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

Exclusive: First Nation reservation grappling with transnational crime

Exclusive: First Nation reservation grappling with transnational crime

By Bethany BlankleyThe Center Square A First Nation reservation located in upstate New York and extends into Canada says it is grappling with transnational and illegal border crosser crime. One...
Illinois legalizes physician-assisted suicide; critics warn of moral, safety risks

Illinois legalizes physician-assisted suicide; critics warn of moral, safety risks

By Catrina Barker | The Center Square contributorThe Center Square (The Center Square) – Illinois Gov. J.B. Pritzker signed Senate Bill 1950, prompting strong backlash from medical, disability, religious and...
Casey Westfield Warriors logo graphic.2

Fast start, defensive intensity carry Casey-Westfield past Red Hill

A dominant first quarter and a standout performance from senior Lucy Moore propelled the Casey-Westfield Lady Warriors to a gritty 29-20 victory over Red Hill in girls’ high school basketball...
IL Dem touts 'great job' on transit, GOP candidate laments 'bailout' for Chicago

IL Dem touts ‘great job’ on transit, GOP candidate laments ‘bailout’ for Chicago

By Jim Talamonti | The Center SquareThe Center Square (The Center Square) – Taxes and tolls will rise for many Illinoisans in 2026 if Gov. J.B. Pritzker signs legislation to...
Bill designed to protect school kids from sexual misconduct

Bill designed to protect school kids from sexual misconduct

By Esther WickhamThe Center Square A new bill meant to protect children was introduced by U.S. Rep. Wesley Hunt, R-Texas, called the National Educator Safety and Accountability Act of 2025....
Illinois quick hits: More bills enacted into law; former ComEd CEO seeking Trump pardon

Illinois quick hits: More bills enacted into law; former ComEd CEO seeking Trump pardon

By Jim Talamonti | The Center SquareThe Center Square More bills enacted into law Gov. J.B. Pritzker’s office announced more than a dozen bills were enacted Friday. Aside from the...
Pritzker enacts bills, including measure decoupling IL from federal tax code

Pritzker enacts bills, including measure decoupling IL from federal tax code

By Greg Bishop | The Center SquareThe Center Square (The Center Square) – Gov. J.B. Pritzker’s office announced more than a dozen bills were enacted Friday. Aside from the medical...
Judge overreached in ordering hundreds of illegal immigrants released

Judge overreached in ordering hundreds of illegal immigrants released

By Jonathan Bilyk | Legal NewslineThe Center Square A Biden-appointed Chicago federal judge went too far in using a deal struck between the Biden administration and pro-immigrant activists to issue...
WATCH: California co-leads suit over $100,000 H-1B visa fee

WATCH: California co-leads suit over $100,000 H-1B visa fee

By Dave MasonThe Center Square Democratic attorneys general from California and 18 other states sued the Trump administration Friday over its new $100,000 fee on H-1B visas. President Donald Trump...

WATCH: Trump outlines AI order, calls Pritzker ‘totally unreasonable’

By Jim Talamonti | The Center SquareThe Center Square (The Center Square) – Although it remains to be seen how President Donald Trump’s executive order on artificial intelligence will affect...
Entrepreneur's supporters say case law may result in release

Entrepreneur’s supporters say case law may result in release

By Chris WoodwardThe Center Square Arizonans think a situation involving Kilmar Armando Abrego Garcia should result in the release of a Phoenix area business owner facing deportation. Garcia is the...
GOP lawmakers silent on Trump's EO punishing state AI guardrails

GOP lawmakers silent on Trump’s EO punishing state AI guardrails

By Thérèse BoudreauxThe Center Square Frustrated with Congress failing to enact national artificial intelligence regulations, President Donald Trump took matters into his own hands Thursday night and signed an executive...
Gabbard: 2,000 Afghan refugees in U.S. have ties to terrorism

Gabbard: 2,000 Afghan refugees in U.S. have ties to terrorism

By Sarah Roderick-FitchThe Center Square An estimated 2,000 Afghan nationals admitted to the United States following the deadly 2021 pullout of American forces from Afghanistan have ties to terrorism, according...
Op-Ed: No more CDL mills: Trump’s DOT puts safety back in the driver’s seat

Op-Ed: No more CDL mills: Trump’s DOT puts safety back in the driver’s seat

By Steve Cortes | League of American WorkersThe Center Square As families prepare for the holidays, America’s truck drivers are doing what they always do – keeping promises to working...
Illinois Gov. Pritzker signs assisted suicide bill

Illinois Gov. Pritzker signs assisted suicide bill

By Jim Talamonti | The Center SquareThe Center Square (The Center Square) – Gov. J.B. Pritzker has signed Senate Bill 1950 to legalize physician-assisted suicide in Illinois. The governor announced...