An image of various downloadable signs from noillinoisco2pipelines.org Greg Bishop / The Center Square

(The Center Square) – Environmental groups are applauding a Colorado company’s decision to withdraw an application to build a CO2 pipeline through Illinois. 

Last year, Wolf Carbon Solutions withdrew its request to build a 260-mile pipeline from Iowa through Illinois after receiving a denial from the Illinois Commerce Commission. The company said it would refile the permit application, but had second thoughts.

Pictured: A stack of $100 bills folded in half and wrapped with a rubber band. [401kcalculator.org / CC BY-SA 2.0]

As the 2024 calendar year comes to a close, Illinois tax officials offered on Tuesday tips to help speed up the tax return filing process and, thus, receive your tax refund sooner for the upcoming filing season.

Pictured: IRS 1040 Tax Form Photo Illustration. [PT Money, ptmoney.com / CC BY 2.0]

Not only can Illinoisans filing tax returns for the 2024 tax year take advantage of a volunteer first-responder tax credit as a state emergency services volunteer, but taxpayers also may see their bills this time around might be lower than expected. 

Illinois State Rep. Doc Hauter (R-Morton, left) receives a dose of Narcan administered by Rep. Amy Grant (R-Wheaton, right) in a demonstration during a Nov. 20 House floor veto session hearing. [Livestream]

A bill that would help Illinois patients suffering from chronic pain face less red tape in obtaining opioid painkillers passed both chambers of the state’s General Assembly, most recently in the Senate last month. 

During a veto session hearing in the state Senate chambers last week, Sen. Laura Fine (D-Glenview) presented the bill that is meant to allow physicians to prescribe controlled substances according to updated federal guidelines and with fewer restrictions. 

Pictured: The interior rotunda of the Illinois State Capitol building in Springfield. [Matt Turner / CC BY 2.0]

With unanimous bipartisan support, a bill that would require the Illinois Department of Children and Family Services (DCFS) to notify relatives within 30 days of a child’s entry into foster care – now heads back to the state House of Representatives for concurrence on a Senate committee amendment to the proposition.

One-hundred thirteen Illinois House members and 56 state Senate members all voted “yes” last week on House Bill 4781, known as the Kinship in Demand Act. The proposed bill is meant to provide better outcomes for children in foster care by placing them with safe family members, without the red tape the family members would otherwise face to become licensed foster parents.

Pictured: An illustration depicting a modern classroom. [Wesley Fryer / CC BY 2.0]

Following the changing Illinois public education landscape after the thick of the COVID-19 pandemic, education leaders from five statewide organizations in Illinois announced on Friday the statewide education initiative Vision 2030. 

Among the plan’s main focuses are attracting and retaining high-quality teachers, addressing student and school safety and striving for more success for students after high school, including encouraging more trades apprenticeship and armed forces opportunities to interested students, according to the plan’s creators.

Illinois State Rep. Cristina Castro (D-Elgin) talks as her colleagues watch during the Senate’s last hearing of the fall veto session in Springfield. [Livestream] 

Following bipartisan discourse during the Illinois Senate’s last fall veto session hearing, a proposed law that would abolish employers from paying workers with disabilities a subminimum wage passed both state houses and heads to Gov. JB Pritzker’s desk for his signature. 

If the bill is signed by the governor, House Bill 793 would eventually prohibit Illinois employers from paying workers with disabilities less than state minimum wage. Illinois then would become the 19th state to phase out the lower pay based on individual productivity, also known as commensurate wage.    

Pictured: Transgender pride flags. [Ted Eytan / CC BY-SA 2.0]

Following a Senate committee hearing debate on Wednesday, a bill that would eliminate a requirement for anyone legally changing their name to post a notice in Illinois newspapers now heads to the Senate floor for the last day of the General Assembly’s veto session.  

Pictured: A pile of dollar bills. [401(K) 2012 / CC BY-SA 2.0]

Erin Compton, an Illinois student and developmental disabilities advocate, on Wednesday urged state lawmakers to join citizens in “making history” and “make a difference” in voting to pass a law that would eliminate sub-minimum wage pay for people with disabilities. 

Compton, who has Down syndrome, said during the Wednesday Senate committee hearing she is currently a student at the College of DuPage and recently danced professionally in a disabilities dance festival in South Africa. She also is among the youngest appointees to the State Rehabilitation Council and told lawmakers Wednesday she works with the Chicago Cubs as a ticket scanner and greeter. 

“Some people said that having a job isn't for me because I am not smart enough or good enough to work,” Compton said. “But I was given opportunities to work in the community and have to have a fair wage.”  

Pictured: "I Voted' sticker. [U.S. Department of State / Public Domain]

With Nov. 5 general election results set to be certified early next month, Illinois election officials gave a general update during the state Board of Elections meeting Tuesday morning. 

The oral and written meeting reports included explanations for unofficial election result reporting delays in the state, including lines after polls closing in Champaign County and election judge errors in Chicago. However, the precinct delays were few and far between, with about 2 percent of the state’s election jurisdictions, according to meeting documents.