June 19, 2026/
Illinois Quick Hits: Economic development summit set for next week
(The Center Square) – The Illinois Economic Development Summit is scheduled for Wednesday and Thursday.
Topics include transportation, energy, workforce strategy, tourism, housing and the economy. The Illinois Department of Commerce and Economic Opportunity and the Illinois Economic Development Corporation are scheduled to make presentations.
CLEAN PORTS MEETINGS SCHEDULED
The Illinois EPA has announced Clean Ports Program meetings for stakeholders and near-port communities to begin a planning process for port decarbonization.
The first scheduled meeting for port districts within the Illinois Waterway Ports Commission is Tuesday in Peoria.
Details are available at illinoiscleanports.org.
ILLINOIS IS No. 48 FOR ROAD TRIP AFFORDABILITY
Illinois ranks last on a list of the best states for an affordable summer road trip in the contiguous U.S.
Dunhill Travel Deals considered hotel, gas and everyday prices along with national park sites, attractions and road quality.
Arkansas finished first. Iowa and Indiana ranked ninth and tenth, respectively.
⚠️ Flood Watch issued June 20 at 1:45AM CDT until June 22 at 1:00AM CDT by NWS Lincoln IL
Today Jun 19
81° 63°
Mostly Sunny
Latest News Stories
Illinois trucker warns foreign firms faking logs, dodging rules, risking safety
By Catrina Barker | The Center Square contributorThe Center Square (The Center Square) – After a recent deadly crash in Florida and a crash in Illinois involving semi-trucks, an Illinois...
Illinois law mandates pharmacies to sell needles, sparking safety debate
By Catrina Barker | The Center Square contributorThe Center Square (The Center Square) – The Illinois Governor has signed House Bill 2589, which requires pharmacists to sell sterile hypodermic needles...
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
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
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
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
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
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
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
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
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
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....
“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
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
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...