August 21, 2025/

Illinois quick hits: Anti-SLAPP bill signed; Chicago schools settles meditation case

Spread the love

By Jim Talamonti | The Center Square
The Center Square

Anti-SLAPP bill signed

Gov. J.B. Pritzker has signed legislation to protect news media from strategic lawsuits against public participation (SLAPP).

The governor said Senate Bill 1181 will ensure that the press won’t have to fear retaliation for telling the truth.

The measure takes effect immediately.

Chicago schools settles meditation case

A court-approved settlement of over $2.6 million is now being paid to 207 former Chicago Public School high school students who were required to participate in a transcendental meditation program during class.

Plaintiffs’ attorneys say the students’ rights were disregarded by the Chicago Board of Education, and students were coerced to practice a worldview that was in conflict with their faith.

Du Quoin State Fair begins

Friday is Day One and Family Night at the Du Quoin State Fair.

Now in its 102nd year, the fair features music, livestock shows, auto and harness racing, rodeos and agricultural exhibits.

The Du Quoin State Fair runs from Aug. 22 through Sept. 1.

Leave a Comment





Latest News Stories

WATCH: Illinois transit agencies face ‘trust cliff’ along with fiscal cliff

By Jim Talamonti | The Center SquareThe Center Square (The Center Square) – State lawmakers are questioning transit agency leaders over their revised fiscal cliff numbers and spending of operational...
Illinois quick hits: Stallantis to invest in four states; DHS: Bounties put on ICE

Illinois quick hits: Stallantis to invest in four states; DHS: Bounties put on ICE

By Jim Talamonti | The Center SquareThe Center Square Stallantis to invest in four states Stellantis has announced plans to expand its U.S. production by 50% with investments in Illinois,...
WATCH: DHS: cartel placing bounties on agents; prison mail scanned; House floor politics

WATCH: DHS: cartel placing bounties on agents; prison mail scanned; House floor politics

By Greg Bishop | The Center SquareThe Center Square (The Center Square) – In today's edition of Illinois in Focus Daily, The Center Square Editor Greg Bishop shares the latest...
Competition ‘evisceration’: SCOTUS asked to forever end Realtors’ ‘optional’ rules

Competition ‘evisceration’: SCOTUS asked to forever end Realtors’ ‘optional’ rules

By Jonathan Bilyk | Legal NewslineThe Center Square Amid a series of changes in the home selling business that have been called nothing short of seismic, the country's largest real...
Investigation: California brush clearance stalling 9 months after January fires

Investigation: California brush clearance stalling 9 months after January fires

By Kenneth SchruppThe Center Square California’s brush clearance efforts are stalling nine months after the devastating January fires that destroyed vast swathes of Los Angeles County, state data shows. Only...
Trump approval rating at 48% in October, poll finds

Trump approval rating at 48% in October, poll finds

By Thérèse BoudreauxThe Center Square A new poll shows that President Donald Trump’s approval rating reached 48% in October, a number mostly bolstered by Republicans. The Center Square Voters' Voice...
Millions of dollars spent on redistricting commercials

Millions of dollars spent on redistricting commercials

By Madeline ShannonThe Center Square As the California special election heats up in the weeks leading to voters saying yay or nay on Gov. Gavin Newsom’s congressional redistricting effort, big...
WATCH: Trump posthumously honors Charlie Kirk with Presidential Medal of Freedom

WATCH: Trump posthumously honors Charlie Kirk with Presidential Medal of Freedom

By Sarah Roderick-FitchThe Center Square The Presidential Medal of Freedom, the highest civilian honor, was awarded posthumously to Charlie Kirk on what would’ve been his 32nd birthday Tuesday. President Donald...
Southwest falls short on list of great cities to drive

Southwest falls short on list of great cities to drive

By Dave MasonThe Center Square There’s no place safer to drive in the U.S. than Corpus Christi, Texas. That’s according to a WalletHub study, which puts five Texan cities in...
Govt shutdown predicted to drag on after funding bill fails for 8th time in Senate

Govt shutdown predicted to drag on after funding bill fails for 8th time in Senate

By Thérèse BoudreauxThe Center Square It’s been two weeks since the federal government shut down, and lawmakers are no closer to reaching a deal after U.S. Senate Democrats voted down...
Supreme Court rejects bid to overturn H-1B visa rule

Supreme Court rejects bid to overturn H-1B visa rule

By Andrew RiceThe Center Square The U.S. Supreme Court on Tuesday declined to hear a case challenging a rule that allows spouses of H-1B workers to work in the United...
Johnson tells Democrats to 'bring it' over pay for U.S. troops

Johnson tells Democrats to ‘bring it’ over pay for U.S. troops

By Brett RowlandThe Center Square President Donald Trump's weekend move to pay U.S. troops during a partial government shutdown raised legal questions, but it also relieved pressure on Republicans as...

WATCH: Pritzker vows to continue battling Trump over ‘abuses’ around public safety

By Greg Bishop | The Center SquareThe Center Square (The Center Square) – The war of words continues between President Donald Trump and Illinois Gov. J.B. Pritzker over public safety...
Lawmakers, advocates discuss battery storage, consumer costs in energy bill

Lawmakers, advocates discuss battery storage, consumer costs in energy bill

By Jim Talamonti | The Center SquareThe Center Square (The Center Square) – An Illinois state lawmaker is pushing battery storage legislation, but not all of her Democratic colleagues are...
Houston-based company makes LNG history in Alaska

Houston-based company makes LNG history in Alaska

By Bethany BlankleyThe Center Square Texas-based companies continue to lead the U.S. in oil and natural gas production – including in Alaska. A Houston-based company has helped make history by...