Capitol News Illinois
@capitolnewsil.bsky.social
Capitol News Illinois is a nonprofit, nonpartisan news service covering state government. A service of the Illinois Press Foundation.
Grid operator PJM wants states and utilities to hold data centers responsible for buying their own power — or risk being cut off from grid service. Jeff St. John reports for Canary Media buff.ly/VGyym0D
PJM’s big new data center plan: Make the states figure it out
PJM proposes new rules requiring data centers to secure their own power or face grid curtailments.
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New Evidence-Based Funding data shows the number of schools at 90% adequacy has shrunk for the third straight year. @pqhancock.bsky.social reports. buff.ly/1C5FhrA
School funding stretched thin as costs rise, corporate revenue source shrinks
Illinois school funding rises, but growing costs and lower tax revenue widen the state's education funding gap.
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Four managers and supervisors at Foresight Energy’s Sugar Camp mine in Franklin County were federally indicted this week for allegedly keeping miners underground and continuing coal production during an August 2021 fire. Molly Parker reports ➡️ buff.ly/IPgEnBH
Feds: Southern Illinois coal mine managers concealed ‘deadly conditions’
Federal charges allege Illinois coal mine managers concealed a fire and endangered more than 100 miners.
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The case is the latest in a series of incidents involving mishandled remains over the past three years. From the Associated Press: buff.ly/CpYba5B
More than 50 bodies found improperly stored and decomposing at Chicago funeral home
More than 50 decomposing bodies were discovered at a Chicago funeral home under state investigation.
capitolnewsillinois.com
Last year, the SIU Foundation announced plans to tear down the dilapidated late 1950s-era Greek Row on the Carbondale campus. But those plans were abruptly abandoned, and the foundation had to pay $2.2 million to a Georgia company to cancel an agreement for new housing. buff.ly/SgFRIqg
SIU Foundation pays $2.2M to cancel new dorm development
SIU Foundation paid $2.2 million after canceling plans for Saluki Village as the project remains on hold.
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A former SIU School of Medicine professor who became the target of a viral campaign by a far-right social media account has pleaded guilty to reckless conduct after admitting he recorded/posted a video of himself masturbating in a campus lecture hall hallway. J. Brandhorst reports. buff.ly/vbcCYVO
Former SIU professor exposed for indecent act on campus pleads guilty to amended charge
Former SIU professor pleads guilty to reckless conduct after recording an indecent act on campus.
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House Speaker Chris Welch’s working group on sexual harassment is already meeting resistance. Rep. Kelly Cassidy says she won’t participate while Republicans are blasting the closed-door, all-Democratic process. @benszalinski.bsky.social and @brendenmoore.bsky.social report. buff.ly/oP8SUU3
Welch launches private working group to respond to sexual harassment, but it’s off to a rocky start
Chris Welch forms a working group on sexual harassment reforms, but critics question its transparency and credibility.
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Illinois House begins investigation into indicted Democratic Rep. Carol Ammons as Bailey says it shows change is needed at the top. @benszalinski.bsky.social reports. buff.ly/Oapje8c
Illinois House begins investigation into indicted Rep. Carol Ammons
Illinois lawmakers opened an ethics investigation into Rep. Carol Ammons while awaiting guidance from federal prosecutors.
capitolnewsillinois.com
The Trump administration refunded $100 billion to corporations from illegally imposed tariffs. Now, Gov. JB Pritzker is calling on the feds to issue direct refunds to Illinois families. @maggiedough.bsky.social reports. buff.ly/wzeGVO0
Pritzker pens letter to Trump, seeking tariff refunds for Illinois families
JB Pritzker urges Donald Trump to refund Illinois families for higher costs caused by federal tariffs.
capitolnewsillinois.com
What’s Speaker Chris Welch’s plan to boost education funding, including for Chicago Public Schools, in this fall’s veto session? @benszalinski.bsky.social reports. buff.ly/SCq4wtX
Welch seeking revenue for education, Chicago schools
House Speaker Chris Welch is exploring new revenue options to boost Illinois school funding and aid Chicago Public Schools.
capitolnewsillinois.com
House Speaker Chris Welch apologizes for actions that made former staffer uncomfortable, explains office’s handling of sexual harassment allegations. @benszalinski.bsky.social spoke with him. buff.ly/ZXrP4rz
‘I’m embarrassed by it’: Speaker Welch apologizes for interactions with former staffer
House Speaker Chris Welch apologized for past interactions with a former staffer while defending his handling of Harry Benton complaints.
capitolnewsillinois.com
Employees rallied Tuesday against planned layoffs at the Choate Mental Health and Developmental Center. Jackson Brandhorst reports for the Saluki Local Reporting Lab at @siucarbondale.bsky.social. buff.ly/EGD53Jc
Employees, local lawmakers rally against layoffs, service cuts at Choate
Choate employees and local officials are urging Illinois to halt planned layoffs and preserve mental health services.
capitolnewsillinois.com
Illinois enacts rate regulation for homeowners, auto insurance. Story by @pqhancock.bsky.social. buff.ly/O8S3U8T
Pritzker signs bills allowing state to review insurance rate hikes
Illinois will begin reviewing homeowners and auto insurance rate hikes under two new laws signed by Gov. JB Pritzker.
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Parents shopping for back-to-school supplies, including clothes, will get a sales tax break for 10 days this month beginning Aug. 7. @benszalinski.bsky.social reports. buff.ly/HS14j1c
Illinois offers temporary sales tax reduction on back-to-school shopping
Illinois will temporarily cut sales taxes on school supplies and many clothing purchases during back-to-school shopping.
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Gov. JB Pritzker signed 87 bills on Friday, including requirements that businesses accept cash and employers pay their workers for jury duty. @benszalinski.bsky.social reports. buff.ly/J0pm9D0
Pritzker signs new laws requiring businesses to accept cash, pay employees for jury duty
JB Pritzker signed new Illinois laws requiring many businesses to accept cash and pay workers serving on juries.
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Judge Colleen Lawless reached the same conclusion as judges in 18 other federal districts and one appellate circuit who have ruled in nearly identical cases. @pqhancock.bsky.social reports. buff.ly/lxpcLIK
Judge denies Trump administration access to Illinois voter data
A federal judge ruled Illinois does not have to give the Trump administration unredacted voter registration data.
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About 100,000 residents are set to receive new one-time food benefits under a state program after losing federal eligibility. @benszalinski.bsky.social reports. buff.ly/lZihWxI
Illinois launches new program to provide food benefits to people who lost SNAP
Illinois launches a new food assistance program for residents who lost SNAP benefits due to federal changes.
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The report confirmed that House Speaker Emanuel "Chris" Welch's office knew about a sexual harassment allegation against Benton as early as April 2023. @brendenmoore.bsky.social, @benszalinski.bsky.social, & @nowickipress.bsky.social report. buff.ly/zClOWgk
Gov. JB Pritzker signs new law to crack down on addictive social media algorithms that target children. @benszalinski.bsky.social reports. buff.ly/no38JtZ
Pritzker signs laws regulating how social media platforms interact with children
Illinois enacts new protections limiting how social media platforms interact with children and teens online.
capitolnewsillinois.com
The Prisoner Review Board voted unanimously to keep Sean Grayson in prison. The former Sangamon County deputy is 6 months into a 20-year second-degree murder sentence for killing Sonya Massey. He had applied for release, citing a cancer diagnosis buff.ly/j5BnwKL
House Speaker Chris Welch told CTU members he is “110 percent” behind a supplemental budget bill to boost school funding in veto session — but he hasn’t discussed the plan with the governor. buff.ly/iBTOnj2
Update: The Prisoner Review Board denied Grayson's release on a 3-0 vote
Capitol News Illinois@capitolnewsil.bsky.social · last wk.The ex-Sangamon County Sheriff’s deputy convicted of murdering Sonya Massey is asking for medical release from a state prison — and maintaining that Massey “attacked” him. @nowickipress.bsky.social reports. ➡️ buff.ly/VaWLjg3
The ex-Sangamon County Sheriff’s deputy convicted of murdering Sonya Massey is asking for medical release from a state prison — and maintaining that Massey “attacked” him. @nowickipress.bsky.social reports. ➡️ buff.ly/VaWLjg3
Illinois election officials respond to Trump administration threats. @pqhancock.bsky.social reports. buff.ly/qsWOXuE
Illinois state elections board tells DOJ it follows federal law on voting integrity
Illinois elections officials tell the DOJ the state follows federal law to maintain accurate voter registration rolls.
capitolnewsillinois.com
Rep. Fred Crespo is the first House Democrat to publicly call for Welch’s ouster — though the two have been at odds since last year. @brendenmoore.bsky.social reports. buff.ly/eRGOjrX
Rep. Fred Crespo: Speaker Welch should resign over handling of Benton situation
Rep. Fred Crespo calls on House Speaker Chris Welch to resign over his handling of allegations against Harry Benton.
capitolnewsillinois.com
New studies find Illinois’ major transportation programs delivered significant economic returns: $1.79 for every dollar invested through IDOT’s Rebuild Illinois plan and just over $2 through the Tollway’s Move Illinois program. @brendenmoore.bsky.social reports. buff.ly/H1F1te8
Reports: IDOT, Tollway capital programs boost economic development
New reports say Illinois' Rebuild Illinois and Move Illinois programs have generated billions in economic benefits.
capitolnewsillinois.com
Rockford Mayor Tom McNamara has been tapped to lead the Illinois Municipal League, one of Springfield’s most prominent lobbying organizations. @brendenmoore.bsky.social reports. buff.ly/Wp8scW3
Rockford mayor tapped to lead Illinois Municipal League
Rockford Mayor Tom McNamara will lead the Illinois Municipal League after retiring CEO Brad Cole steps down.
capitolnewsillinois.com
“First of all, I received a full briefing about the video and about the circumstances back in January. So that's six months, really when it happened, we were made aware. Did not watch the video back then,” Gov. JB Pritzker said Tuesday. @nowickipress.bsky.social reports. ➡️ buff.ly/p0mX5br
Rachel Tarrence: Pritzker says he has now seen the January Illinois State Police shooting video, but defers to local decision
Gov. JB Pritzker says he viewed the Rachel Tarrence shooting video but defers to local prosecutors' decision.
capitolnewsillinois.com
Illinois to impose statewide cellphone ban in schools. @pqhancock.bsky.social has more: buff.ly/MRCoR9T
Pritzker signs school cellphone ban to avoid student distractions
Illinois schools will require bell-to-bell cellphone bans under a new law signed by Gov. JB Pritzker.
capitolnewsillinois.com
Illinois officially recognized compulsive gambling as an addiction on Friday, carving a pathway for treatment options to catch up with alcohol and substance use disorders. @maggiedough.bsky.social reports. buff.ly/UDGmKXd
Illinois recognizes gambling addiction, allowing new treatment options
Illinois recognizes gambling addiction as a disorder, expanding treatment options under state law.
capitolnewsillinois.com