“Illinois taxpayers should be aware of what’s happening in the halls of power in Washington, D.C., because what happens has the ability to make the tax system worse and possibly force them to pay more for reckless spending in high-tax states,” said Joe Bishop-Henchman, Executive Vice President of National Taxpayers Union Foundation.
“Summer jobs offer young people valuable opportunities to gain experience and responsibility, but it’s essential that their safety and rights are protected,” said IDOL Director Jane Flanagan. “We urge employers and families to understand the requirements of the Child Labor Law so that minors can work in secure, lawful, and supportive environments.”
Illinois is currently the only U.S. state requiring seniors to pass a driving test solely due to age. If signed into law, HB 1226 would align Illinois more closely with other states’ renewal policies, while still maintaining safeguards for road safety through vision and written testing and medical reporting.
With just days remaining in the legislative session, Illinois lawmakers are scrambling to finalize a state budget under mounting financial pressures. The Governor’s Office of Management and Budget has reduced revenue projections by more than half a billion dollars for the upcoming fiscal year, adding to a complex mix of fiscal uncertainty and political tension. Lawmakers must approve a budget by May 31 with a simple majority; after that, a three-fifths vote is required.
lllinoisans are bracing for a significant hike in electric bills this summer as grid stress, rising demand, and legislative uncertainty converge. Beginning in June, the average residential customer in northern Illinois served by Commonwealth Edison (ComEd) will see an increase of about $10.60 per month, while downstate Ameren Illinois customers face steeper hikes of 18% to 22%.
Champaign-Urbana continues to ride a wave of economic strength as the area posted one of the lowest unemployment rates in the state for April 2025, according to the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics and Illinois Department of Employment Security.
A new measure aimed at reducing racial disparities in maternal health care is headed to Governor JB Pritzker’s desk after receiving final approval in the Illinois Senate this week.
The Illinois Department of Revenue (IDOR) has been honored with the 2025 Bell Seal for Workplace Mental Health, a national certification awarded by Mental Health America (MHA). The Bell Seal recognizes employers that meet high standards in fostering mentally healthy workplaces, and IDOR becomes the first state governmental agency in Illinois to receive this prestigious designation.
The Illinois Housing Development Authority (IHDA) has announced more than $50 million in conditional state and federal funding to support the development and rehabilitation of seven permanent supportive housing (PSH) projects throughout Illinois. This major investment will create 129 units of affordable housing with wraparound services tailored to individuals and families who are homeless, at risk of homelessness, living with disabilities, or transitioning from institutional care.
A state-funded health care program that provides coverage to more than 30,000 noncitizens in Illinois, including many without legal immigration status, is set to be eliminated on July 1 as part of Governor JB Pritzker’s proposed budget cuts.