Rep. Nicole La Ha (R-Homer Glen) is sworn into office on Wednesday afternoon in Lemont. [Ben Szalinski/The Daily Line] 

Republicans in the southwest suburbs selected Nicole La Ha to be the new state representative for the 82nd House District Thursday. La Ha is the third person to hold the seat since the start of 2023.  

The Illinois Capitol   

Illinois business groups are sending letters to federal officials worried about the economic effects from the U.S. Customs and Border Protection’s (CBP) decision to close two rail crossings into Texas to reduce illegal entries into the United States.  

The Democratic Party of Illinois 

Democratic Party leaders are happy with the results of new initiative by the Democratic Party of Illinois (DPI) for the 2024 election that aimed to recruit more Democrats to run for down-ballot races in hopes of building up the party’s bench of prospective candidates.  

From left to right: Geary Yonker, Dr. Dave Nayak, Graciela Guzman, and Sen. Natalie Toro (D-Chicago).  

A crowded Democratic primary in the 20th Senate District is emerging with Sen. Natalie Toro (D-Chicago) and opponent Graciela Guzman distancing themselves from their opponents in the fundraising race with the help of big financial backers.   

But new self-funding efforts by Dr. Dave Nayak lifted contribution limits in the race on Monday, setting the stage for an even more expensive race.  

The Illinois Capitol 

State lawmakers are urging the Department of Commerce and Economic Opportunity (DCEO) to develop a broadband plan that provides quality internet to all residents and is also affordable. 

ComEd and Ameren both submitted four-year grid plans and rate hikes over $1 billion to the Illinois Commerce Commission earlier this year.  

The Illinois Commerce Commission (ICC) dealt a major blow to Illinois’ two largest electricity providers and denied their grid upgrade plans for failing to be transparent and follow the state’s statutorily defined clean energy goals.  

Rep. Mike Marron (R-Fithian) will resign from the House on Monday. [House Republicans] 

Rep. Mike Marron (R-Fithian) will still be involved in advocating for improvements and growth in his district, but in a new role after Monday, when he resigns from the House to take a job leading a local economic development organization in Vermilion County.

Former Rep. LaToya Greenwood (D-East St. Louis) is pictured during a previous year in the Illinois House. [House Democrats] 

A closely watched House race in the Metro East region got off to a hot start that could prematurely end it after former Rep. LaToya Greenwood (D-East St. Louis) had her signatures challenged as she attempts to win back her seat.  

Thomas More Society attorney Peter Breen, right, and Attorney General Kwame Raoul, left, speak at separate news conferences in Chicago last month. [Ben Szalinski/The Daily Line]    

Attorney General Kwame Raoul agreed to not enforce a controversial law designed to prevent deceptive business practices at anti-abortion pregnancy centers after fierce pushback from advocates that resulted in a Rockford federal judge blocking the law a week after it was signed.  

Illinois State Police attorney Suzanne Bond and State Police Capt. Jeffrey Yenchko participated in the Joint Committee on Administrative Review on Tuesday. [Blue Room Stream] 

The Illinois State Police (ISP) have made several changes to the agency’s rules for the assault weapons registration process in response to feedback at public hearings while a legislative oversight committee plans to make a final decision about the rules next month.