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

Economists say Trump's tariff play could boost trade deficits

Economists say Trump’s tariff play could boost trade deficits

By Brett RowlandThe Center Square Economists told the U.S. Supreme Court that President Donald Trump's plan to reduce U.S. trade deficits will backfire, exacerbating the underlying issue the president used...
Amnesty International condemns U.S. strikes on suspected drug boats

Amnesty International condemns U.S. strikes on suspected drug boats

By Brett RowlandThe Center Square Amnesty International, a human rights organization, condemned U.S. military strikes on suspected drug boats in the Caribbean and eastern Pacific that have killed 57 people...
‘Astonishingly reckless:’ IL Dems intro tax on ‘unrealized gains’ to fund transit

‘Astonishingly reckless:’ IL Dems intro tax on ‘unrealized gains’ to fund transit

By Jonathan Bilyk | Legal NewslineThe Center Square With just two days remaining in the Illinois legislative fall veto session, Illinois Democratic state lawmakers have introduced new legislation, ostensibly designed...
Federal Reserve cuts key interest rate for second time this year

Federal Reserve cuts key interest rate for second time this year

By Brett RowlandThe Center Square The Federal Reserve cut interest rates by a quarter-point on Wednesday for the second time this year, not nearly as much as President Donald Trump...
Immigrants grow Michigan's population, advocates say

Immigrants grow Michigan’s population, advocates say

By Andrew RiceThe Center Square Detroit’s population grew for the second year in a row after years of steady decline, according to census data. Advocacy groups attribute much of the...
WATCH: Trump says he can't run for third term after months of conjecture

WATCH: Trump says he can’t run for third term after months of conjecture

By Brett RowlandThe Center Square President Donald Trump said on Wednesday that he's disappointed he can't seek another term as president after months of speculation that he might try to...
Senate votes to approve 'Bat Week'; no vote to end shutdown

Senate votes to approve ‘Bat Week’; no vote to end shutdown

By Thérèse BoudreauxThe Center Square U.S. senators have remained locked in a government shutdown fight for nearly a month, but unanimously agreed Wednesday to designate Oct. 24 to Oct. 31,...
Kaitlyn McKinney runs for the Lady Warriors at the regional meet. McKinney’s time of 23:33.0 was a key part of the team's seventh-place finish, which secured a berth in the Sectional. —photo by Terri Cox

Lady Warriors XC Team Advances to Sectional; Richardson Qualifies for Warriors

Featured photo caption: Kaitlyn McKinney runs for the Lady Warriors at the regional meet. McKinney’s time of 23:33.0 was a key part of the team's seventh-place finish, which secured a...
Casey-Westfield's Gio Santillan powers through the Paris defense for a gain. Santillan recorded two key first downs on the ground during a Warrior drive in the third quarter. —photo by Terri Cox

Paris Rallies Late, Upsets Warriors 22-17 in Regular Season Finale

Featured photo caption: Casey-Westfield's Gio Santillan powers through the Paris defense for a gain. Santillan recorded two key first downs on the ground during a Warrior drive in the third...
Florida to crack down on H-1B visas, following Trump's lead

Florida to crack down on H-1B visas, following Trump’s lead

By Andrew RiceThe Center Square American graduates will be prioritized by the state public university system in Florida, Gov. Ron DeSantis said Wednesday. The second-term Republican said he is directing...
Expert: Arizona's 2026 budget faces Big Beautiful Bill impact

Expert: Arizona’s 2026 budget faces Big Beautiful Bill impact

By Zachery SchmidtThe Center Square The biggest impact on Arizona's 2026 budget will come from the federal One Big Beautiful Bill Act, according to Glenn Farley, the Common Sense Institute’s...
Research institute to Congress: Prioritize American healthcare over noncitizens

Research institute to Congress: Prioritize American healthcare over noncitizens

By Tate MillerThe Center Square The American First Policy Institute is calling on Congress to prioritize American patients over illegal aliens and expressed its disapproval toward the illegal alien-favoring proposal...
Illinois beef producers say Trump’s Argentina beef plan hurts farmers

Illinois beef producers say Trump’s Argentina beef plan hurts farmers

By Catrina Barker | The Center Square contributorThe Center Square (The Center Square) – Illinois beef producers express frustration over President Donald Trump’s plan to expand beef imports from Argentina,...
Illinois quick hits: Bailey family announces memorial services; digital currency scam losses

Illinois quick hits: Bailey family announces memorial services; digital currency scam losses

By The Center SquareThe Center Square Bailey family announces memorial services Republican gubernatorial candidate Darren Bailey has announced details of memorial services for his family members who died in a...
WATCH: Expect tax and fee increases for veto; Democrats want more sanctuary policies

WATCH: Expect tax and fee increases for veto; Democrats want more sanctuary policies

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 reviews the prospects...