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

Arizona GOP pushes to protect Colorado River's limited water

Arizona GOP pushes to protect Colorado River’s limited water

By Zachery SchmidtThe Center Square Arizona Republicans are seeking to protect the Colorado River as its water supply continues to dwindle. State Senate President Warren Petersen, R-Gilbert; state House Speaker...
Republicans challenge Clyde in Georgia's 9th District

Republicans challenge Clyde in Georgia’s 9th District

By Andrew RiceThe Center Square Incumbent Rep. Andrew Clyde, R-Ga., is facing a primary challenger in his bid to hold on to his 9th District post. Sam Couvillon and Joel...
Fort Bragg soldier’s case continues Tuesday in New York

Fort Bragg soldier’s case continues Tuesday in New York

By Alan WootenThe Center Square An enlisted soldier at Fort Bragg was granted $250,000 bond release on Friday and will have his charges of using classified information to win $400,000...
Justice Department drops Federal Reserve probe, kicks to watchdog

Justice Department drops Federal Reserve probe, kicks to watchdog

By Brett RowlandThe Center Square U.S. Attorney for D.C. Jeanine Pirro said Friday she is closing the Justice Department's criminal investigation into Federal Reserve Chair Jerome Powell, days after a...
Pritzker: 'Need for speed' for megaprojects bill with tax breaks

Pritzker: ‘Need for speed’ for megaprojects bill with tax breaks

By Jim Talamonti | The Center SquareThe Center Square (The Center Square) – Gov. J.B. Pritzker says there is a need for speed when it comes to the Chicago Bears...
NYC schools probed over claims of antisemitism

NYC schools probed over claims of antisemitism

By Chris WadeThe Center Square The Trump administration is investigating claims that New York City schools violated the civil rights of Jewish students by hosting seminars on Palestinian resistance. The...
Illinois Quick Hits: AFP says tax breaks would be more at Soldier Field

Illinois Quick Hits: AFP says tax breaks would be more at Soldier Field

By Jim Talamonti | The Center SquareThe Center Square (The Center Square) – Americans for Prosperity Illinois says megaprojects legislation that cleared the Illinois House could give a proposed development...
Soldier's insider trading case puts prediction markets to the test

Soldier’s insider trading case puts prediction markets to the test

By Brett RowlandThe Center Square An alleged attempt by a U.S. Army Special Forces soldier to profit from classified military intelligence on a prediction market platform has resulted in the...
U.S. will continue blockade 'as long as it takes,' Hegseth says

U.S. will continue blockade ‘as long as it takes,’ Hegseth says

By Andrew RiceThe Center Square The United States will continue it's blockade in the Strait of Hormuz for "as long as it takes," War Secretary Pete Hegseth said on Friday....
Casey Council Meeting Graphic.2

Casey to Donate Surplus Tornado Siren to Village of Westfield

Casey City Council Meeting | April 20, 2026 Article Summary: The City of Casey will draft a formal resolution to donate a surplus, repairable tornado siren to the neighboring Village...
Gori seeks quick end to asbestos fraud, lawsuit ‘bounties' case

Gori seeks quick end to asbestos fraud, lawsuit ‘bounties’ case

By Jonathan Bilyk | Legal NewslineThe Center Square The Gori Law Firm, considered America’s most prolific filer of asbestos personal injury lawsuits, has pushed back on claims it engaged in...
Texas Ten Commandments law may reach Supreme Court

Texas Ten Commandments law may reach Supreme Court

By Esther WickhamThe Center Square A federal appeals court ruling upholding a Texas law requiring Ten Commandments displays in public school classrooms is setting up a potential challenge before the...
Feds reopen probe into LAUSD race-based program

Feds reopen probe into LAUSD race-based program

By Esther WickhamThe Center Square The U.S. Department of Education’s Office for Civil Rights has reopened an investigation into the Los Angeles Unified School District’s Black Student Achievement Plan following...
Trump won't be rushed on Iran as clock ticking for the regime

Trump won’t be rushed on Iran as clock ticking for the regime

By Sarah Roderick-FitchThe Center Square Time is ticking for Iran, as President Donald Trump says he won’t be rushed into giving a timeline regarding the conflict and ceasefire with Iran....
Multiple House Republicans defy proposed 3-year FISA Section 702 extension

Multiple House Republicans defy proposed 3-year FISA Section 702 extension

By Thérèse BoudreauxThe Center Square After two attempts last week to reauthorize a controversial spy power of the federal government, House Speaker Mike Johnson, R-La., has unveiled the text of...