Articles filed under Capitol News Illinois
-
Glock ban, prescription drug board among measures that stall in final daysJun 06, 2026 2:49 pm - Many key bills discussed in the General Assembly this year failed to move forward before lawmakers adjourned on June 1. Bills banning Glocks, creating a prescription drug board and regulating algorithmic pricing advanced in the final days of session, but not to the governor’s desk. A sweeping election reform bill was also filed but didn’t get called for a vote. The measures are expected to be discussed throughout the summer and could advance during the fall veto session or possible January lame-duck session.
-
Pritzker to suspend tax breaks for data centers, urging more discussionJun 05, 2026 7:47 pm - Gov. JB Pritzker announced on Friday that he is directing the Illinois Department of Commerce and Economic Opportunity to halt tax incentives for data centers starting on July 1. The incentives have been in place as part of bipartisan legislation signed by Pritzker in 2019. Pritzker called on lawmakers to pass comprehensive reforms in the veto session after they failed to pass a massive reform on data centers before the end of the legislative session last week.
-
Illinois treasurer’s gift to Pope Leo? $8.65 of pontiff’s own moneyJun 05, 2026 5:49 pm - Vatican City’s been a popular spot for Illinois dignitaries since Chicago native Robert Prevost ascended to the papacy last year.Leaders from Chicago Mayor Brandon Johnson to lawmakers to Gov. JB Pritzker have come bearing gifts for Prevost, now known as Pope Leo XIV — a Chicago-brewed “Da Pope” beer, city-sourced giardiniera, an Illini No. 14 jersey, Chicago White Sox gear and more.
-
State lawmakers pass bill limiting social media feeds for childrenJun 03, 2026 5:37 pm - Lawmakers on the final day of the General Assembly passed a bill to regulate how minors interact with social media and other online platforms.
-
Illinois’ ‘swipe fee’ law on the brink after another delay, adverse court rulingJun 02, 2026 6:14 pm - An Illinois law banning “swipe fees” on taxes and tips — already delayed twice by lawmakers — appears to be on life support after a federal judge that once permitted it issued a permanent injunction against the measure this week.
-
Rideshare drivers could unionize in Illinois under bill passed by General AssemblyJun 02, 2026 11:37 am - The General Assembly passed a bill early Monday that would give rideshare drivers the right to form a union. Drivers for companies like Uber and Lyft could elect union representatives and perform union activities, like collective bargaining. Drivers say a union is necessary because of low wages, and limited opportunities to appeal deactivations, or to have a say in setting rules.
-
Schools to get funding increase, but less than some had urgedJun 01, 2026 2:26 pm - Illinois lawmakers passed a budget Monday morning that includes a full $350 million increase in Evidence-Based Funding for public schools, money earmarked specifically for the neediest school districts in the state.
-
Session ends with $56 billion state budget, new taxes on social media companies, crypto, fantasy sportsJun 01, 2026 9:56 am - Illinois lawmakers approved the state budget early Monday morning after slogging through the night, enacting new taxes on businesses and authorizing less spending than what Gov. JB Pritzker proposed in February.
-
Details of $55.9B state budget take shape with just hours left in sessionMay 31, 2026 3:26 pm - The Illinois Senate filed a more than 3,500-page spending plan late Saturday night but how it will be paid for has not been made public. The plan filed as an amendment to...
-
POWER Act data center regulation won’t move forward this springMay 31, 2026 7:36 am - Conversations about the POWER Act, a multifaceted data center regulation bill, are not over yet, but the bill won’t ready in time for the General Assembly’s Sunday deadline.