Capitol News
Despite victories, major higher education policy bills stall in General Assembly
Capitol News Illinois SPRINGFIELD – Gov. JB Pritzker got some of what he requested from the General Assembly in the area of higher education, but some of his biggest requests fell short. Pritzker’s wins include a $10 million increase in need-based student financial aid and passage of a direct admission program to make it easier…
Read MoreISP backs bill expanding its mission to investigate internet crimes against children
Capitol News Illinois SPRINGFIELD – While Illinois State Police has long investigated child sex crimes, a new measure would explicitly name addressing internet crimes against children as a core mission of its criminal division. House Bill 2586, also called Alicia’s Law, would add to the current 13 missions of the Illinois State Police Department of…
Read MoreUnsettling Accounts: How Illinois is confronting the growing student loan crisis
Capitol News Illinois By Claire Murphy, Illinois Answers Project With $49,000 in student loan debt, Josue Villalpando figured becoming a homeowner was a long way off. “The thought of purchasing a home was definitely floating around, however I never actually looked into it knowing that I had such a big burden with my student…
Read MoreBaby food safety, press freedom, public defender measures will head to governor
Capitol News Illinois Gov. JB Pritzker will have hundreds of bills to review after lawmakers concluded their spring session, including measures protecting press freedoms and baby food, as well as creating a state public defender’s office. Lawmakers voted along party lines Saturday to pass House Bill 3363, which would create the “Office of State Public…
Read MoreAmid court battle, lawmakers look to push back ‘swipe fees’ ban
Capitol News Illinois SPRINGFIELD – Illinois lawmakers have decided to delay a ban on “swipe fees” for another year as bankers are locked in a court battle with the state over the ban. Lawmakers passed the Interchange Fee Prohibition Act last spring as part of the legislative package that enacted the state budget. It prohibits…
Read MoreWith electric prices going up, advocates tried — and failed — to reform the energy sector
Capitol News Illinois SPRINGFIELD — Heading into the end of the legislative session, consumer advocates, renewable energy industry groups and environmental advocates were hopeful about a bill that would have overhauled Illinois’ energy industry. It would have been the largest energy reform in years, touching almost every part of the state’s electricity sector. Some said…
Read MoreFifth person dies as a result of Chatham afterschool program crash in late April
Capitol News Illinois An 8-year-old boy is the most recent casualty of a car crash at a Chatham daycare April 28. Bradley Lund, 8, has been in a Springfield hospital since the collision at YNOT Outdoors five weeks ago, according to Sangamon County Coroner Jim Allmon. Bradley sustained “multiple blunt force injuries” when a black…
Read MoreU.S. Supreme Court agrees to hear Illinois congressman’s appeal of mail-in voting
Capitol News Illinois The U.S. Supreme Court agreed Monday to hear an appeal on a lawsuit led by Illinois Republican U.S. Rep. Mike Bost challenging Illinois’ mail-in voting law. Bost and a pair of Illinois primary delegates for President Donald Trump sued the Illinois State Board of Elections in 2022, arguing that the state’s law…
Read MoreMascot ban stalls as Native-backed land conservation bill advances
Capitol News Illinois SPRINGFIELD – Illinois’ legislative session concluded without passage of a Native American K-12 school mascot ban, but another issue sought by Natives will make its way to the governor. Despite desire from Native Americans in Illinois, the ban on Native imagery for mascots in K-12 schools stalled in the Senate after it…
Read MoreBill to repeal licensure requirements for hair braiders stalls in the House. Here’s why.
Capitol News Illinois CHICAGO — A bill that would have repealed licensing requirements for hair braiders in Illinois died in the final stretch of the legislative session after opponents voiced concerns about how deregulation could impact health, safety and equity for the profession. The Hair Braiding Opportunity Act, House Bill 3356, would have amended the…
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