Illinois Quick Hits: State officials launch court user survey

Spread the love

(The Center Square) – The Illinois Supreme Court and the Illinois Judicial Conference announced on Tuesday a statewide circuit court user survey to be conducted through July 31.

The anonymous survey will be available in paper and electronic formats at circuit court courthouses across the state and will ask circuit court users about their most recent experience with the Illinois circuit courts.

Officials say the results will be used to inform future policy decisions and improve the court user experience.

The survey can be accessed online.

PRITZKER SIGNS CERTIFICATE OF INNOCENCE ACT

Gov. J.B. Pritzker has signed legislation that allows people who have been unjustly incarcerated to receive financial compensation from the state.

House Bill 3663 increases the maximum award amount for claims and expands the eligibility provisions for who can file a claim.

The new law takes effect immediately.

NONPROFIT INVESTMENT POOL BILL SIGNED

Among more than 30 bills Gov. J.B. Pritzker signed last Friday is legislation that allows the state treasurer to set up an investment pool.

Illinois Treasurer Michael Frerichs said in a statement that his office worked with lawmakers and the governor’s office to pass Senate Bill 2968 after Pritzker vetoed a similar measure last year.

INMATE SENTENCED TO ADDITIONAL TIME FOR PRODUCING CHILD SEX ABUSE MATERIAL

A federal judge has added 224 months of additional prison time to an FCI-Marion inmate’s sentence after he admitted to producing hand-drawn child sexual abuse material while incarcerated.

Christopher L. Collins, 42, pleaded guilty to charges that he created drawings depicting adults sexually assaulting children and provided the drawings to other inmates.

Collins is currently serving a 20-year sentence at Marion for previous child pornography-related convictions.

RIBBON CUTTING HELD FOR $307.1M WELGE BRIDGE

Officials from two states are celebrating the completion of a new bridge connecting Randolph County, Illinois and Perry County, Missouri.

A ribbon cutting was held last weekend for the Don Welge Memorial Bridge, at the river crossing of Illinois 150 and Missouri 51. The $307.1 million project overseen by the Missouri Department of Transportation includes about $143.2 million from Illinois taxpayers.

The Welge bridge replaces the Chester Bridge that was built in 1942.

Leave a Comment





Latest News Stories

Everyday Economics: Housing costs moderate even as overall prices drift higher

Everyday Economics: Housing costs moderate even as overall prices drift higher

By Orphe DivounguyThe Center Square Last week's economic data painted a picture of an economy sending mixed signals, with resilient housing activity colliding against stubborn inflation and an uncertain policy...
5th grade St. Louis Zoo field trip.5

An Expedition of Discovery: Fifth Grade Explores the St. Louis Zoo

Fifth graders transformed into budding zoologists as they prepared for their annual field trip to the St. Louis Zoo. The visit was much more than a day of sightseeing; it...
Poll: Most voters against federal govt controlling education

Poll: Most voters against federal govt controlling education

By Andrew RiceThe Center Square A vast majority of Americans do not believe the federal government should have control over education policy, according to a new poll. The Center Square...

WATCH: Closed Navy base in Puerto Rico could play role in fight against narco terrorists

By Sarah Roderick-FitchThe Center Square As the Trump administration continues to target suspected narco terrorists in the Caribbean, one of the top U.S. Navy bases in the region, which was...
Study of wine tariffs shows consumers will pick up part of Trump's tab

Study of wine tariffs shows consumers will pick up part of Trump’s tab

By Brett RowlandThe Center Square A study from Duke's Department of Economics found that consumers ultimately paid more than the tariff cost on European wines during a 2019–21 trade dispute,...
Illinois child welfare agency to update number of missing children

Illinois child welfare agency to update number of missing children

By Greg Bishop | The Center SquareThe Center Square (The Center Square) – The number of missing foster children on the radar of the state’s child welfare agency will be...
lake land college.3

Lake Land College Renews CPR Training Partnership with Illinois Department of Corrections

Lake Land College Board of Trustees Meeting | September, 2025 Article Summary: The Lake Land College board approved a new four-year agreement to continue providing CPR and First Aid training for...
Screenshot 2025-10-23 at 3.16.28 PM

Casey’s Emergency Warning Sirens in Need of Critical Upgrades

Casey City Council Meeting | October 20, 2025 Article Summary: An inspection of Casey's three emergency warning sirens has revealed that all are operating with outdated or malfunctioning control boards,...
sixth-grade students visited Springfield.1

Bringing History to Life: Sixth Graders Tour Springfield

Sixth-grade students stepped out of the classroom and into the pages of history during their annual trip to Springfield. The visit served as the culmination of their studies on Abraham...
Narco interdiction at sea isn’t new, CBP, Coast Guard have been doing it for years

Narco interdiction at sea isn’t new, CBP, Coast Guard have been doing it for years

By Bethany BlankleyThe Center Square President Donald Trump is ordering an aircraft carrier strike group head to the Caribbean to assist with drug interdiction at sea. This is after he...
Government shutdown halts visa, permanent resident approvals

Government shutdown halts visa, permanent resident approvals

By Andrew RiceThe Center Square As the federal government shutdown continues with no clear end in sight, federal agencies that process legal immigrant petition documents have been completely halted, leaving...
Ads roll on, money pours in, and SCORE Act waits

Ads roll on, money pours in, and SCORE Act waits

By Alan WootenThe Center Square Seven big games in the Southeastern Conference alone, hundreds of players, all headed toward the billions college football generates in the 21st century. And with...
Primary election filing to begin Monday for Illinois Dem, GOP candidates

Primary election filing to begin Monday for Illinois Dem, GOP candidates

By Jim Talamonti | The Center SquareThe Center Square (The Center Square) – Candidates hoping for a spot on 2026 primary election ballots are expected to line up Monday outside...
Poll: Young adults not confident in 2026 election fairness

Poll: Young adults not confident in 2026 election fairness

By Andrew RiceThe Center Square Almost half of young adult voters are not confident the 2026 elections will be conducted fairly, according to a new poll. The Center Square’s Voters’...
Casey Westfield School Board.3

Casey-Westfield School District Reports Strong Financial Position

Casey-Westfield School Board Meeting | October 20, 2025 Article Summary: The Casey-Westfield school district maintains a healthy financial status with operating funds equivalent to seven months of expenses, exceeding state...