SPRINGFIELD, Ill. (WAND) — The Illinois House could soon pass a plan to help law enforcement and retailers keep electronic cigarettes away from young people. Sponsors told WAND News that Illinois must hold bad actors accountable for bringing illegal and potentially dangerous vaping products to retail stores.
If you walk up to the checkout counter in most gas stations, convenience stores or smoke shops in Illinois, you can likely see a wide variety of vaping products for sale.
SPRINGFIELD (WGEM) – Needing nearly 300,000 affordable rental homes and apartments, Illinois has one of the largest housing deficits in the U.S. according to the Illinois Housing Council (IHC), which estimates the state has lost about 20% of its low-rent apartments since 2011.
State lawmakers are proposing a new tax credit to help reverse that trend.
ROCKFORD, Ill. (WTVO) — Gov. JB Pritzker has been rallying support for the Healthcare Protection Act in tour stops across Illinois, including one today in Rockford.
Pritzker was at OSF St. Anthony Medical Center on Tuesday to explain what the bill, which has been passed in the House, could mean for patients, doctors, and insurance companies.
HENDERSON, Ky (WEHT) – Gambling exists in every state even where it is prohibited by law, but not all gambling is the same.
Recreational gamblers might buy the occasional lottery ticket, take a rare trip to the casino or bet small in fantasy sports, but when gambling gets out of control, it could turn into gambling disorder.
The secretary of state’s downtown driver services facility is pictured in Chicago. (Capitol News Illinois photo by Andrew Adams)
Tuesday, April 23, 2024
By ALEX ABBEDUTO
Capitol News Illinois
abbeduto@capitolnewsillinois.com
Illinoisans who need a notary public can now access those services online through a new “E-Notary” portal launched by the secretary of state’s office.
We note with pleasure that Illinois finally now has the first federally recognized tribal land in the Prairie State.
The U.S. Department of the Interior announced Friday that portions of Shab-eh-nay Reservation land, located in DeKalb County, are being placed into trust for the Prairie Band Potawatomi Nation, thus giving the tribal nation sovereignty over that acreage adjacent to Shabbona Lake State Park.
Chicago has had some great mayors. Their names adorn street signs — Ogden Avenue — skyscrapers — the Richard J. Daley Center — and libraries — the Harold Washington Center.
Mayor Brandon Johnson is not in that pantheon, although he imagines himself there. Just last week, he promised to remain in office for “another 23 years,” which would make him Chicago’s longest-serving mayor, and earn himself the pension of all pensions once he turns 70.
Joseph “Zeke” Rupnick, tribal chairman of the Prairie Band Potawatomi Nation, speaks at a news conference at the Illinois Capitol in February. (Capitol News Illinois photo by Peter Hancock)
Tuesday, April 23, 2024
By HANNAH MEISEL
Capitol News Illinois
hmeisel@capitolnewsillinois.com
The Illinois High School Association, like most organizations, isn’t interested in losing power.
Aside from having a child participate in IHSA activities, I’m also certified as a baseball umpire, which is how my email address ended up on the distribution list for a Thursday morning missive from Executive Director Craig Anderson, an “important update” on House Bill 334.
The former "Chicago Tonight" anchor will help fill the void left by Mike Flannery as political correspondent and host of a new weekly news roundup.
Efforts to lift the state’s ban on rent control in the Illinois General Assembly have stalled for now, as bills introduced fail to gain traction. The push to fund a $20 million state affordable housing tax credit, however, was successful.
An Illinois Senate bill to lift the rent control ban, introduced in February by state Sen.
The state’s credit rating streak is continuing its climb.
SPRINGFIELD, Ill. (NEXSTAR) — Lawmakers are preparing to head into their last month of the Spring Legislative Session. The budget will take center stage, as the state deals with a tight fiscal year.
Representative Jeff Keicher (R-Sycamore) joined Capitol Connection to talk about the rest of session, the role Republicans will play in the final days, and a couple of his own legislative priorities.
SPRINGFIELD, Ill. (NEXSTAR) — Secretary of State Alexi Giannoulias wants to require lobbyists in the Capitol to disclose the amount they are being paid by their clients.
He said it could go a long way in improving the public perception of politics in Springfield.
The idea is just a part of Giannoulias’ legislative agenda, which also looks to continue changing Driver’s Services Facilities in the state.
SPRINGFIELD, Ill. (NEXSTAR) — The landscape of college athletics changed drastically after Name, Image and Likeness Laws were passed.
Illinois passed it’s version of the NIL law in 2021. At the time, lawmakers touted the protections it included for athletes while also finally allowing them to profit off their likeness.
But now, nearly three years later, Rep.
SPRINGFIELD, Ill. (NEXSTAR) — Rape Crisis Centers across the state say they are in desperate need of funding, or facilities across the state will need to close their doors.
The Illinois Coalition Against Sexual Assault is asking the state for $20 million dollars, which is more than double what they get from the state currently.
They need additional money because the federal government cut down the amount of money going to a fund for victims of crimes.
SPRINGFIELD, Ill. (WAND) — Several Illinois Senators came together to discuss their concerns with higher education funding.
Senators Tom Bennett (R-Gibson City), Chapin Rose (R-Mahomet), Dale Fowler (R-Harrisburg), and Terri Bryant (R-Murphysboro) shared their opinions regarding regarding a proposed funding formula from the Illinois Department of Higher Education.
They’re calling for a subject matter hearing on the plan that was revealed last month.
A study published in 2022 found racial inequities in coverage denials for cancer patients. Black patients were nearly three times as likely to be denied.
BELLEVILLE, Illinois — Illinois Governor J.B. Pritzker’s plan to crack down on lengthy delays and coverage denials in the health insurance insurance industry sailed through the House of Representatives with bipartisan support last week, and it has "great momentum" heading into the Senate, he said at a Monday morning stop in Belleville.
