October 1, 2025/

Illinois quick hits: Record infrastructure spending planned; watchdog urges ratepayers review Ameren bills

Spread the love

By Jim Talamonti | The Center Square
The Center Square

Record infrastructure spending planned

Gov. J.B. Pritzker and the Illinois Department of Transportation joined state, local and organized labor officials to announce the largest multi-year infrastructure spending program in state history.

The planned investment of $50.6 billion state taxpayer funds over six years breaks the previous record of $41.4 billion set last year.

Habitat homes get $2 million

The Illinois Housing Development Authority has allocated $2 million to Habitat for Humanity of Illinois to administer the next round of a program that helps working families buy a home.

The Community Impact Fund is is expected to create 100 new homeowners across Illinois.

Watchdog urges ratepayers review Ameren bills

A utility watchdog group says Ameren’s electricity price has dropped more than 30% from what it was this summer.

The Citizens Utility Board issued an alert Wednesday, urging consumers to review the electric supply section of their bills to make sure they are not overpaying with an alternative supplier.

Latest News Stories

Meeting Summary and Briefs: Casey City Council for Dec. 3, 2025

Casey City Council Meeting | Dec. 3, 2025 Overall Meeting SummaryThe Casey City Council met on Wednesday, Dec. 3, 2025, to handle a variety of end-of-year business, headlined by the...

Council Moves to Increase Utility Reconnect Fees to Curb Non-Payment

Casey City Council Meeting | Dec. 3, 2025 Article Summary: To discourage habitual non-payment of utility bills, the Casey City Council directed the City Attorney to draft an ordinance that would...

Adoption of 2025 Comprehensive Plan Sets Future Course for City of Casey

Casey City Council Meeting | Dec. 3, 2025 Article Summary: The Casey City Council formally adopted a new Comprehensive Plan, a long-range document designed to guide the city’s growth, economic development,...

Candy Canes on Main Marks 10th Anniversary with New Ice Rink and Expanded Festivities

CASEY, Ill. — The 10th annual Candy Canes on Main festival returns to downtown Casey this weekend, celebrating a decade of holiday tradition with the debut of an ice skating...

CWVB-LICSelections-AvaGobleAnnaKarrasMadiGelbHaleySchackmann

Lady Warriors celebrate 21-win season, honor top performers at banquet

Feature photo caption: The Lady Warriors were well-represented on the Little Illini All-Conference roster following their 21-win season. Pictured are (from left) Second Team selection Ava Goble, Honorable Mention Anna...

New online portal to track universities’ foreign funding live in 2026

By Morgan SweeneyThe Center Square Starting in January, American universities can more easily report foreign funding, according to the Department of Education. The federal government will launch a new foreign...

IL U.S. House candidate: drug screen expectant moms getting subsidies

By Jim Talamonti | The Center SquareThe Center Square (The Center Square) – A doctor running for Congress in Illinois’ 5th Congressional District says the first step to improving the...

Illinois quick hits: Ameren requests rate hike; Pearl Harbor remembrance

By The Center SquareThe Center Square Ameren requests rate hike A year after receiving a $308.6 million electric rate hike, Ameren Illinois is asking the Illinois Commerce Commission for authority...

Sen. Mark Kelly says Trump and Hegseth can’t silence him

By Chris WoodwardThe Center Square U.S. Sen. Mark Kelly, D-Arizona, spent the weekend saying he will not be silenced by the Trump administration. During televised segments Sunday on CNN and...

Jeffries condemns GOP inaction on rising health care prices

By Thérèse BoudreauxThe Center Square Republicans in Congress are running out of time to address the upcoming health insurance premium hikes for millions of Americans at the end of the...

U.S. reaches deal with U.K. on higher drug prices

By Brett RowlandThe Center Square The United Kingdom will pay 25% more for new medications as part of a deal to avoid U.S. tariffs on Britain's drug exports to the...

Amid key holiday shopping season, some pick ‘pay later’ option

By Brett RowlandThe Center Square Early projections suggest Americans will spend more than $1 trillion over the holiday season, a crucial time for businesses, but not everyone is paying right...

Plaintiffs welcome House committee request for Chicago Teachers Union audits

By Jim Talamonti | The Center SquareThe Center Square (The Center Square) – While a congressional committee awaits financial audits from the Chicago Teachers Union, the Liberty Justice Center is...

Economist says curbing SNAP fraud requires states to cover 100% of costs

By Thérèse BoudreauxThe Center Square With the Trump administration taking steps to curb food stamp fraud, some fiscal watchdogs argue that shifting the consequences of fraud from the federal government...

Mass shooting at Stockton results in four killed, 11 injured

By Dave MasonThe Center Square The search continued Monday for the suspect or suspects in a Northern California mass shooting that killed three children and one adult. Authorities said 11...

Casey Local