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.

Latest News Stories

Trump admin seeks health-care price transparency

By Andrew RiceThe Center Square Taxpayer advocates are applauding the Trump administration over its efforts calling for medical price transparency in federal employee health-care plans while health-care industry leaders are...

Energy industry celebrates Supreme Court ruling in favor of Chevron

By Nolan MckendryThe Center Square The U.S. Supreme Court’s ruling in favor of Chevron is being celebrated by the energy industry, but it does not end Louisiana’s coastal litigation. The...

Massive Fourth Inning Powers Casey-Westfield Past North Central 13-4

The Casey-Westfield varsity baseball team utilized an eight-run explosion in the fourth inning to break open a tightly contested game, ultimately cruising to a 13-4 non-conference road victory over North...

Illinois proposal aims to improve detection of potentially staged deaths

By Catrina Barker | The Center Square contributorThe Center Square (The Center Square) – State Sen. Craig Wilcox, R-Woodstock, says too many deaths initially ruled as suicides may actually be...

Analysis: Homelessness predicted to rise despite policy efforts

By Emily RodriguezThe Center Square Homelessness is predicted to rise, while policies predicted to lower the homeless numbers only address part of the cause, according to analysts. The annual Point-In-Time...

Bachelor’s at Illinois community colleges may widen access, affordability

By Sean Reed | The Center SquareThe Center Square (The Center Square) – Community colleges in Illinois could soon offer Bachelor’s degree programs to Illinois residents. Officials, lawmakers and students...

Iran reverses course, closes Strait of Hormuz

By Sarah Roderick-FitchThe Center Square Less than 24 hours after Iran and President Donald Trump touted the Strait of Hormuz open, the Islamic Republic has reportedly reversed course, closing the...

Los Angeles school district seeks state’s money for pay hikes

By Chris WoodwardThe Center Square The Center Square) - The Los Angeles Unified School District managed to avoid a strike this week after reaching 11th-hour agreements with three unions. Now...

Congress kicks off government funding process for 2027

By Thérèse BoudreauxThe Center Square Six months out from fiscal year 2027, U.S. lawmakers are making progress on the annual 12 appropriations bills that will fund the federal government. The...

Seattle affordable housing goal elusive despite millionaire’s tax

By Randy DiamondThe Center Square (The Center Square) -- Seattle’s own version of Washington State's planned tax on millionaires is aimed at businesses with millionaire employees, but the goal of...

Illinois Quick Hits: Teachers union says CPS to bus students to rally

By Jim Talamonti | The Center SquareThe Center Square (The Center Square) – The Chicago Teachers Union says Chicago Public Schools leaders have agreed to transform the school day on...

Pritzker says of BUILD Plan for homes would not cost taxpayers

By Jim Talamonti | The Center SquareThe Center Square (The Center Square) – Gov. J.B. Pritzker has ramped up his campaign for new housing in Illinois, and he expects taxpayers...

Hermann’s Two-Way Dominance Propels Robinson Past Casey-Westfield 3-1

Senior Eva Hermann delivered a dominant two-way performance, tossing a complete-game gem and launching a crucial home run to lead the Robinson varsity softball team to a 3-1 road conference...

Illinois GOP aims to keep power plants open, increase charge transparency

By Sean Reed | The Center SquareThe Center Square (The Center Square) – As closure of coal and natural gas powered energy plants loom, a group of GOP lawmakers have...

Inspector: Chicago finance department lacks tools to collect $8.1 billion owed

By Jim Talamonti | The Center SquareThe Center Square (The Center Square) – Chicago’s inspector general says the city is owed at least $8.1 billion and lacks the tools to...

« Previous
1
…
33
34
35
36
37
…
205
Next »