Articles filed under Capitol News Illinois
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Thousands more Illinoisans with disabilities now have access to savings accountsMar 12, 2026 3:51 pm - The age of eligibility for ABLE accounts was expanded in January 2026, meaning people who acquired their disabilities before they turned 46 can now open accounts. These accounts allow people with disabilities to save and invest money without risking their federal benefits.
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Illinois Supreme Court weighs challenge to state gun restrictionMar 10, 2026 6:20 pm - The Illinois Supreme Court began weighing arguments Tuesday in a case that challenges the state’s ability to prohibit people with nonviolent felony convictions from possessing a firearm.
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How Illinois lawmakers want to protect waterways in wake of federal threatMar 10, 2026 1:13 pm - As the Trump administration moves to slash federal protections for waterways and wetlands, Illinois Democratic lawmakers and environmental advocates are racing to finally pass a measure that would enact state safeguards.
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‘I didn’t believe it’: Illinois, Cook County wipe out $2B in medical debt for pennies on dollarMar 07, 2026 1:00 pm - Illinois and Cook County have erased more than $2 billion in medical debt combined for over a million residents through a partnership with a nonprofit that buys medical debt for pennies on the dollar. The partnership allows debt to be written off for pennies on the dollar.
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28 Illinois schools receive state Blue Ribbon Schools awardMar 05, 2026 2:49 pm - Illinois honored 28 schools — including 11 suburban public and private schools — with Blue Ribbon Schools awards at an event at the Governor’s Mansion. Gov. JB Pritzker established the statewide award program after President Donald Trump’s administration abolished the national equivalent. At the event, 15 public and 13 private K-12 schools received awards for academic excellence.
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Bill expanding access to discounted drugs awaits Illinois House actionMar 05, 2026 1:52 pm - The 340B drug program requires manufacturers to provide steep discounts for certain medications to safety net clinics, Federally Qualified Health Centers and other health care providers that serve low-income and uninsured patients. Legislation to prevent manufacturers from restricting access to those drugs awaits final action in the House.
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Former DOJ attorneys intervene in lawsuit seeking sensitive Illinois voter registration dataMar 04, 2026 6:36 pm - Eighteen former U.S. Department of Justice attorneys filed a brief in federal court this week opposing the Trump administration’s lawsuit that seeks access to sensitive p...
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Illinois lawmakers call for governor-appointed Epstein commissionMar 02, 2026 6:48 pm - State lawmakers are calling for an independent commission to investigate Illinois-linked crimes connected to international sex trafficker Jeffrey Epstein.
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Amid partial DHS shutdown, Illinois remains on edge over ICE coming backMar 01, 2026 10:30 am - Even with the Department of Homeland Security partially shut down and aggressive immigration campaigns apparently on hold, state and Chicago leaders are looking for ways to ensure safer policing, accountability and transparency in immigration enforcement.
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Even amid partial DHS shutdown, Illinois remains on edge over ICE coming backFeb 28, 2026 5:22 pm - Illinois and Chicago leaders are considering their legislative options while remaining on guard for another round of immigration raids, even as the Department of Homeland Security partially shuts down. A new bill introduced to the Illinois Senate would prohibit law enforcement agencies in Illinois from hiring individuals who serve as federal immigration officers for the U.S. Department of Immigration and Customs between Jan. 20, 2025 and Jan 20, 2029.