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

U.S. deficit projected to hit $2 trillion, double fiscal target

U.S. deficit projected to hit $2 trillion, double fiscal target

By Brett RowlandThe Center Square The federal government is projected to post a $2 trillion deficit in fiscal year 2026, double the 3% of GDP target that has bipartisan support...
Iran targets Navy ships, U.S. responds; ceasefire in question

Iran targets Navy ships, U.S. responds; ceasefire in question

By Sarah Roderick-FitchThe Center Square Exactly one month after the U.S. declared a ceasefire with Iran, the U.S. struck Iranian military sites Thursday in retaliation for “unprovoked” attacks on a...
Iran targets Navy ships, U.S. responds; ceasefire in question

Iran targets Navy ships, U.S. responds; ceasefire in question

By Sarah Roderick-FitchThe Center Square Exactly one month after the U.S. declared a ceasefire with Iran, the U.S. struck Iranian military sites Thursday in retaliation for “unprovoked” attacks on a...
Fetterman: Democrats can't 'simply be the opposite' of 'whatever Trump says'

Fetterman: Democrats can’t ‘simply be the opposite’ of ‘whatever Trump says’

By John ColeThe Center Square After a series of votes and statements putting him at odds with his fellow Democrats over the past year, U.S. Sen. John Fetterman, D-Pa., says...
Lincoln Way West Warriors Baseball

Lincoln-Way West Erupts for Eight Runs in Fifth Inning to Run-Rule Andrew 12-2

The Lincoln-Way West varsity baseball team broke open a close conference matchup on Wednesday afternoon, utilizing a massive eight-run fifth inning to secure a 12-2 walk-off run-rule victory over visiting...
Bahamas parliament candidate faces scrutiny over ties to accused cocaine smuggler

Bahamas parliament candidate faces scrutiny over ties to accused cocaine smuggler

By Tom JoyceThe Center Square (The Center Square ) – A former Bahamian national security minister running for parliament faces growing scrutiny ahead of next week’s general election over his...
Bahamas parliament candidate faces scrutiny over ties to accused cocaine smuggler

Bahamas parliament candidate faces scrutiny over ties to accused cocaine smuggler

By Tom JoyceThe Center Square (The Center Square ) – A former Bahamian national security minister running for parliament faces growing scrutiny ahead of next week’s general election over his...
Lincoln Way West Warriors Softball

Lincoln-Way West Bats Erupt with Five Home Runs in 18-2 Rout of Stagg

The Lincoln-Way West varsity softball team unleashed a relentless offensive barrage on Wednesday, blasting five home runs to decisively defeat visiting Stagg 18-2 in conference play. The Warriors established their...
Clashing housing availability, affordability proposals weighed in Springfield

Clashing housing availability, affordability proposals weighed in Springfield

By Sean Reed | The Center SquareThe Center Square (The Center Square) – Plans to cut red tape and create less restrictive zoning laws statewide has been a major focus...
Illinois Quick Hits: Unemployment rises again; growth continues in Champaign

Illinois Quick Hits: Unemployment rises again; growth continues in Champaign

By Jim Talamonti | The Center SquareThe Center Square (The Center Square) – The unemployment rate in Illinois has risen to 5.2%, according to data released onThursday by the U.S....
Detention hearing continued to next week for suspect in Trump threats

Detention hearing continued to next week for suspect in Trump threats

By Alan WootenThe Center Square The detention hearing for Army veteran Daniel Swain, the South Carolinian arrested in North Carolina accused of being headed to Washington, on Thursday was continued...
Detention hearing continued to next week for suspect in Trump threats

Detention hearing continued to next week for suspect in Trump threats

By Alan WootenThe Center Square The detention hearing for Army veteran Daniel Swain, the South Carolinian arrested in North Carolina accused of being headed to Washington, on Thursday was continued...
Digital ad tax plan prompts discussion as impacts remain unclear

Digital ad tax plan prompts discussion as impacts remain unclear

By Jim Talamonti | The Center SquareThe Center Square (The Center Square) – A digital advertising tax is up for discussion in the Illinois legislature, but opponents say big tech...
Bill preventing illegal immigrants from driving also impacts state voter ID laws

Bill preventing illegal immigrants from driving also impacts state voter ID laws

By Thérèse BoudreauxThe Center Square Four Republican U.S. senators are pushing a bill that would penalize states that issue driver’s licenses, commercial driver’s licenses, or personal identification cards to migrants...

WATCH: New survey finds more WA businesses considering moving out of state

By Carleen JohnsonThe Center Square A new survey of Washington businesses reveals growing pessimism about the state’s economy and ability to be successful in the Evergreen state. The survey conducted...