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Capitol News Illinois

@capitolnewsil.bsky.social

400 followers 25 following 330 posts

Capitol News Illinois is a nonprofit, nonpartisan news service covering state government. A service of the Illinois Press Foundation.

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Capitol News Illinois @capitolnewsil.bsky.social · 13h

A recent education report from Advance Illinois shows that math and reading proficiency levels in fourth and eighth grades are the same as they were 15 years ago. Advance Illinois President Robin Steans provides details about the study. Get the full story: https://loom.ly/RetsCyI

Capitol News Illinois @capitolnewsil.bsky.social · 13h

Former AT&T Illinois President Paul La Schiazza, who was accused of bribing ex-Illinois House Speaker Michael Madigan, could see the charges against him disappear in a year under a new agreement with federal prosecutors. Hannah Meisel reports. https://loom.ly/SqqLoOI

Ex-AT&T Illinois head could see bribery charges dismissed under agreement with feds

Article Summary Former AT&T Illinois President Paul La Schiazza, who was accused of bribing then-Illinois House Speaker Michael Madigan, has

capitolnewsillinois.com

Capitol News Illinois @capitolnewsil.bsky.social · 14h

Illinois’ statewide grocery tax goes away in 2026, but many people will still pay it through a local grocery tax. @benszalinski.bsky.social has details. https://loom.ly/GU2Bcdo

More than half of Illinois communities have enacted a local grocery tax

Article Summary JB Pritzker signed a law last year eliminating Illinois’ statewide 1% grocery tax. The law allowed municipalities and

capitolnewsillinois.com

Capitol News Illinois @capitolnewsil.bsky.social · 16h

New report on educational progress in Illinois offers a mixed bag of findings. Story by Peter Hancock. https://loom.ly/RetsCyI

Report offers mixed review of educational progress in Illinois

Article Summary Advance Illinois’ biennial report, “The State We’re In,” tracks educational progress across the entire spectrum, from early childhood

capitolnewsillinois.com

Capitol News Illinois @capitolnewsil.bsky.social · 1d

Former Illinois House Speaker Michael Madigan reported Monday to a federal prison in West Virginia to begin serving his 7.5 year sentence for corruption. Hannah Meisel reports. https://loom.ly/0BTL5FM

Ex-Speaker Madigan reports to West Virginia prison to begin 7 ½-year sentence

Article Summary Former Illinois House Speaker Michael Madigan has begun serving his 7 ½-year prison sentence Monday after reporting to

capitolnewsillinois.com

Capitol News Illinois @capitolnewsil.bsky.social · 1d

Protests continue as legal challenges to President Trump’s attempts to deploy troops to Chicago work their way through the courts. @drewjayadams.bsky.social has the latest from Chicago. https://loom.ly/YfJaiVA

Appeals court allows federalization of troops but says they can’t be deployed

Article Summary A federal appeals court upheld a lower court’s temporary order barring President Donald Trump’s administration from deploying National

capitolnewsillinois.com

Capitol News Illinois @capitolnewsil.bsky.social · 1d

State lawmakers return to Springfield on Tuesday. @benszalinski.bsky.social looks at what issues they might address. https://loom.ly/A2kQH9M

Veto session preview: Federal issues top of mind as lawmakers seek transit, energy solutions

Article Summary The General Assembly will return for the annual fall veto session from Oct. 14-16 and Oct. 28-30 with

capitolnewsillinois.com

Capitol News Illinois @capitolnewsil.bsky.social · 4d

U.S. Rep. Nikki Budzinski urged Congress to come to a bipartisan agreement to reopen the government. But she also said that the renewal of health care tax credits is “a red line in the sand” for Democrats. Brenden Moore reports. https://loom.ly/caCtRx8

Budzinski urges bipartisan deal to end shutdown, but draws ‘red line’ on health care

Article Summary U.S. Rep. Nikki Budzinski urged Congress to come to a bipartisan agreement to reopen the government. But she

capitolnewsillinois.com

Capitol News Illinois @capitolnewsil.bsky.social · 4d

The governor’s office projects a deficit this year that will quickly grow over 5 years. Federal policies are at least partially to blame, per a new report. @benszalinski.bsky.social reports. https://loom.ly/DBQrons

Illinois’ budget on track for deficit as new federal policies create challenges

Article Summary The governor’s office now projects a $267 million deficit for the current fiscal year 2026 budget. Corporate tax

capitolnewsillinois.com

Capitol News Illinois @capitolnewsil.bsky.social · 5d

A federal judge Thursday issued a temporary order blocking the Trump administration from deploying National Guard troops in Chicago. @hannahmeisel.bsky.social reports. https://loom.ly/kBDGwN8

Judge calls feds ‘unreliable,’ temporarily blocks National Guard deployment to Illinois

Article Summary A federal judge on Thursday temporarily blocked the Trump administration from deploying the National Guard to Illinois without

capitolnewsillinois.com

Capitol News Illinois @capitolnewsil.bsky.social · 5d

This French company plans to scale its computing system from 200 qubits to 10,000 qubits in Chicago. Maggie Dougherty has more. https://loom.ly/ZvXsWsU

French tech company announces new headquarters at Chicago quantum research park

Article Summary French quantum computing company Pasqal plans to build its U.S. headquarters in Chicago at the state’s new research

capitolnewsillinois.com

Capitol News Illinois @capitolnewsil.bsky.social · 5d

Federal judge grants TRO in lawsuit to protect protesters, journalists covering “Operation Midway Blitz.” Story by Peter Hancock. https://loom.ly/KGqeW7U

Judge grants restraining order protecting protesters, journalists in Chicago-area protests

Article Summary A court order bars federal agents from arresting peaceful protesters or journalists covering immigration protests. It also bars

capitolnewsillinois.com

Capitol News Illinois @capitolnewsil.bsky.social · 6d

The war of words between President Donald Trump and Gov. JB Pritzker escalated dramatically this week as Texas National Guard troops arrived in Illinois. https://loom.ly/_J0xM9o

As Trump says Pritzker ‘should be in jail,’ Illinois’ governor taunts: ‘Come and get me’

Article Summary President Donald Trump posted to social media Wednesday that Gov. JB Pritzker and Chicago Mayor Brandon Johnson “should

capitolnewsillinois.com

Capitol News Illinois @capitolnewsil.bsky.social · 6d

Judicial scrutiny of federal immigration activities is mounting in Illinois, as judges have dropped charges against protestors and found ICE in violation of a federal consent decree. https://loom.ly/ocHBuXw

Court scrutiny of ICE mounts as judge rules warrantless arrests violated order

Article Summary A federal judge ruled late Tuesday that Immigration and Customs Enforcement violated a federal consent decree by making

capitolnewsillinois.com

Capitol News Illinois @capitolnewsil.bsky.social · 6d

The U.S. Supreme Court will decide if Republican U.S. Rep. Mike Bost can file a lawsuit challenging Illinois’ mail-in voting law. @benszalinski.bsky.social reports on Wednesday’s arguments.

SCOTUS weighs whether Mike Bost can challenge Illinois election laws

Article Summary The U.S. Supreme Court heard oral arguments Wednesday in a case weighing whether U.S. Rep. Mike Bost has

capitolnewsillinois.com

Capitol News Illinois @capitolnewsil.bsky.social · 7d

Can Illinois lawmakers reach an agreement to fund public transportation in the Chicago area? That’s their goal as they head back to Springfield next week. @benszalinski.bsky.social reports. https://loom.ly/byCT7JQ

Lawmakers ‘ready to move’ on transit reform, but funding agreement remains elusive

Article Summary Illinois lawmakers are optimistic a plan to reform and fund Chicago-area public transit agencies will pass the General

capitolnewsillinois.com

Capitol News Illinois @capitolnewsil.bsky.social · 8d

A federal judge declined to issue a restraining order against sending troops to Illinois, but she gave the U.S.DOJ 2 days to respond to request. @hannahmeisel.bsky.social @brendenmoore.bsky.social report. https://loom.ly/9GnMeYA

Judge won’t block federal troop deployment to Chicago — for now

Article Summary Illinois and Chicago are suing the Trump administration to block the deployment of National Guard Troops to Chicago.

capitolnewsillinois.com

Capitol News Illinois @capitolnewsil.bsky.social · 8d

Illinois and Chicago are suing the federal government for what JB Pritzker described as an “invasion” of the state and city. @benszalinski.bsky.social @brendenmoore.bsky.social, and Hannah Meisel report. https://loom.ly/MI6oEvM

Illinois sues to block Trump’s National Guard deployment to Chicago

Article Summary Illinois and Chicago are suing the Trump administration to block the deployment of National Guard Troops to Chicago.

capitolnewsillinois.com

Capitol News Illinois @capitolnewsil.bsky.social · 10d

Gov. JB Pritzker said Saturday that the Trump administration told him to call up the Illinois National Guard or the president will do it. Hannah Meisel reports. https://loom.ly/nLBTtlw

Over Pritzker’s objections, Trump sending 300 National Guardsmen to Chicago, governor says

Article Summary JB Pritzker on Saturday announced the Trump administration is sending 300 National Guard troops to Chicago after the

capitolnewsillinois.com

Capitol News Illinois @capitolnewsil.bsky.social · 10d

Jerry Nowicki and Ben Szalinski discuss the latest developments in the federal immigration crackdown in Chicago, whether federal troops are on the way, and what, if anything the state an do about it. https://loom.ly/O5ZhfEw

Illinois leaders tell feds to stay out of Chicago

Jerry Nowicki and Ben Szalinski discuss the latest developments in the federal immigration crackdown in Chicago, whether federal troops are on the way, and what, if anything the state an do about it.

Capitol News Illinois @capitolnewsil.bsky.social · 11d

With 10 days until former IL House Speaker Michael Madigan is scheduled to report to prison, a federal appeals court Friday denied his bid to remain free while he challenges his corruption conviction. @hannahmeisel.bsky.social reports: https://loom.ly/tmV2qVI

7th Circuit denies Madigan’s bid to stay out of prison while he appeals corruption conviction

Article Summary Former Illinois House Speaker Michael Madigan will still have to report to prison later this month after a

capitolnewsillinois.com

Capitol News Illinois @capitolnewsil.bsky.social · 11d

The White House on Friday froze $2.1 billion in federal funding for Chicago infrastructure projects in the latest move targeting Democratic cities and states amid the federal government shutdown. Maggie Dougherty reports. https://loom.ly/53onswQ

Trump freezes $2.1B for Chicago transit projects in latest ‘punishment’ of blue states

CHICAGO — The White House on Friday froze $2.1 billion in federal funding for Chicago infrastructure projects in the latest

capitolnewsillinois.com

Capitol News Illinois @capitolnewsil.bsky.social · 12d

Illinois unveils a $50.6 billion six-year plan to repair roads, bridges, rail, airports and transit. @nowickipress.bsky.social reports. https://loom.ly/a3Q9j-Y

Here’s what’s in Illinois’ $50.6B six-year infrastructure plan

Article Summary Illinois’ latest six-year infrastructure plan includes $50.6 billion in projects, according to the Illinois Department of Transportation. That

capitolnewsillinois.com

Capitol News Illinois @capitolnewsil.bsky.social · 13d

What will Lt. Gov. Juliana Stratton do to address affordability if elected to the U.S. Senate next year? @benszalinski.bsky.social looks at her plan. https://loom.ly/hbKxwY0

Stratton aims to bring Pritzker administration policies to national stage

Article Summary Gov. Juliana Stratton released her economic agenda for the 2026 Democratic primary for U.S. Senate. It focuses on

capitolnewsillinois.com

Capitol News Illinois @capitolnewsil.bsky.social · 14d

More than a year after its announcement, officials celebrate the groundbreaking on Illinois’ quantum tech startup and research hub. https://loom.ly/J3OBRF4

State, private developers break ground on quantum research park

Article Summary Officials broke ground on a quantum research park development on Chicago’s Southeast Side, more than a year after

capitolnewsillinois.com