Articles filed under Capitol News Illinois
-
Energy demand in ComEd territory could double by 2040, in part driven by data centersApr 17, 2026 3:44 pm - A House committee got an overview this week of how data centers are driving up energy demand and threatening potential shortfalls in the second of three planned hearings on the matter.The fundamental issue is that data centers have created a sudden and massive spike in demand for electricity, and Illinois doesn’t yet have the supply to accommodate it.
-
Will this be the year the state legislature approves a cellphone ban in schools?Apr 17, 2026 11:21 am - Illinois is one of only eight states that have no statewide restrictions on the use of cellphones in public schools. That could change this spring.
-
Device that helps make space travel possible named ‘Coolest Thing Made in Illinois’Apr 16, 2026 3:07 pm - Chemring Energetic Devices, a Downers Grove-based company that engineers and manufactures devices for NASA, won the title of Coolest Thing Made in Illinois as part of the annual Makers Madness competition held by the Illinois Manufacturers’ Association. The devices, NASA Standard Initiators, have been used in space flight going back to the 1970s and are crucial to maneuvering, separation and staging. The NSIs triumphed over a field of more than 100 entries and after nearly 167,000 votes were cast.
-
Bailey moves into Chicago apartment as GOP candidate courts city, suburban votesApr 15, 2026 3:45 pm - Darren Bailey isn’t just trying to win over voters — he wants this year’s campaign to be an impressive experience for Chicago residents.
-
Illinois climate law meant to aid nuclear plants now cutting electric bills insteadApr 13, 2026 6:10 pm - A law originally enacted to keep the state’s nuclear fleet profitable is instead giving relief to energy customers due to rising power costs and increased federal subsidi...
-
After Trump’s EPA reverses landmark climate change ruling, what does it mean for Illinois?Apr 12, 2026 8:45 pm - Illinois government and environmental organizations fear new federal policy changes could change the calculus for plant operators and potentially slow planned plant closures. On Feb. 12, the Trump administration announced the repeal of the “endangerment finding,” which provides the backbone for federal government environmental regulations on greenhouse gas emissions.
-
Illinois House approves ban on junk fees, Pritzker’s abortion fund proposalApr 12, 2026 11:49 am - For the second time in three years, the Illinois House voted to ban hidden “junk fees” that are often added to the total cost of ticketed events, hotel rooms and other goods and services. The legislation, sponsored by Rep. Bob Morgan, a Democrat from Deerfield, passed 77-18. It was among more than 80 bills the House approved Thursday afternoon.
-
Illinois farmers ease critical labor shortages through this agricultural visa programApr 11, 2026 2:12 pm - A lack of domestic workforce participation in agriculture pushes Illinois farmers to employ foreign workers through the temporary H-2A non-immigrant visa program. Illinois’ employment of farmers through the visa program has grown rapidly, filling 4,488 positions in 2025.
-
License suspension or speed control? Lawmakers explore alternative for reckless driversApr 08, 2026 6:00 pm - Illinois drivers who have their license suspended for speeding or reckless driving violations could have an alternative under legislation being considered in the Statehouse.
-
Waymo begins testing in Chicago as bill seeks to legalize autonomous vehiclesApr 07, 2026 12:43 pm - Autonomous vehicles, known as AVs, currently are being tested on the streets of Chicago. A bill in the legislature would eventually allow such driverless vehicles to operate in Illinois counties that have more than 1 million residents, plus Sangamon and three downstate jurisdictions. They could replace rideshare and taxi drivers.