Illinois quick hits: Education tax benefits available; Giannoulias orders license plate reader to shut off access to CBP

Illinois quick hits: Education tax benefits available; Giannoulias orders license plate reader to shut off access to CBP

August 25, 2025/
Spread the love

By Jim Talamonti | The Center Square
The Center Square

Education tax benefits available

As students across Illinois return to the classroom, Gov. J.B. Pritzker and the Illinois Department of Revenue are reminding parents and educators to take advantage of tax benefits available on their 2025 state income tax returns.

The Illinois K-12 Education Expense Credit allows parents or legal guardians of full-time students to claim a 25% tax credit on qualified education expenses over $250.

Teachers and other school workers can claim up to $500 in tax credits for out-of-pocket spending on classroom materials.

Giannoulias orders license plate reader to shut off access to CBP

Secretary of State Alexi Giannoulias has ordered a company which operates automated licensed reader systems to shut off U.S. Customs and Border Protection’s access to license plate camera data.

Giannoulias said Flock Safety violated state law by allowing the federal agency to access cameras.

The revelation comes just two months after Giannoulias ordered Flock to block outside law enforcement from seeking Illinois data related to abortion and immigration.

Abortion coverage lawsuit in appeals court

Oral arguments are scheduled to begin Tuesday in a case challenging a state mandate requiring health insurers to include abortion coverage in their plans.

Attorneys from the Thomas More Society filed suit in Illinois Appellate Court on behalf of the Illinois Baptist State Association in 2020.

More Stories
Manhattan Weather Full forecast →
Today Jul 21
Mostly Sunny
74° 54°

Mostly Sunny

💨 10 mph 💧 2%
Data: National Weather Service • Updated Jul 22, 1:32 PM Full Forecast →
Site Sections

Leave a Comment





Latest News Stories

Fugitive accused in $547 million Medicare fraud scheme captured

Fugitive accused in $547 million Medicare fraud scheme captured

By Nolan MckendryThe Center Square A man accused of orchestrating a $547 million Medicare fraud scheme through diagnostic laboratories in Louisiana and other states has been captured overseas and returned...
Ongoing border enforcement: Revocation of citizenship of convicted criminals

Ongoing border enforcement: Revocation of citizenship of convicted criminals

By Bethany BlankleyThe Center Square The Trump administration continues its multifaceted approach to border security and national security, including its concerted effort to denaturalize citizenship of convicted criminals. The administration...
Minnesota wildfires prompt burning restrictions as air quality improves

Minnesota wildfires prompt burning restrictions as air quality improves

By Elyse ApelThe Center Square More than a dozen wildfires in northern Minnesota are adding to ongoing air quality concerns throughout the U.S., which have been primarily fueled by Canadian...
Poll: Americans views of socialism little changed despite recent elections

Poll: Americans views of socialism little changed despite recent elections

By Dan McCalebThe Center Square Despite the 2025 elections of self-proclaimed socialists Zohran Mamdani and Katie Wilson as mayors of New York City and Seattle, respectively, the number of American...
Malliotakis: Commie Caucus is coming to Congress

Malliotakis: Commie Caucus is coming to Congress

By Christen SmithThe Center Square A growing tide of democratic Socialist candidates spurred comments on Tuesday from U.S. Rep. Nicole Malliotakis about the “rude awakening” of communism that lies ahead...
Texas Republicans chastise Mexican official’s 'audacious' border security claims

Texas Republicans chastise Mexican official’s ‘audacious’ border security claims

By Bethany BlankleyThe Center Square Texas Republicans are criticizing a Mexican official in response to a letter he sent about U.S. border security. In an open letter to Mexican Senator...
Feds freeze $1B to California, Minnesota Medicaid

Feds freeze $1B to California, Minnesota Medicaid

By Andrew RiceThe Center Square The Trump administration is pausing more than $1 billion in Medicaid payments to California and Minnesota, U.S. Health and Human Services Secretary Robert F. Kennedy...
Arrangements, services in place for Graham

Arrangements, services in place for Graham

By Alan WootenThe Center Square In a service expected to bring together many foreign leaders touched through his policy work on behalf of the United States, the late U.S. Sen....
Push increased for Dalilah’s Law to get a floor vote

Push increased for Dalilah’s Law to get a floor vote

By Alan WootenThe Center Square More than four months later, federal legislation from a North Carolina congressman addressing nondomiciled commercial drivers remains stuck in the U.S. House of Representatives. A...
Texas suffers its first casualty in Iran war: female soldier from Carrollton

Texas suffers its first casualty in Iran war: female soldier from Carrollton

By Bethany BlankleyThe Center Square Texas has suffered its first casualty in the U.S.-Israel war against Iran: Army Pvt. Isabella Gonzales, 19, of Carrollton. She was killed in action on...
Illinois quick hits: Benton's replacement chosen; gas prices resume climb

Illinois quick hits: Benton’s replacement chosen; gas prices resume climb

By Jim Talamonti | The Center SquareThe Center Square Benton's replacement chosen Jessica Dixon Heitman was chosen unanimously to replace former state Rep. Harry Benton, D-Plainfield, in the 97th House...
Illinois diversity certifications lag despite partial computer fix

Illinois diversity certifications lag despite partial computer fix

By Jared Strong | The Center SquareThe Center Square (The Center Square) -- State diversity leaders recently reported a large increase in the number of Illinois businesses that get better...
FBI: Suspect in federal building attack was anti-ICE 'extremist'

FBI: Suspect in federal building attack was anti-ICE ‘extremist’

By Chris WadeThe Center Square A man arrested by federal agents Monday for starting a large blaze outside a New York City immigration court was an "anti-government extremist" who told...
U.S. House to vote on government funding stopgap

U.S. House to vote on government funding stopgap

By Thérèse BoudreauxThe Center Square Republican lawmakers have teed up a Continuing Resolution that would extend government funding at current levels until Dec. 4, punting the government shutdown deadline by...
Trump vows retaliation for U.S. service members' deaths

Trump vows retaliation for U.S. service members’ deaths

By Sarah Roderick-FitchThe Center Square For a 10th consecutive night, the U.S. is carrying out strikes on Iran, targeting the Islamic Republic’s ability to attack commercial ships in the Strait...