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Posted inNews
Gun rights groups continue push to overturn Illinois assault weapons ban
Gun rights advocates once again are asking a federal appeals court in Chicago to overturn Illinois’ ban on assault-style firearms and large-capacity magazines in a case that may be destined for the U.S. Supreme Court. In briefs filed June 6 with the 7th Circuit Court of Appeals, attorneys representing plaintiffs challenging the law urged the court […]
Posted inNews
State highway cameras could be used to investigate human trafficking
A bill passed in this year’s legislative session would rewrite the definition of a “forcible felony” to allow Illinois State Police to use images obtained from automatic license plate readers in cases involving human trafficking and involuntary servitude. Automatic license plate readers are cameras that capture images of vehicle license plates. After obtaining pictures captured […]
Posted inOpinion
Why the omnibus energy bill failed to pass
I asked Illinois House Speaker Chris Welch last week about the failure to pass an omnibus energy bill (the Clean and Reliable Grid Affordability Act) during the just-ended spring legislative session. “I think the same thing that happened on energy happened on all the things, you know. Big bills take time,” Welch said. “And I […]
Posted inNews
Armory renovation plans detailed
The nearly $500 million effort to improve the Capitol Complex, including a major renovation of the long-vacant Illinois State Armory, continues to take shape in downtown Springfield. State officials presented updates about the project at a Citizens Club of Springfield gathering May 24, sharing details on completed segments, current construction efforts and secrets found. The […]
Posted inNews
Illinois bill aims to lower cost of prescriptions, rein in pharmacy benefit managers
A bill that seeks to control the rising cost of prescription drugs while also offering financial help for many small, independent pharmacies in Illinois cleared the General Assembly May 31 and has been sent to Gov. JB Pritzker for his signature. The bill, known as the Prescription Drug Affordability Act, would put new regulations and […]
Posted inNews
County Market to permanently close pharmacies
The pharmacies in all three of Springfield’s remaining County Market locations, as well as one in Chatham, will permanently close as of June 12. All ongoing prescriptions have been purchased by CVS. Customers will be able to fill their prescriptions at any CVS location in Springfield, according to a spokesperson for Quincy-based Niemann Foods, which […]
Posted inOpinion
State officials eye Chicago mayor’s race
For quite a while now, most folks in politics have assumed that Illinois Secretary of State Alexi Giannoulias and Comptroller Susana Mendoza will probably run for mayor of Chicago in 2027. The incumbent Brandon Johnson is spectacularly unpopular, and a real hunger is developing in the city (again) for new leadership. Anyway, some wags have […]
Posted inNews
A plan to save downtown
Four development groups have told Sangamon County officials they may be interested in building a 200- to 300-bed hotel on a county-owned parking lot along South Ninth Street and collaborating with the county to double the size of the BOS Center. County officials declined to reveal names of the groups that expressed interest through responses […]
Posted inArts & Culture
The many connections between immigrants and the U.S. health care system
These days, mention of the word “immigration” often conjures up issues related to politics, the law, culture, economics and even whether getting a speeding ticket makes a person a criminal. As a retired primary care physician with no special expertise in immigrant health care who was invited by a friend to join the Springfield Immigrant […]
Posted inNews
New taxes on sports bets, nicotine products as Democrats pass $55.2B budget
Giving almost no time for public review, Illinois Democrats pushed through a $55.2 billion budget for next fiscal year late Saturday, bolstering coffers with new taxes on sports bets, nicotine products and businesses. The $55.2 billion spending plan is supported by $55.3 billion of revenue, including just over $1 billion in new taxes and revenue […]
Posted inNews
Two Springfield attorneys have law licenses suspended
A Springfield lawyer faces a two-year suspension of her law license after a state commission cited her recently for unethical conduct during her time employed by the Illinois Attorney General and the city of Springfield. The Illinois Attorney Registration and Disciplinary Commission, or ARDC, investigates complaints against lawyers and makes recommendations to the Illinois Supreme […]
