Springfield News

  • article-image
    Prairie Band Potawatomi Nation Chair Joseph Rupnick speaks at a news conference in Shabbona, Ill. in 2022. [Ben Szalinski/The Daily Line] 

    The General Assembly failed to approve legislation that would transfer a state park to the new reservation recently recognized by the federal government for the Prairie Band Potawatomi Nation despite vigorous discussions during the final weeks of spring session. 

    To Read More Please Login or Join
  • article-image
    The House Judiciary- Criminal Committee meets on Tuesday night. [Ben Szalinski/The Daily Line]  

    The legislature adjourned without signing off on bipartisan reform to the Prisoner Review Board (PRB) that was supported by most lawmakers but opposed by Gov. JB Pritzker 

    To Read More Please Login or Join
  • article-image

    The Illinois Commerce Commission approved a small rate increase for Peoples Gas in another win for consumer advocates. Gov. JB Pritzker will headline an event for Wisconsin Democrats. And a conservative legal organization is challenging highway cameras in Illinois. 

    To Read More Please Login or Join
  • article-image
    Gov. JB Pritzker takes questions from reporters on Wednesday morning. [Ben Szalinski/The Daily Line] 

    Gov. JB Pritzker has enjoyed mostly uniform support from Democrats, particularly in the House, on state budgets since he took office and began untangling the budget mess he inherited.  

    But the budget put in front of lawmakers on Wednesday morning, which was about $400 million larger than what Pritzker asked for, was too much for several Democrats and it nearly caused the revenue plan proposed by Pritzker to fail. Had that failed, it’s likely the entire budget would have been required to be revamped to garner enough votes in June to pass with a constitution-required super majority.

    To Read More Please Login or Join
  • article-image
    Members of the House Democratic staff huddle to discuss a motion to suspend House rules around 4:30 a.m. Wednesday. [Ben Szalinski/The Daily Line] 

    House Democrats’ plan to pass budget bills early Wednesday nearly exploded into disaster around 4 a.m. after multiple failed attempts to pass a $1.1 billion revenue package featuring numerous new tax hikes on largely on businesses to fund the budget.

    To Read More Please Login or Join
  • article-image
    The Illinois Capitol 

    The House adjourned Wednesday morning without advancing a measure that would heavily regulate hemp to the point where those in the industry believed their products would be effectively banned.  

    To Read More Please Login or Join
  • article-image
    Sen. Elgie Sims (D-Chicago) presents the state budget to the Senate on Sunday. [Blue Room Stream]

    The Senate voted 38-21 on Sunday to pass a $53.1 billion budget alongside new tax hikes to close seven straight days of session caused by disagreement over budget details.   

    To Read More Please Login or Join
  • article-image
    Rep. Ann Williams (D-Chicago) speaks in the House Energy and Environment Committee on Friday. [Ben Szalinski/The Daily Line] 

    The General Assembly approved an agreement between businesses and environmental groups to strictly regulate carbon pipeline construction in Illinois while providing a pathway to allow pipeline construction in a few years.  

  • article-image
    Sen. Robert Peters (D-Chicago) speaks on the Senate floor on Thursday. [Ben Szalinski/The Daily Line] 

    The Senate voted to advance Gov. JB Pritzker’s top legislative priority this spring, sending the House three bills to reform health insurance and provide more equitable services for mothers of color  

    To Read More Please Login or Join
  • article-image
    The Illinois Capitol 

    Illinois legislators are working to keep information private about out-of-state residents who travel to Illinois to have an abortion.  

    To Read More Please Login or Join