October 1, 2025/

Illinois quick hits: Durbin declines award; nearly $1B in sports betting revenue

Spread the love

By Jim Talamonti | The Center Square
The Center Square

Durbin declines award

Illinois U.S. Sen. Dick Durbin has decided not to receive an award from the Archdiocese of Chicago for his contributions in the areas of immigration, care of the poor and world peace.

Diocese of Springfield Bishop Thomas Paprocki and others criticized the planned award, noting that Durbin has a long record of supporting legal abortion.

Chicago Cardinal Blase Cupich said he was saddened by the news but respected Durbin’s decision.

Nearly $1B in sports betting revenue

An investment guidance organization has found that Illinois is second only to New York in collecting taxes on sports betting.

A study by The Motley Fool revealed that Illinois has taken in $958,470,529 since sports wagers were legalized in 2018.

Overall, states have collected $9.3 billion in taxes on sports betting.

Kennedy Expressway lanes reopening

The Illinois Department of Transportation has announced that a major construction project which started in 2023 is nearing completion on Chicago’s Kennedy Expressway.

IDOT said the entire outbound stretch will be reopened by 4:00 a.m.

Sunday, Oct. 4. The rehab work lengthened travel times and caused massive congestion on the city’s North Side.

The project used $169 million in state taxpayer funds.

Leave a Comment





Latest News Stories

VGBB-JuliaEckertyBringsBallUpTheCourt

Lady Warriors shake off slow start to beat Chrisman

Feature photo caption: Julia Eckerty brings the ball up the court to set the offense against the Chrisman Lady Cardinals. Eckerty acted as the floor general for the Purple and...
September jobs report adds 119,000, steady unemployment

September jobs report adds 119,000, steady unemployment

By Andrew RiceThe Center Square The delayed release of a September report on the labor market appeared to defy expectations. The report showed employers added 119,000 jobs in September, a...
Indicted Florida congresswoman leaves committee leadership post

Indicted Florida congresswoman leaves committee leadership post

By Merrilee GasserThe Center Square U.S. Rep. Sheila Cherfilus-McCormick of Florida, indicted on charges of stealing $5 million in federal disaster funds and using some of it for her campaign,...
Existing home sales up 1.2% in October

Existing home sales up 1.2% in October

By Brett RowlandThe Center Square Sales of existing homes climbed 1.2% in October, according to a report released Thursday by the National Association of Realtors. The 1.2% increase in existing-home...
Chip Roy calls for full pause on all U.S. immigration

Chip Roy calls for full pause on all U.S. immigration

By Andrew RiceThe Center Square U.S. Rep. Chip Roy, R-Texas, is proposing a freeze to legal immigration admissions and visa issuances until the federal government addresses changes to the immigration...
Prosecutors defend indictment in Comey case after defense questions

Prosecutors defend indictment in Comey case after defense questions

By Brett RowlandThe Center Square Prosecutors defended how they presented the criminal case against former FBI boss James Comey to a grand jury after defense attorneys said the indictment failed...
IL Rep on congressmen trading: 'We're not going to take a pile of money to hell'

IL Rep on congressmen trading: ‘We’re not going to take a pile of money to hell’

By Jim TalamontiThe Center Square An Illinois congresswoman says the public is right to be alarmed about elected officials enriching themselves through insider trading. The U.S. House Administration Committee held...
House axes provision letting senators sue over data surveillance

House axes provision letting senators sue over data surveillance

By Thérèse BoudreauxThe Center Square The U.S. House has repealed a section in the recently-passed government funding bill that would have allowed individual senators to sue the federal government for...
DoEd’s six new agency partnerships will give parents freedom, break up bureaucracy

DoEd’s six new agency partnerships will give parents freedom, break up bureaucracy

By Tate MillerThe Center Square An education organization is applauding the U.S. Department of Education’s six new agency partnerships announced this week, stating that parents will have more control over...
Illinois quick hits: Officer shot report numbers down; Thanksgiving meal costs down

Illinois quick hits: Officer shot report numbers down; Thanksgiving meal costs down

By Jim Talamonti | The Center SquareThe Center Square Officer shot report numbers down The National Fraternal Order of Police reports, through Oct. 31, 285 police officers have been shot...
WATCH: Chicago activist testifies; Quinn’s millionaire surcharge; High SNAP error rate

WATCH: Chicago activist testifies; Quinn’s millionaire surcharge; High SNAP error rate

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 highlights from...
Farm Bureau says Thanksgiving prices down, but not enough

Farm Bureau says Thanksgiving prices down, but not enough

By Brett RowlandThe Center Square The cost of a Thanksgiving meal is down 5% this year, but Americans still feel strained by high food prices, according to the American Farm...
GE Appliances announces $150 million partnerships

GE Appliances announces $150 million partnerships

By Andrew RiceThe Center Square GE Appliances announced Thursday it is investing more than $150 million into contracts for suppliers in the United States, contributing toward a new laundry manufacturing...
lake land college.3

Lake Land College Board Approves Three-Year Aetna Contract, Faces 15.34% Medical Premium Hike

Lake Land College Board of Trustees Meeting | October 13, 2025 Article Summary: The Lake Land College Board of Trustees on Monday, October 13, 2025, approved a three-year renewal with Aetna...
Trump signs bill to release Epstein files

Trump signs bill to release Epstein files

By Brett RowlandThe Center Square President Donald Trump signed a bill late Wednesday to release federal files related to former financier and convicted sex offender Jeffrey Epstein. After fighting the...