April 6, 2026/

Illinois quick hits: Illinois House speaker’s son to attend private school; AFSCME workers set strike date at Illinois State University; IDOT urges public to avoid distracted driving

Spread the love

By Jim Talamonti | The Center Square
The Center Square

Illinois House speaker’s son to attend private school

Illinois House Speaker Emanuel “Chris” Welch, D-Hillside, says his son will attend a Catholic high school. Welch announced in a social media post on Saturday that his son, Tyler, is taking his talents to Nazareth Academy. When asked by The Center Square in December about school choice legislation, the speaker said he promised to call a bill for a vote if 60 Democrats would support it.

AFSCME workers set strike date at Illinois State University

A group of Illinois State University employees say they may walk off the job as soon as Wednesday. AFSCME Local 1110 members voted to authorize a strike last week. According to a statement on the union’s website, workers are “fed up with the administration’s refusal to agree to fair wages.”

IDOT urges public to avoid distracted driving

The Illinois Department of Transportation says more law enforcement officers will be on the lookout during April for texting, social media use, video viewing and other forms of distracted driving. IDOT says 253 people died and 28,271 people were injured in crashes involving distractions between 2020 and 2024 in Illinois.

Leave a Comment





Latest News Stories

Analysts: Civil rights defined Supreme Court term

Analysts: Civil rights defined Supreme Court term

By Andrew RiceThe Center Square Analysts and legal experts said the U.S. Supreme Court’s term primarily was focused on protecting civil rights. Justices on the nation’s highest court completed the...
Officials: Trans athlete bans won’t change Illinois school sports

Officials: Trans athlete bans won’t change Illinois school sports

By Sean ReedThe Center Square In a 6-3 decision Tuesday, the U.S. Supreme Court upheld multiple state bans on transgender athletes from competing in women’s and girls’ sports. The ruling...
From Nebraska to Connecticut: more TdA ATM jackpotting arrests, sentencings

From Nebraska to Connecticut: more TdA ATM jackpotting arrests, sentencings

By Bethany BlankleyThe Center Square From Nebraska to Connecticut, more Venezuelan nationals tied to the foreign terrorist organization, Tren de Aragua, are being arrested, prosecuted and sentenced. In Connecticut, four...
Advocates worry new law will raise drug prices, harm self-insured businesses

Advocates worry new law will raise drug prices, harm self-insured businesses

By Scott Holland | Legal NewslineThe Center Square A national pharmaceutical manufacturer advocacy group is suing Illinois over its 2025 Prescription Drug Affordability Act. The Pharmaceutical Care Management Association filed...
Republican voter ID bill bogs down crucial Pentagon funding

Republican voter ID bill bogs down crucial Pentagon funding

By Thérèse BoudreauxThe Center Square House Republicans’ voter ID bill has once again derailed progress of critical legislation in Congress, this time stalling a $1.1 trillion Pentagon funding bill. The...
Texas Republican leaders blast Supreme Court ruling on birthright citizenship

Texas Republican leaders blast Supreme Court ruling on birthright citizenship

By Bethany BlankleyThe Center Square Texas Republicans are blasting the U.S. Supreme Court for ruling on Tuesday that the 14th Amendment citizenship clause applies to children born in the U.S....
Illinois Quick Hits: Toll burden 5th in U.S.

Illinois Quick Hits: Toll burden 5th in U.S.

By Jim Talamonti | The Center SquareThe Center Square (The Center Square) – As Illinoisans face the prospect of higher tolls proposed by the state tollway board, a new study...
Complaint: District used tax dollars for referendum campaign

Complaint: District used tax dollars for referendum campaign

By Jim Talamonti | The Center SquareThe Center Square (The Center Square) – An ethics complaint filed on Monday is calling for an investigation into whether an Illinois school district...
America 250: Pastors in politics shaped American Revolution and policies today

America 250: Pastors in politics shaped American Revolution and policies today

By Bethany BlankleyThe Center Square As Americans celebrate the 250th anniversary of independence, many also are celebrating the critical role pastors played in the American Revolution and are still playing...
Supreme Court to hear Chicago assault weapons ban challenge

Supreme Court to hear Chicago assault weapons ban challenge

By Andrew RiceThe Center Square The U.S. Supreme Court agreed Tuesday to hear a case on whether citizens are guaranteed the right to possess semiautomatic weapons, including the popular AR-15....
Study: Warner Bros.-Paramount merger could generate $20B in economic activity

Study: Warner Bros.-Paramount merger could generate $20B in economic activity

By Tom JoyceThe Center Square A proposed merger between Warner Bros. Discovery and Paramount Skydance could generate nearly $20 billion in annual economic activity and support over 90,000 jobs across...
Op-Ed: Solving the data center conundrum – America's next boomtowns may be nuclear towns

Op-Ed: Solving the data center conundrum – America’s next boomtowns may be nuclear towns

By Brian GittThe Center Square We were in a grassy field in southern Ohio next to one of the largest nuclear fuel facilities in the US. Severe storms had rolled...
U.S. Supreme Court upholds bans on transgender athletes in female sports

U.S. Supreme Court upholds bans on transgender athletes in female sports

By Andrew RiceThe Center Square The U.S. Supreme Court on Tuesday upheld state bans on biological men competing in women’s and girls’ sports. The court upheld bans in Idaho and...
lake land college.1

Lake Land Trustees Review ‘Education That Fits Your Life’ Strategy at Retreat

Lake Land College Board of Trustees Special Meeting | May 20, 2026 Article Summary: The Lake Land College Board of Trustees held a special retreat May 20 to hear progress...
Illinois Quick Hits: Chicago TV crew attacked near lakefront

Illinois Quick Hits: Chicago TV crew attacked near lakefront

By Jim Talamonti | The Center SquareThe Center Square (The Center Square) – Police say charges are pending after a television news reporter and photographer were attacked near Adler Planetarium...