Illinois has seen a record number of tornadoes just six months into the year after a series of spring and summer storms barreled their way across the Midwest, causing millions in damage as federal disaster assistance wanes in Democrat-led states. Experts chalk the sudden increase up to temporary fluctuation, although a small increase over decades […]
Jenna Schweikert
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Lawmakers, stakeholders are ready for summer of data center negotiations
Lawmakers have a busy summer of negotiations ahead of them with pressure from both the governor’s office and their constituents to craft data center regulations that stakeholders and legislators can live with. The pressure comes after lawmakers failed to pass any regulations during the spring session, despite widespread concerns from Illinois communities about data centers’ […]
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Illinois seeks two Crest Hill prisons, leaving Lincoln out of Logan Correctional Center rebuild plan
The Illinois Department of Corrections is officially planning to rebuild both Logan and Stateville correctional centers in Crest Hill, dashing locals’ hopes that the state would rebuild Logan at its current Lincoln location. The June 5 announcement comes two years after Gov. JB Pritzker and IDOC originally announced the state would rebuild the Logan and […]
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Illinois lawmakers pass landmark AI accountability bill
Following in the footsteps of New York and California, Illinois state lawmakers passed a bill Wednesday that seeks to increase transparency and accountability among the largest and most capable artificial intelligence models. Senate Bill 315 passed unanimously in the House with Wednesday and now heads to the governor for consideration. Legislators modeled the bill after 2025 […]
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Family, friends, supporters honor fallen Illinois police officers
In a ceremony at the state Capitol, family, friends and supporters honored the lives of two law enforcement officers who died in the line of duty in 2025. The ceremony honored Officer Krystal Rivera of the Chicago Police Department and Detective Tim Jones of the Park Forest Police Department. Held annually on the first Thursday […]
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Companies could be on the hook for work-related activities before and after shifts start, court rules
Illinois law does not specifically shield companies from having to pay employees for time spent completing required pre- and post-work activities, the state Supreme Court unanimously ruled. Although federal regulations exclude that requirement, the court found Illinois’ wage law does not include any similar provisions. That means employers could be required to compensate employees for […]
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New SNAP work requirements go into effect Feb. 1, threatening recipient eligibility
New work requirements for the Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program go into effect Feb. 1, threatening benefits for hundreds of thousands of Illinoisians. Adults aged 18 to 64 without dependents under age 14 will be required to work, participate in SNAP Employment and Training programs or volunteer for at least 80 hours per month to receive […]
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Illinois rideshare drivers rally for unionization bill
Rideshare drivers rallied at the Illinois State Capitol Wednesday to ask legislators to support their effort to unionize. The legislation, which had not been filed as of Wednesday afternoon, would grant rideshare drivers the right to unionize and to collectively bargain with transportation network companies like Uber and Lyft through that union. Rideshare drivers in […]
