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.

Community Events

Leave a Comment





Latest News Stories

Federal services to slowly recover following end of government shutdown

Federal services to slowly recover following end of government shutdown

By Thérèse BoudreauxThe Center Square With the longest government shutdown in history finally over, federal agencies are slowly bringing affected services back online and hoping to resume normal operations by...
IL congressman pushes military to accept CLT, experts say it could shape education

IL congressman pushes military to accept CLT, experts say it could shape education

By Catrina Barker contributiorThe Center Square An Illinois congressman is pushing to expand testing options at U.S. service academies, a move experts say could revive academic rigor and expand access...
solar panels photovoltaics in solar farm

New Lenox Solar Farm Gains County Committee Approval with Conditions

Will County Land Use & Development Committee Meeting | November 6, 2025 Article Summary: A 63-acre commercial solar energy facility on Spencer Road in New Lenox Township received a key endorsement...
Will County Board Land Use Committee Graphic.1

Committee Approves Frankfort Township Gaming Bar on Split Vote

Will County Land Use & Development Committee Meeting | November 6, 2025 Article Summary: Despite an objection from Frankfort Township, a proposed video gaming bar on West St. Francis Road is...
Will County Board Land Use Committee Graphic.3

Crete Township Senior Group Home Gets Unanimous Committee Support

Will County Land Use & Development Committee Meeting | November 6, 2025 Article Summary: A proposal to convert a single-family home in Crete Township into a shared living facility for up...
Will County Board Land Use Committee Graphic.4

Beecher-Area Rezoning and Variances Approved to Legalize Structure

Will County Land Use & Development Committee Meeting | November 6, 2025 Article Summary: The Will County Land Use and Development Committee approved a rezoning and two variances for a property...
Will County Board Land Use Committee Graphic.2

Committee Approves Wilton Township Land Division Despite Spot Zoning Concerns

Will County Land Use & Development Committee Meeting | November 6, 2025 Article Summary: The Will County Land Use and Development Committee approved a request to rezone a 1.75-acre parcel in...
MS-13 members prosecuted nationwide for brutal murders, fentanyl trafficking

MS-13 members prosecuted nationwide for brutal murders, fentanyl trafficking

By Bethany BlankleyThe Center Square Federal, state and local law enforcement officers continue to target Mara Salvatrucha (MS-13) U.S.-Salvadoran transnational gang members nationwide. MS-13 was designated as a foreign terrorist...
Illinois, Chicago residents rank high taxes as state’s top issue

Illinois, Chicago residents rank high taxes as state’s top issue

By Glenn Minnis | The Center Square contributorThe Center Square (The Center Square) – With the state now losing a resident to another state every nine minutes and more than...
Jan. 6 panel cost twice previous estimates, hiring TV producers to dramatize attack

Jan. 6 panel cost twice previous estimates, hiring TV producers to dramatize attack

By Mark StricherzThe Center Square The U.S. House select committee that investigated the Jan. 6, 2021, attack on the U.S. Capitol cost almost twice as much as previously reported, including...
Illinois quick hits: Illinois House members vote along party lines; More than 40% of CPS teachers missed 10 or more school days; State Treasurer says Bright Start earns gold

Illinois quick hits: Illinois House members vote along party lines; More than 40% of CPS teachers missed 10 or more school days; State Treasurer says Bright Start earns gold

By Jim Talamonti | The Center SquareThe Center Square Illinois House members vote along party lines Illinois U.S. House members voted along party lines as the chamber approved legislation to...
Meeting Briefs

Meeting Summary and Briefs: Will County Capital Improvements & IT Committee for November 4, 2025

Will County Capital Improvements & IT Committee Meeting | November 4, 2025 The Will County Capital Improvements & IT Committee on Tuesday, November 4, 2025, reviewed a successful bond refinancing...
Meeting Briefs

Meeting Summary and Briefs: Manhattan Village Board for November 4, 2025

Manhattan Village Board Meeting | November 4, 2025 An emotional and lengthy discussion on improving safety along U.S. Route 52 was the central focus of the Manhattan Village Board meeting...

WATCH: Longest-ever government shutdown ends after 43 days

By Thérèse BoudreauxThe Center Square The U.S. House of Representatives voted to reopen and fund the federal government Wednesday night, ending the longest government shutdown in American history. President Donald...
Glock: Judge’s OK of Chicago’s anti-gun lawsuit questionable, at best

Glock: Judge’s OK of Chicago’s anti-gun lawsuit questionable, at best

By Jonathan Bilyk | Legal NewslineThe Center Square Firearms maker Glock is asking for permission to appeal a Cook County judge's ruling allowing the city of Chicago to continue its...