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Illinois State Politics

New taxes on sports bets, nicotine products as Democrats pass $55.2B budget

By Ben Szalinski and Jerry Nowicki
Jun 01, 2025 7:58 am - Giving almost no time for public review, Illinois Democrats pushed through a $55.2 billion budget for next fiscal year late Saturday, bolstering coffers with new taxes on sports bets, nicotine products and businesses.
Illinois bill aims to lower cost of prescriptions, rein in pharmacy benefit managers

By Peter Hancock
May 31, 2025 5:30 pm - A bill that seeks to control the rising cost of prescription drugs while also offering financial help for many small, independent pharmacies in Illinois cleared the General Assembly on Saturday and will soon be sent to Gov. JB Pritzker for his signature.
Three-point seat belts to be required on new school buses in Illinois

By Russell Lissau
May 31, 2025 12:40 pm - Newly purchased school buses in Illinois must have torso and lap safety belts for riders starting in July 2031.
Feds say Michael Madigan should get 12½ years in prison

By Jon Seidel
May 30, 2025 8:33 pm - In a blistering memo filed Friday night, federal prosecutors say former Illinois House Speaker Michael J. Madigan deserves a 12 ½-year prison sentence partly because, “wi...
‘A political time bomb’? RTA predicts service cuts as local leaders say state transit plan is ‘pickpocketing’ the suburbs

By Marni Pyke and Susan Sarkauskas
May 30, 2025 7:33 pm - Kane County leaders castigated revenue raisers in a Senate bill as harmful to the suburbs and “a political timebomb.” Senate Transportation Committee chair calls for “shared sacrifice.”
Pritzker to consider bill mandating gun owners lock up firearms near minors

By Jade Aubrey
May 29, 2025 7:06 pm - A bill that would require gun owners to keep any firearms in a locked box whenever a minor is present will soon head to Gov. JB Pritzker.
‘Huge opportunity’ or ‘stealing’ from suburbs? Senate debates funding plan to save transit

By Marni Pyke
May 29, 2025 7:01 pm - The General Assembly is considering bills to create a Northern Illinois Transit Authority with strong oversight of Metra, Pace and the CTA.
Senator tries last-ditch push to boost horse racing industry in Illinois

By SIMON CARR
May 29, 2025 5:33 pm - City officials from Decatur and Illinois horse racing advocates joined an effort this week by Sen. Patrick Joyce, an Essex Democrat, to push lawmakers to approve legislation intended to revive a long-stalled south suburban “racino” and open a path for a new racetrack and gaming facility in Decatur.
Pritzker threatens to veto any budget containing ‘broad-based’ tax increase

By Ben Szalinski
May 28, 2025 8:50 pm - Gov. JB Pritzker said Wednesday he will not sign a budget that includes broad tax hikes to fund new spending as lawmakers are in the final hours of budget negotiations.
Goodbye, RTA. Hello, NITA? Suburban lawmakers divided over new transit bill

By Marni Pyke
May 28, 2025 7:09 pm - Lawmakers propose creating the Northern Illinois Transportation Authority to govern transit agencies, integrate fares and boost security, but suburban Republicans are concerned about Chicago having undue influence.

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