August 7, 2025/

Illinois quick hits: Cook County declares flood disaster; opt-out forms promoted; State Fair begins

Spread the love

By Jim Talamonti | The Center Square
The Center Square

Cook County, Chicago declare flood disaster

Chicago Mayor Brandon Johnson and Cook County Board President Toni Preckwinkle have issued respective disaster proclamations for flooding that took place July 25-28.

According to resident survey information, 111 residences were considered to be destroyed and 544 homes had major damage.

City and county agencies are working to determine if the jurisdictions could qualify for federal assistance.

Opt-out forms promoted

After Gov. J.B. Pritzker signed legislation to implement universal mental health screenings in public schools, the Illinois Family Institute is encouraging parents to opt out of programs and agendas which they said could be harmful to children.

The group said Christian parents should be especially alert to the assessment of their children’s well-being through the lens of secular ideologies.

The institute offers links to various opt-out forms on its website.

State Fair begins

The Illinois State Fair is underway in Springfield.

Thursday’s events include harness racing, $3 carnival rides and the Twilight Parade at 5:30 p.m.

The fair runs through Aug. 17.

Events

Haunted Night at the Fair
Haunted Night at the Fair
25 Oct 25
Halloween Party
Halloween Party
25 Oct 25
2025 Clark County Shrine Pagent
2025 Clark County Shrine Pagent
26 Oct 25
Rainy Day Miracle Book Signing
Rainy Day Miracle Book Signing
28 Oct 25
BROWNIE'S PLACE HALLOWEEN PARTY
BROWNIE'S PLACE HALLOWEEN PARTY
31 Oct 25
Harvest Gift Gathering
Harvest Gift Gathering
1 Nov 25
Harvest Gift Gathering
Harvest Gift Gathering
1 Nov 25
Casey
03 Nov
Casey City Council Board Meeting
3 Nov 25
Clark County 4-H Foundation Inaugural Christmas Tree Fair
Clark County 4-H Foundation Inaugural Christmas Tree Fair
5 Nov 25
Whte Oak Church Free Monday Meal
Whte Oak Church Free Monday Meal
10 Nov 25
Greenup VFW Fundraiser
Greenup VFW Fundraiser
16 Nov 25
Prime Rib Holiday Buffet
Prime Rib Holiday Buffet
18 Nov 25

Leave a Comment





Latest News Stories

Illinois quick hits: Stallantis to invest in four states; DHS: Bounties put on ICE

Illinois quick hits: Stallantis to invest in four states; DHS: Bounties put on ICE

By Jim Talamonti | The Center SquareThe Center Square Stallantis to invest in four states Stellantis has announced plans to expand its U.S. production by 50% with investments in Illinois,...
WATCH: DHS: cartel placing bounties on agents; prison mail scanned; House floor politics

WATCH: DHS: cartel placing bounties on agents; prison mail scanned; House floor politics

By Greg Bishop | The Center SquareThe Center Square (The Center Square) – In today's edition of Illinois in Focus Daily, The Center Square Editor Greg Bishop shares the latest...
Competition ‘evisceration’: SCOTUS asked to forever end Realtors’ ‘optional’ rules

Competition ‘evisceration’: SCOTUS asked to forever end Realtors’ ‘optional’ rules

By Jonathan Bilyk | Legal NewslineThe Center Square Amid a series of changes in the home selling business that have been called nothing short of seismic, the country's largest real...
Investigation: California brush clearance stalling 9 months after January fires

Investigation: California brush clearance stalling 9 months after January fires

By Kenneth SchruppThe Center Square California’s brush clearance efforts are stalling nine months after the devastating January fires that destroyed vast swathes of Los Angeles County, state data shows. Only...
Trump approval rating at 48% in October, poll finds

Trump approval rating at 48% in October, poll finds

By Thérèse BoudreauxThe Center Square A new poll shows that President Donald Trump’s approval rating reached 48% in October, a number mostly bolstered by Republicans. The Center Square Voters' Voice...
Millions of dollars spent on redistricting commercials

Millions of dollars spent on redistricting commercials

By Madeline ShannonThe Center Square As the California special election heats up in the weeks leading to voters saying yay or nay on Gov. Gavin Newsom’s congressional redistricting effort, big...
WATCH: Trump posthumously honors Charlie Kirk with Presidential Medal of Freedom

WATCH: Trump posthumously honors Charlie Kirk with Presidential Medal of Freedom

By Sarah Roderick-FitchThe Center Square The Presidential Medal of Freedom, the highest civilian honor, was awarded posthumously to Charlie Kirk on what would’ve been his 32nd birthday Tuesday. President Donald...
Southwest falls short on list of great cities to drive

Southwest falls short on list of great cities to drive

By Dave MasonThe Center Square There’s no place safer to drive in the U.S. than Corpus Christi, Texas. That’s according to a WalletHub study, which puts five Texan cities in...
Govt shutdown predicted to drag on after funding bill fails for 8th time in Senate

Govt shutdown predicted to drag on after funding bill fails for 8th time in Senate

By Thérèse BoudreauxThe Center Square It’s been two weeks since the federal government shut down, and lawmakers are no closer to reaching a deal after U.S. Senate Democrats voted down...
Supreme Court rejects bid to overturn H-1B visa rule

Supreme Court rejects bid to overturn H-1B visa rule

By Andrew RiceThe Center Square The U.S. Supreme Court on Tuesday declined to hear a case challenging a rule that allows spouses of H-1B workers to work in the United...
Johnson tells Democrats to 'bring it' over pay for U.S. troops

Johnson tells Democrats to ‘bring it’ over pay for U.S. troops

By Brett RowlandThe Center Square President Donald Trump's weekend move to pay U.S. troops during a partial government shutdown raised legal questions, but it also relieved pressure on Republicans as...

WATCH: Pritzker vows to continue battling Trump over ‘abuses’ around public safety

By Greg Bishop | The Center SquareThe Center Square (The Center Square) – The war of words continues between President Donald Trump and Illinois Gov. J.B. Pritzker over public safety...
Lawmakers, advocates discuss battery storage, consumer costs in energy bill

Lawmakers, advocates discuss battery storage, consumer costs in energy bill

By Jim Talamonti | The Center SquareThe Center Square (The Center Square) – An Illinois state lawmaker is pushing battery storage legislation, but not all of her Democratic colleagues are...
Houston-based company makes LNG history in Alaska

Houston-based company makes LNG history in Alaska

By Bethany BlankleyThe Center Square Texas-based companies continue to lead the U.S. in oil and natural gas production – including in Alaska. A Houston-based company has helped make history by...
Massachusetts university visa program under threat of H-1B fee

Massachusetts university visa program under threat of H-1B fee

By Andrew RiceThe Center Square Certain H-1B visa programs across the country could be under threat as the Trump administration cracks down on the program with a new $100,000 fee....