Headlines
Illinois Republican senator pushes to outlaw abortion, loses leadership spots
By NIKOEL HYTREK Capitol News Illinois nhytrek@capitolnewsillinois.com SPRINGFIELD - A Republican lawmaker who introduced a bill to outlaw abortion in Illinois has resigned from his GOP leadership position in the Illinois Senate after conversations with top Republicans. Sen. Neil Anderson, R-Andalusia, on Feb. 5, intr...
A few minutes ago
Pritzker proposes $56B budget with minimal new spending, tax on social media companies
By BEN SZALINSKI Capitol News Illinois bszalinski@capitolnewsillinois.com Article Summary Gov. JB Pritzker is proposing a $56 billion budget for fiscal year 2027 with minimal new spending. Outside of key areas like pensions, education and health care costs, discretionary spending under Pritzker's proposal would rise b...
6m ago
Pritzker to propose statewide zoning laws to spur homebuilding, limit local control
By BRENDEN MOORE Capitol News Illinois bmoore@capitolnewsillinois.com Article Summary Gov. JB Pritzker will propose a plan during his State of the State address to drastically limit local governments' authority to restrict the types of structures that can be built on property zoned residential. Accessory dwelling...
9m ago
Illinois GOP Senate candidates take stage in first major debate
By BRENDEN MOORE Capitol News Illinois bmoore@capitolnewsillinois.com Article Summary Don Tracy, Jeannie Evans and Casey Chlebek pitched themselves as best positioned to flip a Senate seat Democrats have held since 1985. None directly criticized President Donald Trump, but each signaled differences on tariffs and ...
Feb 12, 2026
Marimar Martinez, Chicago woman shot and briefly charged by Border Patrol, moves to sue
By MAGGIE DOUGHERTY Capitol News Illinois mdougherty@capitolnewsillinois.com Article Summary Marimar Martinez, the Chicago teacher's aide shot five times by a Border Patrol agent last fall, will release evidence that was recently unsealed from the government's dismissed case against her. Her lawyers say the evidence ...
Feb 12, 2026
In a blow to banks, pioneering swipe fee law survives first legal challenge
By MAGGIE DOUGHERTY Capitol News Illinois mdougherty@capitolnewsillinois.com Article Summary A federal judge has upheld a first-of-its-kind Illinois law that protects consumers and retailers from paying so-called credit card "swipe fees" on taxes and tips. The Interchange Fee Prohibition Act was passed in l...
Feb 11, 2026
Trump administration again rejects Illinois' request for disaster aid from August storm
By NIKOEL HYTREK Capitol News Illinois nhytrek@capitolnewsillinois.com The Trump administration has again rejected Illinois' request for a major disaster declaration covering severe storms that took place in northern Illinois in August 2025. The denial by the Federal Emergency Management Agency, released Saturday, Feb...
Feb 11, 2026
'More listening and less talking': Darren Bailey insists results will be different in 2nd run for governor
By BEN SZALINSKI Capitol News Illinois bszalinski@capitolnewsillinois.com Article Summary Former Republican state legislator Darren Bailey is trying to improve on his 2022 campaign for governor by taking a new approach to voters in the Chicago area. Bailey is leaning heavily on his running mate from Cook County, Aaron ...
Feb 11, 2026
