Latest POLITICS News From The Illinois Newsroom Team
Urbana city and school officials hope to redevelop the site of a downtown school district building.
With Urbana School District 116 administrative headquarters moving elsewhere, the district wants to sell the property to the city, which would then tear it down and seek a commercial developer for the site.

Senate Democrats send budget to House, teeing it up for early Saturday morning vote
Measure came to vote after frenzied two days of closed-door negotiations.

Lawmakers OK bill to limit constitutional lawsuits to Cook, Sangamon County
Democrats accuse plaintiffs of ‘venue shopping’ in suits challenging COVID-19 orders, weapons ban.

Top Democrats announce budget ‘deal,’ but details are scant as last-minute negotiations continue
Gov. JB Pritzker and Democratic leaders announced Wednesday they’ve agreed to a framework for next year’s roughly $50 billion state spending plan, even as negotiations continued in the final stretch of lawmakers’ already-extended spring legislative session.

Statewide task force aims to decrease barriers for immigrants in Illinois
These are a few of the recommendations in a new report by the state’s Immigrant Impact Task Force, a group created by the General Assembly in 2021 to help immigrant communities.

Federal complaint charges Illinois man with attempted arson of Danville’s proposed abortion clinic
DANVILLE — A northern Illinois man accused of driving his car into a building proposed for use as an abortion clinic in Danville was scheduled

Supreme Court lets Illinois keep ban on sale of some semiautomatic guns for now
The high court denied an emergency request from people challenging the law, which bans so-called assault weapons. The law’s opponents had asked the court to put the law on hold while a court challenge continues.

Illinois lawmakers are requiring honesty from crisis pregnancy centers. Here’s what Urbana activists want to do.
CHAMPAIGN — When the Supreme Court overturned Roe v. Wade last summer, Kit Santa Ana, an organizer in Champaign-Urbana, said she was inspired to do something.

Florida Gov. DeSantis hints at a presidential run in his speech to Republicans in Peoria
Florida Gov. Ron DeSantis on Friday in Peoria teased at a presidential run he’s widely expected to announce later this month. Its a theme he’s honed in upon in recent appearances before friendly crowds. In a campaign-style speech at the Peoria and Tazewell County Republican Lincoln Day Dinner, DeSantis said it’s time for the Republican Party to look forward and offer what he calls a positive vision for the future, instead of nursing past grievances.

The Rantoul Village Board once again rejects a proposed cannabis growing facility.
Once again, the Rantoul Village Board has voted against allowing a cannabis business to open in their town. The village board rejected a proposal Tuesday night to allow applications to open a cannabis growing facility in Rantoul, with Mayor Chuck Smith breaking a 3-3 tie vote.

Illinois moves toward gender inclusivity as others move away
Illinois lawmakers passed a trio of bills that would update existing laws to be more gender inclusive and add protections for LGBTQ marriages. Gov. J.B. Pritzker has said he will sign them.

Danville’s new abortion restriction could trigger a legal showdown
The vote for abortion access restrictions in Danville was tied by city council 7 to 7. Mayor Rickey Williams, Jr. broke the tie by voting for restrictions.

House Republicans want cuts in exchange for raising the debt ceiling. How would that affect Illinois students with disabilities?
Over 75 percent of Illinois students with disabilities would see reduced supports, according to the US Department of Education.