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.

Leave a Comment





Latest News Stories

Tourism spending, Springfield investment bill considered as budget deadline nears

Tourism spending, Springfield investment bill considered as budget deadline nears

By Sean Reed | The Center SquareThe Center Square (The Center Square) – Multiple proposals that could increase funding targeted at increasing tourism in Illinois are under consideration for the...
DOJ sues four states over denial of undercover license plates to federal agents

DOJ sues four states over denial of undercover license plates to federal agents

By Andrew PaxtonThe Center Square The Department of Justice filed separate federal lawsuits Wednesday against Washington, Oregon, Maine and Massachusetts, escalating a clash between the Trump administration and Democratic-led states...
Constitutional questions raised over digital age verification bill

Constitutional questions raised over digital age verification bill

By Jim Talamonti | The Center SquareThe Center Square (The Center Square) – Constitutional concerns surround state legislation aimed at verifying the age of internet and social media users. Illinois...
DHS threatens to halt customs processing at airports in sanctuary cities

DHS threatens to halt customs processing at airports in sanctuary cities

By Thérèse BoudreauxThe Center Square Major airports across the country could soon freeze customs processing and cancel all international flights if sanctuary cities continue bucking federal immigration enforcement operations. Department...
Illinois Quick Hits: CTE bill goes to House after clearing Senate

Illinois Quick Hits: CTE bill goes to House after clearing Senate

By Jim Talamonti | The Center SquareThe Center Square (The Center Square) – The Illinois Senate has passed legislation allowing high school students to take Career Technical Education classes as...
Debt confidence hits two-year low amid affordability concerns

Debt confidence hits two-year low amid affordability concerns

By Brett RowlandThe Center Square Americans' confidence in the nation's finances fell to a two-year low in May as the national debt again surpassed the size of the U.S. economy,...
Candidates debate healthcare for Nevada primary

Candidates debate healthcare for Nevada primary

By Andrew RiceThe Center Square Editor's note: This is part of a series previewing the congressional and statewide races in the Nevada primary election, set for June 9. The election...
ExxonMobil shareholders approve plan to redomicile to Texas

ExxonMobil shareholders approve plan to redomicile to Texas

By Bethany BlankleyThe Center Square ExxonMobil shareholders on Wednesday approved the board of directors’ plan to redomicile the company's legal headquarters to Texas. Shareholders also rejected a proposal made by...
U.S., Iran may be on the cusp of tentative ceasefire extension

U.S., Iran may be on the cusp of tentative ceasefire extension

By Sarah Roderick-FitchThe Center Square A memorandum of understanding has been reached between U.S. and Iranian negotiators, pending approval from President Donald Trump and Iranian leadership, according to reports. The...
Pritzker indicates he'll sign new insurance regulations

Pritzker indicates he’ll sign new insurance regulations

By Jim Talamonti | The Center SquareThe Center Square (The Center Square) – Gov. J.B. Pritzker is expected to sign two bills headed to his desk that give the state...
Election 2026: For one of the four seats, trouble brews

Election 2026: For one of the four seats, trouble brews

By Alan WootenThe Center Square Texas hasn’t elected a Democrat to the U.S. Senate since 1988, Kentucky since 1992, Louisiana and North Carolina since 2008. Respectively, outgoing Republican Sens. John...
Treasury reveals how to sign up for Trump Accounts on new app

Treasury reveals how to sign up for Trump Accounts on new app

By Thérèse BoudreauxThe Center Square The U.S. Department of the Treasury announced the launch of the Trump Accounts app Thursday, kicking off the registration process for citizens and permanent residents...
Republicans claim fake transparency in early budget, demand better

Republicans claim fake transparency in early budget, demand better

By Sean Reed | The Center SquareThe Center Square (The Center Square) – At the height of state budget negotiations, Republican lawmakers have said Democrat leaders have again pulled their...
Ceasefire in question as U.S. accuses Iran of violations

Ceasefire in question as U.S. accuses Iran of violations

By Sarah Roderick-FitchThe Center Square The future of the ceasefire between the U.S. and Iran has come into question following the second exchange of fire between the countries in less...
Supreme Court rules against prison sentence reductions

Supreme Court rules against prison sentence reductions

By Andrew RiceThe Center Square The U.S. Supreme Court, in two separate cases on Thursday, ruled against convicted individuals seeking to reduce their prison sentences. The high court ruled in...