Illinois in Focus - Powered by TheCenterSquare.com: Recent Episodes
The Center Square Illinois
A weekly feature of the top TheCenterSquare.com stories of the week, commentary from The Center Square Illinois' editors and more! Support this podcast: https://anchor.fm/illinois-in-focus/support
Greg Bishop gets to the latest in the ongoing court battle over whether the Trump administration has the justification needed to deploy the National Guard to Illinois with a federal appeals court denying a motion to reverse a temporary restraining order against the deployment.
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(The Center Square) – Hundreds of National Guard soldiers are activated in Illinois for the next two months to assist in protecting federal property and personnel enforcing federal immigration law. The issue is in front of a federal judge in Chicago on Thursday morning with the state seeking a temporary restraining order. President Donald Trump for weeks has said he was going to send in the military to help with public safety in Chicago. The U.S. Department of Homeland Security says federal law enforcement are seeing increased assaults against them. U.S. Northern Command announced Wednesday evening, the Texas National Guard are employed in the greater Chicago area with DHS as the lead federal agency. Hosted by Simplecast, an AdsWizz company. See https://pcm.adswizz.comfor information about our collection and use of personal data foradvertising.
Greg Bishop reviews the latest in the legal battle over whether the Trump administration has the justification to use the National Guard in Illinois. A judge Thursday issued a temporary restraining order. The Trump administration appealed.
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Greg Bishop shares reaction to President Donald Trump saying he thinks Gov. J.B. Pritzker should be in jail as Pritzker says "come get me."
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Greg Bishop shares some of the local officials' executive actions taken this week in the face of disruptive protesters in Broadview and police responding to federal agents calls for help in Chicago.
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Greg Bishop unpacks some of the comments from Illinois Democrats who sued the Trump administration over the use of the National Guard to focus on public safety around federal immigration enforcement.
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Greg Bishop, Illinois editor for The Center Square, hosts Illinois In Focus Daily, a review of some of the top Illinois headlines with timely and relevant news and interviews. Hosted by Simplecast, an AdsWizz company. See https://pcm.adswizz.comfor information about our collection and use of personal data foradvertising.
(The Center Square) – Illinois Gov. J.B. Pritzker says President Donald Trump is to blame for the U.S. government’s partial shutdown, but Vice President J.D. Vance has a different opinion. The governor took questions from reporters Wednesday after he hosted a panel discussion with Illinois Department of Public Health Director Sameer Vohra and doctors at the University of Illinois Chicago College of Medicine. “The president of the United States decided to shut down the government because he’s unwilling to sit down with Democrats to discuss things,” Pritzker said. Hosted by Simplecast, an AdsWizz company. See https://pcm.adswizz.comfor information about our collection and use of personal data foradvertising.
Greg Bishop shares the latest updates from Illinois State Police and the U.S. Department of Homeland Security over public safety and immigration enforcement.
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Greg Bishop shares information about two measures filed by statehouse Republicans, one to reverse the state's laws that prohibit state and local law enforcement from cooperating with federal immigration enforcement and another distancing protesters for police.
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(The Center Square) – In today's edition of Illinois in Focus Daily, The Center Square Editor Greg Bishop airs the latest back and forth between President Donald Trump and Gov. J.B. Pritzker over public safety in Chicago and around immigration enforcement. Hosted by Simplecast, an AdsWizz company. See https://pcm.adswizz.comfor information about our collection and use of personal data foradvertising.
Greg Bishop shares comments from Democratic leaders about the expectation that the Trump administration is requesting military troops for Chicago amid protests against immigration officials enforcing federal law.
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Greg Bishop unpacks some of the latest in the developing situation of increased federal law enforcement in and around Chicago with the anticipation of more unfolding throughout the start of the week.
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(The Center Square) – Discretionary spending by Illinois state leaders has increased more than $16 billion since J.B. Pritzker became governor nearly seven years ago. That is a total increase of about 43%. Before Pritzker, the state's general fund spending was roughly flat or had modest increases, according to state data. Republican Gov. Bruce Rauner was in office for part of that time. In the years of financial data reviewed by The Center Square, Democrats have been in control of the state legislature and most statewide offices. A notable exception was Rauner’s single, four-year term as governor. Hosted by Simplecast, an AdsWizz company. See https://pcm.adswizz.comfor information about our collection and use of personal data foradvertising.
Greg Bishop delves into recent analysis by The Center Square's investigative team about the increased state spending of tax dollars under the Pritzker administration and reaction from legislators on both sides of the aisle.
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Greg Bishop shares reaction from Illinois House Minority Leader Tony McCombie, R-Savanna, to the budget executive order signed by Illinois Gov. J.B. Pritzker.
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Greg Bishop provides highlights from the Seventh Circuit U.S. Court of Appeals oral arguments in the challenge to Illinois' gun ban that were heard Monday in court.
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Greg Bishop previews some of what the expectations are from the Seventh Circuit U.S. Court of Appeals oral arguments in the gun and magazine ban set for Monday afternoon in Chicago. He also shares voices from gun owners and gun rights advocates, including Dan Eldridge of Federal Firearms Licensees of Illinois about an event scheduled after the oral arguments.
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(The Center Square) – The Illinois Freedom Caucus has filed articles of impeachment against Gov. J.B. Pritzker for what it says is his engaging in conduct that constitutes inciting violence. Part of the impeachment resolution in House Resolution 466 that the Illinois Freedom Caucus filed includes quotes from Pritzker’s State of the State speech on Feb. 19 where he characterized the Trump administration as using an authoritarian playbook. “If you think I'm overreacting and sounding the alarm too soon, consider this: It took the Nazis one month, three weeks, two days, eight hours and 40 minutes to dismantle a constitutional republic,” Pritzker said earlier this year. The resolution says Pritzker “has issued inflammatory statements that incite violence against elected officials, citizens, and persons located in the United States and has failed to uphold the constitutional requirement to faithfully execute the laws of the State of Illinois.”
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Greg Bishop shares the reaction from Gov. J.B. Pritzker's office to the reports the governor took a picture with a "peacekeeper" who later was accused in a deadly smash-and-grab burglary. State Rep. La Shawn Ford reacts to the effectiveness of violence interruption grants.
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Greg Bishop shares Illinois Gov. J.B. Pritzker's comments in the aftermath of Jimmy Kimmel's late night talk show being suspended by ABC, and some of the debate around the issue from affiliates and FCC officials.
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Greg Bishop airs the latest comments about public safety from President Donald Trump, Illinois Gov. J.B. Pritzker and others as Trump continues to say Chicago is next on his agenda to clean up crime and illegal immigration.
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Greg Bishop airs the latest on President Donald Trump's public safety push, saying he plans to go into Chicago with or without the support of the governor or mayor.
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Greg Bishop shares some recent political polling about the race for the Republican nomination for Illinois governor, which includes the most recent candidate to announce. Former WirePoints President Ted Dabrowski announced his bid for the GOP spot Friday.
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(The Center Square) – Popular political activist and Illinois native Charlie Kirk was shot and killed Wednesday while at a public outdoor event in Utah. The news and video of the shooting spread online quickly. Kirk was speaking in front of at least hundreds of people at Utah Valley University for a “Prove Me Wrong” event. Video showed Kirk getting struck in the neck. President Donald Trump posted on X, “The Great, and even Legendary, Charlie Kirk, is dead. No one understood or had the Heart of the Youth in the United States of America better than Charlie. He was loved and admired by ALL, especially me, and now, he is no longer with us. Melania and my Sympathies go out to his beautiful wife Erika, and family. Charlie, we love you!" Hosted by Simplecast, an AdsWizz company. See https://pcm.adswizz.comfor information about our collection and use of personal data foradvertising.
Greg Bishop shares the calls from Chicago Flips Red for the Trump administration to do more for public safety in Chicago as Gov. J.B. Pritzker says there is no emergency.
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Greg Bishop shares some of the reaction from political leaders to the assassination of Turning Points USA founder Charlie Kirk, an Illinois native, and the accusations of which side of the political spectrum is ratcheting up their political rhetoric.
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Greg Bishop delivers the latest back and forth between the Trump administration, Illinois Gov. J.B. Pritzker and residents of the city of Chicago concerning public safety and immigration enforcement.
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Greg Bishop airs the latest in the ongoing debate and Trump administration actions concerning public safety and immigration enforcement as the Department of Homeland Security launches Operation Midway Blitz.
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Greg Bishop shares some of the moments from Trump administration border czar Tom Homan who spoke to the State Freedom Caucus Network in Dallas, Texas Friday.
Full Homan speech: https://youtu.be/KBNAX5Qa2Cw
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In today's edition of Illinois in Focus , The Center Square Editor Greg Bishop unpacks the latest comments about public safety in Chicago from President Donald Trump, Gov. J.B. Pritzker, members of the Illinois Freedom Caucus and more. Hosted by Simplecast, an AdsWizz company. See https://pcm.adswizz.comfor information about our collection and use of personal data foradvertising.
Greg Bishop delivers the latest comments from Gov. J.B. Pritzker who says the state of Illinois will immediately sue the Trump administration if they use the National Guard, which is speculated to happen as early as this weekend along with increased immigration enforcement.
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Greg Bishop shares the latest developments on how the Trump administration will address public safety in Chicago and Illinois Gov. J.B. Pritzker's refusal to call President Donald Trump for assistance.
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Greg Bishop unpacks the latest comments about public safety in Chicago from President Donald Trump, Gov. J.B. Pritzker, members of the Illinois Freedom Caucus and more.
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Greg Bishop gets to the latest from Chicago Mayor Brandon Johnson and Illinois Gov. J.B. Pritzker about the prospect of increased federal immigration enforcement and the possible use of the National Guard.
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(The Center Square) – Illinois Gov. J.B. Pritzker says he has not received communication from the federal government about potential troop deployments to Illinois, after President Donald Trump offered choice words for the governor. The president deployed troops to combat crime in Washington, D.C. earlier this month and suggested last week that Chicago could be next. When asked Wednesday about reports that federal agencies might use Naval Station Great Lakes for staging, the governor said he had received no calls from the White House or anyone from the federal government who might be in charge of troop movement. Hosted by Simplecast, an AdsWizz company. See https://pcm.adswizz.comfor information about our collection and use of personal data foradvertising.
Greg Bishop gets to the latest in gun ban litigation with plaintiffs challenging Cook County's ban asking the U.S. Supreme Court to take the case. This comes as the statewide ban a district judge found unconstitutional is cued up for appeals' court arguments next month.
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Greg Bishop discusses the latest comments from President Donald Trump, Gov. J.B. Pritzker, Chicago Mayor Brandon Johnson and others to the issue around public safety in Chicago.
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Greg Bishop shares some of the debate around President Donald Trump's executive order ending federal tax funds for cashless bail policies like Illinois' and the push back from proponents of the state's Pretrial Fairness Act.
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Greg Bishop delves into the issue of President Donald Trump saying he will address public safety in cities like Chicago and the reaction from Chicago Mayor Brandon Johnson and Gov. J.B. Pritzker.
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The Center Square team reviews just some of the 271 bills Illinois Gov. J.B. Pritzker acted upon in the last week, including measures impacting the courts, schools, digital currency regulation and more. Of all that, the governor vetoed two of them setting up possible action during veto session scheduled in October. Hosted by Simplecast, an AdsWizz company. See https://pcm.adswizz.comfor information about our collection and use of personal data foradvertising.
Greg Bishop talks live with state Rep. Jed Davis about his continued concerns about the Illinois Department of Children and Family Services' use of interns. He says he's seeking legislative solutions but worries the issue could get buried heading into an election year.
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Greg Bishop shares comments from Democrats and Republicans vying for their party's nomination for U.S. Senate, and what they see as the crucial issues will turn out voters to the primary polls.
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(The Center Square) − Illinois Democrats say their party will win across the United States in 2026, with the Land of Lincoln serving as the blueprint. Gov. J.B. Pritzker spoke at the Illinois Democratic County Chairs’ Association brunch Wednesday morning before hosting Governor’s Day on the Lawn at the Illinois State Fair in the afternoon. Pritzker said Democrats will win in 2026, and the rest of the country will live out what Illinois is experiencing. “And what I’ll say to those who are wondering what’s next for the Democratic Party is this: She’s alive and well and stronger than ever, living right here in the great state of Illinois,” Pritzker said.
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Greg Bishop talks with gun rights advocate Todd Vandermyde about the latest filing from the state defending Illinois' gun ban in the federal appeals court.
Read the filing here: https://www.thecentersquare.com/pdf_3b203fae-9997-44ca-83ef-61e6ff877717.html
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Greg Bishop shares highlights from Governor's Day at the Illinois State Fair where Democrats rallied the party faithful. There were also questions about congressional maps and energy prices.
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Greg Bishop shares comments from Tuesday's bill signing ceremony where Gov. J.B. Pritzker signed Sonya Massey's law and the issue of how to address police accountability.
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Greg Bishop delves into the back and forth between President Donald Trump and Illinois Gov. J.B. Pritzker over public safety, presidential politics and no-cash bail.
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Greg Bishop reviews the latest comments in the ongoing debate around drawing new congressional maps with Illinois Gov. J.B. Pritzker on the national stage while state Sen. Jil Tracy files a lawsuit in Illinois on behalf of the Texas House to honor Lone Star State warrants for absent Democrats hiding out in the Land of Lincoln.
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(The Center Square) – As the FBI gets involved in locating Texas Democrats hiding out in states like Illinois, Gov. J.B. Pritzker says they are welcome, but the Democratic governor insists the absconding legislators aren’t breaking any federal law. At the request of U.S. Sen. John Cornyn, R-Texas, the FBI on Thursday agreed to assist with locating Texas Democrats who fled the state to prevent the Texas House from reaching a quorum to change congressional district maps. Hosted by Simplecast, an AdsWizz company. See https://pcm.adswizz.comfor information about our collection and use of personal data foradvertising.
Greg Bishop covers the latest in the fight over redistricting with an Illinois state senator joining Texas House Republicans to have warrants from the Lone Star State to be recognized in Illinois and Gov. J.B. Pritzker responding to the FBI getting involved.
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Greg Bishop continues his coverage on the ongoing debate around redistricting congressional districts with Illinois Gov. J.B. Pritzker's latest comments and reaction from Republican state Rep. Ryan Spain.
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Greg Bishop reviews the escalating rhetoric over plans to redistrict Texas as Democrats flee to states like Illinois. Comments from across the political spectrum include President Donald Trump, Illinois Gov. J.B. Pritzker and Illinois state rep. Jed Davis, R-Yorkville.
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Greg Bishop continues coverage of the ongoing debate about state's political boundaries with Illinois hosting Texas Democrats avoiding votes on new maps for The Lone Star State. Illinois Congressmen Mike Quigley and Darin LaHood shared their thoughts at an unrelated event in Chicago Monday.
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Greg Bishop gets live reaction from state Rep. Regan Deering, R-Decatur, to Illinois Gov. J.B. Pritzker hosting Texas Democrats fleeing the state to avoid voting for modified electoral maps.
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(The Center Square) – Outmigration has taken a major toll on the Illinois economy, according to a new report by Unleash Prosperity. Using data from the Internal Revenue Service and the U.S. Census Bureau, analysts found that Illinois lost 881,012 residents from 2012 to 2022. Economist Stephen Moore said only New York and California suffered more domestic outmigration than the Land of Lincoln. “This is the sad story, same thing. New York and California and Illinois are just being bled to death,” Moore said. Hosted by Simplecast, an AdsWizz company. See https://pcm.adswizz.comfor information about our collection and use of personal data foradvertising.
Greg Bishop reviews continued concerns Illinois Statehouse Republicans have with the Pritzker administration's management of the Illinois Department of Children and Family Services.
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Greg Bishop continues coverage of how the Trump administration's changes to SNAP could impact Illinois. Gov. J.B. Pritzker says Republicans want to take food benefits away to give tax breaks to the wealthy. Republican state Sen. Andrew Chesney says Republicans are just looking for accountability of how tax dollars are spent.
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Greg Bishop provides highlights from Gov. J.B. Pritzker's Monday news conference where he signed two gun control measures, including one requiring guns be locked up in certain circumstances that Second Amendment advocates say is ripe for lawsuits.
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Greg Bishop reviews the order from a federal judge dismissing the U.S. Department of Justice's lawsuit challenging migrant sanctuary policies in the state of Illinois. The DOJ now has until Aug. 22 to file an amended complaint, or the case will be dismissed with prejudice.
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(The Center Square) – After U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement officers arrested a criminal suspect who had been released in Lake County, elected officials are calling for changes to Illinois’ SAFE-T Act. According to an ICE statement, Jose Luis Mendoza-Gonzalez, 52, was arrested in Chicago on Saturday. In April, the Mexican national was charged with four felonies, including concealing a death, abusing a corpse and obstructing justice in connection with the death of 37-year-old Megan Bos of Antioch. A Lake County judge released Mendoza-Gonzalez under the Pretrial Fairness Act. Hosted by Simplecast, an AdsWizz company. See https://pcm.adswizz.comfor information about our collection and use of personal data foradvertising.
Greg Bishop shares recent comments from Illinois Gov. J.B. Pritzker about the expectation energy prices are going to continue to go up for Illinois rate payers, the impacts of the Trump administration's controls over the Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program and also the governor speaking well of the increase in the State and Local Tax deduction from the "big, beautiful bill."
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Greg Bishop delves into two national controversies competing for headlines: The Jeffery Epstein saga and the Trump administration allegations of conspiracy to derail President Donald Trump's first term with Russia collusion claims.
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Greg Bishop shares recent comments from Illinois elected officials to the arrest by ICE of a Mexican national who was released by local authorities in April despite being arrested for concealing a body.
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Greg Bishop reviews statements around news of federal immigration officials detaining a Mexican national who was arrested by Illinois law enforcement earlier this year for the concealment of a women's body but was later released from jail under the state's Pretrial Fairness Act that ended cash bail. Republicans say it's a stark example of the reforms that are needed in both the SAFE-T Act and the state's migrant sanctuary policies.
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(The Center Square) – Illinois is one of the U.S. states hardest hit by inflation, an analyst says . The personal finance company WalletHub compared 23 major metropolitan areas across key metrics, including the Consumer Price Index, to measure inflation and how it impacts people in different cities. According to the report, two of the five major metropolitan areas with the biggest inflation problems have a large footprint in Illinois. Hosted by Simplecast, an AdsWizz company. See https://pcm.adswizz.comfor information about our collection and use of personal data foradvertising.
Greg Bishop reviews recent court filings in two separate firearms related cases. In the case challenging Illinois' gun and magazine ban, the state is asking to delay the deadline to final a final brief before the Sept. 22 oral arguments in the appeals court. In a separate case challenging the prohibition of illegal aliens having firearms, an appeals court overturned the lower court's ruling the law unconstitutional and remanded the case back to the district court.
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Greg Bishop shares a conversation with Washington Gun Law host William Kirk about the status of Illinois gun laws and what to expect with the appeals court set to hear the challenge to Illinois gun ban law.
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Greg Bishop talks live with Illinois U.S. Rep. Robin Kelly about the Democrats' criticism of President Donald Trump's "big, beautiful bill," and about her bid to become the next U.S. Senator from Illinois.
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Greg Bishop discusses the back and forth over federal tax funding for public schools and an Illinois state senator's call for the governor to opt into the federal school choice scholarship tax credit program.
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Greg Bishop reviews a website Illinois Gov. J.B. Pritzker promoted for non-citizens to "know your rights."
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(The Center Square) – A Trump administration official says "good luck" to Chicago Mayor Brandon Johnson, who vows local police won’t cooperate with federal immigration enforcement. Trump administration border czar Tom Homan told reporters they plan to increase immigration enforcement efforts. “And for those that say 3,000 a day is too much, I want to remind them, do the math, we’d have to arrest 7,000 every single day for the remainder of this administration just to catch the ones [former President Joe] Biden released in the nation, ” Homan said. Hosted by Simplecast, an AdsWizz company. See https://pcm.adswizz.comfor information about our collection and use of personal data foradvertising.
Greg Bishop reviews recent comments from Chicago Mayor Brandon Johnson critical of increased funding for immigration enforcement amid ICE officials contending with violent protests as he dodges questions about his personal security detail.
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Greg Bishop discusses a federal bill to rescind more than $9 billion in federal spending that includes $1.1 billion from the Corporation for Public Broadcasting. Bishop shares comments from Illinois U.S. Sen. Dick Durbin saying that will devastate Illinois’ public media operations. Analysis of financial records shows millions going to public media associated with Illinois public universities.
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Greg Bishop shares recent comments from Trump administration border czar Tom Homan and Chicago Mayor Brandon Johnson about expected increased immigration enforcement in sanctuary cities.
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Greg Bishop talks live with congressional candidate Christian Maxwell about how she feels Congress could impact public safety on the streets of Chicago, impacts from the One Big Beautiful Bill Act and more. Hosted by Simplecast, an AdsWizz company. See https://pcm.adswizz.comfor information about our collection and use of personal data foradvertising.
(The Center Square) – Despite a mass shooting just north of downtown Chicago Wednesday night, Mayor Brandon Johnson says he wants people to enjoy the city this holiday weekend. The shooting outside Artis Restaurant and Lounge on Chicago Avenue left four people dead and 18 others wounded. Police said a vehicle pulled up near a crowd of people on the sidewalk, and gunfire erupted from the vehicle. The incident happened as a crowd was leaving a release party for a local music artist. Chicago Police Superintendent Larry Snelling said detectives are working hard to solve the crime. “We as a Chicago Police Department want to make sure that we bring justice to these families, but we also want to make sure that we take individuals who are this violent and this careless off the streets,” Snelling said. Hosted by Simplecast, an AdsWizz company. See https://pcm.adswizz.comfor information about our collection and use of personal data foradvertising.
(The Center Square) – As Congress weighs the “big, beautiful bill,” a proposed hike to the state and local tax deduction cap is drawing fire for favoring taxpayers in high-tax states, like Illinois. Taxpayers who itemize can deduct up to $10,000 in state and local taxes from their federal taxes—a cap set by the 2017 tax law. A provision in the legislation the U.S. Senate sent back over to the House Tuesday would raise that cap to $40,000 for most people, but phase it out for those earning over $500,000. “This is considered to be specifically a subsidy for high-income taxpayers in high-tax states because there are some lower-tax states where even relatively high earners aren't paying $10,000 in state and local taxes due to low property and income taxes,” said Tax Foundation analyst Katherine Loughead. Hosted by Simplecast, an AdsWizz company. See https://pcm.adswizz.comfor information about our collection and use of personal data foradvertising.
Greg Bishop provides the latest in the case challenging Illinois' prohibition of carrying concealed carry on mass transit and shares a conversation with Illinois State Rifle Association Executive Director Richard Pearson about an appeals court setting Sept. 22 for oral arguments in the case challenging the state's gun and magazine ban.
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Greg Bishop reports out the latest in the challenge against Illinois' gun ban with the appeals court scheduling oral arguments for Sept. 22, 2025.
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Greg Bishop shares reaction from various Illinois political leaders to two separate U.S. Supreme Court rulings issued Friday about the reach district court injunctions have and parental rights when it comes to LGBTQ curriculum in schools.
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(The Center Square) – After U.S. Census data shows the state losing the 18 and under population faster than any other state, Illinois political leaders have different solutions. Asked Thursday about the latest U.S. Census data released this week showing Illinois losing the 18 and under population at a faster rate than any other state, Pritzker dismissed it. “You’ve got to look at all the data and understand that when you’re trying to attract, remember that every state has people that leave and come, the point is to get net improvement in population,” Pritzker told The Center Square after a campaign rally in Chicago. Hosted by Simplecast, an AdsWizz company. See https://pcm.adswizz.comfor information about our collection and use of personal data foradvertising.
Greg Bishop delves into the latest U.S. Census data showing Illinois leading the nation in the rate of decline of people 18 and under as older populations increases. Wirepoints President Ted Dabrowski shares his perspective of the demographics.
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The Center Square Editor Greg Bishop shares reaction to recent rhetoric from Chicago Teachers Union President Stacy Davis Gates about education philosophy. Jonathan Greenberg from Empower Illinois says Davis Gates' comments to the City Club of Chicago give more reason to support school choice.
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Greg Bishop airs highlights from dueling hearings in Washington D.C. over the issue of rule of law. Illinois Attorney General Kwame Raoul took part in a "spotlight" panel with other Democrats while a U.S. House committee discussed issues around justice with U.S. Attorney Pam Bondi.
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Greg Bishop shares reaction from members of Congress from Illinois to the weekend bombing President Donald Trump ordered on Iran.
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(The Center Square) – A federal judge sentenced Michael Madigan Friday to seven-and-a-half years in prison and ordered him to pay a fine of $2.5 million for crimes committed during his tenure as the longest-serving speaker of the Illinois House of Representatives. Judge John Robert Blakey handed down the 90-month sentence Friday at the Everett McKinley Dirksen U.S. Courthouse in Chicago. He also imposed three years of supervised release after his prison time ends. Madigan will be required to report to prison on Oct. 13. The judge said it was difficult to reconcile the two recommendations, one from government attorneys and one from the defense. Prosecutors had asked for a 12.5-year prison sentence and a $1.5 million fine. Defense attorneys requested that Madigan be sentenced to a year of home confinement with probation and community service. Hosted by Simplecast, an AdsWizz company. See https://pcm.adswizz.comfor information about our collection and use of personal data foradvertising.
Greg Bishop shares a conversation with state Rep. Steven Reick, R-Woodstock, about the plan to set aside $75 million for Tier 2 pensioners and what he says is the real fix to Illinois' pension problems.
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Greg Bishop shares some of the arguments Illinois Statehouse Republicans are leveling in a new lawsuit challenging alleged violations of the state Constitution's three readings rule.
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Greg Bishop discusses Gov. J.B. Pritzker ending taxpayer subsidies for the health care of non-citizen adults while keeping the subsidies for non-citizen seniors and the warning from Republicans about the loss of federal funds if such policies continue.
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(The Center Square) – Although former Illinois House Speaker Michael Madigan was expected to pay a $2.5 million fine quickly, his time in prison won’t begin until at least October. Judge John Robert Blakey ordered Madigan to immediately pay the $2.5 million, which was the maximum statutory fine the judge was allowed to impose. Madigan’s 90-month prison sentence is scheduled to start at 2 p.m. on Oct. 13. The ex-speaker’s defense attorneys suggested in court last Friday they would file a motion to appeal. Hosted by Simplecast, an AdsWizz company. See https://pcm.adswizz.comfor information about our collection and use of personal data foradvertising.
(The Center Square) – In defending the state’s migrant sanctuary policies, Gov. J.B. Pritzker says he’d rather be arrested than to have Illinois residents arrested improperly. Joining the governors of New York and Minnesota Thursday in front of the U.S. House Oversight Committee, U.S. Rep. Maxwell Frost, D-Florida, asked the three governors for their response to threats of being arrested for allegedly impeding federal immigration enforcement with migrant sanctuary policies. New York Gov. Kathy Hochul said “go for it.” Pritzker said the Trump administration “can try.” “I will stand in the way of [Trump border czar] Tom Homan going after people who don’t deserve to be frightened in their communities, who don’t deserve to be threatened or terrorized, I would rather that he come and arrested me than to do that to the people of my state,” Pritzker said. Hosted by Simplecast, an AdsWizz company. See https://pcm.adswizz.comfor information about our collection and use of personal data foradvertising.
Greg Bishop provides highlights from Illinois Gov. J.B. Pritzker's testimony about migrant sanctuary policies to the U.S. House Oversight Committee.
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Greg Bishop reviews the ongoing debate over immigration enforcement amid civil unrest. Gov. J.B. Pritzker is set to testify about migrant sanctuary policies and Chicago Mayor Brandon Johnson prepare for immigration enforcement and expected protests.
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Greg Bishop shares some of a conversation he had with Illinois State Rifle Association's Richard Pearson about the status of the gun ban challenge in the appeals court.
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Greg Bishop reviews the latest filings in the Seventh Circuit U.S. Court of Appeals in the case challenging Illinois' gun laws. Follow the links to the separate briefs:
Barnette: https://www.thecentersquare.com/tncms/asset/editorial/a871ecda-f114-4df5-a5ba-b141b14bef1d/
Langley: https://www.thecentersquare.com/tncms/asset/editorial/1c475803-2d23-4675-ad8d-b81b99c4c868/
Harrel: https://www.thecentersquare.com/tncms/asset/editorial/9cd718ad-87f6-435f-b7d7-e998f95f801e/
FFL IL: https://www.thecentersquare.com/tncms/asset/editorial/8639fad7-1565-4d69-a0d4-3c9fd123faa1/
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Greg Bishop talks live with Dr. Pamela Denise Long who is running for the Republican nomination for U.S. Senate to fill the seat being vacated by Illinois U.S. Sen. Dick Durbin, D-Springfield. Long discusses the latest in the debate around immigration enforcement and use of the National Guard in California, Illinois' migrant sanctuary status and President Donald Trump's "big, beautiful bill."
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(The Center Square) – Several Republican state legislators say they will be irreparably harmed if a court doesn’t stop the state from enacting the recently approved Illinois state budget. They filed a lawsuit in Sangamon County Circuit Court laying out how the final language of the 3,300 page budget bill was filed with just 30 hours before the legislature was set to adjourn. The legislators argue they needed between 70 to 119 hours. State Sen. Andrew Chesney explains the Three Readings Rule is being abused by Democratic leadership. “And the Democrats have a long tradition of short circuiting that process,” Chesney, R-Freeport, told The Center Square. “And brokering these deals behind closed doors and then presenting the final package of these bills with no time to mount opposition, no time to ask all the questions and no time to truly debate these issues.” Hosted by Simplecast, an AdsWizz company. See https://pcm.adswizz.comfor information about our collection and use of personal data foradvertising.
Greg Bishop goes a little deeper into the tax and spend plan the Illinois Legislature approved for Gov. J.B. Pritzker's signature.
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Greg Bishop talks with Andrew Gordon, an attorney and Certified Public Accountant, who just launched Main Street Crypto PAC, a new federal political action committee. The two discuss digital currency regulations and the future of investing in crypto.
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Greg Bishop looks at the aftermath of the U.S. Supreme Court deciding to deny taking up the challenge to Maryland's gun ban, leaving open the door to a challenge to Cook County and Illinois' gun ban. This as Illinois legislators pass more measures impacting gun owners.
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Greg Bishop provides a roundup of the long weekend at the Illinois Statehouse where the General Assembly approved the largest spending plan in state history with $1 billion more in tax revenue collections.
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Greg Bishop reviews some shell bill action happening at the Illinois Statehouse in the final days with an empty budget bill passed to the House by the Senate and a measure about food safety being gutted and replaced in the House to advance "medical aid in dying" legislation.
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(The Center Square) – Illinois taxpayers still don’t know how much of their money will be spent by the state of Illinois next fiscal year or whether they’ll be charged higher taxes to pay for it. Saturday is the deadline for legislators to approve the annual spending plan that begins July 1. Wednesday, Gov. J.B. Pritzker explained what he would veto if it’s included. “I've been opposed to any taxes. They're broad based, or that would affect working families in this budget,” Pritzker told reporters. Hosted by Simplecast, an AdsWizz company. See https://pcm.adswizz.comfor information about our collection and use of personal data foradvertising.
Greg Bishop airs some of the floor debate from the Illinois House approving the "safe gun storage" measure, the final step before the bill can be sent to the governor's desk.
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Greg Bishop reviews stories impacting firearms owners with the passage of a "safe gun storage" bill out of the Illinois House Gun Violence Prevention Committee and and upcoming appeals court oral argument in the case challenging Illinois' ban on carrying concealed on mass transit.
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Greg Bishop reviews some of the back and forth on where the Illinois legislature is with the annual spending plan with just a handful of days left before scheduled adjournment.
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When legislators return to the Illinois State Capitol Tuesday, they’ll have just 11 days before the deadline to pass an annual plan on how to spend taxpayers’ money. Gov. J.B. Pritzker proposed his budget of nearly $55 billion in February. If approved, that’d be the most expensive spending plan in state history. Despite revenue projections coming in lower than anticipated, Pritzker said last week they already plan a tight budget. “I’m just saying, you know, we’ll get there,” Pritzker said at an unrelated event. “Nobody likes to have to, you know, tighten the belt and make it all work, but our tightening is, I think, reasonable.” Hosted by Simplecast, an AdsWizz company. See https://pcm.adswizz.comfor information about our collection and use of personal data foradvertising.
Greg Bishop shares some of the reaction from Illinois legislators to the passage by the U.S. House of President Donald Trump's "big, beautiful" bill and how it will impact taxpayer subsidies for non-citizen health care subsidies and the state and local tax deduction for high tax states like Illinois.
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Greg Bishop reviews the latest debate from the Illinois House around the issue of transgender students competing in the sport opposite of the gender they were born.
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Greg Bishop discusses several bills the Illinois House approved to be sent to Gov. J.B. Pritzker in the final days of legislation session, including changes to the Illinois Prisoner Review Board and protections for a crucial drinking water aquifer.
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(The Center Square) – When legislators return to the Illinois State Capitol Tuesday, they’ll have just 11 days before the deadline to pass an annual plan on how to spend taxpayers’ money. Gov. J.B. Pritzker proposed his budget of nearly $55 billion in February. If approved, that’d be the most expensive spending plan in state history. Despite revenue projections coming in lower than anticipated, Pritzker said last week they already plan a tight budget. “I’m just saying, you know, we’ll get there,” Pritzker said at an unrelated event. “Nobody likes to have to, you know, tighten the belt and make it all work, but our tightening is, I think, reasonable.” Hosted by Simplecast, an AdsWizz company. See https://pcm.adswizz.comfor information about our collection and use of personal data foradvertising.
(The Center Square) – Illinois Republicans say there is more than $1 billion of Illinois taxpayer funds going to non-government organizations with little oversight and accountability. Among the spending some members of the Illinois House Republicans highlighted was more than $14 million going to the Indo American Center. State Rep. Brad Halbrook, R-Shelbyville, said that’s just a drop in the bucket. “Today, we’re turning our attention to a staggering amount of taxpayer money, over $1 billion that’s been funneled into politically connected non-government organizations, or NGOs,” Halbrook said during a news conference in Springfield Tuesday. Hosted by Simplecast, an AdsWizz company. See https://pcm.adswizz.comfor information about our collection and use of personal data foradvertising.
Greg Bishop talks live with state Rep. Jed Davis about his budget proposal and the process of getting a state spending plan across the finish line.
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Greg Bishop talks live with former state Rep. Jeanne Ives about her efforts to highlight a billion Illinois tax dollars being sent to non-government organizations.
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Greg Bishop shares concerns raised by members of the Illinois House Republican caucus about more than $1 billion going to non-government organizations.
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Greg Bishop reviews the latest filing in the challenge against Illinois' gun and magazine ban in the federal appeals court.
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Greg Bishop reviews some of the happenings out of the Illinois Statehouse late last week, including a discussion about the smell of raw cannabis being grounds for a vehicle search and pushback against more proposed tax increases.
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(The Center Square) – A visit to Springfield Wednesday by U.S. Department of Homeland Security Secretary Kristi Noem is sparking debate over Illinois’ migrant sanctuary policies. Noem flew into Springfield’s airport and then went to a Springfield DHS processing center to talk with federal agents and two non-citizens being processed. The motorcade then stopped in a residential area of Springfield near downtown, where she stood with family of Illinoisans who lost lives allegedly at the hands of illegal immigrants or by fentanyl overdose. Noem urged Gov. J.B. Pritzker to cooperate with federal officials. Hosted by Simplecast, an AdsWizz company. See https://pcm.adswizz.comfor information about our collection and use of personal data foradvertising.
Greg Bishop reviews the debate around public safety and politics in Illinois with a Springfield visit from U.S. Department of Homeland Security Secretary Kristi Noem.
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Greg Bishop discusses the pending arrival of U.S. Department of Homeland Security Secretary Kristi Noem to Springfield, Illinois Wednesday. Noem is expected to discuss the state's migrant sanctuary policies the Trump administration says harms public safety.
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Greg Bishop discusses how there are three weeks left in the Illinois Legislature's calendar with budget details not yet fully revealed. The legislature is advancing a ban on polystyrene food containers with others discussing regulating the hemp industry.
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Greg Bishop discusses a new lawsuit the U.S. Department of Justice filed against Illinois over the state's law the DOJ says punishes employers and obscures federal employment verification practices to weed out non-citizens that are ineligible to work in the United States.
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Illinois Gov. J.B. Pritzker's defended comments he made over the weekend in New Hampshire and there was reaction from Illinois GOP Chairman Kathy Salvi. Hosted by Simplecast, an AdsWizz company. See https://pcm.adswizz.comfor information about our collection and use of personal data foradvertising.
Greg Bishop discusses the status of the annual Illinois state budget with the deadline set for May 31. Legislators discuss tax and spend policies, including funding for non-citizen health care subsidies.
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Greg Bishop shares comments he got asking Chicago Mayor Brandon Johnson and Cook County Board President Toni Preckwinkle about the ongoing U.S. Department of Justice lawsuit against the state's migrant sanctuary policies.
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Greg Bishop shares the story of William and Danita Dorsey who are expected back in court to keep their son Gregory in a state-run facility for individuals with disabilities closer to their southern Illinois home, rather than nearly four hours away.
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Greg Bishop reviews some of the points the Trump administration is highlighting 100 days into his second non consecutive term, and reaction from both sides of the aisle.
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The Center Square's Greg Bishop looks at the conversations around property taxes, tariffs, and more. Hosted by Simplecast, an AdsWizz company. See https://pcm.adswizz.comfor information about our collection and use of personal data foradvertising.
(The Center Square) – Illinois House Republicans are calling for reforms to the state’s estate tax on farmers, saying it’s up to Democrats to find savings to make up for potentially millions of dollars in lost state revenue. Earlier this month, Gov. J.B. Pritzker said he would support a change to the estate tax for family farms as long as proponents bring forward cuts to state spending to make up for possibly lost revenue. “It’s a couple few hundred million dollars of revenue to the state,” Pritzker said after Ag Day events at the Illinois State Capitol. “So … if he’s able to come with his ideas about how to pay for it, then we ought to talk about it.” Hosted by Simplecast, an AdsWizz company. See https://pcm.adswizz.comfor information about our collection and use of personal data foradvertising.
Greg Bishop looks at the agenda Illinois Gov. J.B. Pritzker has in dealing with El Salvador as Republicans criticize the move.
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Greg Bishop discusses the news of Illinois U.S. Sen. Dick Durbin announcing he's not seeking reelection, which opens up the seat for voters to pick a new Senator in 2026.
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Greg Bishop delves into the latest court filings challenging Illinois' migrant sanctuary policies from the U.S. Department of Justice and jointly from the state of Illinois, Cook County and the city of Chicago. He also shares Gov. J.B. Pritzker's reaction to DOJ assertions.
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Greg Bishop tracks the latest in Indiana's efforts to create a commission with Illinois to investigate redrawing the two state's boundaries to wrap some Illinois counties into Indiana, and gets reaction from members of New Illinois to that prospect.
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Join The Center Square's Greg Bishop as he is back at it discussing the happenings in Springfield and across the state last week. Hosted by Simplecast, an AdsWizz company. See https://pcm.adswizz.comfor information about our collection and use of personal data foradvertising.
(The Center Square) – Illinois Governor J.B. Pritzker says public safety is under attack by the Trump administration. The governor spoke Thursday at a news conference intended to highlight violence intervention efforts on Chicago’s Far South Side. “Public safety is under attack by the Trump administration. Over the past few months, the White House has dissolved the Office of Gun Violence Prevention, they’ve threatened dramatic cuts to ATF (Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives), they’ve repealed the policy of zero tolerance for rogue gun dealers. They’re making it easier for guns to flow into our communities and harder for us to fight back,” Pritzker said. Hosted by Simplecast, an AdsWizz company. See https://pcm.adswizz.comfor information about our collection and use of personal data foradvertising.
(The Center Square) – Illinois drivers could be taxed by the mile under a pilot program being considered at the statehouse. Senate Bill 1938 is to be discussed by members of the Transportation committee before April 11. The proposed Road Usage Charge Act would create a pilot program to test a mileage-based fee instead of motor fuel taxes for funding highways. Opponents, like Illinois Trucking Association Executive Director Matt Hart, argue the state of Illinois already has a well-functioning system in place to fund the construction of the state’s roads and bridges. “That's why we supported the 2019 capital bill that has put us on the pathway to where we are today, with the state of Illinois having nearly $6 billion in road funds – $3.5 billion in the road fund and $2.3 billion in the state construction account,” Hart told The Center Square. “Clearly, the actions we took in 2019 are providing us with ample revenues for our state.” Hosted by Simplecast, an AdsWizz company. See https://pcm.adswizz.comfor information about our collection and use of personal data foradvertising.
Greg Bishop airs some of the debate from Thursday evening where the Illinois Senate approved a measure requiring safe gun storage with penalties for not reporting lost and stolen firearms.
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Greg Bishop discusses the ruling from the Illinois Supreme Court against Republicans' challenges of the state's legislative maps drawn and approved by Democrats and concerns about conflicts of interest.
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Greg Bishop provides the back and forth between Illinois House Republicans and Gov. J.B. Pritzker over criticism of the governor's handling of child welfare and developmental disability housing agencies.
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The Center Square's Greg Bishop delves into the update to the legal challenge against Illinois' gun ban with the appeals court laying out the briefing schedule months after getting the case.
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The Center Square's Greg Bishop talks with Illinois state Rep. La Shawn Ford, D-Chicago, about his opposition to the Illinois Homeschool Act. Ford also discusses the witness slip and shell bill process.
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(The Center Square) – According to a professor who has studied public corruption, it might be a good thing that prosecutors are seeking $3.14 million in forfeiture proceeds from convicted former Illinois House Speaker Michael Madigan. Connie Mixon, professor of political science and director of the Urban Studies Program at Elmhurst University, said convictions and prison sentences have not kept many of the state’s elected officials from committing crimes up to this point. “We keep having these guilty corruption cases over and over and over again, but corruption persists,” Mixon told The Center Square. Hosted by Simplecast, an AdsWizz company. See https://pcm.adswizz.comfor information about our collection and use of personal data foradvertising.
The Center Square's Greg Bishop discusses the back and forth between President Donald Trump announcing tariffs and the reaction from Illinois U.S. Sen. Dick Durbin and Gov. J.B. Pritzker.
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The Center Square's Greg Bishop delves into the latest federal court filing against Illinois' migrant sanctuary policies from the U.S. Department of Justice. The state, Cook County and Chicago all motioned to dismiss the case.
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The Center Square's Greg Bishop shares some of a conversation with Illinois State Rifle Association's Ed Sullivan about their call for U.S. Attorney General Pam Bondi to come to Illinois and address policies restrictive of residents' Second Amendment Rights.
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The Center Square's Greg Bishop reviews some of Illinois’ economic indicators lagging the national average while Gov. J.B. Pritzker takes more than 70 people on a trade and economic partnership mission to Mexico.
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(The Center Square) – Opinions differ at the Illinois Statehouse about the motive behind President Donald Trump’s executive order on election integrity. Trump’s order signed Tuesday said the patchwork of voting methods across the country can lead to basic chain-of-custody problems. The order was also critical of mass voting by mail. “Further, while countries like Denmark and Sweden sensibly limit mail-in voting to those unable to vote in person and do not count late-arriving votes regardless of the date of postmark, many American elections now feature mass voting by mail, with many officials accepting ballots without postmarks or those received well after Election Day,” the order said. Hosted by Simplecast, an AdsWizz company. See https://pcm.adswizz.comfor information about our collection and use of personal data foradvertising.
The Center Square's Greg Bishop revisits an Illinois House education committee hearing to pick up on a bill that would protect non-citizen children in Illinois schools from immigration enforcement.
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The Center Square's Greg Bishop discusses the main points coming out of a U.S. House committee looking into taxpayer funding of NPR and PBS as Democrats maintain focus on military discussions via an encrypted messaging app.
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The Center Square's Greg Bishop shares the back-and-forth about the possible impacts on Illinois' education funds following President Donald Trump's executive orders to dismantle the U.S. Department of Education.
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The Center Square's Greg Bishop shares a conversation with New Illinois Chairman G.H. Merritt about an upcoming convention for her group and the overall movement to split the state into two.
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(The Center Square) – Despite an historic amount of witness slips in opposition to the Illinois Homeschool Act, the controversial legislation is advancing. Hundreds of homeschool families were in Springfield Wednesday to oppose the measure that adds more regulations on homeschooling families. Among the requirements are that families report to the state that they are homeschooling. If not, the child could be listed as truant with penalties applying. It also would require "a homeschool administrator to have a high school diploma or its recognized equivalent at a minimum. Requires the homeschool administrator to provide proof of, among other options, any degree obtained from an institution of higher education."
Full story: https://www.thecentersquare.com/illinois/article_dedd17e5-3e7b-4e63-86d1-a7c08ee73285.html
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The Center Square's Greg Bishop reviews the back and forth over President Donald Trump's executive order to begin the process of closing down the U.S. Department of Education and the possible impacts on Illinois.
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The Center Square's Greg Bishop reviews some of the debate inside and outside the committee which passed the Illinois Homeschool Act.
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The Center Square's Greg Bishop airs some of the debate in Illinois around education, from the potential closure of the U.S. Department of Education to a bill looking to regulate Illinois homeschool families.
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The Center Square's Greg Bishop takes a look at the proposed Illinois Homeschool Act that's set for a public hearing Wednesday morning and the flood of witness slips filed by the public in opposition to the proposed regulations.
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The Center Square's Greg Bishop takes an look at the continued questioning of Illinois Gov. J.B. Pritzker and whether he plans to run for a third term as governor and then for president in 2028.
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(The Center Square) – Although most Illinois public school students test below grade level in reading and math, Gov. J.B. Pritzker is touting his administration’s record spending on public education. Pritzker addressed the Illinois Education Association Representative Assembly in Rosemont Thursday. The governor encouraged union members to fight back against potential cuts to the U.S. Department of Education by President Donald Trump and the Department of Government Efficiency. “IEA, are you ready for the fight? Let’s go get ‘em everybody. Let’s go beat ‘em,” Pritzker said. Hosted by Simplecast, an AdsWizz company. See https://pcm.adswizz.comfor information about our collection and use of personal data foradvertising.
The Center Square's Greg Bishop shares some of the recent debate from Illinois Gov. J.B. Pritzker and state legislators about the ongoing Trump administration changes at the U.S. Department of Education.
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The Center Square Associate Editor Greg Bishop talks with The Center Square's Casey Harper from the Washington D.C. bureau about Trump administration tariffs, DOGE and the border.
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The Center Square's Greg Bishop reviews Jim Talamonti's story "NFIB: Businesses would consider leaving if IL imposes non-electric vehicle ban" and watches some statements President Donald Trump made while purchasing a Tesla with Elon Musk at the White House.
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(The Center Square) – The mayor of Chicago testified during a congressional hearing Wednesday that his city is safer because of its Welcoming City ordinance. “Any actions that amplify fears of deportations make Chicago more dangerous. Those fears cause witnesses and victims to avoid cooperating with police,” Mayor Brandon Johnson said. Johnson joined mayors from Boston, Denver and New York City before the House Committee on Oversight and Government Reform. Committee Chairman James Comer, R-Kentucky, said sanctuary policies risk the safety of federal agents and the public. Hosted by Simplecast, an AdsWizz company. See https://pcm.adswizz.comfor information about our collection and use of personal data foradvertising.
The Center Square's Greg Bishop reviews the latest on expected efforts of President Donald Trump to order the closing of the U.S. Department of Education, and the reaction from Illinois Gov. J.B. Pritzker and state Rep. Chris Miller, R-Oakland, to the prospect.
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The Center Square's Greg Bishop reviews some of the U.S. House hearing on migrant sanctuary jurisdictions featuring Chicago Mayor Brandon Johnson and others. He also shares some of a conversation with Illinois state Sen. Chapin Rose, R-Mahomet, about the state seeking to dismiss the U.S. Department of Justice's lawsuit against the state.
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The Center Square's Greg Bishop reviews some of President Donald Trump’s speech in front of a joint session of Congress and provides some of the responses from Illinois elected officials.
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The Center Square's Greg Bishop reviews some of President Donald Trump’s comments about the tariffs he’s imposing on Mexico and Canada and the reaction from Illinois Gov. J.B. Pritzker.
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The Center Square's Greg Bishop reviews some of the comments from Illinois' elected officials over the contentious televised meeting between President Donald Trump and Ukraine President Volodymyr Zelenskyy, and also reviews the back and forth over federal spending on health care.
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(The Center Square) – The Illinois House Gun Violence Prevention Committee continues to hear proposals involving further gun control measures. One would create a task force to investigate insurance mandates for gun owners. The other would increase fees for transferring firearms. State Rep. Bob Morgan, D-Deerfield, has House Bill 33 to increase the fee from $2 to $10 for when someone transfers a firearm to someone else. He said the extra funds would be used to go after those with expired or revoked Firearm Owner’s ID cards. “The question is whether we’re getting those resources to law enforcement to do the job that we’re charging them to do, that’s what this legislation is about,” Morgan told the committee. Hosted by Simplecast, an AdsWizz company. See https://pcm.adswizz.comfor information about our collection and use of personal data foradvertising.
The Center Square's Greg Bishop reviews some of the recent comments from Illinois U.S. Sen. Dick Durbin and Illinois Gov. J.B. Pritzker complaining about the administration of President Donald Trump.
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The Center Square's Greg Bishop reviews some of the highlights from an Illinois Auditor General report on the state’s Health Benefits for Immigrant Seniors and Adults which found large cost overruns from what was estimated. This comes as groups push for more subsidies for non-citizens.
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The Center Square's Greg Bishop reviews some of the headlines out the U.S. Congress with the passage of a spending plan and Illinois Gov. J.B. Pritzker’s complaint to the Trump administration over the withholding of federal funds.
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Greg Bishop talks with The Center Square reporter Jim Talamonti about his coverage of the historic corruption trial of former Illinois House Speaker Michael Madigan resulting in 10 convictions.
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The Center Square's Greg Bishop reviews comments Illinois Gov. J.B. Pritzker made during his budget address, including spending five minutes talking about Nazis.
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(The Center Square) – Longtime former Illinois House Speaker Michael Madigan was convicted Wednesday on 10 corruption-related charges, but the jury could not reach a unanimous decision on an overarching racketeering conspiracy. The jury also deadlocked on all six counts that Madigan's codefendant, Michael McClain, was charged with. Madigan, 82, was charged in March 2022 with 23 counts of bribery, racketeering and official misconduct in connection with a scheme that federal prosecutors referred to as "Madigan Enterprise." Codefendant Michael McClain was charged in six of those counts. Hosted by Simplecast, an AdsWizz company. See https://pcm.adswizz.comfor information about our collection and use of personal data foradvertising.
(The Center Square) – The U.S. Department of Justice filed a lawsuit against the state of Illinois, the city of Chicago, and local officials alleging they are exacerbating the border crisis and thwarting federal officials with sanctuary city policies. The Justice Department asked a judge to declare the state and local laws unconstitutional under the federal government's supremacy clause. The complaint, filed Thursday, specifically referenced the Illinois Way Forward Act and the 2017 TRUST Act alongside Chicago's Welcoming City Ordinance and Cook County policies. It further names Gov. J.B. Pritzker, Chicago Mayor Brandon Johnson, Chicago Police Superintendent Larry Snelling, Cook County Board President Toni Preckwinkle and Cook County Sheriff Tom Dart. Hosted by Simplecast, an AdsWizz company. See https://pcm.adswizz.comfor information about our collection and use of personal data foradvertising.
(The Center Square) – Jurors started deliberating at the public corruption trial of former Illinois House Speaker Michael Madigan in Chicago. Judge John Robert Blakey handed the case to the jury shortly after 3 p.m. Wednesday at the Everett McKinley Dirksen U.S. Courthouse. The judge first provided a few final instructions about communications and asked jurors to choose a foreperson once they were in the jury room. He also displayed the verdict forms each juror would receive and said the verdict must be unanimous. St. Xavier University Professor David Parker said it’s hard to say what the jury will do. Hosted by Simplecast, an AdsWizz company. See https://pcm.adswizz.comfor information about our collection and use of personal data foradvertising.
(The Center Square) – Illinois Gov. J.B. Pritzker is already butting heads with the Trump administration about immigration and more. Pritzker said he had heard reports of about 2,000 initial immigration enforcement actions coming, but said he’s heard nothing from the Trump administration as of Day 2 of the new presidency. Pritzker also said Trump’s actions against birthright citizenship are unconstitutional. “We will not follow an unconstitutional executive order but we will follow the law in this state,” Pritzker said during an unrelated news conference Tuesday. Hosted by Simplecast, an AdsWizz company. See https://pcm.adswizz.comfor information about our collection and use of personal data foradvertising.
The Center Square's Greg Bishop shares a conversation with Illinois state Sen. Chapin Rose, R-Mahomet, about Gov. J.B. Pritzker and leading Democrats holding up state law prohibiting local law enforcement from working federal immigration officials.
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The Center Square's Greg Bishop talks live with Larry Ligas, a Jan. 6 defendant, about the sweeping pardons of around 1,500 defendants by President Donald Trump.
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President Donald Trump signed a slew of executive orders on Day 1 of his presidency, including things impacting immigration. Illinois Gov. J.B. Pritzker reacted on social media.
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(The Center Square) – Closing arguments are scheduled to begin next Wednesday at the corruption trial of former Illinois House Speaker Michael Madigan and codefendant Michael McClain. U.S. government attorneys wrapped up their rebuttal about 30 minutes after the Madigan defense team rested its case Thursday at the Everett McKinley Dirksen U.S. Courthouse in Chicago. FBI Special Agent Ryan McDonald reported to the witness stand for a fourth time during the trial. Before testifying during the rebuttal case, McDonald had previously been called twice by the government and once by Madigan’s defense team. Hosted by Simplecast, an AdsWizz company. See https://pcm.adswizz.comfor information about our collection and use of personal data foradvertising.
The Center Square's Greg Bishop reviews a recent letter Illinois Attorney General Kwame Raoul signed with other attorneys general urging the U.S. Senate to oppose the Laken Riley Act, a measure to require the detention of illegal immigrants accused of things like robbery.
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Greg Bishop reviews some of the oral arguments in the Illinois Supreme Court case whether to find a state firearms statute prohibiting open carry unconstitutional.
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Read more: https://www.thecentersquare.com/illinois/article_e8486efe-d2ac-11ef-ba5d-b350ddcd6572.html
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Greg Bishop shares a conversation with Guns Save Life Executive Director John Boch about Monday's decision from a Cook County judge siding with gun rights advocates over the county in a case challenging the county's gun and ammo tax. Hosted by Simplecast, an AdsWizz company. See https://pcm.adswizz.comfor information about our collection and use of personal data foradvertising.
The Center Square's Greg Bishop reviews the debate around Illinois House bill 4144 that would require police confiscate firearms from subjects of domestic orders of protection. While some Republicans supported the measure, others raised concerns it violates individuals' Second Amendment rights.
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(The Center Square) – Former Illinois House Speaker Michael Madigan addressed his former friendship with codefendant Michael McClain as the two men face corruption charges in federal court. In cross-examination with McClain defense attorney Patrick Cotter Wednesday, Madigan said he developed a friendship with McClain during their early years in the Illinois House during the 1970s. Madigan said their friendship survived until recently. Cotter asked Madigan if McClain had been his political adviser. “At times,” Madigan answered. Hosted by Simplecast, an AdsWizz company. See https://pcm.adswizz.comfor information about our collection and use of personal data foradvertising.
The Center Square's Greg Bishop reviews the debate Sunday in the Illinois Senate around a bill repealing the requirement to publish a legal name change that Republican argue will allow illegal immigrants to hide their past.
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(The Center Square) – Illinois legislators return Saturday for the start of the final days of the 103rd General Assembly. One Republican legislator says that’s an opportunity to address economic concerns for taxpayers. State Rep. Jed Davis, R-Newark, said he’s excited for the so-called “lame duck session.” “So I’m like, ‘let’s roll up our sleeves and get to work,’” Davis told The Center Square. “We’ve got a lot of work to do. We’ve got looming budget deficits. We’ve got families that are struggling to put food on the tables. I mean, this inflation is out of control.” Davis notes that Illinois is among the states with the highest tax burdens. He also noted a recent Governor’s Office of Management and Budget report showing the coming fiscal year that starts July 1 with an estimated $3 billion deficit. Hosted by Simplecast, an AdsWizz company. See https://pcm.adswizz.comfor information about our collection and use of personal data foradvertising.
The Center Square's Illinois 2024 Year in Review including the trial of former Illinois Speaker Michael Madigan, Trump made gains in Illinois, gun ban, & more. Keep up with all of the Illinois news in 2025 at The Center Square: https://www.thecentersquare.com/illinois Hosted by Simplecast, an AdsWizz company. See https://pcm.adswizz.comfor information about our collection and use of personal data foradvertising.
The Center Square's Illinois 2024 Year in Review including the trial of former Illinois Speaker Michael Madigan, Trump made gains in Illinois, gun ban, & more.Keep up with all of the Illinois news in 2025 at The Center Square: https://www.thecentersquare.com/illinois Hosted by Simplecast, an AdsWizz company. See https://pcm.adswizz.comfor information about our collection and use of personal data foradvertising.
The Center Square's Greg Bishop reviews some of the concerns Illinois legislators raised about the coming 'lame duck' session, the final days of the 103rd General Assembly.
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The Center Square's Greg Bishop reviews some of the 297 laws that go into effect Jan. 1, in Illinois, including measures impacting health insurance, employers, drivers, schools, parents and more.
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(The Center Square) – Whether Illinois’ Firearm Owner’s ID card is constitutional is now up to a state appellate court. Illinois is one of only a handful of states that requires individuals to have a specific permit or ID to purchase firearms and one of only two states that requires one to possess firearms or ammunition. Guns Save Life brought the case against the state, saying the law violates the Second Amendment. The Sangamon County court sided with the state. A three-judge panel of the Illinois Fourth District Appellate Court heard the case Thursday. Plaintiffs argued the law violates the plain text of the Second Amendment and the only comparable historical laws the state has are defunct loyalty oath laws and race-based prohibitions on specific firearms. Hosted by Simplecast, an AdsWizz company. See https://pcm.adswizz.comfor information about our collection and use of personal data foradvertising.
The Center Square's Greg Bishop reviews the latest U.S. Census Bureau data showing the state gaining population, but that growth was driven by people moving to Illinois from other countries. Ted Dabrowski, president of Wirepoints, provides reaction.
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The Center Square's Greg Bishop reviews the status of a challenge to Illinois’ Firearm Owners ID card law set to be heard Thursday afternoon in a state appeals court. Another case challenging Maryland’s gun owner ID law is in front of the U.S. Supreme Court for their possible consideration.
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The Center Square's Greg Bishop reviews recent comments about Illinois' sluggish economy from Illinois Gov. J.B. Pritzker, state Sen. Andrew Chesney, R-Freeport, and Wirepoints President Ted Dabrowski.
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The Center Square's Greg Bishop reviews Monday's Chicago City Council meeting, including public comments and alderman voicing concerns about the budget that ultimately passed.
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The Center Square's Greg Bishop reviews recent comments of President-Donald Trump’s border czar Tom Homan and Chicago Mayor Brandon Johnson about plans to deport non-citizen migrants.
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(The Center Square) – Illinois unfunded pension liability is growing. The Illinois Commission on Government Forecasting and Accountability reports the latest unfunded liability is $143.7 billion. That’s $1.5 billion higher than last year and the second highest since 2020 when the total was $144.2 billion. Wednesday, Illinois Gov. J.B. Pritzker said they’re doing good things with pensions. “Our funded ratio for our pensions is much better today than it was when I took office and it continues to go in the right direction,” Pritzker said. The funding ratio in 2019 was 40.3%. The most recent funding ratio was 46%. Actuaries suggest a funding level of 100%. Hosted by Simplecast, an AdsWizz company. See https://pcm.adswizz.comfor information about our collection and use of personal data foradvertising.
The Center Square's Greg Bishop reviews a recent Illinois Commission on Government Forecasting and Accountability report on Illinois unfunded pension liability and shares separate comments from Gov. J.B. Pritzker and Wirepoints President Ted Dabrowski.
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The Center Square's Greg Bishop reviews the latest from the federal judiciary in the case against Illinois’ gun and magazine ban with the Southern District of Illinois federal judge issuing an amended final judgement and permanent injunction against the law, but acknowledging the stay on the injunction pending the outcome in the appeals court.
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The Center Square's Greg Bishop reviews two separate congressional committees in the U.S. Senate and the U.S. House tacking issues around immigration and border security.
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The Center Square's Greg Bishop reviews some of the latest debate around border security and immigration policies, including recent comments from Trump border czar Tom Homan, Chicago Mayor Brandon Johnson, Illinois U.S. Sen. Dick Durbin and others.
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The Center Square's Greg Bishop reviews more of the reaction to a federal appeals court holding a district court injunction against Illinois' gun ban back while the case proceeds on appeal, including a conversation with Illinois State Rifle Association's Ed Sullivan.
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(The Center Square) – Illinois’ gun and magazine ban will stay in effect pending the outcome in the Seventh Circuit U.S. Court of Appeals, the appeals court ruled Thursday. Illinois banned the sale and possession of more than 170 semi-automatic firearms and magazines over certain capacities in January 2023. Lawsuits in federal court followed, challenging the ban based on the Second Amendment right to keep and bear arms and other grounds. Four cases in the Southern District of Illinois were consolidated into Barnett, et al. v. Raoul, et al. After preliminary issues went all the way to the U.S. Supreme Court, Justice Clarence Thomas said the case was not ripe because it was not on final judgement. The Southern District of Illinois consequently found the law unconstitutional. Judge Stephen McGlynn issued an injunction against the law last month but put a 30 day hold on his order. That stay would have lifted Dec. 9. Hosted by Simplecast, an AdsWizz company. See https://pcm.adswizz.comfor information about our collection and use of personal data foradvertising.
The Center Square's Greg Bishop reviews the Seventh Circuit U.S. Court of Appeals ordering a continued hold of the district court’s ruling against Illinois’ gun and magazine ban. He also reviews the status of similar cases in the court system.
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Greg Bishop reviews the latest in the corruption trial of former Illinois House Speaker Michael Madigan.
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Greg Bishop reviews the latest filing made Tuesday evening by the state of Illinois in the case challenging Illinois' gun and magazine ban.
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Greg Bishop reviews the latest filings in the challenge to Illinois’ gun and magazine ban with the appeals court getting separate filings from the state and plaintiffs on whether to remand the case for more clear judgement from the district court, or whether there should be a continued holding at bay the district court’s injunction against the law.
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Following the Thanksgiving recess that began Wednesday afternoon, Madigan defense attorney Dan Collins began cross-examination of government cooperating witness and former Chicago Alderman Daniel Solis on Monday morning. Solis admitted to Collins that he committed many crimes while serving as an alderman. Solis said he recorded many people over a period of two-and-a-half years while cooperating with federal investigators. “When I was undercover, I was basically lying all the time,” Solis told Collins, “to people who the government was investigating.”
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At the corruption trial of former Illinois House Speaker Michael Madigan, former Chicago Alderman Daniel Solis has testified that he was able to steer real estate tax business to Madigan’s private law firm. Prosecutor Diane MacArthur played a recording of Madigan calling Solis to ask about a development called Peoria Park in Chicago’s West Loop. Solis testified that he knew Madigan was interested in an introduction with the developers to get business for his private firm, Madigan and Getzendanner.
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Greg Bishop reviews some of the latest undercover video and phone wiretap conversations federal prosecutors revealed in the corruption trial of former Illinois House Speaker Michael Madigan.
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Greg Bishop reviews some of a recent report from Fitch Ratings about states' pension liabilities compared to personal income and Illinois has the second worst. He gets reaction from state Rep. Blaine Wilhour and state Sen. Robert Martwick.
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Illinois legislators are done for the year, but they’ll be back in early January before the new General Assembly is seated. Republicans are issuing warnings. There were no vetoes to override during veto session the past two weeks. That didn’t prevent legislators from passing several bills that were gutted and replaced with other measures. Wednesday, state Rep. Jay Hoffman, D-Swansea, carried a bill impacting various state statutes, including unemployment insurance. “This is agreed by business and labor and I think it’s very important that we do in order to avoid an increase in taxes on employers and a decrease in benefits to employees,” Hoffman said. Hosted by Simplecast, an AdsWizz company. See https://pcm.adswizz.comfor information about our collection and use of personal data foradvertising.
Greg Bishop talks with The Center Square reporter Jim Talamonti about the latest in the corruption case against former Illinois House Speaker Michael Madigan.
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Greg Bishop reviews Wednesday's action at the Illinois General Assembly as legislators continue with fall veto session.
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Greg BIshop previews some of the stories expected Wednesday at the Illinois Statehouse. Get updates at thecentersquare.com/illinois
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Greg Bishop reviews Illinois Gov. J.B. Pritzker's recent reaction to President-elect Donald Trump confirming he plans to issue a national emergency declaration to assist in his planned mass deportation operation.
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Greg Bishop talks with The Center Square's Casey Harper about President-Elect Donald Trump's latest cabinet picks.
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Illinois Gov. J.B. Pritzker is adamant the state must appeal a federal judge’s ruling that its gun and magazine ban is unconstitutional. On the House floor Tuesday, state Rep. Dan Caulkins, R-Decatur, said the state’s gun ban was deemed unconstitutional by Southern District of Illinois federal Judge Stephen McGlynn. He said the Pritzker administration needs to drop the appeal. “We’re going to spend a lot of time and a lot of money fighting against a law that is blatantly unconstitutional,” Caulkins said. “We’ve spent millions of dollars fighting against this law that you know, we know and now a judge has said is unconstitutional.” Hosted by Simplecast, an AdsWizz company. See https://pcm.adswizz.comfor information about our collection and use of personal data foradvertising.
Greg Bishop reviews some of the latest in several cases challenging Illinois gun laws, including the status of the state’s gun ban, the status of the challenge to the prohibition of concealed carry on mass transit, the appeal in the case challenging the state’s Firearm Owner’s ID card and the city of Chicago’s case against Glock.
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Greg Bishop reviews some of the questions Illinois Gov. J.B. Pritzker fielded Wednesday at an event in Springfield.
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Greg Bishop reviews the latests comments around litigation against gun control laws in Illinois, including moments from an appeals court on Cook County's gun ban and Illinois Attorney General Kwame Raoul vowing to appeal a district court's ruling the state's ban is unconstitutional.
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Greg Bishop reviews some of the ruling out of the Southern District of Illinois federal court that Illinois' gun and magazine ban is unconstitutional. Federal Firearms Licensees of Illinois' Dan Eldridge shares comments on the ruling and what happens next.
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Illinois Gov. J.B. Pritzker says he’s disappointed in Tuesday’s election outcome with Donald Trump retaking the White House, but he is prepared for what may come.While Illinois went to Vice President Kamala Harris 53% to 45%, Trump did win most of the state’s counties. Regardless, Trump swept swing states and captured the necessary Electoral College votes and the popular vote. Republicans also captured the U.S. Senate and are predicted to hold onto the House, with several dozen races still to be decided nationwide. “Donald Trump will be our next president. He won the election and we must all be willing to work together for the common good,” Pritzker said Thursday. Hosted by Simplecast, an AdsWizz company. See https://pcm.adswizz.comfor information about our collection and use of personal data foradvertising.
Illinois could be at the center of conflicting agendas under a Trump presidency and Democrat-controlled state. With a Trump administration looking to end sanctuary city policies nationwide, Illinois could be ground zero in the fight. Illinois law prohibits local and state police from assisting federal agencies in enforcing federal immigration law. The state also uses taxpayer funds to subsidize health care coverage for non-citizens, something that has cost taxpayers more than $1 billion. Costs are expected to continue. Hosted by Simplecast, an AdsWizz company. See https://pcm.adswizz.comfor information about our collection and use of personal data foradvertising.
Greg Bishop shares separate conversations with Illinois state Reps. Adam Niemerg, R-Dieterich, and La Shawn Ford, D-Chicago, about the election of former President Donald Trump to be the next Commander in Chief.
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Greg Bishop reviews some of the numbers from Tuesday's General Election where former President Donald Trump made history by being the second former President to win two nonconsecutive terms to the White House.
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Polls are now open across the country as voters decide who the next president of United States will be. Also at stake on ballots across the U.S. is control of Congress: which party will win majorities in the U.S. House and Senate. Heading into Election Day, the race between Democratic Vice President Kamala Harris and Republican former President Donald Trump remains extremely close, according to polling. Hosted by Simplecast, an AdsWizz company. See https://pcm.adswizz.comfor information about our collection and use of personal data foradvertising.
Greg Bishop reviews the latest early voting totals from the Illinois State Board of Elections and reviews several nonbinding referendum the state's voters are being asked to sound off on.
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Voter confidence has been shaken with voting machines malfunctioning in several Illinois jurisdictions. In McLean County, 34 ballots were placed in what the County Clerk Kathy Michael called “an emergency bin,” which is located underneath the voting machine used to tabulate ballots. At the Eastland Mall, an early voting location, the machine “glitched” for 30 minutes. Affected voter Wayne Henrichs called the clerk's office after putting his ballot in the bin and was connected with an assistant county clerk. “She indicated that they [the ballots in the emergency bin] are considered mail in ballots and they will be counted on election day rather than being counted early,” said Henrichs. Hosted by Simplecast, an AdsWizz company. See https://pcm.adswizz.comfor information about our collection and use of personal data foradvertising.
Greg Bishop talks with Jim Talamonti about this past week's testimony in the case charging former Illinois House Speaker Michael Madigan and codefendant Michael McClain with corruption.
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Greg Bishop reviews recent comments from Illinois Gov. J.B. Pritzker reacting to political rhetoric from President Joe Biden, Vice President Kamala Harris and former President Donald Trump.
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Greg Bishop shares a conversation with New Illinois Chairman G.H. Merrit about ballot questions on several county ballots across Illinois and the path she sees of making "New Illinois" a new state out of Illinois that excludes Cook County and Chicago.
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Greg Bishop reviews comments from Illinois Gov. J.B. Pritzker following former President Donald Trump's Madison Square Garden rally and calls for mass deportation of violent non-citizen migrants.
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Greg Bishop reviews some of the recently released audio at the center of the corruption trial against former Illinois House Speaker Michael Madigan and codefendant Michael McClain.
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Wiretapped conversations have taken center stage at the corruption trial of former Illinois House Speaker Michael Madigan and co-defendant Michael McClain. Prosecutors played a series of recordings during testimony from FBI Special Agent Ryan McDonald Thursday afternoon. McDonald said he had been working on the Madigan investigation since 2014. He also said that the COVID-19 pandemic caused delays for investigators. Hosted by Simplecast, an AdsWizz company. See https://pcm.adswizz.comfor information about our collection and use of personal data foradvertising.
Greg Bishop talks with The Center Square reporter Jim Talamonti about his coverage of the corruption trial of former Illinois House Speaker Michael Madigan and co-defendant Michael McClain.
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Greg Bishop reviews the statement from the Illinois State Rifle Association reacting to a shooting incident involving former Illinois Republican U.S. Rep. Adam Kinzinger at a Democratic Missouri U.S. senate candidate's event where a fired bullet sent shrapnel, injuring a local reporter.
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Witness testimony has resumed in the bribery and racketeering trial of former Illinois House Speaker Michael Madigan and co-defendant Michael McClain. Former State Rep. Scott Drury, D-Highwood, returned to the stand for additional cross-examination Wednesday morning after beginning his testimony on Tuesday. Drury and Madigan defense attorney Todd Pugh had several combative exchanges over a variety of issues. U.S. government prosecutor Amarjeet Bhachu said the prosecution planned to call utility company executive Scott Vogt next, followed by former State Rep, Lou Lang, D-Skokie. Lang was on Madigan's leadership team before stepping down in 2019 amid harassment allegations. Hosted by Simplecast, an AdsWizz company. See https://pcm.adswizz.comfor information about our collection and use of personal data foradvertising.
Prosecutors and defense attorneys selected a jury along with six alternates on Monday before breaking for lunch, making way for opening arguments to begin this afternoon in the high-profile corruption trial of former Illinois House Speaker Michael Madigan. Madigan appeared in court Monday with his legal team. He also had some supporters in the gallery. His daughter, former Illinois Attorney General Lisa Madigan, and wife, Shirley. Hosted by Simplecast, an AdsWizz company. See https://pcm.adswizz.comfor information about our collection and use of personal data foradvertising.
A ruling on whether Illinois’ gun and magazine ban is unconstitutional is expected to come sometime after Monday. Illinois banned the sale and possession of more than 170 semi-automatic firearms and magazines over certain capacities during lame duck session of the Illinois General Assembly in January 2023. Federal lawsuits were then filed against the law. Southern District of Illinois federal Judge Stephen McGlynn gave litigants in the consolidated case a month to file final briefs when he wrapped up the four-day bench trial last month. He closed out the trial in East St. Louis, questioning what would have been different from the 1917 race riot in that city if the Black victims were able to protect themselves with the very firearms being debated. Hosted by Simplecast, an AdsWizz company. See https://pcm.adswizz.comfor information about our collection and use of personal data foradvertising.
Greg Bishop talks with The Center Square's Jim Talamonti about the jury for former Illinois House Speaker Michael Madigan's corruption trial and the expectation for opening statements Monday afternoon.
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Gun stores across Illinois are preparing for the possible outcome of a federal court striking down the state’s gun and magazine ban. Sometime after Oct. 20, Southern District of Illinois federal Judge Stephen McGlynn could rule on the consolidated case challenging the ban. Some expect he will issue a permanent injunction. This could be his second strike against the law. On preliminary grounds last year, McGlynn issued an injunction that lasted six days before the appeals court put a hold on his order. The appeals court eventually overturned the preliminary injunction and remanded the case to McGlynn’s court to get a final judgment. A bench trial on the case wrapped up Sept. 20. McGlynn gave both sides 30 days to filed final briefs on the issues. Hosted by Simplecast, an AdsWizz company. See https://pcm.adswizz.comfor information about our collection and use of personal data foradvertising.
Greg Bishop shares conversations he had with Nicole from GAT Guns in East Dundee about being prepared for another possible injunction against Illinois' gun ban. @WashingtonGunLaw host William Kirk shares some of his thoughts on the importance of representation and the trajectory of the gun ban case.
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Greg Bishop shares a conversation with Illinois State Rifle Association's Ed Sullivan about proposed legislation from gun control groups to enhance safe storage of firearms and lost and stolen reporting requirements. Hosted by Simplecast, an AdsWizz company. See https://pcm.adswizz.comfor information about our collection and use of personal data foradvertising.
A newly released database of gender transition procedures on children reveals at least 418 patients in Illinois received such treatment since 2019. Billing to insurance companies totaled at least $644,000. The Stop The Harm Database from the national group Do No Harm analyzed billing codes from insurance companies in regards to gender transition and youth. Nationwide, they found nearly 14,000 minors underwent sex change treatments. Of that, more than a third had surgeries and more than half had hormones or puberty blockers for a total of $120 million in submitted charges. Hosted by Simplecast, an AdsWizz company. See https://pcm.adswizz.comfor information about our collection and use of personal data foradvertising.
Former Illinois Gov. Pat Quinn continues to push for voters to approve a non-binding question on the Nov. 5 ballot to bring about a “millionaire surcharge.” Illinoisans pay the second highest property taxes in the United States, according to multiple nationwide surveys. The total amount paid annually by Illinois property tax payers is $23.2 billion, according to Quinn. With early voting ongoing, one of the advisory questions voters are being asked is whether those making more than $1 million should be taxed an additional 3% to pay for a fund for property tax relief. “The unfortunate thing is there’s no money in the property tax relief trust fund,” Quinn told reporters at a news conference in Springfield on Wednesday. “It has never been appropriated any money to give out these annual rebates.” Hosted by Simplecast, an AdsWizz company. See https://pcm.adswizz.comfor information about our collection and use of personal data foradvertising.
Greg Bishop talks with The Center Square reporter Jim Talamonti about the first week of coverage of the corruption trial against former Illinois House Speaker Michael Madigan.
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Greg Bishop reviews the latest update from Wednesday's court session in the corruption trial against former Illinois House Speaker Michael Madigan where prosecutors and defense questioned potential jurors. Jury selection continues Thursday. Former Gov. Pat Quinn shared some of his thoughts on the ordeal.
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Jury selection is scheduled to begin Wednesday morning in the bribery and racketeering trial of former Illinois House Speaker Michael Madigan. Potential jurors reported to court Tuesday morning and filled out questionnaires. United States of America v. Madigan et al is being held at the Everett McKinley Dirksen United States Courthouse in Chicago. Attorneys appeared in Courtroom 1203 on Tuesday afternoon to discuss pretrial issues after a schedule change. Madigan and co-defendant Michael McClain did not appear in court Tuesday, but both are expected to be in Courtroom 1203 on Wednesday morning. Hosted by Simplecast, an AdsWizz company. See https://pcm.adswizz.comfor information about our collection and use of personal data foradvertising.
Tuesday is Day One of former Illinois House Speaker Michael Madigan's and co-defendant Michael McClain’s trial on racketeering and bribery charges. U.S. Attorney for the Northern District of Illinois John Lausch announced a federal jury’s indictment of Madigan on March 2, 2022. “The indictment accuses Madigan of leading, for nearly a decade, a criminal enterprise whose purpose was to enhance Madigan’s political power and financial well-being while also generating income for his political allies and associates,” Lausch stated. Illinois state Sen. Andrew Chesney, R-Freeport, issued a statement before the upcoming trial. Hosted by Simplecast, an AdsWizz company. See https://pcm.adswizz.comfor information about our collection and use of personal data foradvertising.
Several groups have filed legal challenges against an Illinois law regarding interchange fees. The Interchange Fee Prohibition Act doesn’t ban or restrict credit card swipe fees, but it limits banks from charging interchange fees on tax and tip revenues. The law, which was backed by the Illinois Retail Merchants Association, was the first such statute in the country. Banking trade groups argued in court that the law would “throw well-operating payment card systems into chaos.” Hosted by Simplecast, an AdsWizz company. See https://pcm.adswizz.comfor information about our collection and use of personal data foradvertising.
A judge on Wednesday denied former Illinois House Speaker Michael Madigan's motion to dismiss some of the charges he faces before trial next week. Judge John Robert Blakey also denied a motion from Madigan's co-defendant in the case, Michael McClain, for a separate trial. McClain, a former state lawmaker, lobbyist and longtime Madigan ally, had asked for his own trial without Madigan because Madigan's defense team plans to blame McClain for the multi-year corruption scheme. Hosted by Simplecast, an AdsWizz company. See https://pcm.adswizz.comfor information about our collection and use of personal data foradvertising.
Greg Bishop reviews the history of charges against former Illinois House Speaker Michael Madigan who faces trail in Chicago starting next week.
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Greg Bishop reviews a rough play-by-play from Wednesday's federal court hearing in the Northern District of Illinois where Judge Iain Johnston took attorneys for Illinois and Cook County to task over implying his ruling against the state's prohibition of canceled carry creates a public safety risk.
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The Illinois Attorney General’s office has apologized to a federal judge demanding answers after implying his ruling against the state’s mass transit concealed carry ban has “safety implications.” Northern District of Illinois federal Judge Iain Johnston ruled the Second Amendment is violated by the state’s prohibition of people carrying concealed firearms on mass transit. The state appealed and in a motion said the “the potential safety implications of the Court’s order are highlighted by a recent mass shooting on the CTAs Blue Line, in which four people were murdered with firearms three days after the Court’s order was entered.” Johnston demanded whoever wrote that to answer questions during a hearing scheduled Wednesday.
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Greg Bishop shares a conversation with Illinois State Rifle Association Executive Director Richard Pearson about the legal fight over Illinois' prohibition of concealed carry on mass transit as the state appeals a district court ruling.
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Greg Bishop reviews some of the moments from a recent Illinois House hearing about the state's high property taxes where witnesses discussed a nonbinding resolution on the Nov. 5 ballot to ask voters whether millionaires should be taxed a surcharge to fund a property tax relief fund.
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Businesses and banks are at odds over a pending Illinois law banning credit card fees when customers pay for taxes and tips. Illinois Retail Merchants Association President and CEO Rob Karr said recent polling shows overwhelming public support for the Interchange Fee Prohibition Act. The law slated to take effect next July prohibits banks and credit card companies from charging swipe fees on the state and local sales tax and tip portion of a transaction when the consumer pays with a credit or debit card.
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Greg Bishop talks with Todd Vandermyde to review recent filings in separate cases impacting Cook County's gun and ammo tax and the mass transit concealed carry prohibition case. He also reviews a recent appeals court decision denying the state's motion to stay a case challenging the Firearm Owner's ID card.
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Greg Bishop reviews a recent ruling from the Illinois Supreme Court in a case challenging a provision of Illinois' Firearm Owner's ID card law.
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The state of Illinois is appealing a ruling that the ban on carrying concealed firearms on public transit is unconstitutional. The case Schoenthal v. Raoul, filed two years ago, challenges Illinois’ concealed carry law that carves out places like mass transit where people licensed to carry firearms concealed are prohibited from carrying. Late last month, a Northern District of Illinois federal judge sided with plaintiffs, saying the law violates the Second Amendment.
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While the bench trial for Illinois’ gun and magazine ban is over, the reverberations could impact a separate lawsuit against banning firearm silencers. Litigants in the trial that wrapped up Thursday argued over the difference and similarities of now banned semi-automatic only firearms and military rifles that go full auto or burst. Plaintiffs worked to address the issues raised by the Seventh Circuit U.S. Court of Appeals that sided with the state on preliminary grounds last year, saying semi-automatic firearms are too similar to military firearms and can be banned.
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The bench trial for the challenge to Illinois’ gun and magazine ban continues in East St. Louis.Illinois enacted a ban on semi-automatic firearms and magazines over certain capacities in January 2023. Lawsuits challenging the law in federal court went all the way up to the U.S. Supreme Court on preliminary grounds. Justices denied the request, saying they wanted a full case on final judgment. Monday began the trial to get to final judgment in the courtroom of federal Judge Stephen McGlynn.
Greg Bishop reviews the closing arguments from the plaintiffs and defense in the bench trial of Illinois' gun and magazine ban, as well as some of the closing comments from federal Judge Stephen McGlynn about historic riots where Black residents were victimized.
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Attorneys for the state of Illinois called their first witness to the stand in the trial against the state’s gun and magazine ban. Day 3 of the bench trial featured plaintiffs’ final witness Randy Watt. Day 3 of the trial also had the state call its first witness. Retired Col. Craig Tucker, who served overseas in Iraq and Afghanistan and trained other soldiers for combat, testified that semi-automatic fire is preferred in a military setting for accuracy and not wasting ammo. But, he testified he would not recommend getting rid of full auto from military rifles.
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Whether commercially available semi-automatic rifles now banned in Illinois are common or too similar to military grade firearms was the focus of Day 2 of the bench trial of Illinois’ gun and magazine ban. On preliminary grounds, the Seventh Circuit U.S. Court of Appeals ruled in favor of the state last year, saying commercially available rifles that Illinois banned in January 2023 are too similar to military grade rifles and are able to be regulated. Now up for final judgment in the Southern District of Illinois federal court, day two of the bench trial was dominated by James Ronkainen, a former longtime engineer and director of firearms development and production for Remington. He said there are material differences between modern sporting rifles and military spec firearms.
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Greg Bishop, Illinois editor for The Center Square, hosts Illinois In Focus Daily, a review of some of the top Illinois headlines with timely and relevant news and interviews.
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Greg Bishop, Illinois editor for The Center Square, hosts Illinois In Focus Daily, a review of some of the top Illinois headlines with timely and relevant news and interviews.
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A Chicago economics professor has questions about the potential effectiveness of the city’s new budget restrictions. City Budget Director Annette Guzman outlined the changes this week, after Mayor Brandon Johnson projected a budget deficit of nearly a billion dollars in 2025. Guzman said a citywide hiring freeze would take effect immediately. Frances Lee is an economics professor at Loyola University of Chicago. Lee said economists have a saying when it comes to hiring. “We can achieve full employment if we hire half of the population to dig a hole and the other half to fill it. If we are eliminating these kinds of government jobs, then, yes, by all means do the hiring freeze,” Lee said.
Former Illinois House Speaker Michael Madigan doesn't want the word "corruption" mentioned at his upcoming corruption trial. Madigan laid out a litany of things he wants excluded from his upcoming racketeering trial in October. The words Madigan's defense team doesn't want the jury to hear are "patronage," "political machine," "Shakman Litigation," "corrupt politicians," "corruption," and "Public Corruption Task Force," and their derivatives, according to a motion pending before Judge Manish Shah. Those words are too prejudicial, the defense argued.
Defense attorneys for the four former Commonwealth Edison executives and lobbyists convicted of bribing one of the state's most powerful politicians have asked a judge to drop the case. The four defendants, who have not be sentenced, want Judge Manish Shah to dismiss the indictment against them and issue an acquittal after a U.S. Supreme Court ruling on the federal bribery statute. In June, the U.S. Supreme Court struck down part of a federal bribery statute that makes it a crime for state and local officials to accept gifts valued at over $5,000 from a donor who had previously been awarded contracts or other government benefits thanks to the official's efforts. The 6-3 decision could affect how prosecutors across the country pursue public corruption cases.
Greg Bishop reviews the response from the Illinois State Board of Election to concerns raised by the Illinois Election Integrity Project.
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With the national parties’ conventions over, it’s a mad dash to the general election finish line. Leaders from both of Illinois’ major political parties are laying out their get-out-the-vote efforts. Democrats officially nominated Kamala Harris for president last week in Chicago. Republicans nominated Donald Trump in Milwaukee last month. The Illinois State Board of Elections certified the ballot Friday that included keeping independent candidate Robert Kennedy on. Kennedy has now endorsed Trump, taking his name off battleground states’ ballots while staying on in states like Illinois where it could negatively impact Harris.
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Greg Bishop reviews some of the themes heard around last week's Democratic National Convention, including reaction from party leaders to concerns about the economy and border security.
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While Illinois Gov. J.B. Pritzker didn’t get selected to be Kamala Harris’ vice presidential candidate, he did get a primetime spot on the stage of the Democratic National Convention Tuesday. Chicago plays host to the convention this week where an array of speakers addressed Democratic delegates. Among the speakers on the national stage was former President Barack Obama. Before that and shortly after the states’ roll call giving Harris the official nomination, Pritzker took the stage and said Democrats are for lower taxes, higher wages, less inflation and more business growth.
Greg Bishop reviews some of the moments from the final day of the Democratic National Convention in Chicago featuring several Illinois politicians on the main stage.
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Greg Bishop reviews some of the themes discussed at Day 3 of the Democratic National Convention in Chicago with the Illinois delegations.
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Greg Bishop reviews some of the questions and answers from Illinois Democrats during Tuesday's breakfast in Chicago as part of the Democratic National Convention. He also shares comments from Republican state representative candidates Leslie Collazo and Fredrick Walls.
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The mantra on the first day of the Democratic National Convention in Chicago from Illinois' Democratic party leaders was “when we fight, we win.” Monday evening’s speeches included President Joe Biden seemingly passing the torch to Kamala Harris. Earlier in the day, Gov. J.B. Pritzker, who was not selected to be Harris’ running mate, hinted at vying for a third term for governor.
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Monday begins the Democratic National Convention in Chicago and leaders from both parties in Illinois are outlining how they see the major event impacting taxpayers. Just as with the Republican National Convention last month in Milwaukee, the DNC in Chicago will cost taxpayers $75 million. Law enforcement agencies from around the area are on the ground with security perimeters around the United Center and McCormick Place. Tens of thousands of protesters are also expected. Rallying Democrats at the Illinois State Fair Wednesday, Gov. J.B. Pritzker previewed his plans to showcase the policies he and Democrats have enacted in the Land of Lincoln to those visiting Chicago.
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Illinois Democrats rallying at the Illinois State Fair in Springfield are pushing for more power at the statehouse while making the case for a Kamala Harris presidency. Early voting for the Nov. 5 election begins Sept. 26. Ahead of that and next week’s Democratic National Convention in Chicago, Illinois Gov. J.B. Pritzker told party officials during a breakfast program in Springfield Wednesday that Illinois Republicans have the wrong policies. “It’s embarrassing for them,” Pritzker said. “No wonder the Illinois GOP is a super minority party.”
Politics continued taking over the Illinois State Fair Thursday with Republican Day. In Springfield at the fairgrounds Wednesday, Democrats during Governor's Day said their piece on why they need more power. Thursday, Illinois GOP Chair Kathy Salvi said Democrats bring taxpayers “one big hurt.”
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Illinois Democrats rallying at the Illinois State Fair in Springfield are pushing for more power at the statehouse while making the case for a Kamala Harris presidency. Early voting for the Nov. 5 election begins Sept. 26. Ahead of that and next week’s Democratic National Convention in Chicago, Illinois Gov. J.B. Pritzker told party officials during a breakfast program in Springfield Wednesday that Illinois Republicans have the wrong policies.
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Greg Bishop reviews some of the comments from Chicago Teachers Union President Stacy Davis Gates about the finances of the Chicago Public Schools and ongoing negotiations for a new teachers union contract.
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Greg Bishop reviews the comments former President Donald Trump and Elon Musk made on X about Illinois Gov. J.B. Pritzker Monday night.
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Greg Bishop reviews a statement from Sangamon County Sheriff Jack Campbell announcing he will retire following pressure from Illinois Gov. J.B. Pritzker and others after last month's police involved shooting death of Sonya Massey in Springfield.
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A challenge against Maryland’s gun ban is likely to make it to the U.S. Supreme Court before gun ban challenges from other states. Tuesday, the Fourth Circuit U.S. Court of Appeals upheld Maryland’s ban on semi-automatic firearms. “The assault weapons at issue fall outside the ambit of protection offered by the Second Amendment because, in essence, they are military-style weapons designed for sustained combat operations that are ill-suited and disproportionate to the need for self-defense,” the opinion stated.
There is agreement from all sides about the need for reforms for how police are hired in Illinois, but what reforms there need to be is still unclear. Gov. J.B. Pritzker continued taking questions Thursday about the aftermath of the police-involved shooting death of Sonya Massey last month in Springfield by then-Sangamon County sheriff’s deputy Sean Grayson, and what policies could change to prevent such events in the future.
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Sangamon County Sheriff Jack Campbell says he will continue leading the office he was elected to despite calls from Illinois Gov. J.B. Pritzker to resign. In the early morning hours in Springfield on July 6, Sonya Massey was shot and killed by sheriff’s deputy Sean Grasyon. Massey had called for help with a suspected prowler, but body camera footage shows Grayson shooting Massey in her home. He was fired and faces murder charges. For having hired Grayson, calls for Campbell to resign are growing. Several members of the Sangamon County Board are looking to place an advisory question on the November ballot asking voters if Campbell should resign. Campbell is up for reelection in 2026.
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Vice President Kamala Harris chose Minnesota Gov. Tim Walz as her running mate over a handful of other prominent Democrats that included Illinois Gov. J.B. Pritzker. President Joe Biden announced last month he was not seeking reelection and endorsed Harris to be the party’s nominee. Speculation on who would be her running mate surrounded several prominent Democrats including Pritzker. Tuesday morning, Harris chose Walz.
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There’s a lot more to the newly enacted law eliminating Illinois’ grocery tax in 2026. Local governments can now impose their own 1% tax, along with other sales tax increases. Gov. J.B. Pritzker announced Monday he signed House Bill 3144, touting relief he said the measure will bring.
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Dozens of measures impacting employers, education, health care, criminal justice and more are now law after Illinois Gov. J.B. Pritzker enacted 59 bills Friday. The Illinois General Assembly approved more than 450 measures during spring session that ended in May. Pritzker has been holding bill signing ceremonies for some measures, but others are announced enacted in news releases. Late Friday, Pritzker’s office announced the signing of 23 House bills and 36 Senate bills.
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Former President Donald Trump said Wednesday that illegal immigration and inflation are devastating the Black community. The former president engaged in conversation with political journalists at the National Association of Black Journalists Convention in Chicago on Wednesday. Trump said he wants to stop people from invading the country illegally.
Greg Bishop reviews the latest headlines around Illinois Gov. J.B. Pritzker and who could be the Democratic party's pick for Vice President Kamala Harris' running mate.
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Illinois took center stage in national politics this week after former President Donald Trump made comments about Vice President Kamala Harris’ race. Trump made headlines for comments about Harris in Chicago with the National Association of Black Journalists Wednesday. Harris later said it’s the “same old show” from Trump.
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The failures of the Secret Service around the attempted assassination of former President Donald Trump are mounting but members of Congress say there’s not been enough accountability. Trump suffered a wound to the ear, a spectator was killed and two others were critically wounded when a sniper opened fire in Butler, Pennsylvania, at a campaign rally on July 13. Former Secret Service Director Kimberly Cheatle resigned last week after a U.S. House hearing failed to get answers. On Tuesday in a U.S. Senate hearing, Secret Service Acting Director Ronald Rowe told U.S. Sen. Josh Hawley, R-Missouri, those on the ground making decisions that day have not been fired.
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Members of Congress, including Illinois U.S. Sen. Dick Durbin, are working to get answers to what happened before, during and after the attempted assassination of former President Donald Trump on July 13. A joint hearing is underway unpacking the failures of the Secret Service that day in Butler, Pennsylvania. Durbin wants to know what changes are being made leading up to the Democratic National Convention next month in Chicago.
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Greg Bishop reviews some of the ongoing questions Illinois Gov. J.B. Pritzker is getting about whether he's being vetted by Vice President Kamala Harris to be her vice presidential running mate in the 2024 election.
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Questions persist around whether Illinois Gov. J.B. Pritzker is or is not being vetted as a possible vice presidential candidate for Kamala Harris. President Joe Biden announced Sunday he was not seeking reelection. He later endorsed Vice President Harris to be the nominee. Democratic leaders, including Pritzker, followed suit with endorsements of Harris. Alongside the names of Democratic governors from several other states, Pritzker’s name was brought up in reports earlier this week as a potential vice presidential candidate.
Questions persist around whether Illinois Gov. J.B. Pritzker is or is not being vetted as a possible vice presidential candidate for Kamala Harris. President Joe Biden announced Sunday he was not seeking reelection. He later endorsed Vice President Harris to be the nominee. Democratic leaders, including Pritzker, followed suit with endorsements of Harris. Alongside the names of Democratic governors from several other states, Pritzker’s name was brought up in reports earlier this week as a potential vice presidential candidate.
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As the Illinois governor weighs in on a potential vice presidential nomination, a socialist alderman from Chicago is expressing frustration with the Democratic Party. Gov. J.B. Pritzker told CNN he’d be reluctant to give up his post as governor of Illinois, but the possibility of being vice president would be appealing. “It’d be hard to resist a call and consideration if the nominee called me to ask to be considered for vice president,” Pritzker said Wednesday. He told MSNBC Tuesday that he had not received any vetting materials from the Harris campaign.
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Vetting for potential candidates to run alongside Kamala Harris in her bid for president is underway, with a number of prominent elected Democrats under consideration, according to published reports. A Tuesday afternoon report by the Wall Street Journal said the Harris campaign sent vetting materials to Pennsylvania Gov. Josh Shapiro, North Carolina Gov. Roy Cooper, Michigan Gov. Gretchen Whitmer, Minnesota Gov. Tim Walz, Illinois Gov. J.B. Pritzker, and U.S. Sen. Mark Kelly of Arizona. But Gov. J.B. Pritzker has denied receiving any vetting materials.
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Greg Bishop reviews some of the recent headlines around whether Illinois Gov. J.B. Pritzker could be the running mate for presumptive Democratic Presidential candidate Kamala Harris.
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Illinois political leaders are reacting to President Joe Biden announcing he won’t run for president and endorsing Vice President Kamala Harris to be the Democratic party’s nominee. Biden made the announcement Sunday afternoon, saying the move is in the “best interest of my party and the country.” Biden’s announcement throws the Democratic National Convention in Chicago next month into uncertainty, though he endorsed Harris to get the nomination.
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Illinois Republicans are making the case for more public safety in the Land of Lincoln while attending the Republican National Convention in Milwaukee. Tuesday’s theme at the RNC was “Make America Safe Again.” Earlier in the day, Illinois Republicans gathered for their breakfast off site. U.S. Rep. Mary Miller, R-Hindsboro, said the Biden administration’s open border is allowing crime, drugs, human trafficking and terrorists in.
Outgoing Illinois Republican Party Chairman Don Tracy, U.S. Rep. Darin Lahood and other state GOP leaders answered questions about election integrity, the Secret Service's handling of the security detail at the campaign event Saturday where former President Donald Trump was grazed by a bullet and another man was killed, and other issues Thursday at the Republican National Convention in Milwaukee.
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Some Black leaders from the Chicago area are urging others to ditch Democrats and vote Republican. After Wednesday’s GOP breakfast outside the Republican National Convention in Milwaukee Wednesday, Republican Cook County State’s Attorney candidate Bob Fioretti made his case to the media that he will bring back law and order. Pastor David Lowery Jr., a pastor with Universal Baptist Church in Harvey, stood alongside Fioretti and said Black voters should join him in ditching the Democratic party.
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Illinois elected members of Congress and the state legislature answered questions from the media Tuesday during a gaggle at the Republican National Convention in Milwaukee.
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Politics continue in the aftermath of the attempted assassination of former President Donald Trump with both sides in Illinois taking stock of the temperature of the rhetoric this election cycle. In Pennsylvania Saturday, a Trump rally attendee was shot and killed and Trump was injured after a would-be assassin opened fire minutes into the former president’s speech to a crowd in an open air field. The assailant was shot and killed by law enforcement. At an unrelated event in Springfield, Illinois U.S. Sen. Dick Durbin, D-Springfield, said it was a miracle Trump survived.
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Illinois Gov. J.B. Pritzker is responding to questions about a hot mic comment this week where he said of the presidential race, “I don't like where we are.” Every appearance Pritzker has in front of the media this week, he’s been peppered with questions about President Joe Biden’s physical and mental fitness to serve. Biden’s fitness to serve as president has been the major national political story since his poor debate performance late last month. Some are looking to a Biden news conference later in the day Thursday as a make or break moment.
Greg Bishop reviews a few moments of President Joe Biden's performance at separate events Thursday and Illinois Gov. J.B. Pritzker's continued questioning about Biden's fitness to be the Democrats' candidate for the November election.
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Greg Bishop reviews recent comments from Chicago Mayor Brandon Johnson and Illinois Gov. J.B. Pritzker about their support for President Joe Biden, despite concerns of his fitness to serve. Pritzker was caught in a hot mic moment saying "I don't like where we are."
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Illinois Gov. J.B. Pritzker remains steadfast in his support of President Joe Biden despite concerns about the president’s fitness. Pritzker was in front of the media for the first time Tuesday since he met with other governors and Biden last week at the White House. He shared what his message to Biden was. “I said, ‘you need to go out there and talk to the American public more,’” Pritzker said. “It was important. I think they took too long. I think he admitted this, to after the debate for him to really go out and do press that would get national attention. I know they did rallies along the way but it’s important for him to answer questions and talk about the issues.”
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Greg Bishop reviews the recent headlines about Democrats saying President Joe Biden should step down ahead of the party's convention this August. Illinois state Rep. La Shawn Ford, a Biden delegate, provides some insight.
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Amid concerns of President Joe Biden’s fitness to serve another four years in office, an Illinois congressman says he should step down. But a delegate says the party must unite ahead of the convention. Speaking with MSNBC Friday, Illinois U.S. Rep. Mike Quigley said Biden should secure his legacy. “The only thing that you can do now to cement that for all time and to prevent utter catastrophe is to step down and let somebody else do this,” Quigley said.
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Greg Bishop reviews some of the headlines and comments after Democratic governors met privately with the Biden administration Wednesday and reviews the many times Illinois Gov. J.B. Pritzker was asked about his presidential aspirations.
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The U.S. Supreme Court declined taking up the cases challenging Illinois' gun ban, saying they aren’t ready yet but also criticizing an appeals court’s rationale for denying a preliminary injunction. Tuesday, Justice Clarence Thomas denied writs of certiorari for the six cases challenging gun bans in Illinois. “Petitioners sought a preliminary injunction against the enforcement of the law, arguing that the law violates their Second Amendment right to ‘keep and bear Arms.’” Thomas wrote. “This Court is rightly wary of taking cases in an interlocutory posture. But, I hope we will consider the important issues presented by these petitions after the cases reach final judgment.”
Now that the U.S. Supreme Court has said it won’t take unfinished cases challenging Illinois’ gun ban without final judgment from the appeals court, it’s back to the lower courts. U.S. Supreme Court Justice Clarence Thomas declined to hear cases from Illinoisans suing over gun bans. The opposing sides of the debate see Tuesday’s outcome differently. Gov. J.B. Pritzker enacted Illinois’ ban on the sale and possession of more than 170 semi-automatic firearms and magazine capacities in January 2023.
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Reaction to the U.S. Supreme Court granting "absolute immunity" to the president of the United States when acting in his core constitutional duty is getting reaction from Illinois elected officials. Monday’s ruling comes in response to former President Donald Trump's claim that he has presidential immunity against the charges brought against him over actions he took as president. He is the first former president to face criminal charges.
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An annual rite of summer in Illinois is approaching soon with another increase in the state’s gas tax along with a slew of other tax increases. In total, Illinois will see $1.1 billion in tax hikes over the next year. They will support a record-high $53.1 billion state budget. Taxes for gasoline will be 47 cents per gallon and 54 cents per gallon for diesel.
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Recent rulings from the U.S. Supreme Court impacting firearms has those in Illinois’ gun control debate declaring their sides are bolstered. In the case Garland v. Cargill, the majority opinion said federal government agencies cannot create laws through rulemaking, as was done with the ATF banning devices that can connect to a semi-automatic rifle to increase the rate of fire.
Greg Bishop reviews some of the reaction from Illinois Democrats and Republicans to Thursday evening's presidential debate between incumbent President Joe Biden and former President Donald Trump.
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A ruling from the U.S. Supreme Court about a federal bribery statute is expected to impact the high profile trial of former Illinois House Speaker Michael Madigan as a defense attorney for the ComEd Four found guilty last year expects a retrial. Madigan was charged with 22 counts of corruption in 2022 in a case federal authorities called “Madigan Enterprise.” They alleged over nearly a decade, Madigan used his position as House Speaker to steer contracts and no-show jobs from Commonwealth Edison to his associates in exchange for legislation favorable to the utility company.
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Beginning July 1, Illinois will have a new state agency set to roll out over the next three years to handle all things early childhood development. Gov. J.B. Pritzker signed Senate Bill 1 Tuesday in Chicago. He said transferring early childhood services from three different state agencies to a new one will streamline things for parents. “The Department of Early Childhood, our first ever unified state agency dedicated to supporting Illinois’ youngest children and their parents,” Pritzker said.
Former Chicago Alderman Ed Burke was sentenced to prison on corruption charges Monday. The judge gave the 80-year-old a two-year sentence and $2 million dollar fine. Federal prosecutors said Burke corruptly sought to steer tax-appeals work to his private law firm by pressuring developers of the Old Post Office, the owner of a Binny’s Beverage Depot, and a Burger King in his district.
More than 140,000 Illinois government-sector workers and retirees received more than $100,000 in annual compensation in 2023, according to a new report from Wirepoints. Wirepoints President Ted Dabrowski said Illinois residents are forced to pay among the nation’s highest property taxes, and one of the highest tax burdens overall, to fund the $100,000-plus government salaries and pensions of the public sector. Dabrowski explained how taxpayers paying these large salaries for a growing number of government workers is unsustainable.
The state is moving ahead with plans to tear down and reconstruct Stateville Correctional Center in Will County. The facility was built in 1925, but conditions were described as “decrepit, unsafe and inhumane” by the prison watchdog group John Howard Association. During a Commission on Government Forecasting and Accountability meeting Tuesday night in Joliet, Department of Corrections Acting Director Latoya Hughes said Stateville is too far gone to be repaired.
A Sangamon County Circuit Court judge made a temporary injunction permanent, finding that enforcing a recently signed law that eliminates “slating” for General Assembly races in the 2024 election is unconstitutional. Last month, the Illinois General Assembly gutted and replaced a child welfare bill with changes to election law. They prohibited the slating of candidates for the November general election ballot if that candidate did not run in the March primary. Within three days of the idea surfacing and passing both chambers, Gov. J.B. Pritzker enacted the measure.
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Full stories:
https://www.thecentersquare.com/illinois/article_f4e10c0a-2377-11ef-bc2a-0f8e13d8773e.html
https://www.thecentersquare.com/illinois/article_50683a1a-2370-11ef-a0a3-d796345f8613.html
https://www.thecentersquare.com/illinois/article_8b05a132-22b0-11ef-a703-cfc82236aa4a.html
https://www.thecentersquare.com/illinois/article_a6445ae8-2282-11ef-9386-3751a7f37c51.html
Illinois Gov. J.B. Pritzker is heralding a budget that Republicans say was crammed down taxpayers throats in the dead of night. After the Senate approved the state budget package late in the evening Sunday, the House took the measure up in the early morning hours Wednesday. The measure spends $53.1 billion and increases a variety of taxes on businesses by about $730 million. State Rep. Patrick Windhorst, R-Metropolis, called out Democrats in the supermajority for violating their own rules by attempting to concur on one of the measures three times when rules only allow two attempts.
With the final scheduled session day on Friday, Illinois taxpayers remain in the dark about how state lawmakers plan to spend billions in taxes. Earlier in the day Thursday, at an unrelated event in Pontoon Beach, Gov. J.B. Pritzker gave scant details about the budget. But he was asked about his proposed tax increase on sports betting companies. “Most of the pushback of course is by the sportsbook companies that have made literally tens of millions of dollars from the state of Illinois and all we’re asking is they pay a little more of their fair share,” Pritzker said. “It keeps our tax rate at below the other of the top sportsbook states in the country, New York and New Jersey.”
Full Story: https://www.thecentersquare.com/illinois/article_438aa328-12f9-11ef-be51-0357e350a26f.html
Illinois state agencies are being directed to prepare for $800 million less than what Gov. J.B. Pritzker proposed for the fiscal year 2025 budget. The General Assembly has until May 31 to pass a budget with simple majorities. Fiscal 2025 begins July 1. Pritzker proposed a $52.7 billion budget in February that included about $1 billion in tax increases. In a memo obtained by The Center Square sent out to state agency directors Wednesday, Deputy Gov. Andy Manar said it has "become clear that opposition to proposed revenue is significant enough to direct agencies to prepare for the possibility of reductions to proposed spending" and "we must prepare to implement a potential balanced budget scenario with $800 million less in available revenue."
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In less than 24 hours, Illinois Statehouse Democrats passed a measure that changes election law, a move Republicans say is a slap in the face of voters in the middle of an election cycle. Gov. J.B. Pritzker has signaled support. Senate Bill 2412 originally started as a measure impacting child welfare, but late Wednesday, House Democrats gutted the bill to bring about an elections measure. House Republicans voted present and walked off the floor in protest, saying the measure was dropped on them last minute.
Full Story: https://www.thecentersquare.com/illinois/article_2b607af8-08cb-11ef-be4b-4314e8b49453.html
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The Chicago Bears on Wednesday unveiled details about a proposed new stadium complex on the lakefront in which the NFL team will seek taxpayer funding, something that is not sitting well with Illinois' governor and legislative leaders.
The team is planning to build a state-of-the-art, domed lakefront stadium near Soldier Field, its current stadium. The Bears said they'd provide over $2 billion for the project, which they said would cover over 70% of the costs. But projections put the total price tag at around $4.7 billion.
Full stories:
Chicago Bears look for public financing in building a new stadium
Education expert analyzes Invest in Kids’ record-breaking numbers for final year
State senator: Pritzker ‘gaslighting’ Illinoisans he says engage in migrant ‘hysteria'
Pritzker: State prepared for possible protests at Democrat's convention
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Advocates on both sides of the debate around gun control are using this week to champion their issues at the Illinois Statehouse. On Tuesday, hundreds of gun control advocates from Everytown for Gun Safety, Moms Demand Action and others, including some from Minnesota, discussed their priorities during a rally at the Illinois Statehouse. One Aim Illinois Deputy Director Yolanda Androzzo pushed for gun control measures. “Illinois state legislators have the opportunity, it’s an opportunity to ensure protection through protection and justice for survivors of gun violence,” she said.
Full Story: https://www.thecentersquare.com/illinois/article_c646ec30-fced-11ee-8aba-8bfbc4e273cd.html
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Illinois taxpayers will be paying significantly more so state employees can have "Cadillac" health insurance coverage.
The Commission on Government Forecasting and Accountability met Tuesday in Springfield to review the fiscal year 2025 state employees’ group insurance program. According to the 2025 budget plan, the State Employee Group Health and Life Insurance program is proposed to receive more than $6.9 billion, a 21% overall increase from last year, when the program received $5.7 billion.
The state's taxpayers and workers share in the cost of the program.
Full Story: https://www.thecentersquare.com/illinois/article_17c2197c-f69a-11ee-8063-234d44daa3dd.html
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As Illinois public health officials handle the ongoing outbreak of measles originating in a Chicago shelter for noncitizens, the state’s public health director said Thursday that two cases of tuberculosis also have been identified at a migrant shelter. Last month, the first cases of measles were discovered at a migrant shelter in Chicago. Illinois Department of Public Health Director Dr. Sameer Vohra reported to legislators in Springfield Thursday.
Full Story: https://www.thecentersquare.com/illinois/article_ba23dd58-f2a9-11ee-8c1f-130add289b2b.html
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A shakeup at the Illinois Prisoner Review Board has Republicans calling for reforms. Illinois Senate Minority Leader John Curran, R-Downers Grove, said the resignation of two people from the PRB Monday, member LeAnn Miller and Chair Donald Shelton, following a recent parolee allegedly murdering a child and stabbing their mother is “another example of [Gov. J.B. Pritzker] failing to oversee an agency under his control.” State Sen. Jason Plummer, R-Edwardsville, said the PRB shouldn’t be under Pritzker’s control.
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(The Center Square) – Chicago Mayor Brandon Johnson vows to continue with his agenda despite an apparent defeat of his Bring Chicago Home referendum this week. The measure, which would have increased the city’s real estate transfer tax on properties over $1 million and, according to Johnson, use the funds to pay for homelessness programs, now appears to be rejected by voters. Fifty-four percent of voters said “no” to 46% “yes” with 98% of precincts reporting. “All the votes have not been counted so it has not been declared just yet,” Johnson said. “Look, there are 68,000 people unhoused, that’s the focus.”
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Illinois business owners are bracing for a potential tax hit from Gov. J.B. Pritzker. The governor’s proposed budget extends the cap on business net operating losses, but increases the cap to $500,000. His office estimates the “revenue adjustment” will raise $526 million, the bulk of the nearly $900 million of tax increases in his $52.7 billion spending proposal.
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The Chicago Teachers Union is preparing for collective bargaining talks with the city, and the union's president suggested the new terms would cost taxpayers $50 billion. “We are asking you to give us an opportunity to tell our story. It will cost $50 billion, and three cent,” CTU President Stacy Davis Gates said Tuesday at the City Club of Chicago this week, setting the stage for upcoming negotiations with the city. "And so what? That's audacity." Some media outlets reported that Gates was "joking" when citing the $50 billion figure.
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A Cook County judge decided former President Donald Trump’s name should be removed from the Illinois primary ballot, but put a hold on the order expecting an appeal. Trump’s campaign said it will “quickly appeal.” In a 38-page ruling, the circuit court judge said the Illinois State Board of Elections’ unanimous decision to keep Trump on the ballot is overturned. A group of objectors challenged Trump’s access to the March 19 Illinois primary ballot alleging the former Republican president instigated an insurrection at the U.S. Capitol on Jan. 6, 2021, and is ineligible to be elected president. Last month, the state elections board denied their objection. The group appealed to the state circuit court in Cook County.
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With a projected deficit of close to $900 million, Illinois Gov. J.B. Pritzker presented his sixth State of the State and budget address Wednesday. The plan includes $52.7 billion in spending, roughly a 2% increase over the current fiscal year budget. What is sure to be a talking point in the coming months, the budget includes an additional $182 million for the care of migrants on top of what has already been spent.
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A new Tax Foundation study finds Illinois with the second highest corporate tax rate in the country. Some say that signals more struggles ahead for the Land of Lincoln. The nonpartisan Tax Foundation ranked states by their corporate income tax rates as of Jan. 1, 2024. Six states, Texas, Nevada, Washington, Wyoming, South Dakota and Ohio, do not levy a corporate income tax. Of the 44 that do, Illinois’ 9.5% rate put the state at No. 2, up from No. 3 in last year’s report. The top spot in 2024 goes to Minnesota at 9.8%. The state with the lowest rate outside of the states that do not have such taxes is North Carolina at 2.5%.
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Battle lines are being drawn at the Illinois statehouse over whether to get rid of a lower minimum wage for tipped workers statewide. While some are advocating for tipped workers to get the minimum wage with tips on top, a legislator who also owns restaurants says such a move would be devastating to the economy. Advocates from the group One Fair Wage organized a rally outside of the Illinois statehouse Tuesday as legislators were returning.
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Former President Donald Trump has scored a victory in his battle to be included on the primary ballot in Illinois. The Illinois State Board of Elections voted 8-0 Tuesday to reject a challenge to Trump’s candidacy. Several Illinois voters contend that Trump encouraged the Jan. 6 violence at the U.S. Capitol during protests of the 2020 election results and the 14th Amendment would apply to him. “He took a leading role in organizing, facilitating, supporting, directing and protecting a conservative armed and violent invasion, seizure and disruption of the United States Congress on January 6,” said attorney Matthew Piers, who represented the challengers.
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With limited Illinois tax dollars, state officials are laying out their priorities amid ongoing budget pressures such as the hundreds of millions of dollars for migrant care. Promoting the taxpayer-funded $250 million Smart Start early childhood education initiative, Gov. J.B. Pritzker said the state will have to balance such future spending with other pressures. “And, if we don’t have enough resources for everything that everybody wants, what can we look to do in the future or what should we stop doing in order to make sure that we’re balancing expenditures with revenues,” Pritzker said at an event in Rochester Thursday.
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The migrant crisis in Illinois is prompting some policymakers around the state to take action. Tens of thousands of migrants have been transported to the state from the southern U.S. border. The city of Chicago reports about 33,000 asylum seekers have arrived since August 2022. The state of Illinois has provided $640 million to address the migrant influx. Chicago Mayor Brandon Johnson said the city is facing a projected $538 million budget deficit for 2024, a financial burden his administration blamed in part on the growing cost of caring for migrants.
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As communities across the state continue to evaluate how to deal with the prospect of buses dropped off migrants from the southern border, Illinois Gov. J.B. Pritkzer says the state is limited in what it can do. A patchwork of ordinances across the state either regulate buses and hotel stays to deter migrant arrivals, or declare non-sanctuary status. In McClean County, Emergency Management Agency Director Cathy Beck asked local officials for rural places to put shelters if needed. Reached for comment Wednesday, Beck said they have yet received any buses.
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A judge on Wednesday pushed back the start of the state's most high-profile public corruption case to October, citing a pending U.S. Supreme Court case focused on the federal bribery statute. U.S. District Judge John Robert Blakey set former Illinois House Speaker Michael Madigan's racketeering case for Oct. 8, a six-month delay from the initial April start date. Madigan's defense team had asked for a stay in the case after the U.S. Supreme Court agreed to review Snyder v. United States, which focuses on an Indiana mayor convicted of accepting a bribe.
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With courts denying requests to delay the Jan. 1 deadline for Illinois gun owners to register now banned firearms with the state, lawsuits against the gun ban will continue in the new year. Last week, Southern District of Illinois federal Judge Stephen McGlynn denied a preliminary request for the Jan. 1 deadline to be delayed. Also last week, Attorney Thomas Maag filed for summary judgment against the law, alleging it violates citizens’ Fifth Amendment rights against self-incrimination. Months ago, Maag hinted at the looming challenge.
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A federal judge wants to see all parties in his courtroom when he considers a motion to stay proceedings in the state's most high-profile corruption case. U.S. District Court Judge John Robert Blakey issued an order Wednesday for former Illinois House Speaker Michael Madigan to appear in court along with co-defendant Michael McClain, a former state lawmaker and close confidante of Madigan. The judge will consider the defendant's joint motion to stay proceedings at a hearing at 2 p.m. on Jan. 3 in Courtroom 1203.
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Gov. J.B. Pritzker has already signed a law to allow certain non-citizens to become police officers in Illinois. Now, the state's two U.S. senators want the same for the U.S. military. Many Republicans are opposed to the idea. House Bill 3751, allowing certain non-citizens with work permits or who are Deferred Action for Childhood Arrival recipients to be police officers, passed the Illinois General Assembly with bipartisan support during the spring session. The measure had the backing of the Fraternal Order of Police.
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With the Jan. 1 deadline to register banned firearms approaching, Illinois has responded to a challenge of its gun and magazine ban in the U.S. Supreme Court. Meanwhile, a separate gun ban challenge at the nation’s high court has been forwarded to the full court’s conference next month. Illinois enacted a ban on more than 170 semi-automatic firearms and magazines over certain capacities on Jan. 10. The law also requires those with grandfathered firearms now banned to register them with Illinois State Police by Jan. 1. Failure to comply could lead to felony charges. ISP's second notice emergency rules for the registry were filed this week to the Joint Committee on Administrative Rules.
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The U.S. Supreme Court now has another challenge against Illinois’ gun ban on its docket. Illinois on Jan. 10 banned the possession and sale of more than 170 semi-automatic firearms and magazines over certain capacities. A week later, lawsuits started to be filed challenging the constitutionality of the law. Cases are still pending in the district, appeals courts and now the U.S. Supreme Court. Wednesday, the U.S. Supreme Court docketed a case out of Naperville where plaintiffs challenged the city's and state’s gun and magazine ban. Plaintiffs are seeking an emergency appeal of the Seventh Circuit U.S. Court of Appeals three-judge panel ruling for the state.
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Thanksgiving dinner shoppers will get a bit of a break in the pocketbook this year. Illinois shoppers participating in the annual American Farm Bureau Federation’s (AFBF) Thanksgiving Cost Survey reported the average cost of a traditional Thanksgiving meal is down slightly compared to last year. Illinois Farm Bureau volunteer shoppers reported a state-wide average price of $63.87 for a classic holiday feast for 10, or around $6.39 per person. That is a decrease from the previous year’s record-high of $64.05.
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Prosecutors are seeking life sentences for four former Commonwealth Edison leaders convicted of conspiring to bribe former Illinois House Speaker Michael Madigan, a defense attorney said Wednesday. A federal judge on Wednesday denied a request from defense attorneys to delay sentencing. Defense attorneys had asked for more time to deal with what they said were complex issues regarding sentencing guidelines. At a hearing Wednesday, defense attorney Patrick Cotter said prosecutors would be seeking life sentences for the defendants.
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With the end of the fall veto session, Illinois’ Invest in Kids school choice scholarship program benefiting around 9,600 students will come to a close. Despite families for months lobbying to extend the privately funded program beyond the Dec. 31 sunset, legislators didn’t advance any such measure. Republicans were critical of Democrats they say caved to the teachers’ unions who opposed the program. But, before adjourning, state Rep. Kevin Olickal, D-Skokie, said he’ll continue to fight.
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A full month into Illinois’ gun ban registry and about 2,400 individuals have disclosed they own at least one banned firearm, attachment or some prohibited ammunition. Illinois State Police Director Brendan Kelly says it’s “been slow, but steady.” For the registry that opened Oct. 1, Illinois State Police report 2,430 individuals disclosed possessing nearly 4,600 banned firearms, around 2,400 banned attachments and 44 disclosures of possessing banned .50 caliber ammunition.
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As members of each party lay out their priorities with the start of fall veto session at the Illinois statehouse, scores of school kids benefiting from the soon-to-expire Invest in Kids school choice scholarship program were on the scene. But to start the session, House Speaker Emanuel “Chris” Welch, D-Hillside, advanced a measure out of committee to allow statehouse staffers to unionize. “The way this bill is written, there will be no bargaining over calendars and schedules and how the legislature will operate,” Welch told the committee. “And we have a no strike provision.”
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Just four months into the fiscal year, Illinois’ Health Benefits for Immigrant Seniors program will suspend accepting new enrollees starting Nov. 6, the Illinois Department of Healthcare and Family Services said Thursday. In 2020, Illinois began subsidizing the health care of non-citizens in the state over the age of 65, estimating the cost to be $1.8 million. Two years later, the state started offering the taxpayer subsidized benefit to non-citizens over the age of 42.
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A federal judge who once ruled plaintiffs challenging Illinois’ gun and magazine ban may be able to prove their case now has the option of striking the law down based on the merits. Illinois’ ban on more than 170 semi-automatic rifles, shotguns and pistols was enacted on Jan. 10. The law also bans the sale and possession of handgun magazines over 15 rounds and rifle magazines over 10 rounds. Firearms owners with such guns purchased before Jan. 10 have until Jan. 1, 2024 to register their firearms, attachments and .50 caliber ammunition, or face potential criminal penalties.
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As non-citizens continue to arrive in Chicago, many have been stuck at O'Hare Airport while awaiting housing. One mutual aid volunteer says even more soon will be without more shelter options. Chicago has seen more than 15,000 migrants from the southern border arrive over the past 12 months. Many of the migrants have traveled from communities in Texas, where resources are stretched thin because of the continued influx of border crossers. In response, Illinois Gov. J.B. Pritzker’s office said Friday the state has contributed $328 million overall to support asylum seekers to date.
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The hearing took place not in Washington D.C., but at the Chicago Fraternal Order of Police hall. Testifying was Gianno Caldwell, a Fox News contributor and someone whose teenage brother was shot and killed in Chicago. He said with the end of cash bail and do-not-chase policies, criminals feel emboldened turning The Windy City into Gotham City. Chicago is savable, but he said residents have to make adjustments.
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Illinois Democrats celebrated the end of cash bail statewide on Monday while others worried about an increase in crime. The Safety, Accountability, Fairness, and Equity-Today, or SAFE-T Act, was approved by the General Assembly in January 2021. It makes several changes to the criminal justice system, including eliminating cash bail statewide, making it the first state to do so after being enacted on Monday. The Pretrial Fairness Act was supposed to go into effect Jan. 1, but was delayed by court challenges until two months ago when it was upheld by the Illinois Supreme Court.
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With the abolishment of cash bail coming to an end in Illinois Monday (Sept. 18), the debate continues on what the effects will be on victims, particularly of domestic violence. Under the new law as part of the controversial SAFE-T Act upheld by the Illinois Supreme Court two months ago, if a judge decides a defendant does not pose a public safety risk, then they will be released pending trial.
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Chicago Teachers Union President Stacy Davis-Gates, who has been outspoken against the state's school choice program, is sending her child to a private school, according to the Illinois Republican Party and other reports. Davis-Gates took office in 2022 to lead the third largest teachers union in the country. Since taking office, Davis-Gates has publicly spoken out against the Invest in Kids Act, which allows people to pay for scholarships for students to attend private schools rather than attend public schools in Chicago or throughout the state. Donors get a 75% Illinois income tax credit for their contributions to the program. If legislators do not extend the program, it ends at the end of the calendar year.
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With a new school year underway or about to begin for students in schools across Illinois, some attending a private school using scholarships from the Invest in Kids program could be left in limbo unless lawmakers take action to continue the program. Gov. J.B. Pritzker made a stop at Community STEM Center in Matteson on Thursday to highlight the start of the school year.
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After July job numbers are included, Illinois finally returned to pre-pandemic total job levels more than three years after the COVID-19 pandemic began. And the feat was accomplished almost a year after most of the rest of the country. The data from the Illinois Policy Institute show the state gained over 11,000 jobs in July. This job gain brings the state back to its pre-COVID numbers.
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Chicago Mayor Brandon Johnson says the city of Chicago has had conversations with suburban leaders in Cook and other counties about the possibility of moving migrants into their communities. Thousands of migrant families have arrived in Chicago over the past year. City officials have placed many in police stations, YMCAs and Daley College.
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Illinois’ gun and magazine ban remains in place after being upheld by a split Illinois Supreme Court. The anticipated ruling in the case brought by state Rep. Dan Caulkins, R-Decatur, was released Friday. "First, we hold that the exemptions neither deny equal protection nor constitute special legislation because plaintiffs have not sufficiently alleged that they are similarly situated to and treated differently from the exempt classes," the majority opinion said. "Second, plaintiffs expressly waived in the circuit court any independent claim that the restrictions impermissibly infringe the second amendment. Third, plaintiffs’ failure to cross-appeal is a jurisdictional bar to renewing their three-readings claim. Accordingly, we reverse the circuit court and enter judgment for defendants on the equal protection and special legislation claims. We express no opinion on the potential viability of plaintiffs’ waived claim concerning the second amendment."
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A new report from the Illinois Commission on Government Forecasting Accountability shows a dramatic increase of overall taxpayer spending over the past six years. COGFA’s report on fiscal year 2024 released Monday reviews the annual budget that began July 1. The report details the budget process and how much each state agency and program is set to receive in annual appropriations. While a lot of reporting focuses on the state spending of $50.4 billion in Illinois General Revenue Funds, overall taxpayer spending is much higher at more than $193.5 billion when taking into account federal and special funds. That’s up from the $99 billion in total spending for fiscal year 2018, or a 95.3% increase.
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Illinois lawmakers are calling for accountability into the state's handling of unemployment payments during the COVID-19 pandemic after an audit showed $5.2 billion was overpaid, including tens of millions to some who were incarcerated or deceased. Unemployment spiked at the beginning of the COVID-19 pandemic in the spring of 2020 after Gov. J.B. Pritzker issued stay-at-home orders impacting the economy in an effort to slow the spread of the virus.
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With the Illinois Supreme Court decision to end money bond statewide, prosecutors and the law enforcement community are bracing for impact. On Tuesday, the Illinois Supreme Court upheld the Pretrial Fairness Act as constitutional. County court systems across the state have 60 days to implement the law. Supporting the end of cash bail statewide, Lake County State’s Attorney Eric Rinehart said there are still sureties a court can require of criminal defendants awaiting trial like requirements they not contact a particular person or not violating other laws.
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Motions continue back and forth between former Illinois House Speaker Michael Madigan’s attorneys and federal prosecutors alleging Madigan ran a criminal enterprise from through the Illinois Statehouse. In the summer of 2020, federal prosecutors revealed a deferred prosecution agreement between utility ComEd and the government that had the utility agree to pay $200 million for bribing “Public Official A.” It was later revealed through indictments the official was Madigan.
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Gov. J.B. Pritzker says he has reached a tentative agreement with the state's largest union regarding their new contract with the state. However, the taxpayer cost has yet to be revealed, leading some to expect increased taxes as a result. With Illinois’ gun and magazine ban being challenged in a case expected to go to the U.S. Supreme Court, Gov. J.B. Pritzker says there needs to be a federal ban. On the one-year anniversary of the Independence Day parade shooting in Highland Park Tuesday, Pritzker said there needs to be more gun control.
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Two taxes on basic necessities in Illinois are set to increase beginning Saturday. With the start of the new fiscal year July 1, the state's gas tax will increase by 3.1 cents a gallon to a total tax of 45.4 cents. That's the second increase of the motor fuel tax since Jan. 1, when it increased by an additional 3.1 cents. The state's tax on groceries will also go back to 1% after Gov. J.B. Pritzker put a hold on the tax during last year's election cycle. Whether Illinois' gun and magazine bans are constitutional is now up to a federal appeals court. The consolidated cases challenging state and local gun and magazine bans in Illinois were heard Thursday by a three-judge panel of the Seventh Circuit U.S. Court of Appeals.
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Rules for how Illinois taxpayers will subsidize the ballooning costs of health care for noncitizen migrants in the state are now on the books after Gov. J.B. Pritzker signed a Medicaid omnibus bill Friday. The Chicago City Council and Mayor Brandon Johnson heard Wednesday from Chicago residents upset about the influx of migrants in their communities and the resources that have been allocated to assist them. Chicago city officials and community members are looking to address ongoing issues of crime in the city. Crime in Chicago has been increasing over the past few months, with several violent weekends in which many have died. On Tuesday night, a group of individuals in the city ransacked a gas station while causing property damage to the building and to other vehicles in the area.
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Former Illinois Gov. Bruce Rauner said he faced a lot of headwinds during his time in office, but didn’t want to talk about politics after his official portrait was unveiled Monday. The former one-term Republican governor had a tumultuous time in office with a more than two-year long budget impasse. Democrats who controlled both chambers still blame Rauner for the impasse. As Illinois implements more requirements on local libraries in order to access state tax dollars, some are questioning whether state government is overstepping its boundaries. Gov. J.B. Pritzker on Tuesday signed a first-in-the-nation law that restricts state tax dollars for local libraries that don't follow certain guidelines from a national group. House Bill 2789 requires state libraries to adopt the American Library Association's Library Bill of Rights if they want to receive state grants.
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Illinois Gov. J.B. Pritzker on Wednesday signed the state's $50.6 billion budget, which includes pay raises for state lawmakers, health care for undocumented migrants, and new taxpayer-funded programs for education. With the consolidated gun ban challenge being briefed and soon heard in the Seventh Circuit U.S. Court of Appeal, an Illinois attorney is asking a federal district judge for partial judgment. Effective immediately, Illinoisans wanting to challenge the constitutionality of state laws or executive actions in state court can only file litigation in two of the state’s 102 counties.
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With increased spending on legislator pay, local governments, K-12 and higher education and other programs, Illinois’ budget for the coming fiscal year is the largest in state history and ready for the governor’s desk. The House passed the $50.6 billion state budget early Saturday along party lines, 73-38. The Senate approved the plan late Thursday mostly along party lines. Despite statehouse corruption on full display with guilty verdicts against four individuals in the “ComEd Four” bribery trial, Illinois legislators left Springfield without sweeping ethics reforms.
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Topping $50 billion, Illinois Democrats say they have reached a budget agreement. The proposed fiscal 2024 budget is similar to what Gov. J.B. Pritzker unveiled earlier this year. It includes $700 million for K-12 and early childhood education, and an additional $100 million so those under the median income can go to community college tuition free but at taxpayer expense. While legislators are advancing legislation to shore up ethics concerns with the red light camera industry in Illinois, some are looking for even more ethics reforms. Illinois citizens wanting to sue the state for alleged violations of the constitution would only be able to file their complaints in Sangamon or Cook counties with a bill advancing in Springfield.
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With Friday being the last scheduled day for the spring session at the Illinois Statehouse, lawmakers have yet to reveal a state budget for taxpayers to review. Last year's budget was over 3,000 pages and was presented by the Democratic majority to Republicans at the last moment, giving the public no time to review it. Opposition is growing over a piece of legislation advancing in Springfield that would allow for punitive damages in wrongful death cases. Chicago remains the nation’s third most populated city, but it was No. 2 in the total number of people leaving the city limits.
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A report detailing Illinois' budget forecast is warning of a huge drop in state revenues. The Illinois Commission on Government Forecasting and Accountability said April receipts fell $1.8 billion compared to the same month the year prior. The COGFA report said while a substantial decline in revenues was anticipated, the extent of the decline is much steeper than the commission had projected. The news comes as lawmakers are putting together an annual spending plan as the spring legislative session winds down. After last week's "ComEd Four" guilty verdicts that dealt directly with corruption at the Illinois statehouse, the call for ethics reforms continue to grow.
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A federal jury on Tuesday convicted four top lobbyists and executives at a state-regulated utility in Illinois' highest-profile corruption case since former Gov. Rod Blagojevich was convicted 13 years ago. The jury convicted the defendants on all counts in the case in which prosecutors alleged former state lawmaker and lobbyist Michael McClain, former ComEd CEO Anne Pramaggiore, former ComEd lobbyist John Hooker and former contract lobbyist Jay Doherty were involved in a multi-year scheme to gain longtime former Illinois House Speaker Michael Madigan’s support for legislation that would benefit the utility's bottom line.
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In his first address before a full joint session of the General Assembly since before the pandemic, Gov. J.B. Pritzker presented his State of the State and budget address Wednesday. Included was a $49.6 billion budget proposal, an increase in spending by over $3 billion from last year’s budget. With the threat of a possible recession on the horizon, some are worried that Gov. J.B. Pritzker’s proposed budget is trending toward future tax hikes.
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Some downstate Illinois lawmakers are voicing concerns over Chicago Mayor-elect Brandon Johnson’s proposed spending spree. Johnson told lawmakers they must commit to working together if both the city and state are to succeed. He said his time at the statehouse is about building a better, stronger and safer Chicago by establishing a strong foundation for collaboration. The Illinois Supreme Court has denied a motion to disqualify two justices from hearing a challenge to the state's new gun ban over perceived conflicts of interest. The two justices also declined to recuse themselves.
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After hours of oral arguments Wednesday, a federal judge now has the case challenging Illinois’ gun ban with a ruling on a preliminary injunction expected in the weeks ahead. Plaintiffs say they are confident they’ll get the law overturned. A new report on U.S. state’s economic outlook paints a bleak picture for Illinois. Former ComEd CEO Anne Pramaggiore is expected to take the stand as part of her own defense as early as Thursday as the federal corruption probe targeting her and three other defendants continues to unfold.
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Because of “unreasonably large campaign contributions” to then-candidates and now sitting justices on the Illinois Supreme Court from lead defendants in the case challenging the state’s gun ban, plaintiffs are seeking two judges recusal. The state of Illinois has been given an extension to the deadline it has to file an appeal of a circuit court’s ruling in a case over when the state can suspend someone’s Firearm Owner ID Card. The Illinois Freedom Caucus is calling for an ethics investigation into what one member called “shenanigans.”
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As population growth in the nation’s largest counties rebounded in 2022, Illinois continued to see population losses. According to the U.S. Census Bureau’s Vintage 2022 estimates, 92 of Illinois' 102 counties lost residents from July 2021 to July of last year. Cook County lost a staggering 68,314 people, the second highest total by number in the country behind only Los Angeles County. Defense attorney Scott Lassar opened his cross-examination of prosecution star witness Fidel Marquez on Wednesday in the second week of the “ComEd Four” corruption trial by directly asking him if he had ever witnessed alleged plot ringleader Mike Madigan directly pass or block legislation on the utility giant’s behalf. With about a week before Chicago voters choose a new mayor, a new poll shows Paul Vallas with a 5-point lead over Brandon Johnson. The WGN-TV poll shows Vallas at 46% to Johnson’s 41%, with 13% of likely voters still undecided. Vallas has built an advantage among older voters. The former CEO of Chicago Public Schools and budget director for Mayor Richard M. Daley has the backing of just over 50% of likely voters 65 and older.
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Former Commonwealth Edison chief lawyer Tom O’Neill said Wednesday that over time he came to work hand-in-hand with associates of then-House Speaker Michael Madigan to secure jobs for them in high-profile positions. O’Neill took the stand for a second day in the ComEd bribery trial at the Dirksen Federal Courthouse in Chicago. Former House Speaker Michael Madigan called the shots on a bill that was worth $1.8 billion to Illinois' largest electrical utility. That's what the state lawmaker who sponsored the measure told jurors Tuesday in the bribery trial of four former ComEd executives and lobbyists. Libraries in Illinois, including at K-12 schools, could see their funding cut if there are efforts to restrict books under a bill that passed the House Wednesday. House Bill 2789 would limit federal pass-through tax dollars through the Illinois Secretary of State’s office for libraries that remove or restrict certain books.
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The specter of indicted former House Speaker Michael Madigan loomed large during opening arguments in the “ComEd 4” bribery trial at the Dirksen Federal Courthouse Wednesday. The longest serving legislative leader in U.S. history seemed everywhere during arguments while he personally was nowhere to be found during the daylong proceedings in the overflow courtroom of U.S. District Judge Harry Leinenweber. As part of her opening, Assistant U.S. Attorney Sarah Streicker left little to the imagination, telling jurors, “In short, Madigan wanted, the defendants gave and the defendants got. It’s that simple.” Longtime Madigan confidant Michael McClain, former ComEd CEO Anne Pramaggiore, ex ComEd lobbyist John Hooker and Jay Doherty, a lobbyist and consultant who once served as the head of the City Club of Chicago, are all on trial in a case that charges each of them with playing a role in masterminding a scheme to funnel jobs, cash and other perks from the utility giant to associates of Madigan in exchange for him taking a favorable stance on legislation the company stood to benefit from. All four defendants have pleaded not guilty. Madigan is slated to go on trial in connection with the scheme in the spring of 2024, when he will also face a separate racketeering indictment accusing him of being involved in an assortment of other corruption-related schemes. Madigan also has pleaded not guilty. With state and federal cases challenging Illinois’ gun ban pending, Gov. J.B. Pritzker remains confident the law he signed will withstand constitutional scrutiny, though he says he’s not an expert. The governor also continues to respond to perceived conflicts of interest around his $2 million in donations to Illinois Supreme Court justice candidates who now sit on the bench. The high court accepted to hear the gun ban challenge from Macon County where the governor is a lead defendant. He signed the law Jan. 10.
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Gov. J.B. Pritzker doesn’t just appear at the top as a defendant in the Macon County gun-ban challenge in front of the Illinois Supreme Court. He’s also the top donor for two supreme court justices’ campaigns. Pritzker donated a total of $2 million to then-Illinois Supreme Court candidates Mary O’Brien and Elizabeth Rochford, $1 million each. The governor signed a law in 2022 that capped contribution limits in such campaigns to $500,000 from “any single person.” Despite that, to each candidate, half a million came from each of Pritzker’s political campaign and his revocable trust. Gov. J.B. Pritzker said Wednesday that despite his million-dollar donations to two Illinois Supreme Court justices last year, they are independent and should not have to recuse themselves from two high-profile cases before them in which the governor is a defendant. Attorneys separately challenging Illinois' gun ban in state court continue to differ in their approach. On behalf of state Rep. Dan Caulkins, R-Decatur, and others, attorney Jerry Stocks secured a final judgment against the ban in Macon County Friday. “When the law is declared facially unconstitutional, it is invalid as if it never existed,” Stocks told The Center Square. “So, that deceleration in a judgment here in Macon County triggers [Illinois Supreme Court] jurisdiction under a very specific rule.” The 80-year-old man once called the "Velvet Hammer" for his successful dominance of Illinois politics is arguing the state's bribery and official misconduct statutes are unconstitutional ahead of his corruption trial. Former Illinois House Speaker Michael Madigan served in the Illinois House from 1971 to 2021. From 1997 to 2021, he served as speaker of the Illinois House, making him one of the state's most powerful politicians. He faces 23 counts of racketeering, bribery and official misconduct as part of a federal indictment. Madigan said he was just doing his job as a politician and that the state's laws are overly broad.
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Lori Lightfoot's tenure as Chicago mayor will end after her first term. Lightfoot – widely criticized as rising violent crime plagued the city during her four years in office, for her strict COVID-19 restrictions, and as students in Chicago Public Schools struggled to perform at grade level – conceded in her race for re-election in Tuesday's primary. A judge is expected to rule on key motions that seek to limit what the jury will hear before a high-profile corruption case involving longtime former Illinois House Speak Michael Madigan begins in March. With four federal lawsuits consolidated and a schedule of responses and oral arguments set, the Illinois Sheriffs’ Association is officially taking sides in the case against the state’s gun ban. Join The Center Square's Dan McCaleb and Greg Bishop on this episode of Illinois in Focus.
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America in Focus: A weekly feature of the top TheCenterSquare.com stories of the week out of Washington D.C. with commentary from The Center Square editors and more!
America's Talking: An interview podcast hosted by Austin Berg. Guests include professors, journalists, artists, business and nonprofit leaders, authors, and more.
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The attorneys with state-level challenges against Illinois’ gun ban disagree on whether the cases should be consolidated. Gov. J.B. Pritzker enacted a ban on more than 170 different semi-automatic firearms and magazines over certain capacities on Jan. 10. Since then, a series of lawsuits have been filed in federal and state courts challenging the law. The law exempts individuals in certain occupations, such as law enforcement, prison staff and security officers from the gun ban. An appeal is expected in the case challenging Illinois’ and Naperville’s gun and magazine ban. Gun rights groups expect the ruling to be overturned. Florida Gov. Ron DeSantis criticized Illinois leadership for its stance on several issues during a Monday visit to the state. On Tuesday, Gov. J.B. Pritzker responded. The Republican governor of Florida just started his second term and made a stop in Elmhurst, Illinois, to speak with police groups. He criticized what he said was "woke" policies impacting public policy and education in Illinois and elsewhere. Join The Center Square's Dan McCaleb and Greg Bishop on this episode of Illinois in Focus.
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Join The Center Square’s Publisher Chris Krug & Executive Editor Dan McCaleb they discuss with the threat of a possible recession on the horizon, some are worried that Gov. J.B. Pritzker’s proposed budget is trending toward future tax hikes. Representatives from the state's five pension systems testified to lawmakers over the past few weeks with updates on their unfunded liabilities, leaving lawmakers to come up with a fix. The state’s motion seeking a delay in its required response to a federal lawsuit challenging Illinois’ gun ban was denied Thursday.
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Join The Center Square’s Publisher Chris Krug & Executive Editor Dan McCaleb they discuss that about 2,100 more Illinois citizens are now safe from the state enforcing Illinois’ gun ban against them after a third temporary restraining order was issued Wednesday. Recent court cases across the country challenging gun regulations could be an issue for conversation at the Illinois statehouse as the state faces a bevy of lawsuits over its gun and magazine ban. An ally of former Illinois House Speaker Michael Madigan doesn't want a jury to hear about a 2012 email he sent that mentioned an alleged rape in Champaign and fraudulent payroll practices. In 2024, Illinois will become the third state to mandate employers provide employees with paid time off for any reason, but now there are groups lobbying for more paid time off.
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Join The Center Square’s Publisher Chris Krug & Executive Editor Dan McCaleb they discuss the temporary restraining order against Illinois’ gun ban issued by an Effingham County judge has been upheld by the Fifth District Appellate Court of Illinois. The state of Illinois is expected to ask for an expedited review by the Illinois Supreme Court after a temporary restraining order was upheld Tuesday against Illinois’ gun ban on behalf of 866 plaintiffs who sued in Effingham County. Now that the end of disaster proclamations in Illinois has been announced, a nonprofit is calling for changes in executive powers. School choice advocates in Illinois are urging lawmakers to renew the Invest in Kids program during the 103rd General Assembly.
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Join The Center Square’s Publisher Chris Krug & Executive Editor Dan McCaleb they discuss lawsuits brought against Illinois’ new gun ban that are working their way through the judicial process. Board officials from Illinois' second most populated county heard from residents on both sides of the debate about whether the sheriff there should enforce the state's gun ban. Illinois voters rejected a proposal in 2020 to change the state's flat income tax to a graduated tax. There are currently discussions to try the measure again. Gov. J.B. Pritzker, however, said that's not on his radar. Illinois state lawmakers in the 103rd General Assembly received a $12,000 pay increase for the new year, making them among the highest paid legislators in the country.
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Join The Center Square’s Publisher Chris Krug & Executive Editor Dan McCaleb they discuss the first federal lawsuit against Illinois’ gun ban and registry has been announced by the Illinois State Rifle Association. It follows two others that were filed in state court Tuesday. With a ruling on a temporary restraining order against Illinois’ gun ban expected before the end of the day Friday, each side of the issue says they’re confident they’ll prevail. With two different U.S. presidents being found in possession of classified documents, Illinois’ governor has different takes.
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America's Talking: An interview podcast hosted by Austin Berg. Guests include professors, journalists, artists, business and nonprofit leaders, authors, and more.
Everyday Economics: Join economist Dr. Orphe Divounguy and Chris Krug as they discuss global markets, inflation, and everything else that will help you understand the economic world around you.
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Join The Center Square’s Publisher Chris Krug & Executive Editor Dan McCaleb they discuss the fact that the sale of certain semi-automatic guns and magazines is now prohibited in Illinois with a law Gov. J.B. Pritzker signed Tuesday night. Gun-rights groups say they’ll see him and legislative leaders in court. With a new ban on certain guns now in place in Illinois, some have said they won’t comply. Gov. J.B. Pritzker has a message for law enforcement: Do your job or else. Gun-rights groups say the ban won’t last long. Prosecutors in a case involving Michael Madigan say they have wires of the former Illinois House speaker acknowledging operatives “made out like bandits” in a scheme involving utility ComEd.
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America's Talking: An interview podcast hosted by Austin Berg. Guests include professors, journalists, artists, business and nonprofit leaders, authors, and more.
Everyday Economics: Join economist Dr. Orphe Divounguy and Chris Krug as they discuss global markets, inflation, and everything else that will help you understand the economic world around you.
Future of Freedom: Future of Freedom is a bi-weekly podcast highlighting the work of the non-profits which are shaping the future of the freedom movement. Listeners will hear civil, intellectual conversations about why the organizations exist, what their mission is, and how they work to achieve it. Hosted by Scot Bertram.
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Join The Center Square’s Publisher Chris Krug & Executive Editor Dan McCaleb they take a look at the possible paths forward now that the Illinois Supreme Court has halted the cashless bail portion of the criminal justice legislation called the SAFE-T Act, many are wondering what happens next. Illinois lawmakers are back in Springfield for lame-duck session. The House introduced new members. Illinois lawmakers are moving forward with a proposed ban on future sales of certain semi-automatic guns and magazines with more than 12 rounds.
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America in Focus: A weekly feature of the top TheCenterSquare.com stories of the week out of Washington D.C. with commentary from The Center Square editors and more!
America's Talking: An interview podcast hosted by Austin Berg. Guests include professors, journalists, artists, business and nonprofit leaders, authors, and more.
Everyday Economics: Join economist Dr. Orphe Divounguy and Chris Krug as they discuss global markets, inflation, and everything else that will help you understand the economic world around you.
Future of Freedom: Future of Freedom is a bi-weekly podcast highlighting the work of the non-profits which are shaping the future of the freedom movement. Listeners will hear civil, intellectual conversations about why the organizations exist, what their mission is, and how they work to achieve it. Hosted by Scot Bertram.
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Join The Center Square’s Illinois Reporter Greg Bishop as he takes a look at the top news stories in the state of Illinois in the year 2022 and what to expect out of Illinois in 2023.
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Join The Center Square’s Executive Editor Dan McCaleb & Publisher Chris Krug as they discuss the Illinois Census update. Civil disobedience? Enforcement of proposed Illinois gun ban questioned. Judge to determine what happens next with Illinois' SAFE-T Act.
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Join The Center Square’s Executive Editor Dan McCaleb & Illinois Reporter Greg Bishop as they discuss the testifying of opponents of proposed Illinois gun ban with more hearings expected. Financial impact from Illinois' no cash bail discussed. Illinois again leads nation in gun background checks. Illinois drivers can expect two gas tax increases in 2023.
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Join The Center Square’s Publisher Chris Krug and Executive Editor Dan McCaleb as they discuss: Gun Rights Groups Plan Lawsuits if Illinois Lawmakers Pass New Restrictions. Gun store owner: Proposed gun and magazine ban would make criminals of ordinary Illinoisans. Pritzker signs amendments to SAFE-T Act. Religious symbols from Christians, Jews, Satanists on display at Illinois State Capitol.
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Join The Center Square’s Publisher Chris Krug and Executive Editor Dan McCaleb as they discuss the Safe-T Act Amendments Include Denying Pretrial Release for Serious Crimes. Changes to issuing warrants for failing to appear in court also concerns opponents of SAFE-T Act. Amendment 1 could force changes to Illinois' SAFE-T Act police regulations.
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Join The Center Square’s Publisher Chris Krug and Executive Editor Dan McCaleb as they discuss the increase in cost of a Thanksgiving meal in Illinois. Record number of shoppers expected for Thanksgiving weekend. Three legislative session days remain before Illinois' no-cash bail enacts Jan. 1.
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Join The Center Square’s Publisher Chris Krug and Executive Editor Dan McCaleb as they discuss how some state lawmakers are urging action to address the scourge of fentanyl. Only ‘technical’ fixes to SAFE-T Act expected as Illinois lawmakers close first week of veto session. Illinois Amendment 1: Some waiting for certified tally while supporters claim victory.
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Join The Center Square’s Publisher Chris Krug and Executive Editor Dan McCaleb as they discuss Illinois Democrats maintaining a supermajority in Illinois legislature. Pritzker wins second term as Illinois governor as Bailey concedes. Democrats sweep Illinois statewide offices. Illinois lawmakers could address SAFE-T Act concerns as early as next week.
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Join The Center Square's Publisher Chris Krug and Associate Editor Greg Bishop as they discuss: Threats of violence, controversial ads mark final days of Illinois’ gubernatorial race. Illinois candidates continue push for more votes ahead of next weeks' election. Madigan, McClain enter not guilty pleas to latest corruption charges. After Madigan’s not guilty plea, Republicans warn more corruption charges could be ahead.
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Truth in Accounting’s 13th annual Financial State of the States ranked Illinois 48th in the country, the same rank as last year. Only two other states, New Jersey and Connecticut, graded worse than Illinois for fiscal health. The review is of the states' fiscal year that ended June 30, 2021.
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The candidates discussed several topics, including crime, Chicago, and the performance of the Department of Child and Family Services and its director Marc Smith. The department has had significant issues despite budget increases in the past three years.
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A recent donation of nearly $14 million to a political action committee signals voters will be getting a barrage of political ads heading into the final few weeks before the Nov. 8 election.
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Incumbent Gov. JB Pritzker faced off with Republican challenger Darren Bailey in the first of two televised debates in Bloomington on Thursday over issues like the SAFE-T act, abortion, education and the state's budget.
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Voters, candidates and lawmakers alike are speaking out in support or opposition of the controversial SAFE-T Act and proposed constitutional amendment as early voting has already begun in Illinois.
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Another Illinois state lawmaker faces bribery charges related to the red-light camera industry.
The U.S. Attorney for the Northern District of Illinois released a three-charge indictment of state Sen. Emil Jones III, D-Chicago, Tuesday.
The first charge states Jones accepted benefits in exchange for “opposing legislation that required the study of automated traffic enforcement systems located outside of Chicago, and would limit any legislation regarding [Illinois Department of Transportation’s] study of and recommendations concerning” red light cameras.
Read More: https://www.thecentersquare.com/illinois/state-sen-emil-jones-iii-charged-with-red-light-camera-bribery-lying-to-fbi/article_b27c5510-391b-11ed-b1b1-5b3f31a9fb0a.html
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In the wake of more migrants arriving in Illinois on buses from Texas, Gov. J.B. Pritzker has issued another disaster proclamation. Pritzker also activated 75 members of the Illinois National Guard to assist with the busloads of asylum seekers sent to Chicago by Texas Gov. Greg Abbott.
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Voters can expect more political ads. The most recent ones in the race for Illinois governor seem to spell out the top issues before voters.
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Expect more foreign nationals to be bused from Texas to Chicago as the city’s “sanctuary” status is being used by Texas’ governor to highlight the nation’s porous border with Mexico.
Chicago is now on Texas Gov. Greg Abbott’s list of bus stops for undocumented foreign nationals after flooding into the Lone Star State.
Read more: https://www.thecentersquare.com/illinois/abbott-expect-more-foreign-nationals-to-be-bused-to-chicago-from-texas/article_2e3a4110-2a23-11ed-ba82-73bec9f09c02.html
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Illinois has the 7th highest student loan debt in the nation, standing at $61.6 billion for 1.6 million borrowers.
President Biden on Wednesday announced taxpayers will cover up to $10,000 in student loan debt for individuals making $125,000 or less and families making $250,000 or less. An additional $10,000 will be paid for by taxpayers for those who received Pell Grants.
Read more: https://www.thecentersquare.com/illinois/illinois-61-6-billion-in-student-loan-debt-7th-highest/article_c37a8456-23ca-11ed-9636-97d37ffb59dd.html
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Marking the unofficial beginning of election season, Illinois Democrats pushed for their agenda while Illinois Republicans downplayed the Pritzker administration in hopes of garnering more support in November.
The Illinois gubernatorial election will be held on Nov. 8.
Read More: https://www.thecentersquare.com/illinois/illinois-republicans-rally-at-state-fair-downplay-democrats-accomplishments/article_08847366-1f45-11ed-a757-dba87a462f7e.html
Read More: https://www.thecentersquare.com/illinois/illinois-democrats-rally-at-fair-downplay-party-strife/article_22b01b9c-1e77-11ed-a1ca-f3012fb7809f.html
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Illinois schools employed more teachers in 2021 than it had at any point over the past decade while student enrollment declined over the same period. Despite this, lawmakers say the state is experiencing a teacher shortage and they continue to look for solutions to the perceived problem.
The most recent report from the Illinois State Board of Education on teacher supply and demand found that 99% of teaching positions were filled in 2020 and that vacancy rates were highest for bilingual and special education teachers. Even in those more-difficult-to-fill positions, the vacancy rates remained below 3% in 2018, 2019 and 2020.
Read More: https://www.thecentersquare.com/illinois/as-illinois-adds-teachers-and-sheds-students-is-there-really-a-teacher-shortage/article_0b2bc53c-127b-11ed-b6bb-93f851c26bfd.html
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Gov. J.B. Pritzker says he doesn’t know anything other than what’s been reported by the media in the allegations of worker's compensation fraud against a former state employee that touches his office.
This, as a lawsuit alleging Pritzker’s administration was complicit continues on appeal.
Documents from early 2020 show former Illinois State Police Merit Board employee Jenny Thornley listed the governor’s office as her employer and Pritzker himself as her supervisor in a worker’s compensation claim, with a separate form listing the governor’s general counsel Ann Spillane as her supervisor.
Read more: https://www.thecentersquare.com/illinois/pritzker-denies-knowing-about-work-comp-fraud-allegations/article_24521f2c-142c-11ed-a9a5-d7613b55976e.html
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Battle lines are being drawn over the argument on the effects of ending cash bail in Illinois.
No other measure as part of the controversial criminal justice reform SAFE-T Act has drawn more attention than the Pretrial Fairness Act, which abolishes cash bail on Jan. 1.
State’s attorneys contend the provision will allow violent offenders to be released with a higher burden of proof required to hold them before trial.
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Illinois continues to be in a state of emergency, according to Gov. J.B. Pritzker's continued COVID-19 declarations.
Since the beginning of the pandemic over two years ago, Pritzker has exercised powers granted to him by state law to enact policies during states of emergency. The governor has issued 116 orders and declared a statewide disaster dozens of times to extend those powers.
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An economic storm is coming and the state of Illinois could do more to be better prepared. That’s the warning from the Illinois Chamber of Commerce after sustained historic inflation. Inflation set another 40-year record Wednesday with the consumer price index up 9.1% over the past 12 months.
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Six were killed Monday and dozens of others were injured after a man perched on the roof of a nearby building opened fire on the crowd watching the Independence Day parade in Highland Park. The seventh person died Tuesday at Evanston Hospital.
The city of Chicago experienced a violent Independence Day weekend in which at least eight people were killed and 29 were injured. Mayor Lori Lightfoot says they're making improvements in public safety.
In Chicago, the holiday weekend saw a total of 68 reported shootings, eight of which were fatal, and several of the shootings ended up without someone in custody.
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A downstate Republican farmer who sued Gov. J.B. Pritzker over COVID-19 mandates will take on the billionaire Democratic incumbent this November.
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President Donald Trump is coming to Illinois Saturday evening for a rally in Mendon. He’s making at least one endorsement, and maybe another.
In an interview with The Center Square Thursday, the former Republican president said he is endorsing U.S. Rep. Mary Miller, R-Oakland, in the newly drawn 15th Congressional District.
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Add Illinois-based heavy machinery manufacturer Caterpillar to the list of employers that are sending their corporate headquarters out of state. Caterpillar will soon have its headquarters in Texas rather than the Land of Lincoln. It's the second major employer moving out of the state in a month. Boeing announced in May it was relocating its headquarters from Chicago to Arlington, Virginia.
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Illinois' five taxpayer-funded state pension systems are second worst in the nation when it comes to debt.
The American Legislative Exchange Council, (ALEC) released “Unaccountable and Unaffordable”, which puts the total unfunded pension liability at $8.2 trillion nationwide.
Illinois' liability was second worst at $533 billion. Only California, with a much larger population than Illinois, was worse.
The ALEC report also shows Illinois has the second highest unfunded pension liability per capita at over $41,656 per person. That ranks 49th in the country ahead of only Alaska.
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A new report shows that Illinois continues to struggle with higher unemployment rates, ranking near the bottom of states most recovered from the COVID-19 pandemic.
The report was done by WalletHub, which ranked the 50 states from best to worst in terms of which unemployment rates are bouncing back the best.
Illinois ranked 42nd out of 50 on the WalletHub list, with its unemployment rate at 4.6% in April. The national unemployment rate was 3.6% in April, a full percentage point lower than in Illinois.
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Cities and towns in Illinois lost more than 104,000 people in the 12 months up to July 1, 2021, according to new U.S. Census data released Thursday. Nearly half of Illinois’ losses were from Chicago.
The updated report also shows Illinois’ nearly 1,300 cities and towns combined lost 104,375 people from July 1, 2020, to July 1, 2021.
By total population, the top 10 gains in Illinois were in Yorkville (995), Montgomery (907), Champaign (907), Oswego (605), Plainfield (598), Romeoville (591), Manhattan (505), Pingree Grove (342) and Winfield (310).
The 10 cities with the greatest losses were Chicago (-45,175), Cicero, (-1,703), Arlington Heights (-1,377), Schaumburg (-1,361), Evanston (-1,279), Palatine (-1,267), Skokie (-1,260), Berwyn (-1,141), Peoria (-1,126) and Oak Park (-1,094).
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Illinois gas prices have steadily climbed month by month, with last month seeing a 60-cent increase in the average cost of a gallon of regular gas. These high costs have forced many residents to pay more at the pump.
On top of the state's high fuel prices, Illinois has the third-highest gas tax in the nation behind only Pennsylvania and California.
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As families deal with rising prices on groceries and other household items, prices at the pump are once again flirting with record highs.
According to GasBuddy, gas prices in Illinois have increased nearly 20 cents a gallon in the past week. The average price in Illinois is $4.60 a gallon, but many stations in the Chicago area are well over $5 a gallon.
In the latest report, the cheapest gas was priced at just under $4 a gallon, while the most expensive was $5.78 a gallon.
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A new report on the LaSalle Veterans' Home COVID-19 outbreak, pension buyouts and the state’s rankings among CEOs with commentary about abortion, disinformation, possible rolling borwnounts and more.
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The Central Illinois Gubernatorial Candidate Forum was hosted by the Tazewell County Republicans in partnership with the Peoria County and Woodford County GOP Monday night. Five of the six candidates certified for the Republican ballot attended.
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The Illinois Fuel and Retail Association plans to challenge the constitutionality of the requirement that gas stations promote a delay in the gas tax increase that Gov. J.B. Pritkzer signed into law Tuesday.
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Some question whether taxpayer-funded guaranteed income programs set to start across the state will be successful.
Chicago is accepting applications later this month for the city’s $31.5 million program meant to give $500 a month to 5,000 eligible residents. The income threshold is under $57,000 a year for a family of three.
As part of the state budget approved by lawmakers, there also is a $3.6 million guaranteed income pilot program for the Metro East area in East St. Louis.
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With the final day of session scheduled Friday, Democratic lawmakers are set to approve a $45.6 billion spending plan that’s been in bill form for just a couple of days.
Taxpayers still don't know how their money was spent from a state budget year that ended more than 280 days ago.
Republicans in the House committee reviewing the budget Wednesday reflected on how years ago, lawmakers would be able to go through a budget line-by-line in crafting a plan in a collaborative way.
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As Democrats continue negotiating how to spend taxpayer dollars for the coming fiscal year, Republicans say millions of their constituents across Illinois are being snubbed.
Spring session of the Illinois Legislature ends April 8. It’s expected a plan to spend taxpayer dollars for the fiscal year that starts July 1 will be approved before then.
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In the final weeks of session at the Illinois statehouse, there are growing demands on how to pay out tax dollars, including billions left over from federal COVID-19 relief.
Both the Illinois House and Senate return Tuesday with a scheduled adjournment of April 8. It’s expected they’ll finish up business, including passing a more than $42 billion state spending plan by then.
There are other issues that are expected to be tackled outside of the state budget. The ongoing unemployment debt of about $4.5 billion is costing Illinois taxpayers millions of dollars in interest.
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Not only does Illinois have the second highest gas taxes in the nation, Illinois is also an outlier for tacking on a sales tax on top of the state, federal and sometimes local gas taxes. Republican state senators unveiled their plan to cap the sales tax on gas to 18 cents a gallon.
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Not guilty pleas were entered Wednesday by former Illinois House Speaker Michael Madigan and co-defendant Michael McClain. Madigan, 79, faces 22 counts of corruption, including bribery, fraud and racketeering charges in connection to an investigation into utility giant ComEd and its attempts to gain favor with the former speaker in exchange for favorable legislation.
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Prosecutors indicted former Illinois House Speaker Michael Madigan on 22 counts of corruption Tuesday.
U.S. Attorney John R. Lausch Jr. announced the charges Tuesday afternoon, connecting Madigan to the nearly decade-long bribery scheme utility Commonwealth Edison admitted to in the summer of 2020.
The indictment alleges the “Madigan Enterprise” engaged in interstate commerce and constituted an “ongoing organization whose members functioned as a continuing unit for the common purpose of achieving the objectives of the enterprise.”
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According to the Fourth District Court of Appeals, Pritzker’s emergency rules for schools to require masks, exclude “close contacts,” and require vaccine or testing for staff, aren't in effect after being blocked by a bipartisan legislative panel last week.
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The temporary restraining order blocking Gov. J.B. Pritzker’s COVID-19 mask and exclusion policies in schools remains in place as the Fourth District Court of Appeals dismissed the governor’s appeal as moot.1
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Masks mandates for most indoor activities in Illinois will be lifted Feb. 28. Gov. J.B. Pritzker is keeping his mandate for masks in schools in place, despite a judge ruling the policy null and void.
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The governor’s proposed budget seeks to spend nearly $4 billion more in the coming fiscal year than he proposed the year before. He laid out his priorities Wednesday at the Old State Capitol in Springfield.
Senate President Don Harmon, D-Oak Park, said he’s not accustomed to hearing good news in a budget speech.
Senate Minority Leader Dan McConchie, R-Hawthorn Woods, said the governor and Democrats looking to stabilize state finances is good, but more needs to be done to reverse continued outbound migration. The state's population has declined each of the past eight years.
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Candidates for Illinois governor are making law and order a focal point in this election year.
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The field for Illinois Republicans seeking their party’s gubernatorial nomination just grew. The amount of money in this election cycle is also expected to grow.
Democratic Gov. J.B. Pritzker Friday gave his reelection campaign $90 million. IllinoisSunshine.org compiles campaign finance reports and shows the billionaire Democratic incumbent has more than $114 million on hand. That far exceeds any of the Republican candidates.
Aurora Mayor Richard Irvin announced his bid Monday. He picked state Rep. Avery Bourne, R-Morrisonville, as his running mate.
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Lawmakers were scheduled to be in this week, but canceled. They also canceled two of three scheduled days last week, marking eight of nine days scheduled this year that have been canceled. Some speculate they won't return until March.
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Despite having known for months the office of the Legislative Inspector General would be vacant, Illinois state lawmakers failed to advance a replacement when they were in session this week.
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In this episode, the team from The Center Square bring you to the top stories from Illinois for 2021 and take a look at what's to come in the year ahead.
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According to the latest figures from the U.S. Census Bureau, from July 2020 to July 2021, there were 113,776 fewer people in Illinois. Only the District of Columbia and New York had a greater percent decline in population.
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Pritzker was asked Tuesday about a possible sunset date for the statewide mandate, but the governor declined. The governors of New York and California have set end dates to their mask mandates. Pritzker said Illinoisans will continue to follow the science.
"I just want to encourage everyone to keep doing the right thing, we are in Illinois and we are going to keep doing it. Following the science, I might add." Pritzker said.
Pritzker said masks help keep people safe amid an increase in cases and hospitalizations.
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About 90 teachers and school staff are suing their school districts and Gov. J.B. Pritzker's administration over COVID-19 mandates such as vaccines, testing and masks.
The lawsuit poised for Sangamon County Circuit Court comes from attorney Thomas DeVore, who has challenged Pritzker's orders around the state. It seeks judgments against requiring vaccines, masks, testing or exclusion policies without orders of quarantine.
The 90 plaintiffs are looking for action against 22 different school districts, the Illinois Department of Public Health, the Illinois State Board of Education and Gov. J.B. Pritzker.
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An analysis by the University of Illinois Extension looked at demographic trends and revealed the number of people aged 25 to 39 in Illinois decreased, one of the few states in the country to see a decline. Illinois also lost population in the 40 to 59 age group.
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Some drivers can expect to pay more for Thanksgiving travel. Others hitting the road in electric vehicles may have to plan on where to charge up.
Last year, Illinois gas prices outside of Chicago ranged from $2.20 to $2.31 a gallon. This week, gas prices range from $3.46 to $3.51 a gallon.
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Illinois is one of six states in the U.S. that still has a statewide mask mandate and is the only state east of the Mississippi that still has such a requirement. Gov. J.B. Pritzker implemented an executive order to re-introduce a statewide indoor mask mandate on Aug. 30, to help slow the spread of COVID-19 amid an increase of cases from the delta variant.
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Gov. J.B. Pritzker signed changes to the Health Care Right of Conscience Act he said will allow for COVID-19 mandates to be enforced at the workplace.
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Large employers in Illinois, and across the country, now have Jan. 4 to have employees comply with President Joe Biden’s vaccine mandate and the Illinois Chamber of Commerce is bracing for the fallout.
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Changes are coming to a state law prohibiting discrimination against people for conscientiously objecting to medical procedures in the name of enforcing COVID-19 mandates, but the changes won't go into effect until July 1, 2022.
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The weeks’ top stories about court action on maps and masks and the fallout from vaccine mandates. Plus, we’ll get commentary from The Center Square Publisher Chris Krug and Executive Editor Dan McCaleb about those issues and more
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Gov. J.B. Pritzker has been working to change the Health Care Right of Conscience Act, which some have invoked in the fight against COVID-19 vaccine mandates.
The 1998 Health Right of Conscience Act bans discrimination because of such persons' refusal to receive or participate in any way in any particular form of healthcare services contrary to his or her conscience.
Some have said the law allows people to avoid getting the COVID-19 vaccine and evade Pritzker's executive order mandating vaccination or regularly testing for health care workers, educators and other state employees.
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Gov. J.B. Pritzker had an indoor mask mandate in place for more than a year until he let the order expire in May. He then re-instituted a mask mandate in July for all indoor gatherings. On Monday, he couldn’t say what the benchmark would be to lift the mandate.
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Truth In Accounting (TIA) evaluates state governments for how much debt states have versus how much they bring in. For Illinois the amount owed per taxpayer went from about $30,000 in 2009 to $57,000 in the most recent report which released Tuesday.
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YouTube removed videos of an Illinois school board's meetings because of public comments challenging COVID-19 policies, a problem one state lawmaker wants to fix with a bill that he said would reduce social media censorship.
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Three children in Effingham County can’t be forced to wear masks without an official quarantine order from the county health department, a judge ruled Wednesday.
Later in the day, a different judge enjoined an entire school district from requiring masks without a court order.
The attorney who brought the cases anticipates more such cases across the state.
Earlier this month, attorney Thomas DeVore won several cases on behalf of parents of school kids being kept from in-person learning because of possible COVID-19 exposure.
Courts in multiple counties said only county health departments can issue quarantine orders.
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A state lawmaker says residents are demanding clear goalposts to aim for to relax COVID-19 mitigations such as mask mandates.
Nearing 20 months into the COVID-19 pandemic, executive orders from Gov. J.B. Pritzker on a variety of things – ranging from economic restrictions to masks in schools – have gone unchecked by the Democrat-controlled General Assembly.
Republican state Rep. Mark Batinick, R-Plainfield, said that has to change.
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Illinois Republicans want Gov. J.B. Pritzker to veto the legislative maps Democrats passed this week. Maps drafted in May were passed by majority Democrats at the statehouse.
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Pritzker mandates vaccines and masks indoors, state lawmakers prepare to revise maps and more
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A school board member's medical license threatened over mask stance with sustained objections to the state's mask mandate in schools. There are also challenges to the state and federal eviction moratorium. And, the Illinois State Fair is ongoing.
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A private K-12 school that announced a mask-optional policy for a return to class had been sanctioned by the Illinois State Board of Education. ISBE says schools must require, not recommend, masks in schools.
Amid concerns of COVID-19, Timothy Christian Schools in Elmhurst made the mask-optional announcement this week through a video from Superintendent Matthew Davidson.
“It’s just worth noting that the issue of masks in schools is still categorically a recommendation, not a requirement from the [U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention],” Davidson said.
ISBE sent a letter to the district rescinding its nonpublic school recognition. That means high school diplomas won’t be recognized, children can't compete in organized sports and the school can’t receive Invest In Kids scholarship funds.
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Weeks after some school districts decided to make masks optional to start the year, the CDC changed its guidance on mask use.
Now Illinois’ governor is mandating masks for schools and daycares, and threatening action for those that don’t comply. Some state lawmakers say a year and a half in, they should be involved, but aren’t.
Last month, Gov. J.B. Pritzker said masking requirements were up to schools. The Illinois State Board of Education said schools must be back to in-person learning after the COVID-19 remote learning and hybrid schooling through the last school year led to learning loss among many students.
On Wednesday, Pritzker said schools must require masks.
While there won’t be social distancing requirements, masks are mandated, even those playing sports, despite vaccination status, the governor announced Wednesday during a news conference in Chicago.
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Gov. J.B. Pritzker is evaluating whether to require state employees under his control to be vaccinated against COVID-19, but mandatory vaccinations are not politically popular.
Since the state has been tracking the Delta variant in February, 716 cases have been reported. Pritzker said Wednesday he’s considering more COVID-19 mitigations.
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Gov J.B. Pritzker announced Monday that he will be running for re-election in 2022.
Pritzker, 56, has been in office since January 2019. Pritzker defeated former Gov. Bruce Rauner, a wealthy Republican, to become Illinois' 43rd governor.
So far, three Republicans have announced they are running for their party’s nomination to challenge Pritzker. Downstate state Sen. Darren Bailey, suburban Chicago businessman Gary Rabine, and former state Sen. Paul Schimpf have all announced plans to run for governor.
The gubernatorial election will be held on Nov. 8, 2022.
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Illinois in Focus Ep 147: School determining mask rules as parents prepare for checks
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President Joe Biden called for investment in both people and infrastructure during a speech Wednesday at McHenry County College, his first visit to the state since taking office.
He also called for higher taxes on the wealthy and corporations to fund two years of community college for all students. He said additional education was needed for the U.S. to compete with the rest of the world.
Unveiled before an April 28 joint session of Congress, the $1.8 trillion American Families Plan sets forth $1 billion for child care, universal pre-K for all 3-4 year-olds, free community college, and paid family/medical leave initiatives and offers $800 million in tax cuts for families with children, including a “historic expansion” of the child tax credit which would be allocated monthly.
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Those needing to speak in person with someone at the state’s unemployment offices haven’t been able to for well over a year and it’s still not clear when the offices will be open.
Offices around the state for the Illinois Department of Employment Security have been closed since the spring of 2020. For months while unemployment claims spiked because of the governor’s COVID-19 restrictions closing businesses, backlogs grew and phone lines were flooded.
IDES officials have said there are health and physical safety
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Illinois has some of the highest fuel gas prices in the country, and next week, taxes on fuel will increase.
On July 1st, the tax will increase about a half-cent per gallon, depending on the blend.
Gasoline prices are the highest they’ve been since July 2019, when the state gas tax doubled to 38 cents. At that time, lawmakers put in place an automatic gas tax hike tied to inflation.
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Illinois in Focus Ep 143: Some question if it's a 'new day' following overtime session
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As the state prepares to fully reopen for the first time in 15 months on Friday, the governor is giving Illinoisans a pat on the back.
Starting Friday, there will be no capacity restrictions, but businesses can still require masks for unvaccinated people. There are also mask requirements for public transportation, medical facilities, correctional facilities, schools and day care centers.
On Friday, the state will eliminate all capacity limits on businesses, large-scale events, conventions, amusement parks and other venues. Mask requirements for vaccinated and non-vaccinated people continue to align with guidelines from the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention.
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Illinois in Focus Ep 141: Partisan politics on display as legislative session ends
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Tim Mapes served for years under former House Speaker Michael Madigan as the clerk of the Illinois House and as Madigan’s chief of staff. Now, Mapes has been indicted on a charge of lying to a grand jury in a federal bribery probe connected to the longtime former speaker.
Last summer, federal prosecutors revealed a deferred prosecution agreement ComEd entered into where the utility admitted to paying associates of Madigan in money and jobs in order to curry favor from the then-speaker. Com-Ed agreed to pay a $200 million fine and cooperate in the investigation.
Madigan has not been charged with a crime and has said he’s done nothing wrong. He is “Public Official A” in federal filings, a pseudonym that is used throughout the Mapes indictment documents and previous legal filings.
Four others associated with Madigan, including longtime confidant Michael McClain, and two former ComEd officials, were indicted several months ago and have pleaded not guilty. One former ComEd official, Fidel Marquez, has pleaded guilty in the case.
Wednesday, federal prosecutors released details about the indictment of Mapes.
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Gov. J.B. Pritzker’s emergency rule requiring businesses to mandate masks has been repealed and a leading retailers association says they are not being asked to check your vaccine status, but they could if they wanted.
The latest order issued Monday says the governor’s “bridge” reopening plan does require retailers to “cap occupancy at 60 percent of store capacity, or, alternatively, at the occupancy limits based on store square footage,” though vaccinated individuals don’t count to that.
Retailers must also “communicate with customers through in-store signage, and public service announcements and advertisements, about the social distancing and face-covering requirements,” the order says, but that doesn't impact vaccinated people.
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Illinois is entering another COVID-19 reopening phase that was added by Gov. J.B. Pritzker in March.
Capacity limits on a wide range of businesses and activities will be slightly loosened Friday as the state enters the next to last phase of the governor’s pandemic reopening plan.
Pritzker announced last week that the state would enter the Bridge Phase of his plan, a final step before all restrictions are lifted, as the spread of COVID-19 has slowed and a large percentage of Illinoisans had received at least one dose of a vaccine.
Reaching the next phase means 70% of Illinois residents 65 and older are vaccinated in addition to maintaining 20% ICU bed availability and holding positive cases, hospitalizations and mortality rates steady for a 28-day period.
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Pandemic restrictions in Illinois will be further loosened next week, and the state could reopen nearly fully as early as June 11.
Gov. J.B. Pritzker announced Thursday the state will be entering the “Bridge Phase” on May 14, a transitional period between Phase 4 restrictions and fully opening in Phase 5.
The bridge to Phase 5 expands capacity to 60% for theaters, gyms, spectator events, offices, museums, and amusement parks. Mask requirements would stay in place until the U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention advises otherwise.
Earlier this week, Chicago Mayor Lori Lightfoot said the city is looking to open things up fully by July 4. Lightfoot also announced that the Chicago Auto Show, which was cancelled last year, will be back at McCormick Place July 15 through 19. Attendees will have to register in advance and fill out a health survey, but vaccines won’t be required. Lightfoot said the goal is to have no capacity limits in the city by July 4.
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Illinois will lose one member from the U.S. House of Representatives because of continued population declines.
It was expected Illinois would lose representation, based on year-over-year annual Census estimates showing the state losing an estimated 253,000 residents over the past ten years.
Illinois was one of seven states that will lose one seat for the Congress that will be seated in 2023.
Illinois has lost ten seats in the U.S. House over the past 110 years, according to Census data. In 1910, Illinois had 27 members of the U.S. House. That dropped by one in 1940, another one in 1950, another in 1960 and then two in 1990 with one every ten years since then.
Read more
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Illinois lawmakers are poised to make leadership term limits of no more than ten consecutive years state law.
Before he resigned from the House earlier this year, Michael Madigan, D-Chicago, served in the state legislature for more than 50 years. Madigan served as House Speaker for 24 consecutive years from 1997 to 2021. For two years when Republicans had the majority in the House, Madigan was the Minority Leader. Before that, he served as Speaker for 12 years from 1983 to 1995.
House Bill 642 puts a limit of ten consecutive years on legislative leadership roles like the Illinois Senate President, Senate Minority Leader, House Speaker and House Minority Leader.
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With research showing state spending grew 30% faster than Illinois’ median household income over the past decade, a new bill would tie spending in Springfield to growth in household income.
Senate Bill 589, introduced by state Sen. Suzy Glowiak-Hilton, D-Western Springs, was presented during a subject matter hearing Wednesday of the Senate Appropriations Revenue and Finance Committee. The bill would create a spending cap that ties general revenue appropriations to growth in the median household income.
Thirty-three states have some form of tax or spending limits on the books, including all of Illinois’ neighbors.
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Gov. J.B. Pritzker on Wednesday clarified statements from his chief of staff, a day after she said the state was headed for a full reopening this summer.
On Tuesday, Anne Caprara told a Senate committee she and the governor hoped to have restrictions lifted soon.
“I think we both hope that we are going to be in a place to move to Phase 5 in the beginning of the summer,” Caprara said. “I always hesitate to say definitively where we are going to be because we have now ridden through several rises and falls of COVID cases.”
During a news conference Wednesday in Rockford, Pritzker said not so fast.
“I wouldn’t characterize it as saying that the reopening starts as the summer starts,” Pritzker said.
Pritzker once again said there are metrics to meet, including about 5 million Illinoisans, or 50% of the state’s population older than 16, needing to be fully vaccinated. According to the New York Times Vaccine Tracker, 19% of people in Illinois are fully vaccinated.
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Gov. J.B. Pritzker said Wednesday that vaccination passports could be useful in the coming weeks as more Illinoisans get vaccinated for COVID-19.
As for a vaccination passport to prove a person has been inoculated against the coronavirus, Pritzker says a vaccination app would be useful, but should not be required to enter an event or facility.
“As long as it is your choice,” Pritzker said. “If people ask you to show that for a particular venue or private venue, they have the ability and right to do that. You don’t have to show that to them. You don’t have to be to go to that venue or be engaged in that activity.”
The U.S. is not distributing vaccination passports and there are concerns over falsified records and also potentially violating federal health care privacy laws.
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Illinois is nearing another phase in the state’s reopening plan, but things won't open up all at once.
Gov. J.B. Pritzker last week unveiled what he called his “Bridge Phase,” announcing new guidelines that will allow for higher capacity limits at public places such as spectator events. The guidelines also involved fewer restrictions on businesses during the transition between the current Phase 4 and a full reopening in Phase 5.
To reach the Bridge phase, 70% of people 65 and older must have received their first dose of a COVID-19 vaccine.
Despite a cry by many to speed up the country’s vaccination drive to end the pandemic, the first few months of the rollout suggest faster may not be necessarily better.
An analysis conducted by Surgo Ventures found that states such as Missouri and Florida that raced ahead of other states to offer the vaccine to a larger demographic of people have vaccinated smaller shares of their population than states that moved more slowly, such as Connecticut and Hawaii.
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State officials have recorded 21,000 confirmed COVID-19 deaths in Illinois since the outset of the pandemic.
The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention listed 19,893 deaths through the end of February in Illinois where COVID-19 was listed among multiple causes. Of those deaths, about 1,830, or 9.2%, had COVID-19 listed as the sole cause of death.
That percentage is higher than it was in September 2020 when the rate was about 6%. Monroe County Coroner Bob Hill is calling for a full audit after reviewing some of the deaths in his county.
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Despite being the highest taxed state in the nation, financially strapped Illinois is set to get more than $10 billion in federal tax dollars from the $1.9 trillion spending bill that passed the U.S. House Wednesday. Illinois’ Democratic leaders cheered the passage of the bill while Republicans were critical.
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There’s a growing chorus in Illinois urging Gov. J.B. Pritzker to provide the hospitality sector some clarity and certainty about when things will open more.
Pritzker didn’t give specifics about when he would relax COVID-19 mitigation when asked on Wednesday.
Texas is set to open up 100% March 10.
The Illinois hospitality sector has seen a massive decline in revenue over the past year and the industry warns of long-term consequences for the state if clarity isn’t provided soon.
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Just days after his handpicked replacement to the Illinois House, state Rep. Edward Guerra Kodatt, stepped down, former state Rep. Michael Madigan is now backing Angelica Guerrero Cuellar.
In a joint statement with Chicago Alderman Marty Quinn late Tuesday from a Madigan spokesperson, Madigan suggested Kodatt resign “after learning of alleged questionable conduct.”
Madigan did not elaborate on the nature of the conduct.
Madigan selected Kodatt on Sunday. Madigan has a weighted vote in the district that allowed him to select his replacement. The selection was not unanimous. There were two other candidates that were nominated Sunday by other Democratic party officials from the district.
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Former House Speaker Michael Madigan, the longest serving statehouse speaker in the country, and the longest serving state legislator in Illinois, resigned Thursday.
In a statement Thursday, Madigan thanked his family and touted his accomplishments over five decades in office.
He leaves under a cloud of a federal corruption probe involving bribes utility ComEd admitted it paid to associates in an effort to influence Madigan.
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Episode 125: Biden asks Madigan investigator to resign
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Episode 124: Lawmakers cut the line for COVID vaccines
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Episode 123: High school sports return as new legislature remains absent in Springfield
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Episode 123: Biden inaugurated while Illinois struggles to open schools
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Episode 121: Madigan out as speaker after decades
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Episode 120: Riots in DC and lame ducks in Springfield
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A look back on the top news stories of 2020
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Episode 118: Illinois lost 253,000 residents in past decade
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Episode 117: Vaccines arrive in Illinois while Pritzker announces $700 million in budget cuts
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Ep 116: Illinois prepares for the arrival of COVID vaccine
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Episode 115: COVID and ComEd continue to make headlines across Illinois
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Episode 114: Madigan investigation releases helpings of documents before Thanksgiving
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Ep 113: Feds issue more charges implicating Madigan
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Episode 112: Pritzker threatens to lockdown Illinois again
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Episode 111: Illinois voters reject Pritzker's progressive income tax
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Episode 110: Bar and Restaurant restrictions met with bipartisan pushback
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Ep 109: Pritzker restricts businesses again with one week until Election Day
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Illinois In Focus Episode 108: Pritzker-backed group spends thousands to promote fake tweet
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Episode 107: Is the progressive tax coming for your retirement income?
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Illinois In Focus Episode 106: Investigating Madigan bribery scandal, remote learning and more
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Illinois In Focus Episode 105: Illinois' poor fiscal position continues
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Illinois In Focus Episode 104: Gov. Pritzker sacks high school football in Illinois
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Illinois In Focus Episode 103: House begins investigation of House Speaker Mike Madigan
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Illinois In Focus Episode 102: House to investigating Madigan, COVID-19-related death totals and more
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Illinois In Focus Episode 101: Exelon closing plants, the need for COVID-19 oversight and more
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Illinois In Focus Episode 100: Still looking for ethics reforms at the statehouse
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Illinois In Focus Episode 99: Madigan and ComEd hit with civil RICO lawsuit and the top stories of the week
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Illinois In Focus Episode 98: Continued pressure on Madigan, unemployment issues, schools amid COVID-19 and more
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Illinois In Focus Episode 97: Pressure grows on Madigan to step aside admid patronage scnadal, schools scramble for plans to return amid COVID-19
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Illinois In Focus Episode 96: More fallout from ComEd patronage scandal that implicates Madigan
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This week's top news and commentary including new developments in the lengthy corruption investigation by federal prosecutors involving ComEd and other public officials with links to Illinois Speaker Michael Madigan.
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Illinois In Focus 94: Governor's use of data and science during COVID-19 and more
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Illinois In Focus Episode 93: COVID executive orders voided by court, and commentary about increased costs for businesses and drivers
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Illinois In Focus Episode 92: Illinois enters Phase 4 amid COVID-19
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Illinois In Focus Episode 91: Illinois' handling of seniors with COVID-19
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Illinois In Focus Episode 90: Pritzker elevates certain protests over others during COVID-19 crisis
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Illinois In Focus Episode 89: Civil unrest over police brutality as COVID restrictions linger
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Illinois In Focus Episode 88: Reviewing the pandemic special session
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Illinois In Focus Episode 87: Pandemic speical session, a controversial rule and plans to reopen
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This week's top news and commentary including the latest in the fight against COVID-19 in Illinois.
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Illinois In Focus Episode 85: Statewide COVID-19 reopen plan released
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Illinois In Focus Episode 84: Challenging COVID-19 stay home orders
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Illinois In Focus Episode 83: COVID-19 orders continue to impact Illinois
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Gov. Pritzker's unprecedented stay-at-home order is nearly a month old as jobless claims in Illinois continue to rise.
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Illinois In Focus Episode 81: COVID-19 continues to impact Illinois
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Illinois In Focus Episode 80: How are states reacting to the COVID-19 pandemic
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Illinois In Focus Ep. 79: More impacts from the ongoing COVID-19 crisis
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This week's top story is the worldwide pandemic of COVID-19 and how it continues to affect the lives of those living and working in Illinois.
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Illinois In Focus Ep. 77: Illinois responds to COVID-19
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Illinois In Focus Ep. 76: Gov. J.B. Pritzker's office attempts to interfere in freedom of the press
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Illinois In Focus Ep. 75: Illinois' second-highest property taxes and more
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Illinois In Focus Ep. 74: Blagojevich out of prison as Pritzker proposes his budget
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This week's top news and commentary including one lawmaker's proposal to make it illegal to pump your own gas in Illinois, potential fingerprinting for FOID cards and a new report on Illinois' fiscal health.
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This week's top news and commentary including more fallout from House Speaker Mike Madigan's office being searched in a alleged sexual misconduct investigation involving a former State Rep.
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Illinois In Focus Ep. 71: State of the State and Sandoval pleads guilty
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Illinois In Focus Ep. 70: New Illinois Senate President and automatic voter registration problems
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Illinois In Focus Ep. 69: More fallout from the 2012 email and increased pension debt
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Illinois In Focus Ep. 68: 2012 email controversy and first week of legal pot
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Illinois In Focus Ep. 67: Legal pot and population loss
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Illinois In Focus Ep. 66: Year In Review
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Greg Bishop takes you through the stories that lead the week and Publisher Chris Krug and Dan McCaleb offer commentary.
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Illinois In Focus Ep. 64: The governor’s priorities for 2020 and addressing corruption
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Illinois In Focus Ep. 63: More corruption fallout
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Illinois In Focus Episode 62: Giving thanks in Illinois
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Illinois In Focus Episode 61: Isolation rooms in public schools and pension reform
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This week's top news and commentary about Illinois Senate President John Cullerton's plans to retire and how it may reshape the power structure in Springfield.
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This week's top news and commentary about Illinois' mounting annual pension bill, movement surrounding ethics reform in the statehouse and how Colorado is establishing a tax player bill of rights.
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Episode 58: The top stories of the week, commentary about the latest allegations of corruption at the state capitol and more
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This week's top news and commentary about the latest on the proposed progressive income tax, certain legislative districts receiving more money than others and more!
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Episode 56: More developments in the Sandoval case, the state of local pensions, and more
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Episode 55: Looming teachers strikes, a proposal to repeal the gas tax, and more people want to leave the state
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Episode 54: More on the Sandoval raid, harassment inside the statehouse and more
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Episode 53: FBI raids State Senator's home, pension struggles in East St. Louis and
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This week's top news and commentary about Illinois' pension debt, the state's high property taxes, an audit of Illinois' prison system and more.
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This week's top news and commentary about Illinois' pension debt, an effort from Florida to attract Illinois businesses and more.
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This week's top news and commentary about a new report on Illinois' outmigration, Gov. JB Pritzker's progressive income tax plan and more.
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This week's top news and commentary about the cost of Illinois public education adminsitrators and a review of some of the hundreds of bills enacted into law
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This week's top news and commentary about a report higlighting bullying and harassment in House Speaker Michael Madigan's statehouse operations and more.
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This week's top news and commentary about a feasibility study for a Chicago Casino, unfunded mandates for public schools and more.
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This week's top news and commentary about President Trump considering commuting disgraced former Gov. Rod Blagojevich's prison sentence, state Sen. Tom Cullerton's indictment on embezzlement charges and more.
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This week's top news and commentary about expanded gambling and taxpayer savings from a pension buyout plan falling short
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This week's top news and commentary about federal investigations and heated political rhetoric
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This week's top news and commentary licensed gun dealers in Illinois and an expected task force to tackle the state's high property taxes
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This week's top news and commentary about controversies surrounding flags
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This week's top news and commentary about pension debt in Chicago possibly impacting the entire state
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This week's top news and commentary about the impact the U.S. Supreme Court has on Illinois
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This week's top news and commentary on the summer driving season with new texting and driving laws set to go into effect and Illinois' "balanced" budget.
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This week's top news and commentary about the Reproductive Health Act, the proposed progressive income tax amendment and more
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This week's top news and commentary about the new tax increases set to hit Illinois on July 1st, Illinois lawmakers giving themselves a raise and an unprecedented move by Springfield's Catholic Bishop.
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This week's top news and commentary about the progressive tax constitutional amendment passed by both the Illinois House and Senate and the final hours of the 2019 legislative session.
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This week's top news and commentary about a busy week at the statehouse as it enters the final week of legislative session and the anticipated votes on measures like the progressive tax, capital bill, legal marijuana and sports betting.
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This week's top news and commentary about the final weeks of legislative session, an investigation into park district spending where taxpayers picked up the tab and the latest on a proposed gas tax in Illinois.
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This week's top news and commentary about the latest on the progressive income tax, increased gas tax and a new-found source of revenue for the state.
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This week's top news and commentary about the proposed progressive tax rates, Illinois' GDP and more
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This week's top news stories, and commentary about the revelation Gov. J.B. Pritzker is under criminal investigation and what taxes taxpayers can expect to surface when lawmakers return next week
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This week's top news and commentary about the declining population in Illinois, the growing costs of school administration in the state and the Illinois' mounting pension debt.
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This week's top news and commentary about a proposed progressive income tax, college tuition for undocumented immigrants and a proposed state law requiring presidential candidates to release their tax returns.
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This week's top news stories and commentary about this week’s municipal elections, whether a progressive tax plan would cover proposed spending, a proposed business regulation that’s getting attention and more
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This week's top news and commentary about state lawmakers’ reactions to the case against Jussie Smollett being dropped, a proposal to increase the threshold for increasing taxes, and baseball
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This week's top news stories and commentary about what’s not being focused on at the statehouse, the problems facing the College Illinois program, sports betting proposals, and more
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This week's top news stories and commentary about a proposed progressive tax, the gas tax, and more
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This week's top news and commentary about new polling data, Warren Buffett's warning about high public pension debt, the future of a private scholarship program and more
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This week's latest news and commentary about jobs leaving Illinois, credit rating agencies reviewing Illinois’ finances, Illinois’ continued population decline and more
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This week's top news stories and commentary about Gov. J.B. Pritkzer's budget proposal and more
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The week's top news and commentary about the measure increasing the state’s minimum wage, Chicago’s impact on the rest of the state, and the governor’s private pay for his top staff
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The week's top news and commentary about the march toward a minimum wage increase, the outcome of state regulations on gun shops, and the latest in the cloud around Chicago city politics
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This week's top news and commentary about the FBI looking at corruption in Chicago, the minimum wage debate at the statehouse, and the march toward legalizing cannabis
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The week's top news stories and commentary about the new Pritzker’s administration’s budget challenges while promises continue to be made at taxpayer expense, and more
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This week's top stories and commentary about new taxpayer spending from new Gov. J.B. Pritzker, plus spending out of his own pocket and how Pritzker plans to address political opponents of a progressive tax
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The week's top stories and commentary about the new legislature with the same leaders, bills giving the incoming Pritzker administration more spending authority, and more
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The week's top stories and commentary about Chicago gun crimes, local taxpayers paying for city officials to go on a junket, an incoming Democrat’s spat with the party’s leader and more
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Some of the top stories of 2018 and commentary from Illinois News Network Publisher Chris Krug and Executive Editor Dan McCaleb
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This week's top news stories and commentary about Gov. Bruce Rauner’s revelation he sought others to take his place, the impacts on the GOP, and more
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The top stories of the week and commentary from Illinois News Network Publisher Chris Krug and Executive Editor Dan McCaleb about pension reform, a proposed gas tax increase, the future of cannabis legalization and more.
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This week's top stories and commentary from Illinois News Network Publisher Chris Krug and Executive Editor Dan McCaleb about minimum wage, work requirements for food assistance, public retiree healthcare costs and more
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The week's top news and commentary from Illinois News Network Publisher Chris Krug and Executive Editor Dan McCaleb about veto session that just wrapped up, a heated exchange on the House floor, how Speaker Michael Madigan interacts with members of the media
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The top stories of the week, a look ahead to the final week of the 100th Illinois General Assembly and commentary from Publisher Chris Krug and Executive Editor Dan McCaleb about the state’s public universities’ budget requests, a Democrat who is saying no to House Speaker Michael Madigan, and more.
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Top news stories of the week and Illinois News Network Publisher Chris Krug and Executive Editor Dan McCaleb talk about Illinois getting passed over by Amazon, the ongoing fall veto session, a possible progressive tax, local pension costs and more
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Illinois News Network Publisher Chris Krug and Executive Editor Dan McCaleb discuss the election, and what the outcome could mean for taxpayers
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Illinois News Network Publisher Chris Krug and Executive Editor Dan McCaleb about next week’s election and what the outcome could mean to the state’s taxpayers, the impact of a proposed progressive tax, and a study about minimum wage.
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This week, Illinois News Network Publisher Chris Krug and Executive Editor Dan McCaleb talk zombie cities, an expired union contract, and a high profile bankruptcy for a company that got tax breaks.
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Episode 4 of Illinois News Network's Illinois In Focus with the week's top news stories and Illinois News Network’s Editor Dan McCaleb and News Editor Brett Rowland talk about the lawsuit minority field workers filed against Democratic candidate for governor J.B. Pritkzer, an estimate of how much more Pritzker’s proposals would cost the state, a high dollar school administrator, and more.
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Latest episode of Illinois In Focus from Illinois News Network
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Illinois News Network's Illinois In Focus featuring the top stories of the week, commentary and more
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Illinois News Network's premier of Illinois In Focus featuring the top stories of the week, commentary and more
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