The Illinois Capitol 

A Senate committee advanced a bill that would increase protections for wetlands in Illinois and establish a statewide protection policy after the U.S. Supreme Court issued a ruling last year narrowing the scope of a federal water protection law. 

Senate President Don Harmon (D-Oak Park) speaks in the Senate Executive Committee in November. [Ben Szalinski/The Daily Line]      

The long saga of establishing an elected school board in Chicago will begin coming to an end on Tuesday as a top Senate committee is set to vote on a plan agreed to by the Chicago Teachers Union (CTU) and Chicago Mayor Brandon Johnson to appoint half the board in November.  

The Illinois Capitol 

Seven legislative districts with primary elections this month will have a new representative next spring. Though the November election is still eight months away, candidates in the districts without incumbents running are fundraising to position themselves for a seat in the General Assembly in 2025.  

Rep. Blaine Wilhour (R-Beecher City), left, and Matt Hall, right, are competing in the 110th House District Republican primary. [Rep. Blaine Wilhour & Matt Hall campaign] 

Republicans in the 110th House District are searching for new representation, says Matt Hall, the primary challenger to Rep. Blaine Wilhour (R-Beecher City), in an expensive race exposing frustrations many have with the Illinois Freedom Caucus.  

Gov. JB Pritzker shakes hands with House Speaker Chris Welch (D-Hillside) prior to the State of the State address last week. [Ben Szalinski/The Daily Line]   

Gov. JB Pritzker’s top legislative priority this spring will be taking aim at health insurance companies by proposing strict new regulations on how insurance companies decide what care patients can be covered for.  

Gov. JB Pritzker won’t back off his proposal to eliminate the grocery tax despite opposition from local governments. And advocates are reacting to a study showing public school students out-performed private school students receiving Invest in Kids scholarships.  

White Sox and Bulls owner Jerry Reinsdorf walks through the State Capitol last week. [Ben Szalinski/The Daily Line] 

Note: This story has been changed from an earlier version to reflect additional contributions made through businesses owned by team owners rather than just individual contributions. 

The Bears, White Sox, and now reportedly the Red Stars are all interested in possible state money to build new stadiums. As their owners attempt to sway skeptical legislators, which politicians are Chicago’s wealthy sports team owners donating to? 

Gov. JB Pritzker said he is opposed to a bill that would tie Illinois’ vehicle emissions standards to California. House Democratic leadership is openly opposing Rep. Mary Flowers (D-Chicago). And Latino policy and advocacy organizations are speaking out against comments Supreme Court Justice Joy Cunningham made in a recent interview with The Daily Line. 

Secretary of State Alexi Giannoulias, left, speaks during a House Insurance Committee hearing in Chicago on Monday. [Blue Room Stream] 

What’s the best way to provide drivers with fair insurance rates? According to some lawmakers, removing non-driving factors from rate calculations is necessary to reduce disparities on how much people across races and genders pay in car insurance.  

Regan Deering of Decatur, left, and Chuck Erickson of Bloomington, right, are competing in the 88th House District Republican primary. [Deering campaign/McLean County Board]   

The 88th House District will have a new Republican state representative in 2025 with the retirement of Rep. Dan Caulkins (R-Decatur). Two candidates, Regan Deering of Decatur and Chuck Erickson of Bloomington, are now fighting for an opportunity to elevate their political careers.