Illinois State Politics
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With Bears in mind, Sanders bill would offer up sports teams to city before ‘billionaire owners’ try to move
Mar 27, 2026 6:28 pm - The Home Team Act would require the owner of a sports team to give a year’s notice of plans to relocate, giving the community a chance to buy the team at “fair market value."U.S. Rep. Greg Casar, D-Texas, called it a “keep-the-Bears-in-Chicago bill.”
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‘We’ve built a tremendous infrastructure’: Lake County Democrats chair won’t seek another termMar 27, 2026 11:58 am - Highland Park resident and former four-term state representative Lauren Beth Gash, credited as a force in flipping Lake County from red to blue, will not be seeking another term as Democratic Party chair.
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University funding overhaul bill advances in House despite U of I opposition
Mar 26, 2026 6:19 pm - A bill that would overhaul the way Illinois funds its public universities advanced out of a House committee Thursday and could face a vote by the full House soon, despite...
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Why a yearslong policy standoff could cost Illinois drivers at the pump again
Mar 26, 2026 1:55 pm - Midwestern governors, including Illinois’ JB Pritzker, are seeking a permanent solution to being able to use the ethanol blend E15 gasoline that’s cheaper but some say more polluting at a time when gasoline prices are rising. For three years, routine federal waivers temporarily lifted EPA restrictions that would otherwise bar retailers from selling E15 fuel during the summer months. But in 2025, that relief was delayed and gasoline retailers lost millions. The federal government announced this year’s waiver will take effect on May 1.
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Prescription drug price control bill passes first committee hurdle
Mar 25, 2026 6:58 pm - Legislation to establish a prescription drug affordability board has passed its first legislative hurdle despite a range of concerns from lawmakers on both sides of the aisle.
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Pritzker: Bears stadium deal should happen ‘sooner rather than later’Mar 24, 2026 6:24 pm - Gov. JB Pritzker said Tuesday that a deal to get a Bears stadium in Arlington Heights “needs to happen sooner rather than later,” but now it’s in the hands of the legislature.
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Insurance bill combining homeowners and auto regulation passes Illinois House, awaits Senate actionMar 24, 2026 3:15 pm - A bill giving the Illinois Department of Insurance authority to review and regulate premiums for both auto and homeowners insurance passed the House March 19 and now awaits Senate action. The bill would prohibit “excessive, inadequate, or unfairly discriminatory” premiums.
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Challenge to charters: State-run schools in Elgin, Grayslake vow to fight legislation that would cede control to local districtsMar 21, 2026 3:06 pm - Two bills that would transfer oversight of state-run charter schools to local school boards and emphasize accountability are making their way through the Illinois Senate and causing concern for two suburban charter schools that fought hard to exist.
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With $128 million at stake, state denies feds’ claims of illegally issuing commercial licensesMar 20, 2026 6:34 pm - The Illinois secretary of state’s office is pushing back at U.S. Department of Transportation allegations over who got commercial driver’s licenses.
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Why some voters opted out of Tuesday’s primaryMar 20, 2026 3:18 pm - Voter turnout Tuesday was greater than 2022’s midterm primary in suburban Cook, DuPage and Kane counties, but lower than four years ago in Lake, McHenry and Will counties.