May 13, 2026/

Illinois Quick Hits: Gas tops $5 a gallon

Spread the love

By Jim Talamonti | The Center Square
The Center Square

(The Center Square) – AAA says the average price for a gallon of regular unleaded gasoline is now $5.03 in Illinois, up from $4.97 on Tuesday.

The national average is $4.51. Illinois imposes a fuel tax of 48.3 cents per gallon. The state tax is scheduled to rise to 49.6 cents per gallon on July 1.

BILL ADVANCES TO EXPAND SPEECH-DISORDER COVERAGE

The Illinois House Insurance Committee has unanimously passed legislation to expand health insurance coverage that includes rehabilitative and habilitative services for children under 19 that have an acquired speech-language disorder.

Senate Bill 2899 now heads to the House Floor for consideration.

CHICAGO COMMITTEE PASSES TEMPORARY WAGE HIKE FREEZE

The Chicago City Council Committee on Workforce Development has passed an ordinance to temporarily freeze higher wage mandates and the elimination of the city’s tip credit.

In March, Mayor Brandon Johnson vetoed a measure to freeze the tipped wage phaseout.

MAN CONVICTED OF UNLAWFUL POSSESSION AFTER EAST ST. LOUIS STING

A man previously convicted of murder has been found guilty of possessing a firearm as a felon in East St. Louis.

Prosecutors say Anthony D. Bradley, Jr., 37, was observed with a firearm on October 28, 2024, during a proactive crime suppression detail. Bradley

had prior convictions for second degree murder and multiple state and federal charges involving illegal firearm possession.

ROCKFORD MAN ARRESTED ON CHILD PORNOGRAPHY CHARGES

Illinois State Police have arrested a Rockford man for ten counts of possession of child pornography.

ISP says Wayne R. Bouton, 42, was identified as a suspect after an online tip led to an extensive investigation. Officers arrested Bouton on Tuesday.

FIREFIGHTERS HONORED

Firefighters who lost their lives in the line of duty are being remembered after the 33rd Annual Fallen Firefighter Memorial and Medal of Honor Ceremony in Springfield on Tuesday.

Chicago Fire Department Captain David Meyer was honored for his sacrifice. Meyer died while battling a fire in April 2025.

This year’s firefighter medal of honor recipients were firefighter/EMT Kevin McNicholas of the Chicago Fire Department and firefighter/paramedic Gino Casciola of the Addison Fire Protection District.

Leave a Comment





Latest News Stories

Supreme Court declines to hear same-sex marriage challenge

Supreme Court declines to hear same-sex marriage challenge

By Andrew RiceThe Center Square The U.S. Supreme Court declined a petition on Monday to hear a case aimed at overturning the legalization of same-sex marriage. Kim Davis, a former...
Illinois quick hits: Illinois U.S. senators split on shutdown vote

Illinois quick hits: Illinois U.S. senators split on shutdown vote

By Jim Talamonti | The Center SquareThe Center Square Illinois U.S. senators split on shutdown vote Illinois U.S. Senators Dick Durbin and Tammy Duckworth differed as the Senate voted to...
‘Code and Country’ report urges stronger U.S. response to China’s AI ambitions

‘Code and Country’ report urges stronger U.S. response to China’s AI ambitions

By Tom JoyceThe Center Square China’s pursuit of artificial intelligence supremacy poses one of the greatest strategic threats in history, a new report from the Center for Security Policy warns....
Meeting Briefs

Meeting Summary and Briefs: Casey City Council for November 03, 2025

Casey City Council Meeting | November 03, 2025 The Casey City Council addressed property blight, approved major financial items, and moved forward on key city projects during its first meeting...
Light at the end of the government shutdown tunnel

Light at the end of the government shutdown tunnel

By Thérèse BoudreauxThe Center Square U.S. Senate Republicans have offered Democrats a face-saving way out of the government shutdown: in exchange for support to reopen the government, Republicans will guarantee...
Everyday Economics: Is AI to blame for the layoffs – or a late-cycle hangover?

Everyday Economics: Is AI to blame for the layoffs – or a late-cycle hangover?

By Orphe DivounguyThe Center Square (THE Center Square) – U.S. employers announced 153,074 job cuts in October – the worst October since 2003 – and headlines rushed to blame AI....
Deal close in U.S. Senate to reopen government

Deal close in U.S. Senate to reopen government

By Sarah Roderick-FitchThe Center Square A deal is close to being struck in the U.S. Senate to resume funding the federal government, indicating the end of the shutdown is close....
DMV small businesses also bear brunt of Congress’ budget brawl

DMV small businesses also bear brunt of Congress’ budget brawl

By Morgan SweeneyThe Center Square As Congress convenes for a rare Sunday session amid the ongoing shutdown, the capital region’s small business owners wait with baited breath. Besides federal workers,...
Legal experts split over state, federal immigration control

Legal experts split over state, federal immigration control

By Andrew RiceThe Center Square The second Trump administration has been largely defined by strict immigration enforcement and net zero illegal border crossings. Amid the enforcement, legal policy analysts are...
Thousands of flights delayed, cancelled as shutdown rocks airports

Thousands of flights delayed, cancelled as shutdown rocks airports

By Dan McCalebThe Center Square More than 1,400 flights within, into or out of the U.S. were cancelled Sunday and more than 3,300 were delayed as staffing levels at airports...
Trump: Americans to receive $2,000 each from tariff revenue

Trump: Americans to receive $2,000 each from tariff revenue

By Dan McCalebThe Center Square President Donald Trump on Sunday said every American with the exception of the wealthy will receive $2,000 from the revenue the U.S. has collected from...
Casey Council Meeting Graphic.2

City Hall Remodel Plans Move Forward for Public Bidding

Casey City Council Meeting | November 03, 2025 Article SummaryPlans to remodel the front office of Casey City Hall are advancing after the City Hall Committee finalized a new design....
Taxpayer costs rise as U.S. mounts pressure campaign against Venezuela

Taxpayer costs rise as U.S. mounts pressure campaign against Venezuela

By Brett RowlandThe Center Square President Donald Trump's plans for Venezuela could cost U.S. taxpayers more each day as the military's most expensive aircraft carrier arrives. The president says the...
Large naval presence in Caribbean ahead of Ford arrival

Large naval presence in Caribbean ahead of Ford arrival

By Sarah Roderick-FitchThe Center Square As the number of suspected narcotic transport boats destroyed by the U.S. military grows, so does the number of naval vessels in the Caribbean. Secretary...
Voting rights group warns CA redistricting push could undermine trust in IL

Voting rights group warns CA redistricting push could undermine trust in IL

By Catrina Barker | The Center Square contributorThe Center Square (THE CENTer Square) – California Gov. Gavin Newsom is urging states like Illinois to redraw congressional maps, but voting rights...