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

Appeals court rejects Trump's tariffs, but leaves them in place

Appeals court rejects Trump’s tariffs, but leaves them in place

By Brett RowlandThe Center Square A federal appeals court said Friday that President Donald Trump doesn't have the authority to issue blanket tariffs, in a blow to the president's domestic...
Denver Public Schools accused of violating Title IX

Denver Public Schools accused of violating Title IX

By Esther WickhamThe Center Square The U.S. Department of Education for Civil Rights announced this week that Denver Public Schools' policies on “all-gender” facilities violate Title IX. The department's Office...
Poll: 41% of parents worried about school safety before Minneapolis shooting

Poll: 41% of parents worried about school safety before Minneapolis shooting

By Morgan SweeneyThe Center Square Four in 10 parents of K-12 students are worried for their children’s safety at school, according to a new Gallup poll. The poll was collected...
Report: Offshore wind critics played role in Revolution Wind work stoppage

Report: Offshore wind critics played role in Revolution Wind work stoppage

By Tom JoyceThe Center Square Offshore wind opponents in the fishing industry helped shape the Trump administration’s decision to halt work on the Revolution Wind project, a $4 billion development...
Nevada governor addresses statewide cyberattack

Nevada governor addresses statewide cyberattack

By Liam HibbertThe Center Square Nevada Gov. Joe Lombardo spoke publicly for the first time on a cyberattack that shut down government websites and kept state employees at home, four...
Illinois quick hits: Mine manager pleads guilty; Johnson issues food executive order

Illinois quick hits: Mine manager pleads guilty; Johnson issues food executive order

By Jim Talamonti | The Center SquareThe Center Square Mine manager pleads guilty A former Franklin County mine manager has pleaded guilty to conspiring to defraud the U.S. Mine Safety...
Op-Ed: Chicago-area transit needs an intervention, not another fix

Op-Ed: Chicago-area transit needs an intervention, not another fix

By Brad Weisenstein | The Center Square contributorThe Center Square If Illinois were a family, it would have 1,313 siblings – its cities, towns and villages. One of them is...
WATCH: ‘Partisans’ who want to should ‘get up and move’ from Illinois, Pritzker says

WATCH: ‘Partisans’ who want to should ‘get up and move’ from Illinois, Pritzker says

By Greg Bishop | The Center SquareThe Center Square (The Center Square) – If you’re not willing to stick around and help make the state better, Illinois Gov. J.B. Pritzker...
Victims identified in Minneapolis Catholic school shooting

Victims identified in Minneapolis Catholic school shooting

By Jon StyfThe Center Square “As a family, we are shattered, and words cannot capture the depth of our pain.” Those are the words of the parents of 10-year-old Harper...
Pentagon to build new task force to counter drone threats

Pentagon to build new task force to counter drone threats

By Brett RowlandThe Center Square The Pentagon is creating a new task force to counter drone threats and keep U.S. airspace safe. Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth said the Department of...
Whisk + Lollies Logo

Bakery and confectionery a big hit in Casey

Pictured are (from left): sisters Carlene Richardson and Natasha Hickox were special guests of Rotarian Chris Snedeker at the Aug. 26 meeting of Casey Rotary. The...
'Horrendous' religious freedom violation leads to payout by Chicago Public Schools

‘Horrendous’ religious freedom violation leads to payout by Chicago Public Schools

By Jim Talamonti | The Center SquareThe Center Square (The Center Square) – A court-approved settlement of over $2.6 million is being paid to 207 former Chicago Public School students...
Extended Secret Service protection canceled for Kamala Harris

Extended Secret Service protection canceled for Kamala Harris

By Sarah Roderick-FitchThe Center Square More than seven months after leaving office, President Donald Trump is revoking the taxpayer-funded Secret Service protection detail of former Vice President Kamala Harris. Former...
Du Quoin State Fair gets $50M as senator defends two state fairs in Illinois

Du Quoin State Fair gets $50M as senator defends two state fairs in Illinois

By Catrina Barker | The Center Square contributorThe Center Square (The Center Square) – The Du Quoin State Fairgrounds have received over $50 million in upgrades, part of Gov. J.B....
WATCH: Pritzker alleges Trump election interference; tells disgruntled residents to move

WATCH: Pritzker alleges Trump election interference; tells disgruntled residents to move

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 where there...