State Senator Rachel Ventura has introduced two new bills aimed at improving the rights of juveniles interacting with the criminal justice system and allowing courts more flexibility in advocating for restorative justice programs, as well as a bill to provide resources to minors declared delinquent for nonviolent crimes.
Politics
Posted inNews
Illinois to withhold nearly $500M in spending, citing federal uncertainty
Governor Pritzker has directed state agencies to reserve nearly $500 million in spending for the current fiscal year in response to the uncertainty over the economy and federal funding, with the reserves largely focusing on cost savings such as forgoing hiring in certain agencies.
Posted inNews
Midnight Friday deadline nears as Congress is set for another shutdown
Senate Republicans are pushing forward with a funding package to avoid another government shutdown, while Democrats are blocking the current DHS funding bill and calling for an overhaul of ICE and CBP to protect public safety.
Posted inNews
Residents urged to get REAL ID before TSA’s penalty kicks in on Sunday
Illinois Secretary of State Alexi Giannoulias is urging residents to take advantage of the final Saturday of expanded hours at the Secretary of State office in Joliet and the Supercenter in Chicago Loop before TSA’s new $45 penalty takes effect on February 1.
Posted inNews
Will County Clerk updates to Vote by Mail and Drop Box locations
Will County Clerk has published the locations of ten secure ballot drop boxes for Vote By Mail collection, including a newly acquired box in New Lenox, which will be available from February 9 to March 16, 2026.
Posted inPlainfield
Loughran Cappel secures $600,000 for Plainfield Park District
State Senator Meg Loughran Cappel secured $600,000 in grant funding from the Open Space Land Acquisition and Development program to renovate Tamarack Settlement Park in the Plainfield Park District.
Posted inNews
Clean Slate Act for some non-violent convictions signed into law
Governor JB Pritzker signed the Clean Slate Act, which will automate the state’s record-sealing process for individuals with certain non-violent convictions, providing increased access to employment, housing, and educational opportunities and reclaiming $4.7 billion in lost wages annually.
Posted inPolitics
Labor, voting rights groups intervene in Illinois voter data lawsuit
The Trump administration is seeking access to the complete, unredacted voter registration database of 23 states and Washington, D.C., including sensitive personal information about individual voters, which voting rights groups and labor organizations are attempting to block in a federal lawsuit.
Posted inNews
Illinois Health Insurance Marketplace Extends Enrollment Deadline
Get Covered Illinois has extended the open enrollment deadline for health insurance coverage to January 31st for coverage beginning February 1st, 2026.
Posted inNews
Illinois Houswee speaker calls Bears stadium ask ‘insensitive’ amid budget pressures
Illinois House Speaker Emanuel “Chris” Welch has said that the state’s priority should be to reduce the cost of living, and not to provide financial aid for the Chicago Bears’ proposed new stadium in Arlington Heights.
