Illinois quick hits: $1.57B return on investments; solar-powered manufacturer cuts ribbon

Illinois quick hits: $1.57B return on investments; solar-powered manufacturer cuts ribbon

August 28, 2025/
Spread the love

By Jim Talamonti | The Center Square
The Center Square

$1.57B return on investments

Illinois Treasurer Michael Frerichs says his office made a record $1.57 billion in investment earnings from the state investment portfolio during fiscal year 2025.

Frerichs said his office also made $998 million in gross investment earnings for municipalities and school districts.

The treasurer said every dollar earned in interest is a dollar that lawmakers don’t have to raise in taxes.

Solar-powered manufacturer cuts ribbon

Gov. J.B. Pritzker and other state and local officials have cut the ribbon on a new solar-powered manufacturing facility in Mount Vernon.

Manner Polymers received Reimagining Energy and Vehicles in Illinois tax credits for the electric vehicle and solar panel component factory.

The company’s incentive package also included $2.5 million for a new rail spur, funded by state taxpayers.

Illegal gambling warning

As college and professional football seasons get underway, the Sports Betting Alliance of Illinois is warning that the risks of illegal online gaming will rise as companies pass the state’s sports-betting tax onto customers.

The group says the per-wager tax will have the most impact on recreational bettors who place small-dollar wagers, with more than half the bets placed in Illinois at $5 or less.

Leave a Comment





Latest News Stories

Colorado governor vetoes legislation allowing ICE to be sued

Colorado governor vetoes legislation allowing ICE to be sued

By Liam HibbertThe Center Square Colorado Gov. Jared Polis vetoed a Democrat-backed bill on Wednesday that would have allowed citizens to sue immigration enforcement officers for civil rights violations. The...
Ballots processed slowly as Californians await 36-day count

Ballots processed slowly as Californians await 36-day count

By Chris WoodwardThe Center Square It will be more than a month before Californians see the official results from Tuesday's primary. That is especially the case in the races for...
Ballots processed slowly as Californians await 36-day count

Ballots processed slowly as Californians await 36-day count

By Chris WoodwardThe Center Square It will be more than a month before Californians see the official results from Tuesday's primary. That is especially the case in the races for...

WATCH: WA mayor stands by pro-ICE, anti-Antifa proclamations

By Carleen JohnsonThe Center Square The city of Battle Ground has been getting more attention this week than the small southwest Washington community typically receives, due to national coverage of...
U.S. House narrowly passes bill to fund USDA, FDA in 2027

U.S. House narrowly passes bill to fund USDA, FDA in 2027

By Thérèse BoudreauxThe Center Square Less than four months before fiscal year 2027 begins, the U.S. House passed the second of the 12 annual appropriations bills that will fund the...
Military advocates concerned about active-duty voters

Military advocates concerned about active-duty voters

By Madeline ShannonThe Center Square The U.S. Supreme Court could eliminate grace periods for mail-in ballots for overseas voters, officials from voting rights advocacy organizations said on Thursday. In a...
Ruling: Illinois Supreme Court likely overstepped in ousting of Cook County judge

Ruling: Illinois Supreme Court likely overstepped in ousting of Cook County judge

By Jonathan Bilyk | Legal NewslineThe Center Square A federal judge says he believes a Cook County judge has leveled serious accusations against the Illinois Supreme Court for trampling his...
Illinois passes law to restrict new federal migrant detention centers

Illinois passes law to restrict new federal migrant detention centers

By Sean Reed | The Center SquareThe Center Square (The Center Square) – Lawmakers passed a bill last weekend that will heavily restrict where immigration detention centers can operate in...
Alcohol tax amendments may be unconstitutional

Alcohol tax amendments may be unconstitutional

By Jim Talamonti | The Center SquareThe Center Square (The Center Square) – Illinois government officials have proposed amending the way the state taxes alcohol, but the changes may not...
Illinois quick hits: Lawsuit filed over drunk driving deal involving noncitizen

Illinois quick hits: Lawsuit filed over drunk driving deal involving noncitizen

By Jim Talamonti | The Center SquareThe Center Square Lawsuit filed over drunk driving deal involving noncitizen A Freedom of Information Act lawsuit filed with Urbana, Illinois, claims the city...
Michigan township denies solar expansion after months of controversy

Michigan township denies solar expansion after months of controversy

By Elyse ApelThe Center Square After months of public opposition, a southwest Michigan township has voted to deny an expansion for a utility-scale solar project. The Fayette Township Planning Commission...
Researchers put a number on how much debt U.S. can carry

Researchers put a number on how much debt U.S. can carry

By Brett RowlandThe Center Square The United States has about 20 years to change course on its national debt before it reaches the estimated limits of its debt capacity, according...
Illinois to regulate intoxicating hemp products, loosen up on cannabis

Illinois to regulate intoxicating hemp products, loosen up on cannabis

By Sean Reed | The Center SquareThe Center Square (The Center Square) – Headed to the governor’s desk is legislation that will regulate and restrict some intoxicating hemp products and...
Nevada gubernatorial candidates clash over Trump's policies

Nevada gubernatorial candidates clash over Trump’s policies

By Liam HibbertThe Center Square Nevada’s gubernatorial primaries are teasers to a competitive November election that is expected to be decided by narrow margins in the swing state. Gov. Joe...
Feds cut funding for Hawaii Medicaid fraud unit

Feds cut funding for Hawaii Medicaid fraud unit

By Andrew RiceThe Center Square Federal officials decertified Hawaii's Medicaid Fraud Control Unit on Thursday, citing concerns over a lack of accountability in the program. Every state that administers Medicaid...