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

August 22, 2025/

By The Center Square
The 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 discipline for providing abortion services that are lawful in Illinois.

House Bill 3709 requires colleges and universities to offer contraception and medication abortion if they have an on-campus pharmacy or student health center.

Operation Purple Heart returns medals

A 16th family has been reunited with their relative’s Purple Heart military honors.

Illinois Treasurer Michael Frerichs’ office announced as part of Operation Purple Heart, they returned Army Private Stephen J. Grabowski’s military medals with grand-niece Chrystal Cantrell during a ceremony in Marion.

Frerichs, who handles unclaimed property, also returned Grabowski’s Bronze Star and other medals.

Product Expo to open at Du Quoin State Fair

The Illinois Product Expo will be open at the Du Quoin State Fair for the final weekend.

Located in the Expo Hall at the Du Quoin State Fairgrounds from 5 to 9 p.m. Friday, Aug. 29, from 11 a.m. to 8 p.m. Saturday, Aug. 30, and from 11 a.m. to 5 p.m. Sunday, Aug. 31.

Products include food, drinks, crafts and items like soaps, essential oils and more.

###

Latest News Stories

Second Oval Office meeting with Zelenskyy notably different in tone

By Morgan SweeneyThe Center Square On the heels of an important meeting between President Donald Trump and Russian President Vladimir Putin, Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy met with Trump in the...

Senate pledges economic support for Russia-Ukraine deal as govt funding talks stall

By Thérèse BoudreauxThe Center Square As Republicans and Democrats remain deadlocked over how to fund the government for fiscal 2026 and prevent a shutdown, Senate leaders remain united on one...

Democratic candidates focus on national politics in campaign for U.S. Senate

By Jim Talamonti | The Center SquareThe Center Square (The Center Square) – Illinois’ Democratic Party candidates for U.S. Senate have focused their campaigns on opposition to Republicans and President...

Arizona Chamber praises new interstate natural gas pipeline

By Chris WoodwardThe Center Square The Arizona Chamber of Commerce and Industry is excited about the future, thanks to a deal between state utilities and Transwestern Pipeline Co. The company...

Dems oppose Trump’s bid to end mail-in ballots, voting machines

By Thérèse BoudreauxThe Center Square Casting a ballot may look different for millions of American voters in the 2026 midterm elections if Republican-led states follow President Donald Trump’s wish to...

Trump says court’s tariff decision could lead to ‘catastrophic’ collapse

By Brett RowlandThe Center Square Attorneys for President Donald Trump told judges that if they yank the president's tariff authority, "catastrophic consequences" would ensue, including a deep economic collapse not...

After two weeks fleeing Texas, House Democrats return, quorum reached

By Bethany BlankleyThe Center Square After two weeks fleeing the state, many Texas House Democrats returned, and a quorum was reached on Monday. More than two dozen Democrats still didn’t...

Trump: Zelenskyy could end Russia-Ukraine war ‘if he wants to’

By Caroline BodaThe Center Square Ahead of the summit with Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy and other European leaders in Washington on Monday, President Donald Trump said Ukraine should give up...

$750 million facility to protect Texas cattle, wildlife from screwworm threat

By Bethany BlankleyThe Center Square Responding to calls by state lawmakers and the agricultural industry for immediate action to be taken to protect cattle and wildlife from a parasitic fly,...

Chicago posts fewest homicides since 2016, arrests rate also declines

By Glenn Minnis | The Center Square contributorThe Center Square (The Center Square) – Illinois state Rep. Kam Buckner, D-Chicago, studies Chicago’s somewhat mixed-bag crime trend data with little question...

Three years later, Inflation Reduction Act blamed for higher Medicare costs

By Tom JoyceThe Center Square This past weekend marked the third anniversary of the Inflation Reduction Act, signed into law by former President Joe Biden in 2022. While the law...

Illinois quick hits: Prosecutors charge two more in Tren de Aragua case; Senate Energy and Public Utilities Committee meets today; Illinois Little League team loses in World Series

By Jim Talamonti | The Center SquareThe Center Square Prosecutors charge two more in Tren de Aragua case State prosecutors have charged two more migrants as part of an investigation...

Report: Human Rights Campaign pressures transgender procedures on minors

By Tate MillerThe Center Square (By Tate Miller) – The Human Rights Campaign pressures children’s hospitals into performing transgender procedures on minors, according to a Do No Harm report. Do...

Everyday Economics: Housing market and Fed policy in focus in the week ahead

By Orphe DivounguyThe Center Square This week brings crucial updates on America's housing market struggles and hints about where interest rates might head next. Housing Data Dump Several major housing...

Meeting Summary and Briefs: Manhattan Fire Protection District Board of Trustees for July 11, 2025

At a special meeting on July 11, the Manhattan Fire Protection District Board of Trustees took decisive action to advance its new fire station project. The board moved forward with...

« Previous
1
…
5
6
7
8
9
…
34
Next »

MANHATTAN LOCAL