Capitol News Illinois Article Summary U.S. Rep. Raja Krishnamoorthi raised the most money in the first quarter of fundraising for the 2026 Illinois Democratic primary for U.S. Senate and has already launched a TV ad. Lt. Gov. Juliana Stratton received money from some of the most politically connected donors in state politics, from Gov. JB…

Capitol News Illinois Article Summary Susana Mendoza will not run for reelection as Illinois comptroller, the state’s chief financial officer. She is rumored to be considering a run for Chicago mayor. Mendoza held the comptroller’s office during the worst budgetary crisis in state history and through the COVID-19 pandemic. A key step in how Cook…

Capitol News Illinois Article Summary Congress’ latest budget package slashed federal tax incentives for solar developments. Industry insiders said the latest federal policies create “a lot of uncertainty.” Illinois facilitates significant funding for the renewables industry, particularly for solar, which provides some insulation against the federal action. Still, advocacy groups fear energy prices will rise…

Capitol News Illinois Article Summary Industrial hemp production was legalized in the U.S. and in Illinois in 2018. The industry was largely expected to produce items like industrial textiles and non-intoxicating CBD products. Since then, a legal “gray area” has allowed for hemp to be used in the production of unregulated, intoxicating and synthetic THC…

Capitol News Illinois Article Summary U.S. Rep. Raja Krishnamoorthi, D-Schaumburg, is seeking the U.S. Senate seat being vacated by retiring U.S. Sen. Dick Durbin, D-Springfield. Krishnamoorthi says he wants to put his middle-class values to work in the Senate. As a member of the House Intelligence Committee, he says he is capable of immediately engaging…

Capitol News Illinois Article Summary Gov. JB Pritzker signed an executive order requiring state agencies to come up with plans to respond to tariffs. President Donald Trump is set to implement new tariffs after previously pausing them for three months. The order requires agencies to evaluate impacts on costs, the availability of supplies, and the…

Capitol News Illinois Article Summary Former Commonwealth Edison executive John Hooker has been sentenced to 18 months in prison in addition to a $500,000 fine — the first of the “ComEd Four” to face sentencing after their 2023 convictions. A jury found Hooker and his co-defendants guilty of bribing ex-Illinois House Speaker Michael Madigan with…

Capitol News Illinois Article Summary Longtime Springfield lobbyist Mike McClain, who spent decades as a close friend and advisor to former Illinois House Speaker Michael Madigan, is scheduled for sentencing later this month as part of separate hearings for the “ComEd Four” beginning next week. McClain and his co-defendants were convicted in 2023 for their…

Capitol News Illinois Article summary The three Democrats running for Illinois’ open Senate seat voiced concerns about the new domestic policy plan at events around Illinois. Lt. Gov. Juliana Stratton discussed how SNAP cuts will affect Illinois at an event in Chicago. Rep. Robin Kelly spoke with voters in Peoria about their concerns with federal…

Capitol News Illinois Article summary President Trump’s domestic policy bill contains massive cuts in federal Medicaid spending over the next 10 years. One analysis predicts $48 billion in spending reductions in Illinois over a decade. The cuts limit states’ ability to raise money through provider taxes to fund their share of Medicaid costs. The cuts…