Articles filed under Capitol News Illinois
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State lawmakers pass bill expanding use of license plate readersJun 09, 2025 8:11 pm - A bill passed in this year’s legislative session would allow Illinois State Police to use images obtained from automatic license plate readers in cases involving human tr...
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Jun 07, 2025 4:00 am - Illinois Gov. JB Pritzker got some higher education funding wins like more financial aid, this legislative session but key initiatives failed, including community college bachelor's degrees and an evidence-based university funding formula.
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Amid court battle, lawmakers delay ban on ‘swipe fees’Jun 06, 2025 10:18 am - Illinois lawmakers have decided to delay a ban on “swipe fees” for another year as bankers are locked in a court battle with the state over the ban.
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As data centers drive electricity costs higher, energy sector reform fails in SpringfieldJun 04, 2025 6:18 pm - An ambitious Illinois energy reform bill stalled as lawmakers couldn't reach consensus, leaving climate and cost issues unresolved. The bill sought clean energy incentives, higher data center fees, and nuclear power support.
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Bill to repeal licensure requirements for hair braiders stalls in the House. Here’s why.Jun 04, 2025 8:55 am - A bill that would have repealed licensing requirements for hair braiders in Illinois died in the final stretch of the legislative session after opponents voiced concerns about how deregulation could impact health, safety and equity for the profession.
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New taxes on sports bets, nicotine products as Democrats pass $55.2B budgetJun 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.
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Illinois bill aims to lower cost of prescriptions, rein in pharmacy benefit managersMay 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.
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‘We are at the mercy of child care’: Why does Illinois’ largest subsidy exclude thousands?May 31, 2025 4:00 am - The high cost of child care causes financial strain for Illinois families across income levels, limiting economic mobility, while low subsidies lead providers to shut down.
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General Assembly passes bills aimed at helping mothersMay 31, 2025 4:00 am - Illinois passes bills allowing midwives to assist with home births and requiring employers to provide paid break time for mothers to pump breast milk at work.
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Senate passes bill requiring Illinois libraries to supply opioid overdose medicationMay 31, 2025 4:00 am - A proposed Illinois law sparked by high school student would have public libraries store naloxone to counter opioid ODs and train staff to give it.