Illinois Capital News
Former Sangamon County deputy Sean Grayson seeks medical release
byBeth Hundsdorfer Less than six months into his 20-year prison sentence, the former sheriff’s deputy convicted of second-degree murder for the fatal shooting of an unarmed Sangamon County woman is asking the state to release him from prison on medical grounds. Sean Grayson, 32, filed for release under the Joe Coleman Act last month. Under…
Read MorePritzker signs landmark AI regulation bill that aims to mitigate risks
byMaggie Dougherty CHICAGO — Gov. JB Pritzker signed artificial intelligence legislation modeled after similar bills in California and New York on Monday, furthering a push for a state-driven national framework in lieu of federal regulations. “Congress and the president ought to be passing similar legislation, but they’ve so far been unwilling, because many are captive…
Read MoreCocktails-to-go, new state agency among laws taking effect July 1
July 1 marks a second New Year’s Day in Illinois as a new budget takes effect along with more than a dozen new state laws. In addition to the state’s nearly $56 billion fiscal year 2027 budget being implemented and the 1-cent motor fuel tax increase being suspended for the remainder of the year, 14…
Read MoreNew law brings farmland assessment changes
By HANNAH SPANGLER FarmWeek Farmland values could level off and eventually decline under changes to the state’s Farmland Assessment Act included in the budget package signed June 16 by Gov. JB Pritzker. Public Act 104-0468 extends the vegetative filter strip assessment, adjusts the income capitalization rate and makes other technical updates to the Farmland Assessment…
Read MoreAg traders shift focus to weather, upcoming reports
By RHIANNON BRANCH FarmWeek Crop markets are focused on weather following a lackluster world agricultural supply and demand report from USDA. The June 11 report estimated a three-million-bushel increase in old-crop corn carryout but otherwise left old and new-crop estimates the same for corn and soybeans. “That was expected because in June, it’s too…
Read MorePritzker signs bill protecting medical records for abortion patients in Illinois
byNikoel HytrekandUIS Public Affairs Reporting (PAR) CHICAGO — Gov. JB Pritzker signed the Reproductive Health Records Privacy Act into law on Wednesday, June 24, which prevents abortion information from being shared with out-of-state entities, shielding it so abortion-seekers are protected from potential retaliation for receiving legal healthcare in Illinois. The law was signed on the…
Read MoreIllinois is experiencing more tornadoes — but receiving less federal disaster aid
byJenna SchweikertandUIS Public Affairs Reporting (PAR) Illinois has seen a record number of tornadoes just six months into the year after a series of spring and summer storms barreled their way across the Midwest, causing millions in damage as federal disaster assistance wanes in Democrat-led states. Experts chalk the sudden increase up to temporary fluctuation,…
Read MoreISBE zeroes in on improving math education in Illinois
byPeter Hancock SPRINGFIELD — The Illinois State Board of Education formally adopted a plan Wednesday, June 10, aimed at improving math instruction and boosting student math scores throughout the state. The Illinois Comprehensive Numeracy Plan is described as a “first-of-its-kind” framework in Illinois for guiding schools and districts in strengthening math teaching and learning. The…
Read MoreSmall food assistance nonprofits eligible for new state grant program
byJenna SchweikertandUIS Public Affairs Reporting (PAR) Small volunteer groups that provide food assistance to Illinoisans in need could be eligible for a new round of grant money under a program announced this week. The Charitable Trust Hunger Relief Grant program will provide grants of up to $5,000 to 10 nonprofit organizations that don’t have full-time…
Read MoreLawmakers at the end of session try to appease both sides in drug pricing controversy
byPeter Hancock SPRINGFIELD — Illinois lawmakers gave hospitals and community health centers much of what they wanted this session by passing a bill that prohibits drug manufacturers from interfering with their access to discounted medications through a federal drug pricing program. But they also gave drug companies what they wanted by passing another piece of…
Read More