Stories by Ben Szalinski — Capitol News Illinois

Party leaders say Republicans need to balance campaigning on ethics problems with addressing voters’ concerns about affordability.

Though hundreds of Republican candidates will appear on the ballot in Illinois in November, the state’s Democrats are focused on a common opponent: President Donald Trump.

The legislation was passed in response to significant flooding on the Southwest Side of Chicago last summer. The federal government denied Illinois’ request for disaster assistance following the event, leaving many homeowners short on financial resources.

Illinois lawmakers on Thursday began investigating alleged misconduct by Rep. Carol Ammons, D-Urbana, that was outlined in a federal indictment.

Illinois House Speaker Emanuel “Chris” Welch is apologizing for his interactions with a former staff member who brought a sexual harassment complaint against ex-Rep. Harry Benton to his office.

The state sales tax will be reduced from 6.25% to 1.25% from Aug. 7-16, 2026, and local sales taxes will still apply. School supplies, as well as clothing and shoes under $125, are eligible for the lower tax rate.

Most Illinois retailers will be required to accept cash payments beginning in 2028 under a bill Gov. JB Pritzker signed on Friday.

Gov. JB Pritzker signed sweeping regulations Friday aimed at social media companies and cracking down on “addictive algorithms” that keep kids glued to their screens.

The longstanding program provides airlines financial assistance to operate routes to smaller communities that would not have air service because it wouldn’t be profitable for the airlines.

Rep. Carol Ammons was charged Wednesday with 10 felonies for her role in a scheme prosecutors say was designed to enrich herself and her daughter using campaign funds and state grants.

One House Democrat was indicted this week and another resigned amid an ethics investigation last week. House Speaker Emanuel “Chris” Welch kicked both members out of caucus and stripped them of leadership positions.

A wide-ranging new state law on hemp and other cannabis regulations was “long overdue,” Gov. JB Pritzker said Thursday at an event in Chicago to celebrate the new law he signed last month.

Republican Darren Bailey’s campaign for governor is embracing images made with artificial intelligence in social media posts. Gov. JB Pritzker’s campaign manager said the governor’s campaign has a policy against using AI in public-facing content.

July 1 marks a second New Year’s Day in Illinois as a new budget takes effect along with more than a dozen new state laws.

Gov. JB Pritzker signed the eighth budget of his tenure on Tuesday as he and Illinois Democrats gear up for an election-year battle centered around affordability.

The budget totals $55.9 billion, supported by a similar amount of revenue. The spending plan included an $830 million supplemental current-year spending plan, meaning the upcoming fiscal year 2027 budget is essentially flat.

Senate Bill 3336 would establish regulations on “micromobility” transportation such as e-bikes and e-scooters that include age requirements, speed limits and rules on where they can be operated.

Rising unemployment could limit growth in personal income taxes while rising prices are making consumers more cautious, which could lead to lower sales tax collections.

The bill filed by Sen. Steve McClure, R-Springfield, was in response to an incident in Taylorville where a girl was sexually assaulted by an older, male student on the bus.

Republicans are calling for changes to the law to make it easier to detain someone before trial. Gov. JB Pritzker blamed the judge in the case for deciding to release the man now accused of the murder despite a history of violent crimes.

After three years on the legislative backburner, the Illinois House approved a major economic development bill that would clear the path for the Chicago Bears to build a new domed stadium in Arlington Heights.

The Republican nominee for governor said he’s moved into an apartment on Chicago’s near South Side that will serve as a sort of “headquarters” for his Chicago-area campaign operation.

Illinois lawmakers are fed up with the state Department of Corrections after another audit found it has ignored state spending rules and failed to fix many mistakes that have languished for years.

Illinois lawmakers are considering a bill that could allow drivers with suspended licenses to continue driving with a speed control device in their car. The device would limit the car’s speed to the road’s stated speed limit.

JB Pritzker’s budget proposal calls for reducing the amount of revenue from income taxes that goes to local governments, therefore keeping funding for the Local Government Distributive Fund flat in fiscal year 2027.

“No, I have never, had never met Jeffrey Epstein,” Gov. JB Pritzker said Tuesday. “I was never on Jeffrey Epstein's plane. I was never on any plane with Jeffrey Epstein or with Ghislaine Maxwell. Never met her.”