Illinois quick hits: Trump signs Duckworth’s BABES Act; REAL ID portals promoted
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.
Latest News Stories
Nine Will County Municipalities Face Expired License Plate Reader Agreements; Crest Hill Opts Out
Judge Orders Will County Board to Approve Previously Denied Solar Farm Permits
Lincoln-Way West Powers Past Cross-Town Rival Lincoln-Way Central in 11-1 Run-Rule Victory
Lincoln-Way East Pitching Shuts Down Lincoln-Way West in 4-0 Conference Victory
Manhattan Receives $10,000 JADA Grant, Approves Patriotic Route 52 Decorations
WATCH: California probe ends $267M in alleged hospice fraud
Ex-Blago attorney: Quid pro quo is key to Madigan appeal
Illinois Quick Hits: House GOP says no Bears deal without property tax reform
WATCH: More than $600 million stolen from SNAP in 2025
Melania Trump denies any relationship with Jeffrey Epstein
War Powers Resolution halting Trump’s Iran ambitions fails in U.S. House
Lincoln-Way West Softball Edges Andrew 10-9 in Tight Conference Showdown