Latest News Stories
Illinois Quick Hits: Judge rules Cook County misspent $243M
By Jim Talamonti | The Center SquareThe Center Square (The Center Square) – A circuit court judge has ruled that Cook County spent $243 million in violation of the Illinois...
U.S. power grid holds up in cold; warning issued
By Alton WallaceThe Center Square The electric grid powering much of the U.S. through a harsh stretch of winter has largely held up, but there is an increasing risk of...
Everyday Economics: The economy expands, but massive transformation masks weakness
By Orphe DivounguyThe Center Square The Atlanta Fed’s GDPNow model is tracking 4.2% real GDP growth in Q4 2025 – a number that screams “strong economy,” powered in part by...
Nationwide redistricting efforts could impact control of Congress
By Andrew RiceThe Center Square As the 2026 midterm elections approach, state legislatures have grappled with fierce mid-decade redistricting efforts in an attempt to give an advantage to their political...
Marijuana, abortion, noncitizen voting on ballots in 2026
By Andrew RiceThe Center Square Alongside a battle for control of Congress, voters in states across the country will take up ballot initiatives to decide key issues. Citizenship requirements for...
Casey-Westfield Board Accepts Clean Audit, Notes Dip in Financial Profile Score due to Bonds
Casey-Westfield Board of Education Meeting | Jan. 26, 2026 Article Summary: The Casey-Westfield School Board reviewed the fiscal year 2024 annual financial report, which showed a clean audit with no...
Chicago FOP boss: Mayor’s ICE on Notice order is ‘piece of toilet paper’
By Jim Talamonti | The Center SquareThe Center Square (The Center Square) – Chicago Mayor Brandon Johnson has signed an executive order directing members of the city’s police department to...
WATCH: Supreme Court case could add to $10.8B midterm spending projection
By Andrew RiceThe Center Square The U.S. Supreme Court could issue a decision by July that could unleash billions more dollars into political campaigns ahead of the 2026 midterm elections....
Lawmaker, officer: ‘Blue Envelope” could help navigate autism during stops
By Catrina Barker | The Center Square contributorThe Center Square (The Center Square) – An Illinois lawmaker who also serves in law enforcement says proposed legislation creating a “Blue Envelope”...
Senate GOP fails to halt welfare funding for non-citizens
By Sarah Roderick-FitchThe Center Square U.S. Senate Republicans failed to halt over $5 billion in funding for refugees, with 20 GOP senators joining every Senate Democrat to continue providing costly...
Senate passes funding deal, sends to House for final approval
By Thérèse BoudreauxThe Center Square The U.S. Senate sent a $1.2 trillion government funding package back to the House for approval Friday night, ensuring a partial government shutdown over the...
California group opposes property tax hike, billionaires’ tax
By Madeline ShannonThe Center Square Officials with the Howard Jarvis Taxpayers Association are concerned about efforts to raise property taxes on California’s homeowners, a representative of the organization told The...
Illinois quick hits: New Illinois Supreme Court justice installed
By Jim Talamonti | The Center SquareThe Center Square New Illinois Supreme Court justice installed The newest member of the Illinois Supreme Court has been installed. Former appellate court justice...