Illinois quick hits: Pritzker signs abortion bills; Operation Purple Heart returns medals

Illinois quick hits: Pritzker signs abortion bills; Operation Purple Heart returns medals

August 22, 2025/
Spread the love

By The Center Square
The Center Square

Pritzker signs abortion bills

Two bills Gov. J.B. Pritzker enacted Friday impact access to abortion procedures.

House Bill 3637 shields health care providers from discipline for providing abortion services that are lawful in Illinois.

House Bill 3709 requires colleges and universities to offer contraception and medication abortion if they have an on-campus pharmacy or student health center.

Operation Purple Heart returns medals

A 16th family has been reunited with their relative’s Purple Heart military honors.

Illinois Treasurer Michael Frerichs’ office announced as part of Operation Purple Heart, they returned Army Private Stephen J. Grabowski’s military medals with grand-niece Chrystal Cantrell during a ceremony in Marion.

Frerichs, who handles unclaimed property, also returned Grabowski’s Bronze Star and other medals.

Product Expo to open at Du Quoin State Fair

The Illinois Product Expo will be open at the Du Quoin State Fair for the final weekend.

Located in the Expo Hall at the Du Quoin State Fairgrounds from 5 to 9 p.m. Friday, Aug. 29, from 11 a.m. to 8 p.m. Saturday, Aug. 30, and from 11 a.m. to 5 p.m. Sunday, Aug. 31.

Products include food, drinks, crafts and items like soaps, essential oils and more.

###

Community Events

Leave a Comment





Latest News Stories

Federal court blocks Trump from dismantling four agencies

Federal court blocks Trump from dismantling four agencies

By Dave MasonThe Center Square A federal court has issued a permanent injunction stopping the Trump administration from dismantling four federal agencies that deal with issues varying from libraries to...
State reps: Pritzker turns 'blind eye' to Chicago’s public safety crisis

State reps: Pritzker turns ‘blind eye’ to Chicago’s public safety crisis

By Jim Talamonti | The Center SquareThe Center Square (The Center Square) – After Gov. J.B. Pritzker said President Donald Trump was amplifying crime in Chicago, Illinois House Republicans said...
Illinois quick hits: Medicaid coverage for parental home visits; 'Trouble in Toyland' report

Illinois quick hits: Medicaid coverage for parental home visits; ‘Trouble in Toyland’ report

By Jim Talamonti | The Center SquareThe Center Square Medicaid coverage for parental home visits The Illinois Department of Healthcare and Family Services has launched new Medicaid coverage of home...
Potential data center in Illinois village raises local concerns

Potential data center in Illinois village raises local concerns

By Catrina Barker | The Center Square contributorThe Center Square (The Center Square) – Residents voice concerns about heavy power use, water demands and the impact of a potential data...
Beef prices could remain high even as Trump removes some tariffs

Beef prices could remain high even as Trump removes some tariffs

By Brett RowlandThe Center Square President Donald Trump removed 40% tariffs on Brazilian food products, including beef, but prices could remain elevated for years as the U.S. cattle industry rebuilds....

WATCH: Amid GOP governor candidates, Dabrowski says he knows how to fix Illinois

By Greg Bishop | The Center SquareThe Center Square (The Center Square) – A Republican candidate for Illinois governor says he has the knowledge of what ails the state and...

WATCH: Supreme Court ruling next year could reshape transgender rights beyond sports

By Carleen JohnsonThe Center Square In seven weeks, the U.S. Supreme Court will hear oral arguments in two cases involving challenges to the constitutionality of laws in Idaho and West...
Federal judge tosses government lawsuits against Comey and James

Federal judge tosses government lawsuits against Comey and James

By Morgan SweeneyThe Center Square A federal judge ruled against the administration twice Monday, throwing out its cases against former FBI Director James Comey and New York Attorney General Letitia...
Duffy, FAA say Thanksgiving holiday air travel should operate smoothly

Duffy, FAA say Thanksgiving holiday air travel should operate smoothly

By Thérèse BoudreauxThe Center Square As the Thanksgiving holiday travel rush begins, Transportation Secretary Sean Duffy is assuring air travelers that they likely will not face the mass delays and...
Bills would end income tax on military's pay and retirement

Bills would end income tax on military’s pay and retirement

By Chris WoodwardThe Center Square U.S. Rep. Abe Hamadeh, R-Arizona, has introduced bills to end the federal income tax on military pay and veterans’ retirement benefits. Hamadeh said he promised...
Mosley: Report arrives at a turning point in gender ‘medical scandal’

Mosley: Report arrives at a turning point in gender ‘medical scandal’

By Alan WootenThe Center Square In a room with a licensed doctor seeing a teenager or preteen and their parents, it is the child with mental health assessment minimized or...
Republican majority in U.S. House wobbles with MTG resignation

Republican majority in U.S. House wobbles with MTG resignation

By Thérèse BoudreauxThe Center Square The early resignation of Rep. Marjorie Taylor Greene, R-Ga., raises the stakes for U.S. House Republicans in the upcoming 2026 midterm elections – a fact...
Report: Michigan wasted millions on deceased Medicaid enrollees

Report: Michigan wasted millions on deceased Medicaid enrollees

By Elyse ApelThe Center Square Michigan made $39.9 million in Medicaid payments to deceased enrollees over a two-year period a decade ago, with a total of $249 million spent across...
Another cause of Thanksgiving/Black Friday stress? Lawsuits

Another cause of Thanksgiving/Black Friday stress? Lawsuits

By John O’Brien | Legal NewslineThe Center Square Though generally seen as a two-day holiday for eating and spending, Thanksgiving and Black Friday also present increased risks for lawsuits alleging...
State law helps Cook County expand immigrant legal defense fund

State law helps Cook County expand immigrant legal defense fund

By Jim Talamonti | The Center SquareThe Center Square (The Center Square) – Legislation from the Illinois General Assembly has opened the door for Cook County to fund immigrants’ legal...