Illinois quick hits: Cook County declares flood disaster; opt-out forms promoted; State Fair begins

Illinois quick hits: Cook County declares flood disaster; opt-out forms promoted; State Fair begins

August 7, 2025/
Spread the love

By Jim Talamonti | The Center Square
The Center Square

Cook County, Chicago declare flood disaster

Chicago Mayor Brandon Johnson and Cook County Board President Toni Preckwinkle have issued respective disaster proclamations for flooding that took place July 25-28.

According to resident survey information, 111 residences were considered to be destroyed and 544 homes had major damage.

City and county agencies are working to determine if the jurisdictions could qualify for federal assistance.

Opt-out forms promoted

After Gov. J.B. Pritzker signed legislation to implement universal mental health screenings in public schools, the Illinois Family Institute is encouraging parents to opt out of programs and agendas which they said could be harmful to children.

The group said Christian parents should be especially alert to the assessment of their children’s well-being through the lens of secular ideologies.

The institute offers links to various opt-out forms on its website.

State Fair begins

The Illinois State Fair is underway in Springfield.

Thursday’s events include harness racing, $3 carnival rides and the Twilight Parade at 5:30 p.m.

The fair runs through Aug. 17.

More Stories
Weather Full forecast →
Today Jul 21
Mostly Sunny
74° 54°

Mostly Sunny

💨 10 mph 💧 1%
Data: National Weather Service • Updated Jul 22, 8:27 AM Full Forecast →
Site Sections

Leave a Comment





Latest News Stories

High-speed rail project criticized again after $3.5B contract

High-speed rail project criticized again after $3.5B contract

By Madeline ShannonThe Center Square After a $3.5 billion contract was awarded for track and electrical work on California’s high-speed rail, critics are calling the entire project problematic because of...
Platner leads Collins in Maine U.S. Senate race despite controversies

Platner leads Collins in Maine U.S. Senate race despite controversies

By Christen SmithThe Center Square Democrat and oyster farmer Graham Platner continues to out-poll incumbent Republican U.S. Sen. Susan Collins, despite mounting controversies about his treatment of women, fellow war...
Illinois quick hits: Illinois parole absconder arrested in Tennessee

Illinois quick hits: Illinois parole absconder arrested in Tennessee

By Jim Talamonti | The Center SquareThe Center Square Illinois parole absconder arrested in Tennessee The U.S. Marshals Service says an Illinois parole absconder has been captured in Union City,...
GOP rep: Time will tell on data center tax credit pause

GOP rep: Time will tell on data center tax credit pause

By Jim Talamonti | The Center SquareThe Center Square (The Center Square) – After Gov. J.B. Pritzker announced that his administration would pause data center tax credits, a Republican legislator...
Montana governor to Washington companies: We want your business

Montana governor to Washington companies: We want your business

By Carleen JohnsonThe Center Square The Governor of Montana tells The Center Square he hopes to lure more out of state business expansion into his state, following this week’s announcement...
WATCH: Civil rights curriculum aims to shape future leaders

WATCH: Civil rights curriculum aims to shape future leaders

By Esther WickhamThe Center Square It was the winter of 1962. Demonstrators in Birmingham, Alabama, came to see Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. for his support in organizing a protest...
Illinois officials say Bears still may stay despite team's Indiana statement

Illinois officials say Bears still may stay despite team’s Indiana statement

By Jim Talamonti | The Center SquareThe Center Square (The Center Square) – Although the Chicago Bears say the team’s board of directors moved to advance plans for a stadium...
More than 60% of Minnesota high-risk Medicaid providers fail review

More than 60% of Minnesota high-risk Medicaid providers fail review

By Elyse ApelThe Center Square Nearly two-thirds of Minnesota's high-risk Medicaid providers have had taxpayer funding paused following a federally-mandated review process that state officials say was necessary to protect...
Senate sends $70B bill funding ICE, border patrol to vacant House

Senate sends $70B bill funding ICE, border patrol to vacant House

By Thérèse BoudreauxThe Center Square U.S. Senate Republicans finally passed their roughly $70 billion immigration enforcement funding bill after an 18-hour vote-a-rama that ended early Friday morning. The 52-47 final...
Chicago Bears to advance stadium project in Indiana

Chicago Bears to advance stadium project in Indiana

By Jim Talamonti | The Center SquareThe Center Square (The Center Square) – The Chicago Bears are moving forward with plans to build a stadium in Northwest Indiana. Bears Chairman...
Greer, Carr commended for seeking fairness in EU treatment of US tech firms

Greer, Carr commended for seeking fairness in EU treatment of US tech firms

By Tate RosentreterThe Center Square Public Policy Solutions sent a letter Friday to United States Trade Representative Ambassador Jamieson Greer and Federal Communications Commission chairman Brendan Carr commending both men...
Illinois quick hits: Pritzker pauses data center tax credits

Illinois quick hits: Pritzker pauses data center tax credits

By Jim Talamonti | The Center SquareThe Center Square Pritzker pauses data center tax credits Gov. J.B. Pritzker has ordered the Illinois Department of Commerce and Economic Opportunity to pause...
U.S. adds 172k jobs in 'strong' May report, unemployment remains at 4.3%

U.S. adds 172k jobs in ‘strong’ May report, unemployment remains at 4.3%

By Andrew RiceThe Center Square The U.S. economy added 172,000 jobs in May's better-than-expected report while the unemployment rate remained at 4.3%, according to data released Friday by the U.S....
Researchers put a number on how much debt U.S. can carry

Researchers put a number on how much debt U.S. can carry

By Brett RowlandThe Center Square The United States has about 20 years to change course on its national debt before it reaches the estimated limits of its debt capacity, according...
Colorado governor vetoes legislation allowing ICE to be sued

Colorado governor vetoes legislation allowing ICE to be sued

By Liam HibbertThe Center Square Colorado Gov. Jared Polis vetoed a Democrat-backed bill on Wednesday that would have allowed citizens to sue immigration enforcement officers for civil rights violations. The...