Lizzie Seils

Illinois was one of 14 states undercounted by the 2020 Census, disproving the classic complaint that Illinois is seeing a massive exodus in population. But for those left out of the count, it means a loss of resources for their community.

An review required by law of the Department of Children and Family Services made key findings on how the state in ensuring the quality of care for children.

Illinois Democrats gathered downstate Wednesday to urge the US Senate to vote for the Women’s Health Protection Act and codify the landmark abortion decision Roe v. Wade into law. But they also said they are prepared in the event of abortion loses its legal protection.

Four fire fighters were honored today for losing their lives in service to their communities through the fire department. It’s a large sacrifice, but to the fire fighters at the memorial today, they say what they do is nothing out of the ordinary.

Eleven officers who died in the line of duty were recognized for their service.

Increased funding for Illinois’ higher education system may do one thing the industry is hoping for: bring more students into the classrooms.

The Illinois Manufacturing Association held its third annual online competition for the coolest thing manufactured in the state.

The elimination of cash bail is fast approaching for Illinois following the passage of the SAFE-T act in January 2021. Some judges have even begun the transition to no cash bail, but prosecutors are saying no cash bail will make their job a lot harder.

In an attempt to address DCFS worker safety, lawmakers moved ahead on a bill that would give assaulting a caseworker a harsher penalty, but it never made it through the final step.

The stage is fully and finally set for the Illinois primary, which is shaping up to have some contentious competitions in congressional and statewide races.The Illinois State Board of Elections officially certified the ballot after an hours-long meeting going through the over dozens of objections filed questioning the validity of a candidates residency or petition signatures that were turned in in early March.

Attorney General Kwame Raoul was a major proponent of the bill, even making appearances on the floors of both chambers to drum up support for the legislation.

In an emergency situation, a dispatcher is often the first point of contact after someone dials 911, but, they aren’t considered first responders like firefighters, police or paramedics.

Nursing home reform, that stalled last year in negotiations, has now passed the Senate unanimously.

In a yearly tradition, gun owners in Illinois took to Springfield streets to advocate more less restrictions on firearm usage and ownership.

One part of a larger legislative package passed out of committee today with some concern from Republican lawmakers.

As carjackings continue to be a growing concern in the state, Democratic Senators introduced a package of two bills they believe will help reduce carjackings statewide.

During the pandemic, visitation was restricted in medical facilities to prevent the spread of COVID-19. A bill moving out of the Illinois House would prevent families from not being able to visit their loved ones due to visitation restrictions.

The state’s top Medicaid provider is revealing significant progress toward a compromise.

Illinois lawmakers passed legislation last October to address concerns with corruption and conflicts of interest. They intended to bring more light to government; instead, some argue the law has made things cloudier.

College costs can easily soar into the six figures. Senators are pushing legislation that would try to ease those costs.

Senators are pushing legislation that aims to crack down on organized retail crime, infamously known as smash and grabs where a team runs into a store grabbing any and all merchandise.

Opioid deaths in Illinois have increased twentyfold in one decade, and a large part of the deaths have to do with the powerful, lab-made fentanyl.

Some Republican lawmakers are calling for their bills providing tax relief to be considered.

A bill moving through the Illinois House looks to prohibit restricting visitors during emergency orders like ones that were enacted during this pandemic.

One week after candidate hopefuls lined up to be the first name on the ballot, other candidates lined up for the last hour of filing to beat the clock and get a spot at the bottom.

Illinois lawmakers are looking to fill the $4.5 billion hole in the unemployment insurance fund that was created after thousands of people were left out of work earlier in the pandemic.

As stressors from the pandemic to gas prices increase, mental illness is on the rise according to the CDC. Over time, they’ve seen an increase in anxiety and depression, especially in children.

Wives and children of four fallen officers gathered in Springfield to urge Senators to continue a slate of bills supporting police.

Michael Madigan and longtime colleague Michael McClain pled not guilty in arraignment hearings over the phone Wednesday.

Paper petitions stacked ten inches tall, covered in plastic wrap and shielded from the wet snow held candidate’s tickets onto the ballot for the 2022 race.

For decades, jail time and drug charges have often been the way drug addiction is handled in the Illinois justice system.

Following the overnight attacks on Ukraine, Illinois lawmakers have issued responses to the ensuing crisis.

Legislators moved forward with a bill that provides unlimited paid leave to school workers who take days off due to COVID-19.

Legislation in both chambers of the Statehouse aims to authorize DCFS investigators to carry pepper spray or mace on them.

Senate Energy and Utilities committee confirmed work on a trailer bill following up legislation that requires Illinois to fully rely on clean energy by 2050.

Continuing previous work on the rise in natural gas costs in Illinois, the House Public Utility Committee looked over legislation that would repeal a legislated surcharge one year early.

As Governor JB Pritzker continues his statewide tour promoting his tax relief budget proposal, the Illinois Municipal League is promoting legislation that would allow small municipalities to implement a three cent per gallon gas tax.

The supported legislation aims to help local governments govern better and more efficiently as the COVID-19 pandemic continues.

Pritzker says Republicans are mischaracterizing the SAFE-T Act, as several provisions - including the end of cash bail - haven’t even gone into effect yet.

A proposal making its way through the House would require youth in state care get mental health screenings throughout their time in the foster system.

Illinois Senate Republicans announced a slate of proposals today that aim to stop the rise in violent crimes and bring support to law enforcement they claim was taken away by the passage of the SAFE-T Act last session, calling it an “anti-police” bill.

As temperatures get colder this winter, gas rates continue to rise to record numbers.

Planned Parenthood of St Louis and Southwest Missouri has opened a regional logistic center aiming to connect out-of-state patients with resources.

A bill proposed in the house wants to combine voter registration and FOID into one process.

The “I Have a Dream” speech was given on the steps of the Lincoln Memorial in Washington D.C. on Aug. 28, 1963, two centuries after the Emancipation Proclamation.

Schimpf is the second Republican candidate to announce his potential lieutenant governor.

Demmer accused incumbent Frerichs and the General Assembly of allowing tax increases and spending that have caused families to leave Illinois.