RKPRS Headlines
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Tracking top Illinois state political and policy headlines.
GOP Senate candidates offer contrasting solutions to rising costs and economic challenges
GOP Senate candidates offer contrasting solutions to rising costs and economic challenges
Eliminating income taxes on young people, encouraging companies to hire more Americans, and slashing regulations are among the solutions to affordability problems proposed by some Republicans running...
www.dailyherald.com
February 15, 2026 at 11:40 PM
GOP Senate candidates offer contrasting solutions to rising costs and economic challenges
Gov. JB Pritzker expected to target budget gap — and President Donald Trump — in Illinois statewide address
Gov. JB Pritzker expected to target budget gap — and President Donald Trump — in Illinois statewide address
The governor also faces intensifying pressure from his party’s left flank on the budget portion of his speech, as progressives are pushing for the wealthy to pay more.
www.chicagotribune.com
February 15, 2026 at 2:20 PM
Gov. JB Pritzker expected to target budget gap — and President Donald Trump — in Illinois statewide address
As road construction season approaches, uncertainty remains over contractor with ties to Palumbo family
As road construction season approaches, uncertainty remains over contractor with ties to Palumbo family
Builders Paving LLC, whose executives include a daughter and son-in-law of felon Sebastian "Sam" Palumbo, continues to bid on Illinois Department of Transportation projects, even as the state agency refuses...
chicago.suntimes.com
February 15, 2026 at 2:15 PM
As road construction season approaches, uncertainty remains over contractor with ties to Palumbo family
Editorial: Our thoughts on the primary race for Dick Durbin’s Senate seat
Editorial: Our thoughts on the primary race for Dick Durbin’s Senate seat
Know your Democratic lane in the U.S. Senate race, voters.
www.chicagotribune.com
February 15, 2026 at 2:10 PM
Editorial: Our thoughts on the primary race for Dick Durbin’s Senate seat
Illinois Coalition for Immigrant and Refugee Rights launch annual policy platform to protect immigrants
Illinois Coalition for Immigrant and Refugee Rights launch annual policy platform to protect immigrants
This year, the immigrant rights group said its priority is to provide legislators with steps they can take to protect all Illinoisans.
www.cbsnews.com
February 15, 2026 at 1:35 AM
Illinois Coalition for Immigrant and Refugee Rights launch annual policy platform to protect immigrants
Pritzker allies putting obstacles in path toward pension fixes
Jim Dey | Pritzker allies putting obstacles in path toward pension fixes
Gov. J.B. Pritzker received considerable praise about two weeks ago after he again proposed a plan to fully fund the state’s beleaguered public pension systems.
www.news-gazette.com
February 14, 2026 at 6:20 PM
Pritzker allies putting obstacles in path toward pension fixes
JB Pritzker: the billionaire taking on Trump | Today, Explained
JB Pritzker: the billionaire taking on Trump | Today, Explained
Illinois Governor JB Pritzker has a playbook for fighting back against the Trump administration, and he says it’s working. Few Democratic politicians have le...
www.youtube.com
February 14, 2026 at 6:15 PM
JB Pritzker: the billionaire taking on Trump | Today, Explained
Penny shortage causes headaches for retailers in the Land of Lincoln
Penny shortage causes headaches for retailers in the Land of Lincoln
Article Summary Illinois citizens and retailers are grappling with the slow disappearance of the penny in the Land of Lincoln.
capitolnewsillinois.com
February 14, 2026 at 6:10 PM
Penny shortage causes headaches for retailers in the Land of Lincoln
Survey says Illinoians want safety reforms before driverless vehicles
Survey says Illinoians want safety reforms before driverless vehicles - Capitol City Now
Residents were surveyed in Cook County and the Metro East Area (Madison and St. Clair Counties).
capitolcitynow.com
February 14, 2026 at 1:15 PM
Survey says Illinoians want safety reforms before driverless vehicles
As Trump administration holds back funding, new taxes could be in store for Illinois
As Trump administration holds back funding, new taxes could be in store for Illinois
A digital advertising tax, billionaire wealth tax, expanded tax haven reporting and an end to corporate loopholes are topics of discussion for Democrats in Springfield as they look for ways to offset...
chicago.suntimes.com
February 14, 2026 at 1:10 PM
As Trump administration holds back funding, new taxes could be in store for Illinois
Illinois senator’s bill on transgender ‘mental illness’ sparks debate
Illinois senator’s bill on transgender ‘mental illness’ sparks debate
State Sen. Andrew Chesney, R–Freeport, is pushing legislation that would classify transgenderism as a mental illness under Illinois’ Mental Health Code, a move he says is intended to direct individuals
www.advantagenews.com
February 14, 2026 at 12:55 PM
Illinois senator’s bill on transgender ‘mental illness’ sparks debate
Illinois’ Secure Jobs Act: How this legislation could accelerate AI adoption, job outsourcing
www.ibjonline.com
February 14, 2026 at 2:50 AM
Illinois’ Secure Jobs Act: How this legislation could accelerate AI adoption, job outsourcing
Leaders suspend latest effort to alter Illinois Constitution and curb partisanship in legislative mapmaking
Leaders suspend latest effort to alter Illinois Constitution and curb partisanship in legislative mapmaking
Bill Daley and Ray LaHood said the timing is “not ripe” amid a polarized climate shaped by mid-decade congressional gerrymandering wars nationwide.
www.chicagotribune.com
February 13, 2026 at 11:10 PM
Leaders suspend latest effort to alter Illinois Constitution and curb partisanship in legislative mapmaking
Group: Raising minimum wage could cause drastic inflation
Group: Raising minimum wage could cause drastic inflation
(The Center Square) – Illinois lawmakers have proposed raising the state’s minimum wage to $27 per hour in 2032, but an employment policy researcher says the move could trigger drastic
www.thecentersquare.com
February 13, 2026 at 10:45 PM
Group: Raising minimum wage could cause drastic inflation
Mayor Johnson vetoes hemp ban, as measure's sponsor, Ald. Quinn, throws in the towel
Mayor Johnson vetoes hemp ban, as measure's sponsor, Ald. Quinn, throws in the towel
Southwest Side Ald. Marty Quinn (13th) muscled the ban through the City Council by a vote of 32 to 16 to keep a broad array of hemp-derived products out of reach from minors. But he won’t try for an...
chicago.suntimes.com
February 13, 2026 at 10:10 PM
Mayor Johnson vetoes hemp ban, as measure's sponsor, Ald. Quinn, throws in the towel
State Senator asking questions after fight in prison that killed one inmate
State Senator asking questions after fight in prison that killed one inmate
State Senator Terri Bryant is looking for answers after one inmate is killed in a fight inside Pinckneyville Correctional Center on February 8.
www.kfvs12.com
February 13, 2026 at 9:55 PM
State Senator asking questions after fight in prison that killed one inmate
Illinois swipe fee ruling marks rare win for retailers — but fight is far from over
Illinois swipe fee ruling marks rare win for retailers — but fight is far from over
Banks beat back similar swipe fee laws in 23 states in 2025.
www.chicagobusiness.com
February 13, 2026 at 9:50 PM
Illinois swipe fee ruling marks rare win for retailers — but fight is far from over
Illinois after-school programs, parent services in limbo as lawsuits challenge Trump administration cuts
Illinois after-school programs, parent services in limbo as lawsuits challenge Trump administration cuts
At Curie High School in Chicago, the feds' decision to discontinue the Full-Service Community Schools grant threatens tutoring, after-school programs and parent programming.
chicago.suntimes.com
February 13, 2026 at 9:45 PM
Illinois after-school programs, parent services in limbo as lawsuits challenge Trump administration cuts
State Week: Governor deals with uncertainty as he prepares to deliver his budget address
State Week: Governor deals with uncertainty as he prepares to deliver his budget address
The uncertainty of federal funding has increased over the past year, making this fiscal plan JB Pritzker's most challenging so far.
www.nprillinois.org
February 13, 2026 at 6:35 PM
State Week: Governor deals with uncertainty as he prepares to deliver his budget address
Advocates argue new data center restrictions might close Illinois market
Advocates argue new data center restrictions might close Illinois market
(The Center Square) – Illinois lawmakers have proposed stricter regulations on data centers in the state, but an industry advocate says the legislation would essentially close the market for development.
www.thecentersquare.com
February 13, 2026 at 6:20 PM
Advocates argue new data center restrictions might close Illinois market
Trump administration cuts more than $100 million in Illinois transportation dollars
Trump administration cuts more than $100 million in Illinois transportation dollars
The Trump administration says it’s revoking more federal grant dollars in Illinois — this time for electric vehicle charging stations.
www.chicagotribune.com
February 13, 2026 at 6:15 PM
Trump administration cuts more than $100 million in Illinois transportation dollars
Dear Governor Pritzker, state legislators: Stand strong, protect Illinoisans from our federal government
www.ibjonline.com
February 13, 2026 at 5:50 PM
Dear Governor Pritzker, state legislators: Stand strong, protect Illinoisans from our federal government
Gambling mogul with metro-east ties reaches ‘settlement’ to keep state license
www.bnd.com
February 13, 2026 at 4:35 PM
Gambling mogul with metro-east ties reaches ‘settlement’ to keep state license
Could the Chicago Bears move to Iowa?
Could the Chicago Bears move to Iowa?
As the Chicago Bears consider moving out of their longtime home of Illinois, state lawmakers are hoping to put Iowa in the running by offering economic development incentives to build
www.mississippivalleypublishing.com
February 13, 2026 at 4:30 PM
Could the Chicago Bears move to Iowa?
Pushing for a state budget overhaul
Pushing for a state budget overhaul
WASHINGTON & POLITICS
www.politico.com
February 13, 2026 at 4:15 PM
Pushing for a state budget overhaul