Illinois lawmakers reach a deal on assault weapons ban

The legislation, which needs final Illinois House approval, would ban the sale, manufacture and delivery of assault rifles like the one used to kill seven people in Highland Park.
From free college to universal preschool, Gov. JB Pritzker pledges a second-term ‘agenda as ambitious and bold as our people are’

Pritzker also vowed to “fight against a rising tide of hate,” protect women’s reproductive rights and finally get the assault weapons ban passed.
GOP party leaders pick Tom Bennett to fill Barickman’s Illinois Senate seat

State Rep. Tom Bennett of Gibson City was chosen Saturday by local Republican party chairs to fill the state Senate vancy in the 53rd District that was created by the resignation of Jason Barickman.
Broadband map holds the key to how much federal funding states will get to expand internet service

States, local governments and internet providers have until Friday, Jan. 13 to challenge the Federal Communications Commission’s National Broadband Map.
Former Speaker Michael Madigan’s racketeering trial set for April 2024

Madigan is accused of leading a “criminal enterprise” for nearly a decade designed to enhance his political power and generate income for his allies and associates.
Freshman lawmaker Nikki Budzinski begins work representing Illinois’ 13th Congressional District.

Nikki Budzinski is starting her first term in Congress as a member of the minority party. But, despite that, and despite qualms about expected changes to House rules, the Springfield Democrat says she still hopes to work with Republicans on legislation that helps working people.
Watch Live: 2023 Inauguration of Top Illinois Leaders

On January 9, 2023, Governor JB Pritzker and 6 other leaders were sworn-in in Springfield.
No. 3 Ohio State avoids upset scare, downs Illinois 87-81

COLUMBUS, Ohio (AP) — Taylor Mikesell scored a game-high 31 points as No. 3 Ohio State erased a halftime deficit and avoided an upset with an 87-81 win over Illinois Sunday. Trailing by as many as 17 points in the second half, a 13-0 run in the third quarter helped the Buckeyes (17-0, 6-0 Big […]
When rural hospitals close, access to critical care is put in jeopardy

MEXICO, Mo. — A half-dozen Gouldian finches greet patients with their chirps from a cage in the waiting room of the Boone Health Primary Care clinic in Mexico, Missouri. The birds belong to Dr. Peggy Barjenbruch who, alongside Dr. Michael Quinlan, has served the Mexico community for decades. https://cpa.ds.npr.org/s4780019/audio/2022/12/ruralhospitalaccess-feature-se-web.mp3 Listen to this story here. That […]
217 Today: Rural hospital closures hinder access to critical care

Monday, January 9, 2023 Today’s headlines: Paul Faraci will be the next senator in Illinois’ 52nd District. Nikki Budzinski is starting her first term in Congress as a member of the minority party, but she said she still hopes to work with Republicans on legislation that helps working people. Illinois state senators passed a measure […]