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

lake land college.2

Lake Land College one of 10 national recipients of the Association of Community College Trustees (ACCT) Scaling Apprenticeship grant

Lake Land College was recently named one of 10 recipients of the Association of Community College Trustees (ACCT) Scaling Apprenticeship grant. With funding from Ascendum Education Group and in partnership...
Youngkin, Johnson call for AG candidate to withdraw after violent texts emerge

Youngkin, Johnson call for AG candidate to withdraw after violent texts emerge

By Dan McCalebThe Center Square Gov. Glenn Youngkin and U.S. House Speaker Mike Johnson are calling on Virginia attorney general candidate Jay Jones to exit the race after it was...
ICE agents shoot armed woman in suburban Chicago during attack

ICE agents shoot armed woman in suburban Chicago during attack

By Dan McCaleb | The Center SquareThe Center Square (The Center Square) – Border Patrol agents near Chicago shot an armed woman Saturday who was part of a group of...
Pritzker: Trump to federalize Illinois National Guard

Pritzker: Trump to federalize Illinois National Guard

By Dan McCaleb | The Center SquareThe Center Square (The Center Square) – President Donald Trump will federalize 300 Illinois National Guard troops, Gov. J.B. Pritzker said in a statement...
City taxpayer burden swells, as Chicago pension debt rises

City taxpayer burden swells, as Chicago pension debt rises

By Glenn Minnis | The Center Square contributorThe Center Square (The Center Square) – Chicago taxpayers now face unfunded debt from its municipal, laborers, police, fire and teachers’ pensions that...
Clark County Logo

Clark County Amends Liquor Ordinance, Keeps Sunday Morning Sales Ban

Article Summary: The Clark County Board approved changes to its liquor ordinance, extending closing times to midnight and increasing violation penalties, but ultimately rejected a proposal to allow Sunday morning...
USDOT puts $2.1 billion of taxpayer funds for CTA under review

USDOT puts $2.1 billion of taxpayer funds for CTA under review

By Greg Bishop | The Center SquareThe Center Square (The Center Square) – More than $2 billion in federal taxpayer infrastructure funding granted by the Biden administration for Chicago Transit...
2025Royalty-2024King-CrownBearers.Cropped

2025 C-W Homecoming Royalty

King Luke Karras & Queen Lucy Moore Luke is the son of Robin & Tony Karras; Lucy is the daughter of Helen & Tyler Moore Duke Nolan Clement & Duchess...
SeniorClassCandidate-Royalty

Senior Homecoming Attendents

Kayla Clark & Nolan Clement Kayla is the daughter of Jodi & Josh Clark; Nolan is the son of Becky & Doug Clement Julia Eckerty & Kellen Sullivan Julia is...
JuniorClassAttendents

Junior Homecoming Attendents

Anna Karras & Will Moore Anna is the daughter of Robin & Tony Karras; Will is the son of Helen & Tyler Moore Aubrey Meyer & Drake Worby Aubrey is...
SophomoreClassAttendents

Sophomore Homecoming Attendents

Gyllyane Gilbert & Jett Self Gyllyane is the daughter of Caryn Gilbert & Nick Gilbert; Jett is the son of Tawnya & Steve Self Claire Kusterman & Weston Hupp Claire...
FreshmanClassAttendents

Freshman Homecoming Attendents

Rylee Erickson & Otto Cox Rylee is the daughter of Laci & Chad Erickson; Otto is the son of Tara & Andy Cox Allie Goble & Owen Ramsey Allie is...
WATCH: State police prepares ICE protest zones; energy policy debate continues

WATCH: State police prepares ICE protest zones; energy policy debate continues

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...
AI chatbots a child safety risk, parental groups report

AI chatbots a child safety risk, parental groups report

By Esther WickhamThe Center Square ParentsTogether Action and Heat Initiative, following a joint investigation, report that Character AI chatbots display inappropriate behavior, including allegations of grooming and sexual exploitation. This...
WATCH: California officials seek early voting on Prop. 50

WATCH: California officials seek early voting on Prop. 50

By Dave MasonThe Center Square California officials Thursday urged voters to vote early in the Nov. 4 special election that will determine whether and how the state draws new congressional...