Illinois Quick Hits: State rep files Bears/megaprojects bill
(The Center Square) – State Rep. Dan Ugaste, R-Geneva, has filed the latest piece of legislation aimed at keeping the Chicago Bears in Illinois.
House Bill 5802 allows certain megaprojects to be eligible for a freeze on property tax assessments.
Ugaste told The Center Square last month that the bill language will prevent a stadium development’s equalized assessed value from leading to higher property taxes for residents.
PRITZKER, STATE ELECTIONS BOARD IVES V. PRITZKER
Gov. J.B. Pritzker and the Illinois State Board of Elections have filed motions to dismiss a lawsuit filed by former state Rep. Jeanne Ives over the state’s congressional maps.
The federal complaint was filed in the Central District of Illinois following a U.S. Supreme Court ruling that found Louisiana’s district map to be unconstitutional because it mandates the creation of racial districts.
In May, Ives told The Center Square Daily that state Democrats have brazenly moved to draw maps based on racial lines.
Greg Bishop and Sean Reed contributed to this story
TREASURER ANNOUNCES NONPROFIT GRANTS
Illinois Treasurer Michael Frerichs has announced $195,000 in Charitable Trust grants for smaller nonprofits that are funded by fees paid to the state by larger nonprofits.
Frerichs made the announcement on Monday at Care for Friends on Chicago’s North Side.
The treasurer said the grants are aimed to help with things like food insecurity, housing and workforce development.
Frerichs said more than $5.2 million in grants have been given to more than 200 organizations since he took office in 2015.
YARD POWER TOOLS RECALLED DUE TO FIRE RISK
The Consumer Product Safety Commission says Greenworks Tools has recalled Kobalt 24-volt and 48-volt trimmers, blowers, mowers, chain saws and pruning saws with USB-C batteries due to fire risk.
The products were sold nationwide by Lowe’s from January 2026 through May 2026.
The CPSC said charging the lithium-ion batteries through the USB-C port while the batteries are inserted in the tools can cause the batteries to short-circuit, posing a risk of serious injury from fire hazard.
Patchy Fog
Latest News Stories
Trucking industry leader: New law may drive business out of Illinois
DEA targets drug smuggling corridors in work with Mexico
Planned restart of California oil production faces legal challenges
Derailment disrupts train service for Chicago, New York, Washington, Miami
Senate pledges economic support for Russia-Ukraine deal as govt funding talks stall
Democratic candidates focus on national politics in campaign for U.S. Senate
Arizona Chamber praises new interstate natural gas pipeline
Dems oppose Trump’s bid to end mail-in ballots, voting machines
Trump says court’s tariff decision could lead to ‘catastrophic’ collapse
After two weeks fleeing Texas, House Democrats return, quorum reached
Trump: Zelenskyy could end Russia-Ukraine war ‘if he wants to’
$750 million facility to protect Texas cattle, wildlife from screwworm threat
Chicago posts fewest homicides since 2016, arrests rate also declines
Three years later, Inflation Reduction Act blamed for higher Medicare costs
