Category Archives: Local News
Richardson: Illinois officials find first instance of West Nile virus, say prepare now
Mark Richardson Illinois News Connection The Illinois Department of Public Health said the first positive test for West Nile virus in 2025 has been detected in Winnebago County near Rockford. Health o...
May 26, 2025 The American Mosquito Control Association says almost 2,500 cases of West Nile disease were reported in 2024, with 165 deaths, a significant increase from recent years. (Adobe Stock)
Springfield Sen. Turner: Bill requiring Illinois nursing homes to carry defibrillators goes to governor's desk
The office of State Senator Doris Turner (D-Springfield) successfully pushed the passage of a bill that will require AEDs in nursing homes. Having passed both chambers of the General Assembly, it now ...
May 26, 2025
Awaiting Gov. Pritzker's signature: newly passed bill seeks to open up CPA access in Illinois with the end of the 150-hour college credit requirement
Illinois will in short order join a number of states in eliminating the 150-hour rule from accounting certification: one of the bills to reach Governor JB Pritzker's desk is one which opens up new pat...
May 25, 2025
Aubrey: Illinois lawmakers pass bill to raise age of senior driving tests
By JADE AUBREY Capitol News Illinois jaubrey@capitolnewsillinois.com SPRINGFIELD - A bill unanimously passed by the Senate on Thursday and on its way to Gov. JB Pritzker's desk will increase the age t...
May 25, 2025 The secretary of state’s downtown driver services facility is pictured in Chicago. (Capitol News Illinois file photo)
Szalinski, Hancock: State budget talks enter final week amid fears of congressional cuts
By BEN SZALINSKI & PETER HANCOCK Capitol News Illinois bszalinski@capitolnewsillinois.com SPRINGFIELD - Illinois lawmakers have one week to pass a new state budget with little room for new spendin...
May 25, 2025 Senate President Don Harmon, D-Oak Park, sits for an interview with Illinois Lawmakers’ host Jak Tichenor on Thursday, May 22, 2025. (Capitol News Illinois photo by Jerry Nowicki)
Fox: Responding to Supreme Court, lawmakers look to expand lawsuit protections for press
By BRIDGETTE FOX Capitol News Illinois bfox@capitolnewsillinois.com SPRINGFIELD - Illinois lawmakers are seeking to extend lawsuit protections to regular news reports following a recent ruling by the ...
May 25, 2025 The Illinois Capitol overlooks the state Supreme Court building in Springfield. (Capitol News Illinois photo by Jerry Nowicki)
"Insurance coverage isn't a timeshare": Springfield Sen. Turner condemns insurance companies as patient safety bill passes Illinois Senate
Anesthesia services, regardless of duration, would be covered by insurance companies under a measure led by State Senator Doris Turner. "Insurance companies have taken advantage of people for far too ...
May 24, 2025 Anesthesia equipment is seen in an operating room at Johns Hopkins hospital in Baltimore, Maryland, U.S., May 13, 2019. Picture taken May 13, 2019. REUTERS/Rosem Morton
Aubrey: Illinois General Assembly passes bills aimed at helping mothers
By JADE AUBREY Capitol News Illinois jaubrey@capitolnewsillinois.com SPRINGFIELD - Illinois lawmakers passed two bills this week that aim to support mothers in the state. One bill requires employers t...
May 24, 2025 State Rep. Katie Stuart, D-Edwardsville, speaks to chief of staff Clayton Harris shortly after passing a bill that mandates employers give nursing mothers paid time to pump breast milk. (Capitol News Illinois photo by Jerry Nowicki)
Adams: Summer electric price spike fuels policy tensions in Springfield
By ANDREW ADAMS Capitol News Illinois aadams@capitolnewsillinois.com Customers around Illinois will see significantly higher prices on their electric bills next month. The average residential customer...
May 24, 2025 A set of electric meters in Chicago. Residential Commonwealth Edison customers will see an average $10.60 increase in monthly bills this summer. Ameren customers can expect an even larger increase. (Capitol News Illinois photo by Andrew Adams)
ALPLM announces new "Lincoln: Sight, Sound & Touch" exhibit open through August 24
The Abraham Lincoln Presidential Library and Museum announced on Friday that their new exhibit, which lets visitors explore history using their eyes, ears, and hands, opened that very same day. The in...
May 23, 2025 Young Mr. Lincoln (Credit: ALPLM)