Illinois State Politics
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22 — yes, 22 — candidates running for Durbin’s Senate seat; 7 seek GOP governor nominationNov 04, 2025 6:28 pm - A farmer, a sheriff and an electrician are among the candidates as the filing period for the March 17 primary ends.
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Pritzker discusses veto session toll hike, right-to-die legislationNov 03, 2025 6:23 pm - During a stop in the suburbs Monday, Gov. JB Pritzker discussed a proposed toll hike, right-to-die legislation and dropping an “F-bomb” in regards to President Donald Trump.
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What does the last-minute fix for transit budget gap mean and why the 45-cent toll hike?Nov 02, 2025 8:45 pm - “Great news for riders?” Or, a “tax increase primarily hitting suburbanites?” What to know about the recently approved transit plan and its 45-cent toll hike.
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Lawmakers OK sweeping energy reform package that governor pledges to sign
Nov 01, 2025 9:00 am - A closely-watched and long-debated piece of energy legislation is set to become law after passing through both legislative chambers with the governor’s endorsement.
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Latest Chicago transit funding plan appears to avoid statewide tax increases
Oct 30, 2025 9:53 pm - A new funding plan for public transportation surfaced Thursday evening without new taxes on entertainment or package deliveries that were part of previous plans.
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Noem suggests Chicago immigration blitz includes 5 other states, claims no U.S. citizens detained
Oct 30, 2025 7:37 pm - Homeland Security Secretary Kristi Noem traveled to northwest Indiana Thursday and indicated the immigration enforcement campaign that’s rocked the Chicago area actually extends to five other states, none of which have so-called sanctuary protections and two of which are led by Republicans.
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House passes energy bill amid debate over costs to consumers
Oct 30, 2025 3:26 pm - House lawmakers passed a sweeping energy reform bill along party lines Wednesday evening. The bill would create new incentives for energy storage, allow construction of new nuclear power plants and give regulators expanded authority over the state's electric grid. It now is in the Senate.
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A little-known legal loophole has scrambled state efforts to save transit agencies from financial disasterOct 29, 2025 5:17 pm - Looking for funding options to save the Chicago region’s transit systems from potentially crippling cuts, state lawmakers earlier this year considered what appeared to be a straightforward plan: tap an existing transportation tax and use the money for transportation. The proposal met with backlash from the suburbs because most of that money is not being used for transit at all.
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Lawmakers advance bill allowing public officials to conceal personal information
Oct 29, 2025 3:29 pm - The Illinois House on Tuesday approved legislation aimed at protecting public officials from threats and harassment by allowing them to shield certain information — such as home addresses — from public disclosure while sanctioning the use of campaign funds for personal security services.
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House Dems eye taxes on entertainment, billionaires’ investments to fund transit
Oct 29, 2025 11:36 am - Two key negotiators on public transit reform in the Illinois House filed a bill Tuesday to raise up to $2 billion by taxing entertainment and the unrealized investment gains of billionaires.