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

Spread the love

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.

Manhattan Weather Full forecast →
Today Jul 21
Mostly Sunny
73° 54°

Mostly Sunny

💨 5 to 10 mph 💧 2%

Leave a Comment





Latest News Stories

Healthcare leaders urge caution in fraud enforcement

Healthcare leaders urge caution in fraud enforcement

By Andrew RiceThe Center Square As healthcare affordability continues to persist as a top concern for voters ahead of the 2026 midterm elections, the Trump administration has pursued Medicare and...
School reviews paraprofessional’s social media post about Trump

School reviews paraprofessional’s social media post about Trump

By Catrina Barker | The Center Square contributorThe Center Square (The Center Square) – A Putnam County Community Unit School District #535 paraprofessional is facing criticism after a social media...
USDA: California owes $1.4 billion because of SNAP errors

USDA: California owes $1.4 billion because of SNAP errors

By Chris WoodwardThe Center Square California saw $1.4 billion in Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program errors for Fiscal Year 2025. That accounts for $3.8 million every single day. That's part of...
Victor Marx wins Colorado Republican primary for governor

Victor Marx wins Colorado Republican primary for governor

By Liam HibbertThe Center Square First-time candidate Victor Marx narrowly beat out veteran state lawmaker Barb Kirkmeyer to win the Colorado Republican primary for governor. The results came more than...
Op-Ed: Parents deserve open banking without extra fees

Op-Ed: Parents deserve open banking without extra fees

By Alleigh Marré | American Parents CoalitionThe Center Square Every parent makes hundreds of decisions each day to keep family life moving. Paying for the things your family needs shouldn't...
Federal deficit reaches 'astounding' levels

Federal deficit reaches ‘astounding’ levels

By Thérèse BoudreauxThe Center Square Only nine months into fiscal year 2026, the U.S. government has already borrowed $1.4 trillion, surpassing the entire federal deficit of the previous fiscal year....
Special investigation petition filed in Springfield after rep’s indictment

Special investigation petition filed in Springfield after rep’s indictment

By Sean Reed | The Center SquareThe Center Square (The Center Square) – The Illinois House will convene a special investigative committee after 11 House Republicans filed paperwork Friday. House...
Illinois Quick Hits: Carbondale store owner sentenced for SNAP fraud

Illinois Quick Hits: Carbondale store owner sentenced for SNAP fraud

By Jim Talamonti | The Center SquareThe Center Square (The Center Square) – A Carbondale store owner has been sentenced to nearly four years in prison after he admitted to...
Judge delays ruling on bringing Tyler Robinson to trial

Judge delays ruling on bringing Tyler Robinson to trial

By Dave MasonThe Center Square Utah Fourth Judicial District Court Judge Tony Graf has delayed his ruling on whether there’s enough evidence to bring Tyler Robinson to trial on charges...
Board releases guidance for use of AI in Illinois classrooms

Board releases guidance for use of AI in Illinois classrooms

By Sean Reed | The Center SquareThe Center Square (The Center Square) – In the wake of new state laws regulating artificial intelligence, the Illinois State Board of Education released...
Flooding, weather events impact farmers, taxpayers

Flooding, weather events impact farmers, taxpayers

By Jim Talamonti | The Center SquareThe Center Square (The Center Square) – Federal and state government agencies have announced assistance plans for farmers impacted by severe weather and flooding,...
John Deere agrees to 10-year right-to-repair settlement

John Deere agrees to 10-year right-to-repair settlement

By Jon Styf | The Center SquareThe Center Square (The Center Square) – Deere and Co. agreed to provide farmers and independent repair shops access to the same equipment repair...
Trump: Ceasefire with Iran over as talks continue

Trump: Ceasefire with Iran over as talks continue

By Sarah Roderick-FitchThe Center Square The ceasefire with Iran is over as talks with the Islamic Republic continue, President Donald Trump said Friday. Trump's post on social media follows a...
Public pushback to Flock cameras spark variety of government responses

Public pushback to Flock cameras spark variety of government responses

By Sean Reed | The Center SquareThe Center Square (The Center Square) – Across the country, opposition to license plate cameras created by Flock Safety is mounting. Major cities and...
Illinois Quick Hits: ICE asks Pritzker not to release accused kidnapper

Illinois Quick Hits: ICE asks Pritzker not to release accused kidnapper

By Jim Talamonti | The Center SquareThe Center Square (The Center Square) – U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement has lodged a detainer asking Gov. J.B. Pritzker and other Illinois officials...