Known as SB328, the legislation would create a new “consent-by-registration” system in Illinois, under which companies from throughout the U.S. and the world could be sued in Illinois courts for certain kinds of claims, whether or not the company has any real presence in Illinois or if the alleged injury occurred in Illinois. Businesses and lawsuit reform advocates have denounced such tactics as abuses of the nation’s legal system in pursuit of big profits for trial lawyers.

Reps. Mary Miller, Darin LaHood and Mike Bost — the three Republican members of Illinois’ congressional delegation — voted to support the package of cuts. In rural areas across Illinois, especially in news deserts, many rely on public radio and television stations for emergency alerts and life-and-death news, like storm coverage.

As the mass transit agencies paint a bleak picture regarding the fiscal cliff in 2026, a funding package appears far from the finish line. The Regional Transportation Authority (RTA) and union groups have estimated that nearly 3,000 workers could lose their jobs if lawmakers don’t fund the transit system.

The Illinois Coalition for Immigrant and Refugee Rights had a rally and protest titled “ICE out of Illinois, ICE out of everywhere.” ICIRR received over $63 million in Illinois state taxpayer funds from July 2024 to February 2025, according to the Illinois Comptroller vendor payment system.

Attorney General Kwame Raoul said the increased workload that stems from more than a dozen lawsuits his office has joined challenging actions of the Trump administration as well as defending the state against legal actions the administration has filed against Illinois.

“As (Gov. JB) Pritzker tries to form a presidential profile, he’s sabotaging a booming industry for a political gamble that won’t pay off.”

“As law enforcement in the state of Illinois, it’s difficult for us to comprehend why anyone, especially an elected official who represents the people – why they wouldn’t want these individuals locked up,” Kankakee County Sheriff Mike Downey said after hearing a list suspects detained by ICE in Illinois.

In May, it was reported that Mount Prospect police had illegally shared automatic license plate reader information with a Texas sheriff searching for a woman seeking an abortion. The same department has also shared “license plate data in hundreds of immigration-related cases in violation of a state law that took effect last year.”

Democratic governors and Congress members shifted blame for immigration enforcement to the federal government and called ICE immigration enforcement a “gestapo operation” in opening statements at a congressional hearing Thursday.

Legislation that mandates the Illinois Department of Corrections annually report on hospice and palliative care within its facilities is being criticized for being named after a convicted murderer who threw a victim head first down an elevator shaft.

Fifty-seven sitting members of the Illinois General Assembly benefited in one way or another from funding controlled by former Illinois House Speaker Michael Madigan. The dynasty he built atop Illinois Democratic politics means his influence will linger.

Senate Bill 328 would make it easier to sue out-of-state businesses merely for being registered in Illinois. Senate Bill 1976 would prevent Illinois business from benefitting from any federal rules easing workplace regulations.

Last-minute changes approved by Illinois lawmakers in the waning days of the session will cost Chicago taxpayers tens of millions of dollars in their first year and billions over time by giving some police officers and firefighters more lucrative pensions.

“In Illinois alone, Medicaid supports the health and economic security of 3.4 million people. Cuts or caps to federal Medicaid funding would force Illinois taxpayers to fill the gap or result in service reductions for everyone.”