News

Despite new federal data showing Illinois’ Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP) error rate continuing to climb, the Pritzker Administration has launched a program offering one-time payments, just before the election,  to certain households that recently lost their SNAP benefits, with a cost of $70 million to taxpayers for fiscal year 2027. Recent federal changes  to SNAP were made requiring able-bodied

Legislation to strengthen standards for Illinois assisted living facilities was signed into law on July 24. House Bill 3392 updates the Assisted Living and Shared Housing Act by improving the admission process for new residents, modernizing care standards, and strengthening accountability for facilities. The law requires every resident to receive a comprehensive physical, cognitive, and psychosocial assessment before admission by

Legislation was recently signed into law to strengthen transparency and accountability in DCFS investigations involving allegations of child abuse or neglect. House Bill 4242, sponsored by Senator Darby Hills, amends the Abused and Neglected Child Reporting Act by requiring DCFS to include additional information in written notices of final determinations involving indicated findings of abuse or neglect. Under the new

A new state law aimed at reducing classroom distractions will require Illinois public schools to restrict student cellphone use beginning with the 2027-2028 school year. Under Senate Bill 2427, public school districts and charter schools must adopt policies prohibiting students from using cellphones and other wireless communication devices during the school day. The law includes exceptions for students who need

A federal district court recently struck down several Illinois laws that provided in-state tuition rates and financial assistance to noncitizens. In United States v. Illinois, the federal government argued that Illinois law conflicted with a federal statute prohibiting states from offering residency-based higher education benefits to noncitizens unless the same benefits are made available to all U.S. citizens, regardless of

House Speaker Chris Welch recently pledged to lead an effort during the fall veto session to provide additional state funding for Chicago Public Schools (CPS), renewing debate over how Illinois should invest in public education. While additional investment in public education remains a priority, Senate Republicans maintain that any new funding should be distributed through Illinois’ Evidence-Based Funding (EBF) formula,

State and federal health officials are reporting a significant increase in cases of cyclosporiasis, an intestinal illness caused by the microscopic parasite Cyclospora. As of July 16, the Illinois Department of Public Health (IDPH) had reported 277 confirmed and probable cases in Illinois. Nationally, the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) had received reports of 1,645 cases since May

Residents, businesses, and eligible nonprofit organizations in several northern Illinois counties can now apply for low-interest federal disaster loans following the severe storms and tornadoes that struck the region in June. The U.S. Small Business Administration (SBA) has issued a disaster declaration for Bureau, Cook, DeKalb, DuPage, Grundy, Kane, Kendall, Lake, LaSalle, Lee, Livingston, Marshall, McHenry, Putnam, Will, and Woodford

Illinois consumers will soon have a clearer understanding of the fees and surcharges included on their monthly electric utility bills thanks to a new law signed by Governor Pritzker. I co-sponsored House Bill 5524 requires the Commission on Government Forecasting and Accountability (COGFA) to compile information on electric utility fees and surcharges and make that information publicly available in a

Following recent ethics investigations and public corruption allegations involving members of the Illinois House Democratic Caucus, Senate Republicans are continuing their push for a package of legislation designed to strengthen ethics laws, increase transparency, and restore public trust in state government. The renewed push comes after one House Democratic lawmaker resigned following an ethics investigation into allegations of inappropriate conduct,