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

Democrats grill Kennedy, Wright, Rollins on 2027 budget requests

Democrats grill Kennedy, Wright, Rollins on 2027 budget requests

By Thérèse BoudreauxThe Center Square Democratic lawmakers grilled major Trump administration officials in a series of congressional hearings Thursday, questioning the millions in federal program cuts proposed by the president’s...
Illinois leaders sweat over tight budget; GOP wants more cuts

Illinois leaders sweat over tight budget; GOP wants more cuts

By Sean Reed | The Center SquareThe Center Square (The Center Square) – State legislative leaders from both parties spoke to the Illinois Chamber of Commerce about the broad state...
Illinois leaders sweat over tight budget; GOP wants more cuts

Illinois leaders sweat over tight budget; GOP wants more cuts

By Sean Reed | The Center SquareThe Center Square (The Center Square) – State legislative leaders from both parties spoke to the Illinois Chamber of Commerce about the broad state...
Consumer advocate: Following Kansas’ lead to prevent ‘lawfare’ is ‘imperative’

Consumer advocate: Following Kansas’ lead to prevent ‘lawfare’ is ‘imperative’

By Tate MillerThe Center Square After Kansas passed legislation to prevent “lawfare” – or the making of policies apart from the legal process – a consumer protection organization said other...
Pritzker: Swipe fee ban works, banking groups, feds push for repeal

Pritzker: Swipe fee ban works, banking groups, feds push for repeal

By Jim Talamonti | The Center SquareThe Center Square (The Center Square) – Gov. J.B. Pritzker says he hopes the federal government does what’s best for consumers and businesses as...
Pritzker: Swipe fee ban works, banking groups, feds push for repeal

Pritzker: Swipe fee ban works, banking groups, feds push for repeal

By Jim Talamonti | The Center SquareThe Center Square (The Center Square) – Gov. J.B. Pritzker says he hopes the federal government does what’s best for consumers and businesses as...
New York loses $73M in federal funds tied to CDL failures

New York loses $73M in federal funds tied to CDL failures

By Alan WootenThe Center Square Federal funds totaling $73 million will be withheld from New York by the Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration, the U.S. Department of Transportation said Thursday....
New York loses $73M in federal funds tied to CDL failures

New York loses $73M in federal funds tied to CDL failures

By Alan WootenThe Center Square Federal funds totaling $73 million will be withheld from New York by the Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration, the U.S. Department of Transportation said Thursday....
Struggling DHS agencies plead with Congress for funding security

Struggling DHS agencies plead with Congress for funding security

By Thérèse BoudreauxThe Center Square Department of Homeland Security agencies are requesting a total of $63 billion in fiscal year 2027 appropriations from Congress – even as Congress continues to...

WATCH: U.S. military strikes continue daily along Pacific drug routes

By Brett RowlandThe Center Square The U.S. military's recent surge against suspected drug traffickers in the Eastern Pacific has underscored President Donald Trump's aggressive anti-drug strategy, with five deadly strikes...
law and authority lawyer concept, judgment gavel hammer in court courtroom for crime judgement legislation and judicial decision, judge having justice of punishment guilt and criminal verdict legal

Indiana Man Faces Federal Indictment, Potential Death Penalty for Momence Bar Owner’s Murder

Article Summary: State prosecutors have officially transferred the first-degree murder case against Julius Burkes to the U.S. Department of Justice. The 47-year-old Indiana man now faces federal charges, including the...
Illinois Quick Hits: State unemployment rate hits 5%

Illinois Quick Hits: State unemployment rate hits 5%

By Jim Talamonti | The Center SquareThe Center Square (The Center Square) – The Illinois Department of Employment Security says the state’s unemployment rate reached 5% in February, up 0.1...
Illinois Quick Hits: State unemployment rate hits 5%

Illinois Quick Hits: State unemployment rate hits 5%

By Jim Talamonti | The Center SquareThe Center Square (The Center Square) – The Illinois Department of Employment Security says the state’s unemployment rate reached 5% in February, up 0.1...
U.S. House extends Haiti TPS three years, sends to Senate

U.S. House extends Haiti TPS three years, sends to Senate

By Andrew RiceThe Center Square The U.S. House of Representatives passed a measure, 224-204, to extend temporary protected status to Haitian nationals living in the United States. Ten House Republicans...
U.S. House extends Haiti TPS three years, sends to Senate

U.S. House extends Haiti TPS three years, sends to Senate

By Andrew RiceThe Center Square The U.S. House of Representatives passed a measure, 224-204, to extend temporary protected status to Haitian nationals living in the United States. Ten House Republicans...