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

DeWine defends fraud safeguards at Ohio child care facilities

DeWine defends fraud safeguards at Ohio child care facilities

By J.D. DavidsonThe Center Square Ohio Gov. Mike DeWine is defending the state’s child care spending, saying longtime safeguards are in place that help prevent widespread fraud uncovered in Minnesota....
Illinois quick hits: State keeps more tax revenue, locals get less

Illinois quick hits: State keeps more tax revenue, locals get less

By Jim Talamonti | The Center SquareThe Center Square State keeps more tax revenue, locals get less Across Illinois, local governments have lost more than $10.9 billion in state income...
U.S. House contests to decide control of Congress in 2026

U.S. House contests to decide control of Congress in 2026

By Andrew RiceThe Center Square The 2026 midterm elections promise to bring fierce competition as Democrats and Republicans battle for control of Congress. All 435 seats in the U.S. House...
'Locked and loaded':Trump warns Iran

‘Locked and loaded’:Trump warns Iran

By Sarah Roderick-FitchThe Center Square Following days of civil unrest in Iran, President Donald Trump issued a warning to the Iranian regime that the U.S. is prepared to take action...
First negotiated Medicare drug prices go into effect Jan. 1

First negotiated Medicare drug prices go into effect Jan. 1

By Morgan SweeneyThe Center Square Negotiated lower Medicare costs for 10 popular prescription drugs went into effect Thursday. How much those savings will be passed on to Medicare Part D...
U.S. House vote on employee bargaining met with ‘political theater’ criticism

U.S. House vote on employee bargaining met with ‘political theater’ criticism

By Catrina BarkerThe Center Square )The Center Square) – An Illinois congressman praised a vote to restore collective bargaining for over one million federal workers while critics say the U.S....
Eight killed in U.S. military counter-narcotics strikes

Eight killed in U.S. military counter-narcotics strikes

By Elyse ApelThe Center Square The U.S. military conducted five more strikes on drug boats in the Caribbean in the last days of 2025. This is according to the U.S....
Hog producer: 2025 was strong, but IL legislature needs to address estate tax

Hog producer: 2025 was strong, but IL legislature needs to address estate tax

By Jim Talamonti | The Center SquareThe Center Square (The Center Square) – An Illinois hog producer says 2025 was a strong year, but state lawmakers need to address estate...
Zohran Mamdani sworn in as New York City's mayor

Zohran Mamdani sworn in as New York City’s mayor

By Elyse ApelThe Center Square Democratic Socialist Zohran Mamdani took the reins of the nation’s most populous city in a midnight ceremony Thursday. Mamdani was sworn into office by New...
Study: Interest rises in AI tools in education

Study: Interest rises in AI tools in education

By Esther WickhamThe Center Square Artificial intelligence tools for education continue to grow, according to a new study by One Click Human, a web-based platform designed to make AI-generated text...
Senators discuss what should be in Newsom's Capitol speech

Senators discuss what should be in Newsom’s Capitol speech

By Madeline ShannonThe Center Square California Gov. Gavin Newsom will give his annual State of the State address on Jan. 8, one year after the devastating wildfires in Los Angeles...
manhattan park district graphic.2

Round Barn Restoration Advances; New Parks Take Shape in Manhattan

Manhattan Park District Board Meeting | Nov. 2025 Article Summary: The Manhattan Park District is making significant progress on capital improvements, including the restoration of the historic Round Barn and...
Meeting Briefs

Meeting Summary and Briefs: Jackson Township Board for Nov. 12, 2025

Jackson Township Board Meeting | Nov. 12, 2025 The Jackson Township Board met on Wednesday, November 12, 2025, at the Township Hall. Supervisor Matt Robbins called the meeting to order...

WATCH: TCS investigating potential child care center fraud in WA

By Carleen JohnsonThe Center Square Daycare centers that receive hundreds of thousands in taxpayer subsidies did not appear to have any children when The Center Square visited the facilities this...
GOP fiscal hawks balk at $5.7B for refugees in 2026 HHS funding bill

GOP fiscal hawks balk at $5.7B for refugees in 2026 HHS funding bill

By Thérèse BoudreauxThe Center Square When Congress returns next week, lawmakers will have less than a month to pass the remaining nine appropriations bills funding federal agencies in fiscal year...