investigate Illinois-linked crimes connected to the network

Illinois Democratic lawmakers call for the creation of a governor-appointed commission to investigate in-state crimes of Jeffrey Epstein’s network. @maggiedough.bsky.social has more ➡️ https://loom.ly/BxM_vIc

Comptroller Susana Mendoza endorses Holly Kim to be her successor Article Summary Comptroller Susana Mendoza is endorsing Lake County Treasurer Holly Kim to be her successor. Mendoza said she supports

Comptroller Susana Mendoza is backing Lake County Treasurer Holly Kim to be her successor. @benszalinski.bsky.social reports ➡️ https://loom.ly/ehrJT3M

How Illinois’ Road Fund will help fund transit, especially in the Chicago region Article Summary A new state transit law redirects revenue from the state’s motor fuel tax and interest from the Road

With the passage of SB 2111, legislators raise alarm about the quality of Illinois’ roads & infrastructure projects originally supposed to be completed with the Road Fund. Jacques Abou-Rizk & Amy L Wong @medillschool.bsky.social report: https://loom.ly/mou7u9I

Even amid partial DHS shutdown, Illinois remains on edge over ICE coming back Article Summary Illinois and Chicago leaders are considering their legislative options while remaining on guard for another round of immigration

Illinois and Chicago leaders are considering their legislative options while remaining on guard for another round of immigration raids. Sam Freeman reports for @medillschool.bsky.social. https://loom.ly/sht1z8s

Judge orders release of dozens of immigrants detained illegally by ICE in Chicago Article Summary A federal judge on Friday ordered the release of 32 people detained by federal immigration agents without warrants

Federal judge orders the release of dozens of immigrants detained without warrants amid Operation Midway Blitz. @maggiedough.bsky.social reports. https://loom.ly/pJMJWLo

High schoolers flood state Capitol to advocate for drug abuse prevention bills Article Summary The Illinois Prevention Network rallied high school students to lobby state legislators to pass drug and alcohol regulation

The Illinois Prevention Network rallied high school students this week to lobby state legislators to pass drug and alcohol regulation bills. @medillschool.bsky.social students Georgia Epiphaniou and Jacques Abou-Rizk have more ➡️ https://loom.ly/B-_zPNM

Legislators, activists continue push for prescription drug affordability board Article Summary Citing high prescription drug prices, lawmakers and activists are reviving a dormant push to create an Illinois prescription

Supporters are trying to gain momentum to pass a stalled prescription drug affordability bill this spring but face pharmaceutical resistance. Jenna Schweikert has more ➡️ https://loom.ly/vsjPzsM

Lawmakers postpone Cook County property tax debt sale to continue working on reforms Article Summary Illinois lawmakers voted Thursday to delay the annual Cook County property tax debt sale, saying they need more

Lawmakers voted Thursday to delay a Cook County property tax debt sale, saying they need more time to reform current state law in accordance with a 2023 Supreme Court decision. Jenna Schweikert reports ➡️ https://loom.ly/BmKGo0A

Lawmakers take step to incentivize Bears to stay in Illinois Article Summary The House revenue committee voted to advance a bill that could help the Chicago Bears build a stadium

A plan to help the Chicago Bears move to Arlington Heights took its first step in Springfield on Tuesday. But it was met by skeptical lawmakers and likely has a long way to go. CNI has the details ➡️ https://loom.ly/ZBnAb1U

Illinois soybean farmers welcome federal aid, but fear long-term trade damage Article Summary At the end of February, Illinois soybean farmers are set to receive special federal payments through the U.S.

Illinois soybean farmers are set to receive federal aid after last year’s trade-war losses. While farmers welcome the relief, some worry that it’s not enough to cover their losses. By @medillschool.bsky.social student Rebecka Pieder ➡️ https://loom.ly/V98uNMM

Capitol Briefs: U of I still concerned about higher ed funding overhaul proposal The president of the University of Illinois System said Wednesday that negotiations are continuing over legislation to overhaul the way

The University of Illinois System remains opposed to a proposed overhaul of the state's higher ed funding system. Peter Hancock & Nikoel Hytrek have more. https://loom.ly/8DM8OJE