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

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

August 7, 2025/
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.

Leave a Comment





Latest News Stories

Colorado governor vetoes legislation allowing ICE to be sued

Colorado governor vetoes legislation allowing ICE to be sued

By Liam HibbertThe Center Square Colorado Gov. Jared Polis vetoed a Democrat-backed bill on Wednesday that would have allowed citizens to sue immigration enforcement officers for civil rights violations. The...
Ballots processed slowly as Californians await 36-day count

Ballots processed slowly as Californians await 36-day count

By Chris WoodwardThe Center Square It will be more than a month before Californians see the official results from Tuesday's primary. That is especially the case in the races for...
Ballots processed slowly as Californians await 36-day count

Ballots processed slowly as Californians await 36-day count

By Chris WoodwardThe Center Square It will be more than a month before Californians see the official results from Tuesday's primary. That is especially the case in the races for...

WATCH: WA mayor stands by pro-ICE, anti-Antifa proclamations

By Carleen JohnsonThe Center Square The city of Battle Ground has been getting more attention this week than the small southwest Washington community typically receives, due to national coverage of...
U.S. House narrowly passes bill to fund USDA, FDA in 2027

U.S. House narrowly passes bill to fund USDA, FDA in 2027

By Thérèse BoudreauxThe Center Square Less than four months before fiscal year 2027 begins, the U.S. House passed the second of the 12 annual appropriations bills that will fund the...
Military advocates concerned about active-duty voters

Military advocates concerned about active-duty voters

By Madeline ShannonThe Center Square The U.S. Supreme Court could eliminate grace periods for mail-in ballots for overseas voters, officials from voting rights advocacy organizations said on Thursday. In a...
Ruling: Illinois Supreme Court likely overstepped in ousting of Cook County judge

Ruling: Illinois Supreme Court likely overstepped in ousting of Cook County judge

By Jonathan Bilyk | Legal NewslineThe Center Square A federal judge says he believes a Cook County judge has leveled serious accusations against the Illinois Supreme Court for trampling his...
Illinois passes law to restrict new federal migrant detention centers

Illinois passes law to restrict new federal migrant detention centers

By Sean Reed | The Center SquareThe Center Square (The Center Square) – Lawmakers passed a bill last weekend that will heavily restrict where immigration detention centers can operate in...
Alcohol tax amendments may be unconstitutional

Alcohol tax amendments may be unconstitutional

By Jim Talamonti | The Center SquareThe Center Square (The Center Square) – Illinois government officials have proposed amending the way the state taxes alcohol, but the changes may not...
Illinois quick hits: Lawsuit filed over drunk driving deal involving noncitizen

Illinois quick hits: Lawsuit filed over drunk driving deal involving noncitizen

By Jim Talamonti | The Center SquareThe Center Square Lawsuit filed over drunk driving deal involving noncitizen A Freedom of Information Act lawsuit filed with Urbana, Illinois, claims the city...
Michigan township denies solar expansion after months of controversy

Michigan township denies solar expansion after months of controversy

By Elyse ApelThe Center Square After months of public opposition, a southwest Michigan township has voted to deny an expansion for a utility-scale solar project. The Fayette Township Planning Commission...
Researchers put a number on how much debt U.S. can carry

Researchers put a number on how much debt U.S. can carry

By Brett RowlandThe Center Square The United States has about 20 years to change course on its national debt before it reaches the estimated limits of its debt capacity, according...
Illinois to regulate intoxicating hemp products, loosen up on cannabis

Illinois to regulate intoxicating hemp products, loosen up on cannabis

By Sean Reed | The Center SquareThe Center Square (The Center Square) – Headed to the governor’s desk is legislation that will regulate and restrict some intoxicating hemp products and...
Nevada gubernatorial candidates clash over Trump's policies

Nevada gubernatorial candidates clash over Trump’s policies

By Liam HibbertThe Center Square Nevada’s gubernatorial primaries are teasers to a competitive November election that is expected to be decided by narrow margins in the swing state. Gov. Joe...
Feds cut funding for Hawaii Medicaid fraud unit

Feds cut funding for Hawaii Medicaid fraud unit

By Andrew RiceThe Center Square Federal officials decertified Hawaii's Medicaid Fraud Control Unit on Thursday, citing concerns over a lack of accountability in the program. Every state that administers Medicaid...