Illinois is the only state in the country that has a driving test requirement for people over a certain age. Illinois also requires more frequent driver’s license renewals for people over age 80, something only 23 states require.
Stories by Andrew Adams — Capitol News Illinois
As Illinois Supreme Court Weighs Another Biometric Privacy Lawsuit, Lawmakers Consider Child Data Framework
The Illinois Supreme Court heard oral arguments in a pair of class action suits brought by two suburban nurses who allege their employers violated the state’s Biometric Information Privacy Act, a landmark 2008 law that gives Illinois residents the ability to sue companies that misuse biometric data, such as fingerprints or facial scans.
Illinois State Fair Reports 9-Year Attendance High of 708,000 People
Fair manager points to good weather, recent renovations
The state Department of Agriculture, which hosts the fair each year, reported on Tuesday that about 708,000 people attended the fair, an 11% increase from 2022.
Battery Manufacturing Plant Coming to Illinois With $530M Incentive Deal
The roughly $2 billion project is set to create 2,600 jobs and begin production in 2024. The plant will produce battery cells, battery packs like the kinds used in electric vehicles and large-scale energy storage systems.
Complaint Alleges ComEd Violated State Law by Raising Fees on Customer Bills
A group of businesses filed a complaint with state regulators alleging that Chicago electric company Commonwealth Edison improperly raised customer bills this summer. The complaint claims the utility failed to follow proper regulatory channels.
Illinois Leaders Announce Mental Health Awareness Grant Program for Farmers and Rural Communities
Governor J.B. Pritzker announced Tuesday that chapters of FFA – the group once known as Future Farmers of America – will be eligible for $1,000 grants to fund mental health awareness programs in schools and rural communities.
Illinois to Put $20 Million Toward Grants for Grocers, Research Into Food Insecurity
New law aims to alleviate ‘food deserts’ throughout the state
Gov. J.B. Pritzker on Friday signed a bill that sets up a program to distribute $20 million for grants and technical assistance for grocery stores as well as funding research into food insecurity.
Pritzker Vetoes Measure Granting Ameren Authority Over Transmission Line Construction
The governor issued what’s called an amendatory veto, striking only the portion of House Bill 3445. He left the rest of the bill, which modifies a state grant program and requires several policy studies, untouched.
Pritzker Vetoes Bill That Would Have Lifted 1980s Moratorium on New Nuclear Reactors in Illinois
The bill earned more votes than the three-fifths majority needed to override
The passed in May with three-fifths majorities in both legislative chambers, meaning that if all of the members that voted for it also support an override of the governor’s veto, it still could become law.
Residents, Activists Ask State Regulators to Reject Utilities’ Rate Increases
The Illinois Commerce Commission is considering several rate hikes, including two sought by the utilities Peoples Gas and Ameren Illinois, who say they are needed to fund infrastructure improvements.
Illinois Driver’s License Facilities to Require Appointments in More Than 40 Locations. Search for Yours.
Starting Sept. 1, 44 driver services facilities in medium- to large-sized cities around the state will require appointments for driver services.
Labor Unions Promise Not to Strike During Next Year’s Democratic National Convention in Chicago
Top Democratic officials on Tuesday signed a “labor peace agreement.” The deal means that the Democratic National Committee will use union labor when available and that the unions won’t strike during the four-day convention scheduled for next August.
Illinois Lawmakers Criticize Pritzker Administration’s Handling of Noncitizen Health Care Limits
The controversy centers on the Health Benefits for Immigrant Adults and Health Benefits for Immigrant Seniors programs, which provide health care benefits to low-income noncitizens who would qualify for Medicaid benefits if not for their citizenship status.
Doug Scott, an Architect of Illinois’ Climate Policy, Takes Gavel of State’s Utility Regulatory Commission
Doug Scott is the new chair of the Illinois Commerce Commission. The commission is currently considering six proposed rate increases by gas and electricity utilities serving residents in Chicago and throughout most of suburban and downstate Illinois.
Illinois Hotels Report Record Revenues for Fiscal Year 2023
On Monday, Gov. J.B. Pritzker, the state’s legislative leadership and representatives of the hospitality industry announced that hotels in Illinois saw record revenues in fiscal year 2023, which ended June 30.
Amtrak’s St. Louis-to-Chicago Route Begins Faster Service, Now Running at 110 MPH
The Amtrak line ran its first 110 mph service on Monday, up from 90 mph previously, which would make the one-way trip less than five hours long. The trip is now a full 30 minutes quicker than when the service ran at 79 mph when the project began in 2010.
Consumer Advocates, Utilities Spar Over Potential Energy Price Increases
‘Unprecedented’ number of rate cases pending before Illinois Commerce Commission
Millions of Illinoisans could see higher energy bills next year, but the size of those increases will be determined by a state agency that has recently had its oversight powers expanded.
Illinois Expands Use of Police Surveillance Drones
Next time you attend a parade, there might be an eye in the sky. A new law signed by Gov. J.B. Pritzker expands local police departments’ authority to use drones to surveil certain events, respond to certain 911 calls, inspect buildings and participate in public relations events.
