December 12, 2025/

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

Spread the love

By Jim Talamonti | The Center Square
The 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 medical aid in dying bill, Pritzker signed 14 bills.

One measure decouples the state tax code from several provisions of the federal tax code that Republicans warned would make the state less competitive.

Former ComEd CEO seeking Trump pardon

Convicted former ComEd CEO Anne Pramaggiore has joined former Illinois House Speaker Michael Madigan by requesting clemency from President Donald Trump’s pardon attorney.

The Chicago Tribune reports that Pramaggiore has been paying lobbyists in Washington DC to explore “matters relevant to the pardon process.”

Pramaggiore is scheduled to begin serving a two-year prison sentence Jan. 12 for her role in a scheme to bribe Madigan.

New casino proposed

The Illinois Gaming Board is planning to consider plans for a new riverboat casino in East Peoria at its next meeting Feb. 5.

Boyd Gaming and Par-A-Dice Hotel Casino representatives presented their plan at the board’s meeting on Thursday.

The IGB is also expected to consider Hard Rock Casino Rockford’s license renewal request in February.

As of Dec. 8, total reported 2025 tax revenue from casino gambling, sports wagering and video gaming amounted to nearly $1.76 billion in Illinois.

Leave a Comment





Latest News Stories

Report warns U.S. national debt predicted to pass $53 trillion by 2035

Report warns U.S. national debt predicted to pass $53 trillion by 2035

By Thérèse BoudreauxThe Center Square By fiscal year 2035, the national debt is set to surpass $53 trillion, or 120% of the nation’s Gross Domestic Product, according to a new...
Courts remain firm against unsealing grand jury records from Epstein trial

Courts remain firm against unsealing grand jury records from Epstein trial

By Thérèse BoudreauxThe Center Square A second federal judge has denied the Trump administration’s request to unseal grand jury material from convicted sex offender Jeffrey Epstein’s 2019 trial. New York-based...
White House TikTok garners 1.3 million views in 24 hours

White House TikTok garners 1.3 million views in 24 hours

By Morgan SweeneyThe Center Square Within 24 hours of its debut, the first video posted to the new White House TikTok account has racked up more than 1.3 million views....
Newsom responds to Bondi's letter on sanctuary policies

Newsom responds to Bondi’s letter on sanctuary policies

By Jamie ParsonsThe Center Square Editor's note: This story has been updated since its initial publication to include additional comments from the U.S. Department of Justice. After California received a...
U.S., NATO military officials discuss Ukraine security guarantees

U.S., NATO military officials discuss Ukraine security guarantees

By Caroline BodaThe Center Square U.S. military leaders met with NATO defense chiefs on Wednesday to iron out details of security protections for Ukraine as part of a potential peace...
Illinois quick hits: Governor bans school fines; Target fires hundreds over fraud

Illinois quick hits: Governor bans school fines; Target fires hundreds over fraud

By Jim Talamonti | The Center SquareThe Center Square Governor bans school fines Gov. J.B. Pritzker has signed legislation that bans schools from issuing fines or citations to students for...
Industry advocates: More state regulation will drive insurance rates higher

Industry advocates: More state regulation will drive insurance rates higher

By Jim Talamonti | The Center SquareThe Center Square (The Center Square) – Insurance industry leaders are advising Illinois lawmakers that state regulation of rates will lead to higher costs...
Lawmakers, policy groups react to social media warning suit

Lawmakers, policy groups react to social media warning suit

By Elyse ApelThe Center Square Bill sponsors and public interest groups have been quick to respond to a lawsuit filed last week against Colorado, challenging a new law that would...
From Mexico to Knoxville, five cartel leaders wanted in drugs, weapons conspiracy

From Mexico to Knoxville, five cartel leaders wanted in drugs, weapons conspiracy

By Bethany BlankleyThe Center Square Despite many arguing the border crisis is over because illegal entries at the southwest border have dropped to their lowest level in recorded history, border-related...
Trump administration pushes to remove noncitizen Medicaid enrollees

Trump administration pushes to remove noncitizen Medicaid enrollees

By Andrew RiceThe Center Square The Trump administration is cracking down on noncitizens receiving Medicaid and Children’s Health Insurance Program benefits, according to the Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services....
Casey Meeting Aug 18.2

“Candy Canes on Main” Gets Green Light for Parade, Donation

Editor's Note: Casey Local incorrectly reported that council members approved a Beer Garden. However, the Beer Garden was only discussed and was not approved for Candy Canes on Main. Article...
Public education budgets balloon while enrollment, proficiency, standards drop

Public education budgets balloon while enrollment, proficiency, standards drop

By Jim Talamonti | The Center SquareThe Center Square (The Center Square) – In return for soaring state spending on education, Illinois taxpayers are getting chronic absenteeism, poor academic proficiency...
Illinois news in brief: Cook County evaluates storm, flood damage; Giannoulias pushes for state regulation of auto insurance; State seeks seasonal snow plow drivers

Illinois news in brief: Cook County evaluates storm, flood damage; Giannoulias pushes for state regulation of auto insurance; State seeks seasonal snow plow drivers

By Jim Talamonti | The Center SquareThe Center Square Cook County evaluates storm, flood damage The Cook County Department of Emergency Management and Regional Security is reviewing damage from the...
Governor defends mental health mandate, rejects parental consent plan

Governor defends mental health mandate, rejects parental consent plan

By Catrina Barker | The Center Square contributorThe Center Square (The Center Square) – U.S. Rep. Mary Miller, who represents the 15th Congressional district in southeastern Illinois, is reintroducing legislation...
Illinois quick hits: Arlington Heights trustees pass grocery tax

Illinois quick hits: Arlington Heights trustees pass grocery tax

By Jim Talamonti | The Center SquareThe Center Square Arlington Heights trustees pass grocery tax Arlington Heights village trustees have approved a one-percent tax on groceries. Since Gov. J.B. Pritzker...