The Trump administration has announced a $12 billion aid package to help U.S. farmers affected by trade disputes, but Jerry Costello II, director of the Illinois Department of Agriculture, says the package is insufficient and will not cover all the losses farmers have suffered.
Regional
Posted inNews
Transit reform law to make local buses and trains safer, efficient, and reliable
State Rep. Dagmara Avelar and other state Reps. passed a major transit reform package law to make buses and trains safer, more reliable, and efficiently managed, with the goal of expanding access to jobs, travel, and other opportunities for southern suburban communities.
Posted inNews
New laws: Gun storage, police background check changes take effect in 2026
Illinois has passed several new laws related to gun control, including a Safe Gun Storage Act, a bill requiring background checks for police officers, a path for first-time gun offenders to obtain a FOID card, and a law removing the statute of limitations on cases of human trafficking of minors.
Posted inPolitics
Hastings law modernizes missing persons investigations starting Jan. 1
Illinois law enforcement will take a new approach to missing persons cases starting Jan. 1, 2026, thanks to a new law that eliminates the waiting period for accepting a missing person’s report and requires information to be immediately entered into the Law Enforcement Agencies Data System.
Posted inState
New law to allow pharmacists to dispense non-hormonal contraception options
Illinois has joined 30 states and the District of Columbia in allowing pharmacists to prescribe contraceptives, including emergency and non-hormonal options, expanding healthcare accessibility and allowing individuals to make the best choice for their birth control.
Posted inNews
ComEd launches new discount program for low-income customers
ComEd has launched a new Low-Income Discount program to provide price breaks to qualifying households with incomes up to 300% of the federal poverty level, funded by a fee levied on all customers.
Posted inNews
Pritzker signs bill enacting immigrant protections in courthouses
Illinois Governor JB Pritzker signed legislation allowing residents to sue immigration agents for violating their constitutional rights, and requiring public colleges, universities, hospitals and child care facilities to set up policies for dealing with immigration enforcement.
Posted inNews
Manley earns ‘A’ rating for advancements in gun violence prevention
State Rep. Natalie Manley, D-Joliet, was awarded an ‘A’ rating from the Gun Violence Prevention Action Committee (GPAC) for her support of public safety and preventative violence legislation, including Karina’s Bill and the Safe Storage Act.
Posted inLatest News
ICC slashes Nicor, Ameren proposed gas rate hikes by over 40%
The Illinois Commerce Commission (ICC) cut rate increases proposed by Nicor Gas and Ameren Illinois, slowing the speed of rising energy bills for customers in much of the state, while also rejecting proposals that were deemed not cost-effective or not necessary.
Posted inNews
National Guard ordered to leave
The Texas National Guard has been deactivated and is leaving the Elwood, Illinois area after being sent by President Trump to protect federal immigration agents and facilities, but were never deployed due to a court block.
