“In Illinois, total jobs fell by 13,300 in August, the largest monthly decline in more than two years, according to Gov. JB Pritzker’s office. In five out of eight months in 2025, jobs in Illinois have dropped.”

Illinois Attorney General Kwame Raoul joined 19 other Democratic attorneys general and the District of Columbia in filing the suit in May, claiming the departments of Homeland Security and Transportation were attempting to illegally coerce states into enacting sweeping immigration enforcement by threatening to withhold billions in funding if they refused.

“If we can’t protect our people, we don’t have a state,” candidate Ted Dabrowski said.

State Rep. Maurice West is sponsoring House Bill 2718, which would require all eligible citizens to cast a ballot in every general election. The bill allows voters to satisfy the requirement by submitting a blank ballot and specifies that no fines, fees or penalties would be imposed on those who do not vote.

Illinois holds its municipal elections in February of odd years, which severely depresses voter turnout for mayoral and city council races across the state. Meanwhile, an increasing number of states are consolidating their municipal elections to align with statewide November elections.

“The last thing we would want to do is say, ‘OK, we’re going to fix the problem when it comes to state employees, but we’re not going to fix the problem for local governmental employees,’” state Rep. Jay Hoffman said.

The delegation is asking for the number of law enforcement officials from federal agencies who have been deployed to the efforts; details on the use of force within enforcement operations; their policy on the use of military equipment and gear for raids; and guidance on third-party influencers and celebrities participating in or observing the raids. It inquires about arrests at churches, schools, health care facilities and businesses; how many U.S. citizens have been arrested; how many are noncitizens with lawful status; how many are DACA recipients; and how many had no criminal convictions.

“It’s hard to think that we could levy new taxes on the working class people and think that there’s not going to be consequences behind it,” state Rep. LaShawn Ford said. Illinois has raised taxes numerous times over the years, including this year’s tax increases on tobacco, vaping, sports betting and corporations.

“As a legislator, I’m willing to sit down with the industry and firefighters if it turns out that non-PFAS gear is only rated for 400 degrees instead of 700. That’s a conversation we would need to have to understand the implications and determine the best path forward,” said state Sen. Neil Anderson.

The recommendation bucks new and murky guidelines from the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention that recommend vaccines only for people ages 65 and older.

The state’s Attorney Registration and Disciplinary Commission ruled back in April that DeVore should be suspended for rule “violations arising from his dating and business relationships with a client.” The ARDC prosecution complaint indicates the improper relationship was linked to Riley Craig, a then-married Springfield salon owner whom he began representing in March 2020.

“I believe that one of the reasons Donald Trump wants to send troops into American cities is because he wants to be able to take control of the 2026 elections,” Pritzker said.

Rep. Blaine Wilhour has said the state doesn’t have much to show for the increased spending under JB Pritzker: “Has anybody’s quality of life really increased?”

The latest Executive Order requires most state agencies to, within 30 days, “identify immediate spending reductions, including efficiencies that will result in reduced spending.” Gov. JB Pritzker also directed the agencies to reserve 4 percent of fiscal year 2026 general fund appropriations. Lawmakers approved a $55.1 billion spending plan, meaning the order could halt up to $2.2 billion in approved spending in anticipation of state revenue declining.

“These investigators are in the trenches, and not doing easy work, but when you have an intern at the door with the right to remove your child and no experience to back it up, that is scary,” state Rep. Jed Davis said.