Gov. JB Pritzker speaks outside IBEW Local 134 in Chicago Aug. 30, 2022. [Ben Szalinski/The Daily Line]  

Gov. JB Pritzker will face one primary challenge in the March 19 primary election, as the Democratic primary for Illinois comptroller heats up with new endorsements from leaders across the state.   

During a meeting of the Illinois Board of Higher Education Wednesday, members received an update on Illinois’ plan to improve the behavioral health workforce and advocates called on Gov. JB Pritzker to release discretionary funding for public universities. 

Illinois House Republicans are calling on the governor’s office to release a report on proposed spending cuts by state agencies. 

The Illinois Supreme Court heard oral arguments Wednesday in a case questioning whether state agencies should have the ability to interpret law.  

The proposed map for the Grain Belt Express project. [Grain Belt Express]

The Illinois Supreme Court will hear oral arguments in a case Wednesday on the Illinois Commerce Commission’s (ICC) approval of a multistate transmission line project. 

The Illinois Senate passed a measure to limit the fees landlords can charge to renters, but the measure still needs to be approved by the Illinois House. 

In a rare loss on the floor, a measure aimed at regulating “excessive” homeowners’ insurance rate hikes failed to clear the vote threshold in the Illinois House last week. 

The Regional Transportation Authority (RTA) board approved new funding estimates for 2026 after the General Assembly passed a $1.5 billion revenue and reform package last week.  

RTA Chair Kirk Dillard said the measure will prevent the agencies from cutting service or laying off staff in 2026 and will allow them to make additional investments to increase and improve service.   

With a new scoring system in place, Illinois students saw improved proficiency during the 2024-25 school year, but equity gaps and high chronic absenteeism persist. 

State revenues held steady in October, and a state credit upgrade reflected positive changes to the Illinois economy, but the state’s pension liability could stop those improvements.  

That’s according to the October report from the Commission on Government Forecasting and Accountability (COGFA).