Illinois News

Illinois quick hits: Pritzker signs abortion bills; Operation Purple Heart returns medals

Illinois quick hits: Pritzker signs abortion bills; Operation Purple Heart returns medals

By The Center SquareThe Center Square Pritzker signs abortion bills Two bills Gov. J.B. Pritzker enacted Friday impact access to abortion procedures. House Bill 3637 shields health care providers from...
WATCH: IL Department of Human Services’ adverse audit draws legislators’ ire

WATCH: IL Department of Human Services’ adverse audit draws legislators’ ire

By Greg Bishop | The Center SquareThe Center Square (The Center Square) – A recent adverse audit of the Illinois Department of Human Services is the worst audit seen by...
Illinois prisons to publish annual data on contraband, safety and overdoses

Illinois prisons to publish annual data on contraband, safety and overdoses

By Catrina Barker | The Center Square contributorThe Center Square (The Center Square) – A new law requires the Illinois Department of Corrections to publish annual data on contraband, substance...
Commission enacted to aid young IL farmers facing challenges

Commission enacted to aid young IL farmers facing challenges

By Catrina Barker | The Center Square contributorThe Center Square (The Center Square) – Gov. J.B. Pritzker enacted a law launching the Farmland Transition Commission, a lifeline for young farmers...
Appeals court: Serious Chicago police disciplinary hearings must be public

Appeals court: Serious Chicago police disciplinary hearings must be public

By Glenn Minnis | The Center Square contributorThe Center Square (The Center Square) – A panel of appellate court judges has ruled Chicago police officers facing serious misconduct allegations must...
WATCH: IL child welfare interns debate heats up; state financial audit released

WATCH: IL child welfare interns debate heats up; state financial audit released

By Greg Bishop | The Center SquareThe Center Square (The Center Square) – In today's edition of Illinois in Focus Daily, The Center Square Editor Greg Bishop talks live with...
Illinois quick hits: CUB challenges Ameren rate hike plan

Illinois quick hits: CUB challenges Ameren rate hike plan

By The Center SquareThe Center Square Disaster proclaimed in three counties A disaster proclamation has been issued for Cook, Jersey and Calhoun counties after severe weather last month. Gov. J.B....
WATCH: Illinois’ FY23 financial audit released amid criticism of tardy reports

WATCH: Illinois’ FY23 financial audit released amid criticism of tardy reports

By Greg Bishop | The Center SquareThe Center Square (The Center Square) – Illinois taxpayers can now look at how the state spent their money in the fiscal year that...
Illinois quick hits: Anti-SLAPP bill signed; Chicago schools settles meditation case

Illinois quick hits: Anti-SLAPP bill signed; Chicago schools settles meditation case

By Jim Talamonti | The Center SquareThe Center Square Anti-SLAPP bill signed Gov. J.B. Pritzker has signed legislation to protect news media from strategic lawsuits against public participation (SLAPP). The...
Director: Nation’s largest outdoor ag show brings economic impact to central IL

Director: Nation’s largest outdoor ag show brings economic impact to central IL

By Jim Talamonti | The Center SquareThe Center Square (The Center Square) – The nation’s largest outdoor agricultural show is set for next week in Central Illinois. The Farm Progress...

Latest News Stories

MH VB 6-17

Manhattan Police Department Welcomes New Full-Time Officer

The Village of Manhattan swore in Officer Joselyn Esparza as its newest full-time police officer during the June 17 village board meeting, bringing the department to full staffing levels. Mayor...
MH VB 6-17

Village Approves New Truck Purchase for Public Works Department

The Manhattan Village Board approved the purchase of a new Ford F450 truck for $116,000 to replace aging equipment in the public works department. The truck will be used for...
Meeting Briefs

Manhattan Village Board Briefs

Bank Letters of Credit: The board approved a resolution rescinding demand for payment on certain letters of credit for Banks Farm Development's Villas of Prairie Trails project. The bank provided...
Frankfort-Village-Board-Meeting-Graphic-June-16-2025

Frankfort Approves Outdoor Patios for The Loft and Grounded Coffee Bar, Waives All Parking Requirements

Downtown Frankfort is set to expand its outdoor dining options after the Village Board on Monday approved plans for new patios at two adjacent businesses, The Loft and Grounded Coffee...
Frankfort-Village-Board-Meeting-Graphic-June-16-2025

Frankfort Police Department to Get Four New Vehicles in Fleet Upgrade

FRANKFORT, Ill. – The Frankfort Police Department will be updating its aging fleet after the Village Board approved the purchase of four new vehicles for a total cost not to...
Frankfort-Village-Board-Meeting-Graphic-June-16-2025

Indoor Pickleball Facility ‘Pickled!’ Gets Green Light in Frankfort

A new indoor pickleball facility named "Pickled!" is set to open in Frankfort after the Village Board granted a special use permit for the business at its Monday meeting. The...
Frankfort-Village-Board-Meeting-Graphic-June-16-2025

Frankfort to Install Public Wi-Fi at Breidert Green

Visitors to Breidert Green in downtown Frankfort will soon have access to free public wireless internet. The Village Board on Monday approved the purchase and installation of Wi-Fi equipment to...
Frankfort-Village-Board-Meeting-Graphic-June-16-2025

Frankfort Board Approves Indoor Recreation Facility and Setback Variance

The Frankfort Village Board gave its approval to two separate development projects Monday night, clearing the way for a new indoor pickleball facility and a residential addition. Trustees unanimously granted...
Frankfort-Village-Board-Meeting-Graphic-June-16-2025

Meeting Briefs: Frankfort Village Board for June 16, 2025

Downtown Patios Approved, Parking Waived: The Village Board approved outdoor seating for The Loft and Grounded Coffee Bar on Ash Street. To support the downtown businesses, trustees also voted to waive...