Disparately resourced public defenders prepare for the end of cash bail in Illinois Disparately resourced public defenders prepare for the end of cash bail in Illinois Friday, September 15, 2023 Illinois on Monday will become the first state to fully abolish cash bail through an act of the legislature — a major criminal justice overhaul spurred by the advocacy of a progressive faction of the Democratic Party that’s grown increasingly powerful in recent years.
Ahead of cash bail’s end, state’s replacement pretrial justice system takes shape Ahead of cash bail’s end, state’s replacement pretrial justice system takes shape Friday, September 15, 2023 Beginning Monday, state courts in Illinois will be prohibited from jailing individuals who are accused – but not convicted – of crimes simply because they cannot afford to post bail while they await trial. Monetary bond will be abolished in favor of a system that seeks to give judges authority to detain defendants accused of committing violent crimes based on their level of risk to...
Illinois House Speaker’s staff could test limits of Workers’ Rights Amendment Illinois House Speaker’s staff could test limits of Workers’ Rights Amendment Thursday, September 14, 2023 Efforts to form a union by staff in House Speaker Emanuel “Chris” Welch’s office could provide an early and unexpected test of the new Workers’ Rights Amendment to the... Read more
‘Thunderdomes of controversy and strife:’ Giannoulias testifies before U.S. Senate committee ‘Thunderdomes of controversy and strife:’ Giannoulias testifies before U.S. Senate committee Thursday, September 14, 2023 Illinois Secretary of State Alexi Giannoulias was in Washington, D.C. this week to testify before the U.S. Senate Judiciary Committee regarding a new state law aimed at deterring book bans. Read more
Former trooper seeks restoration of driving privileges nearly 16 years after fatal crash Former trooper seeks restoration of driving privileges nearly 16 years after fatal crash Thursday, September 14, 2023 For years, former Illinois Secretary of State Jesse White blocked attempts by an ex-state trooper to regain his driving privileges after a high-speed crash that caused the deaths of teenage... Read more
State Fair reports nine-year attendance high State Fair reports nine-year attendance high Wednesday, September 13, 2023 The Illinois State Fair – a multi-million dollar annual agriculture festival in Springfield – reported a nine-year attendance record this year. Read more
Copay requirements paused for noncitizens on state health plan Copay requirements paused for noncitizens on state health plan Tuesday, September 12, 2023 The state has paused a new policy requiring certain noncitizens enrolled in a Medicaid-like health insurance plan to pay copayments for certain services, instructing health care providers to... Read more
Battery manufacturing plant coming to Illinois – with $530M incentive deal Battery manufacturing plant coming to Illinois – with $530M incentive deal Friday, September 8, 2023 A new battery manufacturing plant is set to open in northern Illinois next year after the state offered more than $330 million in tax incentives to make it happen. Read more