Illinois quick hits: Trump signs Duckworth's BABES Act; REAL ID portals promoted

Illinois quick hits: Trump signs Duckworth’s BABES Act; REAL ID portals promoted

December 3, 2025/
Spread the love

By Jim Talamonti | The Center Square
The Center Square

Trump signs Duckworth’s BABES Act

President Donald Trump has signed bipartisan legislation to help parents travel by air with breast milk and breastfeeding supplies.

Along with U.S. Senators Steve Daines, R-MT, Ted Cruz, R-TX and Mazie K. Hirono, D-HI, Illinois U.S. Sen. Tammy Duckworth, D-Schaumburg, proposed the Bottles and Breastfeeding Equipment Screening (BABES) Enhancement Act.

The new law requires the Transportation Security Administration to clarify and update guidance on handling breast milk, baby formula and other related products.

REAL ID portals promoted

Illinois Secretary of State Alexi Giannoulias says his office has streamlined its REAL ID portal and extended the lease on its REAL ID walk-in facility in Chicago’s Loop through the end of 2026.

Giannoulias made the announcement after the Transportation Security Administration announced Monday that, starting Feb. 1, 2026, it will refer all passengers who do not present an acceptable form of ID the option of paying a $45 fee to use an alternative identity verification system.

Country music star announced for Fair

The Illinois State Fair has announced that country music star Ella Langley will take the Grandstand Stage as part of the 2026 fair lineup on Friday, Aug. 21, 2026.

Langley’s breakout single “you look like you love me” featuring Riley Green won Country Music Association (CMA) awards for Single of the Year (2025), Song of the Year (2025), Music Video of the Year (2025), and Musical Event of the Year (2024).

Tickets are scheduled to go on sale Saturday, Dec. 6 at 10 a.m. via Ticketmaster.

Leave a Comment





Latest News Stories

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...
8 indicted in planned attack on White House UFC event

8 indicted in planned attack on White House UFC event

By Morgan SweeneyThe Center Square Eight men have now been indicted by a federal grand jury for charges related to an alleged plot targeting the UFC cage-fighting event at the...