The Illinois House Judiciary Criminal Committee meets Tuesday in Springfield. 

The Illinois House Judiciary Criminal Committee met Tuesday to discuss a proposal to remove mandatory minimum sentencing for some crimes. 

The Illinois House is discussing a bill to find incentives to help young farmers. [Jonathan Babb, CC BY 3.0 <https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by/3.0>, via Wikimedia Commons]

The Illinois House Agriculture and Conservation Committee approved measures Tuesday to improve the number of young farmers in the state, clarify state grant programs and create an exception to the rabies vaccine for pets. 

Gov. JB Pritzker delivers the annual state of the state and budget address at the State Capitol in February. [BlueRoomStream]

The Commission on Government Forecasting and Accountability (COGFA) increased their revenue estimates for Fiscal Years 2025 and 2026, but FY26 forecast remains below the governor’s budget office’s prediction. 

Illinois Attorney General Kwame Raoul and 19 other attorneys general are suing the Trump administration to stop what they say is the dismantling of the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services (HHS). 

As tariffs and other federal policies cause confusion for travelers, the Illinois hotel and hospitality industry is warning of a possible downturn in business. 

Stefan Kühn, CC BY-SA 3.0 <http://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-sa/3.0/>, via Wikimedia Commons

Nearly two years after state lawmakers passed a bill lifting a moratorium on small nuclear reactors, the Illinois Senate is now discussing removing the ban completely.  

The Senate Energy and Public Utilities Committee met Friday to hear subject matter on three measures related to nuclear energy and broadband.  

A measure passed in the Illinois Senate would remove some hurdles for farmers to hunt nuisance deer on their land. [Paul Danese, CC BY-SA 4.0 via Wikimedia Commons]

Illinois’ deer population has been steadily increasing since 2021, and Illinois farmers say they’re feeling the impact. The Illinois Senate unanimously approved a measure Thursday that aims to improve population control in the state. 

After years of negotiations, a bill banning the use of polystyrene foam — commonly known as Styrofoam — takeout containers was approved by the Senate Wednesday. 

The Senate Executive Committee meets Wednesday in Springfield. 

Illinois’ public university leaders and Illinois lawmakers are split on a funding model similar to Evidence-Based Funding proposed in the Senate. 

Rep. Carol Ammons (D-Urbana) presents Senate Bill 1723 to the House Energy and Environment Committee Tuesday. [BlueRoomStream]

The Illinois House Energy and Environment Committee approved bills Tuesday including protections for the Mahomet Aquifer, increasing the Illinois Environmental Protection Agencies authority over drinking water standards and the creation of a climate-displacement task force.