The last year was filled with plenty of big news. As a new year begins, here’s a look at the stories that will continue into 2024.
Stories by amanda vinicky
Brandon Johnson Joins Mayors of New York and Denver in Calling for Federal Support for Migrants While Pushing Back Against ‘Reckless Approach’ in Texas
The comments came during a joint online press conference Wednesday afternoon with Chicago Mayor Brandon Johnson, New York City Mayor Eric Adams and Denver Mayor Mike Johnston.
Illinois Manufacturers Say Rail Pause in Texas Caused Harm During Busy Holiday Season: ‘It Rippled Down’
U.S. Customs and Border Protection this week suspended international rail traffic at two Texas crossings “in order to redirect personnel to assist the U.S. Border Patrol with taking migrants into custody” as the agency strains to keep up with a surge of migrants at the United States’ southwestern border.
Want to Support State Parks This Holiday Season? Starved Rock Ornament First in Fundraising Series
Illinois nature lovers can bring the state’s most famous outdoor treasures indoors, with a new series of holiday ornaments featuring state parks.
Planned Parenthood Opens Carbondale Clinic Amid Influx of Out-of-State Patients Seeking Abortions
“We looked at the map and we knew that it was the best possible town in southern Illinois to serve the whole southern Illinois community, and it also is a great location for the surrounding states — none of which have access to abortion,” said Planned Parenthood of Illinois CEO Jennifer Welch.
Illinois Leads the Nation in Medicaid Renewals Amid Federal Enrollment Update
Approximately 695,600 Illinois residents have proactively renewed their Medicaid coverage – making Illinois the top ranked state for renewals amid a federal cleanse of the government-backed health insurance rolls.
Illinois Law Targeting ‘Deceptive’ Anti-Abortion Ministries Officially Scrapped
Illinois’ new law banning “deceptive” practices by anti-abortion ministries, passed in the wake of the U.S. Supreme Court overturning Roe v. Wade, is scrapped before ever materially taking effect.
US Supreme Court Refuses to Block New Illinois Law Banning Some High-Power Semiautomatic Weapons
The law prohibits the possession, manufacture or sale of semiautomatic rifles and high-capacity magazines. It takes effect Jan. 1.
Sponsor of State Law Targeting Crisis Pregnancy Centers in ‘Shock and Dismay’ After AG Backs Off Legal Fight
The sponsor of a state law intended to stop “deceptive” practices by anti-abortion advocates and centers said she is in “shock and dismay” over a pending legal arrangement agreed to by Illinois Attorney General Kwame Raoul that will effectively nullify the law that he championed.
Pritzker Pulls State Funding From Migrant Base Camp in Brighton Park, Citing Environmental Concerns
Illinois Gov. J.B. Pritzker on Tuesday rejected using state funds to continue building a migrant base camp in Brighton Park, citing environmental concerns.
Illinois State Police Launch Online Form to Report Public Corruption
Credible cases will be pursued by the Illinois State Police Special Investigative Unit, a group of agents dedicated to investigating public corruption cases.
State, Greater Chicago Food Depository to Spend Additional $4M on Meals for Migrants; City to Take Over Next Year
Gov. J.B. Pritzker’s administration cites “procurement delays” by Chicago as the reason for the shortfall, and says that the city in January will assume the responsibility of making sure migrants are fed, according to a news release.
Senate Judiciary Committee Weighs Whether Gun Violence is a Public Health Emergency
“In cities like Chicago dealing with the constant drumbeat of gun violence, it has turned these public health officials into battlefield experts,” U.S. Sen. Dick Durbin said. “They’ve seen the aftermath of bullets tearing through bone like it’s tissue paper.”
With Public Health Systems Largely Leaving COVID-19 Vaccines to Regular Medical Avenues, Officials Say Outreach Is Still Needed
While the public health emergency is officially over, COVID-19 is still making people sick, and health officials say they’ve entered a new front.
AAA Predicts Highest Traffic in Years in Illinois This Thanksgiving. See IDOT’s List of Construction Closures
Thanksgiving travelers should expect to gobble up traffic over the next few days, with AAA forecasting 2.46 million vehicles to hit the roads in Illinois — some 60,000 more drivers than last year.
Under New Illinois Law, Those Convicted of a Felony or Crimes Like Bribery and Perjury Barred From Holding Elected State Office
The new statute forbids officials convicted of “a felony, bribery, perjury or other infamous crime” from holding local or state level elected positions.
National Transportation Safety Board Launches Investigation Into CTA Yellow Line Crash
The NTSB will examine the condition of the track and the train, how people were protected inside the train, the operator’s training and work history, and the CTA’s safety culture, including how dispatch cleared the Yellow Line train.
Lawmakers Leave Springfield Without Finalizing Plan for Chicago’s Elected School Board
State lawmakers left the capitol on Thursday without finalizing a plan to put in motion the 2021 law that seeks to diminish mayoral control over Chicago Public Schools. Competing plans from the state Senate and House are cause of the delay.
What to Know About Invest in Kids, the Controversial Tax Credit Scholarship Program Advocates Want to Extend Past This Year
Donors receive state income tax credits for their contributions to the Invest in Kids program, which helps some 9,600 students across Illinois attend private and trade schools. But barring last-minute legislative action, authorization for the program runs out at the end of 2023.
Chicago Would Move to Fully Elected School Board 2 Years Sooner Under New Proposal
The end to mayoral control of the Chicago Board of Education could come sooner than expected.
Demand for Child RSV Vaccine Is Greatest in History, Health Officials Say. Many Pediatricians Can’t Meet It
Centers for Disease Control Director Dr. Mandy Cohen said manufacturers, who are making the immunization for the first time, underestimated demand.
Gun Owners in Illinois Are Now Required to Register Assault Weapons. What Happens if They Don’t?
Since the Protect Illinois Communities Act became law in early 2023, the sale of numerous types of guns, cartridges and accessories has been illegal in Illinois. People who owned the covered guns prior to the law can keep them but are required to register them with the state.
Federal Appeals Court Upholds Illinois’ Assault Weapons Ban
Illinois’ nearly year-old ban on guns deemed assault weapons can stand, per a decision issued Friday by a federal appeals court. Still, other legal challenges could be ahead.
State Lawmakers Release Latest Chicago Elected School Board Map
A year from now, Chicago voters will for the first time decide who will run the city’s schools. But first, Illinois legislators have a lot of decisions to make about how that process will work. Chief among their responsibilities is dividing Chicago into 20 districts.
Illinois House Approves Proposal Clearing the Path for Legislative Staff to Unionize But Future in Senate Is Unclear
A group of individuals working for the office of Illinois House Speaker Emanuel “Chris” Welch has been exploring forming a union. Welch is now the sponsor of a bill creating the Legislative Employee Labor Relations Act.
Lawmakers Push for Compensation for Chicago’s Elected School Board
State Sen. Robert Martwick, a Democrat who represents parts of the city’s Northwest Side, said if Chicago wants a diverse school board, it needs to remove barriers that would prevent some residents from running for board seats.
