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Gov. JB Pritzker signed an executive order Friday that establishes a new state group that will work with experts to analyze the state’s changing labor market and workforce needs. Right now, around 57 percent of Illinois adults have a postsecondary degree or credential.
“Some wonder whether this primary race spending is just a test, and whether gigantic companies like DraftKings and Meta will eventually unleash on incumbents during future contests. Meta has pledged to stay positive. But that could change.”
State Sen. Sue Rezin believes Illinois should eliminate plea deals for people charged with involuntary sexual servitude of a minor, trafficking involving a minor, or grooming. Her bill could also charge child sex offenders with a Class 4 felony if they work, volunteer or knowingly visit facilities that exclusively provide entertainment for minors.
The move follows the 2023 U.S. Supreme Court ruling, Students for Fair Admissions v. Harvard, banning race-based admissions, amid concerns that some universities still use racial proxies like diversity statements.
The proposed 2027 budget would allocate an additional $50 million to the program. The plan is for the state to support the housing market through incentives for new construction and financial assistance to home buyers, reallocating funds from previous programs and bond proceeds.
CTU is joining a national resistance movement called “May Day Strong,” whose organizers say 500,000 workers and families will walk out that day, supposedly sticking it to billionaires while really just affecting the services middle-class families need. It’s the same type of progressive activism that drew criticism in 2024 when CTU took kids out of school for a “day of political engagement” and got caught telling kids what to vote for.
By actuary Mary Pat Campbell.
With a few days left until the 2026 Primary Election, the Bailey/Del Mar campaign bus made a stop in Metropolis on Thursday, March 12. While Darren Bailey, a Republican candidate for the office of Illinois governor, was unable to attend due to family matters, his lieutenant governor running mate Aaron Del Mar met with voters at La Pizza di Shane.
“By far, what is most disquieting about (Secretary of State Alexi) Giannoulias’ baggage train of scandals is the recent revelation his Secretary of State office had illegally issued non-domiciled commercial driver’s licenses (CDLs). According to an annual review carried out by the Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration, it was discovered 20 percent of non-domiciled CDLs issued by Giannoulias’ office failed to comply with requirements in federal code.”
“Yet despite Illinois’ long-term disinvestment in services, the state’s General Fund consistently runs deficits. Again, the data make it clear why this is the case: Illinois tax policy is so flawed it fails to generate revenue that grows with the economy over time. In other words, Illinois does indeed have a revenue problem. Which means eliminating the structural deficit requires reforming state tax policy to work in the modern economy, not parroting factually discredited tropes.”
Just before midnight, the 37-year-old male victim was standing on the northbound platform at the Grand station, 521 North State Street, when the offender walked up to him and stabbed him in the left tricep, according to CPD.
“All health care professionals have to take continuing medical education, and the General Assembly has mandated a bunch of courses,” said state Rep. Bill Hauter. “That’s hours that could be spent studying something important to your specialty.” Over the years, Illinois lawmakers have added required education modules on issues ranging from implicit bias to Alzheimer’s awareness and opioid overdoses.
Illinois has 181 open state and federal seats this year, the vast majority of those in the state General Assembly. Of the 362 possible primaries, only 61 are contested, split evenly between Democrats and Republicans.
Federal COVID funds used to pay for the program have run out, and district leaders said they cannot sustain the program that for the last four years has offered students homework support, a light meal and time to build academic skills. Those services were at no cost to families.
The state’s attorney’s office is also trying to prevent deaths by requesting detention for felony domestic battery offenders at a much higher rate. The detention rate has risen from 54 percent to 81 percent.
The DuPage County state’s attorney announced the dismissal of more than a dozen cases involving the faulty tests. Other county prosecutors and police departments in the metro Chicago area are now reviewing cases, including in Cook County.
According to the latest report from the state police, reflecting 2024 seizures, the Chicago Police Department took in $9.4 million in assets that year — including 962 vehicles worth more than $7.7 million, plus cash. Every other law enforcement agency in Illinois combined reported seizing 595 vehicles. A Chicago police spokesman says civil asset forfeiture “plays an important role in disrupting organized criminal networks,” saying the money goes toward “strengthening public safety.”
A large number of the layoffs were reported from Franciscan Health Olympia Fields Hospital and Franciscan Health Alliance with 1,930 people given notices. Walgreens, which is headquartered in sububarn Deerfield is also set to lay off workers, with more than 400 layoffs at their headquarters alone, and others in Chicago and Danville.
The union wants staff and students to use the date to protest everything from ICE arrests to school funding, housing costs and what they claim is the threat President Donald Trump poses to democracy.
Incumbent Assessor Fritz Kaegi and Pat Hynes are fighting for control of the office that sets valuations of more than 1.8 million parcels across the county, a key component to calculating annual
Together with pro-Israel funds, the tech money is swamping Democratic rivals in the Chicago area. “There’s nothing wrong with interest groups getting involved in politics,” said Alisa Kaplan, executive director of Reform for Illinois. “But when some groups can drown out everyone else because of their bottomless pockets… it distorts democracy.”
David Greising, of the Better Government Association: “Mayor Brandon Johnson comes to mind as a player who helped get us here. He has proved remarkably inactive when forceful city leadership could have made a difference.”
Illinois Democrats have a rare opportunity to help send a Black woman to the Senate this year — though it’s an opportunity that may be blocked by a splintering electorate and competing political loyalties.
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