Capitol News Illinois by Madison Hopkins and Meredith Newman Illinois Answers Project CHICAGO — A single mother in Kenwood changed jobs in order to find child care – even though it meant possibly working fewer hours and less pay. A couple in Park Ridge has paid so much for care they haven’t been able to…

Capitol News Illinois SPRINGFIELD – Gov. JB Pritzker said Wednesday he will not sign a budget that includes broad tax hikes to fund new spending as lawmakers are in the final hours of budget negotiations. “Anything that’s broad-based and would have a negative impact on working families, I would veto a budget like that,” Pritzker…

Capitol News Illinois SPRINGFIELD — Legislation that would require Illinois public libraries to have life-saving medications on hand for people experiencing opioid overdoses and provide staff training has unanimously passed the Illinois Senate and is now on Gov. JB Pritzker’s desk. The legislation, House Bill 1910, was proposed by a high school student in Elgin.…

Capitol News Illinois SPRINGFIELD — Illinois police officers soon could be required to undergo trauma-informed sexual assault training if the governor signs a bill passed by Illinois lawmakers last week. Senate Bill 1195, dubbed Anna’s Law, mandates police officers take part in trauma-informed programs, procedures and practices that are intended to “minimize traumatization of the…

Capitol News Illinois SPRINGFIELD – A bill unanimously passed by the Senate on Thursday and on its way to Gov. JB Pritzker’s desk will increase the age that senior drivers in Illinois are required to take an annual driver’s test. Currently, if a driver renews their driver’s license between the ages of 79 and 80,…

Capitol News Illinois SPRINGFIELD – Illinois lawmakers have one week to pass a new state budget with little room for new spending and Congress presenting further challenges and uncertainty. Revenue projections had already been declining as the spring session has progressed. Now, lawmakers who have long feared further federal cuts, are grappling with the U.S…

Capitol News Illinois SPRINGFIELD – Illinois lawmakers are seeking to extend lawsuit protections to regular news reports following a recent ruling by the state’s Supreme Court that allowed a defamation suit against the Chicago Sun-Times to progress. The measure, Senate Bill 1181, would explicitly name the press in an existing state law that aims to…

Capitol News Illinois SPRINGFIELD – Illinois lawmakers passed two bills this week that aim to support mothers in the state. One bill requires employers to give paid time off to employees who pump breastmilk at work. The second allows midwives to help with home births, which is the latest attempt by Illinois lawmakers to restore…

Capitol News Illinois SPRINGFIELD — A bill creating an interdisciplinary commission to study the interplay between animals, the environment and infectious disease within the Illinois Department of Public Health passed the House unanimously Wednesday. Senate Bill 291 aims to establish the One Health Commission to aid in communication and collaboration between the state’s physicians, veterinarians,…

Capitol News Illinois Customers around Illinois will see significantly higher prices on their electric bills next month. The average residential customer of northern Illinois’ Commonwealth Edison will pay about $10.60 per month more this summer, according to a company statement. Downstate Ameren Illinois customers, meanwhile, can expect an 18% to 22% increase in their monthly…