Gov. JB Pritzker is setting up a new group within state government to explore more regulations for artificial intelligence as calls grow across the country for new restrictions. Pritzker signed an executive order on Tuesday to establish an AI Cabinet made up of experts and representatives from several state agencies. The unpaid group, which will […]
Ben Szalinski
Ben joined CNI in November 2024 as a Statehouse reporter covering the General Assembly from Springfield and other events happening around state government. He previously covered Illinois government for The Daily Line following time in McHenry County with the Northwest Herald. Ben is also a graduate of the University of Illinois Springfield PAR program. He is a lifelong Illinois resident and is originally from Mundelein.
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Legislative Inspector General Michael McCuskey resigns amid criticism
Illinois’ legislature will once again soon find itself without a legislative inspector general. Michael McCuskey will resign that watchdog post amid criticism about his ability to handle investigations. It’s the latest twist for a post that McCuskey’s two immediate predecessors described as “broken” and a “paper tiger.” Prior to that, the LIG’s office sat vacant […]
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Putting on the brakes: New Illinois law establishes rules for e-bikes, scooters
New rules governing who can use electric bikes and scooters, including where and how fast they go, will go into effect next year following Gov. JB Pritzker’s signature on new legislation. Pritzker signed Senate Bill 3484 Aug. 26, which establishes regulations on “micromobility” transportation that include age requirements, speed limits and rules on where they can be […]
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Pritzker signs new laws requiring businesses to accept cash, pay employees for jury duty, among others
Most Illinois retailers will be required to accept cash payments beginning in 2028 under a bill Gov. JB Pritzker signed on Friday. House Bill 4592 requires retailers that employ someone to process in-person consumer transactions to accept cash payments on purchases under $500, though the businesses do not have to accept bills larger than $20. The […]
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Session slog ends in $56B budget, new taxes on social media companies, crypto, fantasy sports
Illinois lawmakers approved the state budget early Monday morning after slogging through the night, enacting new taxes on businesses and authorizing less spending than what Gov. JB Pritzker proposed in February. “It’s allowed us to be prepared for the great reality we face today,” Senate Democrats budget leader Elgie Sims, of Chicago, said during debate. […]
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Faculty at UIS reach tentative agreement to end strike
Faculty at the University of Illinois Springfield ended a more than two-week strike on Monday after reaching an agreement with university administrators overnight. Tenured and tenure-track faculty at UIS, one of three University of Illinois system institutions, went on strike on April 3 after failing to reach an agreement with UIS administrators over pay increases. […]
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Illinois mayors call on Pritzker to rethink flat local government funding
Local government leaders in Illinois are once again calling on state lawmakers to increase funding for their communities after Gov. JB Pritzker called for reducing the share of income taxes disbursed to municipalities. Pritzker’s budget, introduced last month, calls for reducing the share of income tax revenues that is divided among counties and other municipalities […]
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Pritzker denies traveling on Epstein’s plane after Bill Clinton’s since-recanted testimony
Gov. JB Pritzker denied a since-recanted comment by former President Bill Clinton that Clinton thought the pair may have traveled together on a plane owned by convicted sex trafficker Jeffrey Epstein. His denial was in response to a 90-second video clip of Clinton’s closed-door deposition before the U.S. House Oversight and Government Reform Committee that […]
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Pritzker proposes $56B budget with minimal new spending, tax on social media companies
As Illinois awaits federal court decisions about federal funding and braces for more federal cuts and rising costs, Gov. JB Pritzker is proposing limited new spending. The budget proposed by Pritzker on Wednesday largely maintains the status quo, and forgoes significant broad-based tax increases. The proposed budget totals $56 billion in spending in fiscal year […]
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Illinois to withhold nearly $500M in spending, citing federal uncertainty
Gov. JB Pritzker’s office plans to hold back nearly $500 million in spending for the current fiscal year as the state faces constant uncertainty over the economy and federal funding. The reserves make up less than 1% of the state’s budget and largely focus on cost savings such as forgoing hiring in certain agencies for […]
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Illinois lawmakers’ 2026 theme: affordability
House Speaker Emanuel “Chris” Welch says this spring’s election-year legislative session will be squarely focused on tackling Illinois voters’ priorities. “We’re going to focus on things that help folks in their household budget,” Welch told Capitol News Illinois. “We’re going to focus on things that help create good jobs, wage growth and opportunity. We’re going […]
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Top Democrats say they would consider small changes to Illinois’ SAFE-T Act
Some of Illinois’ top Democrats say they’re open to considering targeted changes to Illinois’ controversial SAFE-T Act this spring if a forthcoming judicial report says they’re needed. Both Gov. JB Pritzker and House Speaker Emanuel “Chris” Welch, D-Hillside, say the changes — if ultimately deemed necessary — would be narrow despite Republicans’ desire to see […]
