Illinois House Speaker Welch cites due process and victims’ rights for his silence over embattled lawmaker Illinois House Speaker Emanuel “Chris” Welch reluctantly made his first comments about his decision to strip state Rep. Harry Benton of key caucus duties two months ago.

Illinois House Speaker Welch cites due process and victims’ rights for his silence over embattled lawmaker

Illinois House approves megaprojects bill, but the Bears want changes Article Summary The Illinois House approved a major economic development bill that includes a provision the Chicago Bears see as

Illinois House approves megaprojects bill, but the Bears want changes

Bears, megaprojects tax incentive bill heads to Senate after clearing House (The Center Square) – The Illinois House has passed legislation to provide tax incentives for the Chicago Bears and other megaprojects worth $100 million or more.

Bears, megaprojects tax incentive bill heads to Senate after clearing House

House approves redistricting amendment, fearing federal Voting Rights Act will be eliminated Article Summary The Illinois House voted to approve a constitutional amendment that would make a new priority list for lawmakers

House approves redistricting amendment, fearing federal Voting Rights Act will be eliminated

IL Senate passes digital driver's license cleanup bill, sends plan to House A plan moving to the Illinois House could help improve the state's recent digital driver's license law.

IL Senate passes digital driver's license cleanup bill, sends plan to House

IL bill could require school panic alarm systems to improve emergency response Sponsors said the Illinois State Police will work with the State Board of Education and Emergency Management Agency to develop rules for the mobile panic alert system.

IL bill could require school panic alarm systems to improve emergency response

Bears exit from Chicago closer to reality as House mulls bill helping Arlington Heights bid The measure represents the first major legislative step toward ensuring the Bears stay in Illinois. The thorny details of infrastructure funding for Arlington Heights — which are likely to include help...

Bears exit from Chicago inching closer to reality as House mulls bill helping Arlington Heights' bid

Wednesday update: Committee advances Bears bill, Dems break for private caucus SZALINSKI’S SUMMARY: House Democrats went to a private caucus ahead of a vote on an amended megaprojects bill that could

Wednesday update: Committee advances Bears bill, Dems break for private caucus

Tweaked megaprojects proposal set for Illinois House hearing as Chicago Bears’ future home remains uncertain A key state lawmaker on Wednesday introduced a new version of a proposal that would help the Chicago Bears build a new stadium in Arlington Heights.

Tweaked megaprojects proposal set for Illinois House hearing as Chicago Bears’ future home remains uncertain

Illinois Democrats trying to get ‘millionaire tax’ and redistricting amendment questions on fall ballot Legislation calls for voters to be asked in November if the state constitution should be changed to tax residents who make more than $1 million and reframe how voting maps are drawn for the Illinois General...

Illinois Democrats trying to get ‘millionaire tax’ and redistricting amendment questions on fall ballot

Measure to rename bridge after Bennett advances | Ford County Chronicle SPRINGFIELD — A bill to honor a late state senator by renaming the Kickapoo Rail Trail bridge after him passed the Illinois Senate on Thursday, April 16. It was announced that state Sen. Paul Faraci,...

Measure to rename bridge after Bennett advances | Ford County Chronicle

Report: Illinois stalls in efforts to expand preschool compared to other states Article Summary A 2025 nationwide report on statewide early childhood education found that Illinois stalled in efforts to expand preschool

Report: Illinois stalls in efforts to expand preschool compared to other states

Jim Dey | Five years later, Black caucus says SAFE-T Act working just fine Having heard negative “chatter” about the state’s historic decision in 2021 to abolish the cash bail system, Illinois House Black Legislative Caucus members recently announced there will no substantive...

Jim Dey | Five years later, Black caucus says SAFE-T Act working just fine

Rev. Dwight Ford: Fixing Illinois’ broken reentry system will strengthen communities Our broken reentry system crashes into communities, pins down human potential, and smashes families with additional financial strain.

Rev. Dwight Ford: Fixing Illinois’ broken reentry system will strengthen communities qctimes.com/tncms/asset/...

Op-Ed: Senate Bill 3070 provides sensible solution for students, manufacturers Illinois manufacturers face a serious problem. We have modern, high-tech facilities running at full capacity, but we struggle to find the young talent needed to keep our shop floors moving

Op-Ed: Senate Bill 3070 provides sensible solution for students, manufacturers

Back at work, under a cloud WASHINGTON & POLITICS

Back at work, under a cloud

Transportation providers, schools, state officials ease school bus driver shortage Article Summary In response to the nationwide school bus driver shortage, a partnership emerged between Illinois schools, transportation providers and

Transportation providers, schools, state officials ease school bus driver shortage

Eye On Illinois: School phone ban seems imminent, though future tweaks likely How are supposed to kids supposed to know what’s happening on their Chromebooks if they’re looking at their iPhones?

Eye On Illinois: School phone ban seems imminent, though future tweaks likely

Howard A. Learner: Earth Day is a reminder that Illinois must come up with environmental solutions Here are four key opportunities in 2026 to deliver safer clean water, healthier clean air and better public transit for Illinois.

Howard A. Learner: Earth Day is a reminder that Illinois must come up with environmental solutions

Illinois lawmakers push to phase out ultra-processed foods in school cafeterias Illinois lawmakers are pushing to change food options in cafeteria lines. Health advocates say it's a positive step toward childhood health.

Illinois lawmakers push to phase out ultra-processed foods in school cafeterias

IL Freedom Caucus airs grievances about Democrats blocking their bills The Eastern Illinois Republicans told reporters in Springfield Tuesday that none of their ideas for reform received hearings this spring.

IL Freedom Caucus airs grievances about Democrats blocking their bills

Illinois awards $32M to cannabis companies, but some are still struggling to open Illinois is offering $32 million in loans to social equity cannabis companies, but some are still struggling to open.

Illinois awards $32M to cannabis companies, but some are still struggling to open

Lawmakers Chung, Koehler look to keep Illinois a beacon of LGBTQ+ support Much of the legislation they discussed Monday night at an annual legislative town hall hosted by the Prairie Pride Coalition and Equality Illinois is aimed at keeping in place support that’s being scuttled...

Lawmakers Chung, Koehler look to keep Illinois a beacon of LGBTQ+ support - WGLT

Illinois lawmakers consider millionaire’s tax to pay for property tax relief, schools Lawmakers are weighing a surtax on millionaires that could pay for property tax relief and public education.

Illinois lawmakers consider millionaire’s tax to pay for property tax relief, schools

Mother of Megan Bos calls for SAFE-T Act reform | FOX 32 Chicago This month marks one year since Megan Bos's body was found and in response, her mother Jennifer is breaking her silence. She's now backing House Bill 41-04, which would give judges broader discretion...

Mother of Megan Bos calls for SAFE-T Act reform

Tense week continues as Illinois Democrats evaluate Chicago Bears stadium bills Illinois Democrats are continuing to debate legislation aimed at keeping the Chicago Bears in the state, but huge hurdles remain.

Democrats in Springfield mull Chicago Bears stadium bills amid tense week

Affordable housing in Illinois at a tipping point | The Chicago Report | FOX 32 Chicago Housing advocates are sounding the alarm over an affordable housing tax credit that's set to expire.

Affordable housing in Illinois at a tipping point | The Chicago Report

Lawmakers working out final details of Bears megaprojects bill, possible millionaire’s tax More than three years after the Chicago Bears finalized their purchase of a 326-acre piece of land in Arlington Heights, Illinois lawmakers are putting the final touches on a bill to help the team …

Lawmakers working out final details of Bears megaprojects bill, possible millionaire's tax

IL House GOP blast Welch's redistricting constitutional amendment effort House Speaker Emanuel "Chris" Welch filed a resolution Monday to change how legislative districts are drawn in favor of Democrats.

IL House GOP blast Welch's redistricting constitutional amendment effort

Illinois House unveils new version of Bears’ megaprojects bill Article Summary House lawmakers met for several hours behind closed doors Tuesday to discuss the latest amendment to a bill

Illinois House unveils new version of Bears’ megaprojects bill