Illinois quick hits: Anti-SLAPP bill signed; Chicago schools settles meditation case

Illinois quick hits: Anti-SLAPP bill signed; Chicago schools settles meditation case

August 21, 2025/
Spread the love

By Jim Talamonti | The Center Square
The Center Square

Anti-SLAPP bill signed

Gov. J.B. Pritzker has signed legislation to protect news media from strategic lawsuits against public participation (SLAPP).

The governor said Senate Bill 1181 will ensure that the press won’t have to fear retaliation for telling the truth.

The measure takes effect immediately.

Chicago schools settles meditation case

A court-approved settlement of over $2.6 million is now being paid to 207 former Chicago Public School high school students who were required to participate in a transcendental meditation program during class.

Plaintiffs’ attorneys say the students’ rights were disregarded by the Chicago Board of Education, and students were coerced to practice a worldview that was in conflict with their faith.

Du Quoin State Fair begins

Friday is Day One and Family Night at the Du Quoin State Fair.

Now in its 102nd year, the fair features music, livestock shows, auto and harness racing, rodeos and agricultural exhibits.

The Du Quoin State Fair runs from Aug. 22 through Sept. 1.

Leave a Comment





Latest News Stories

Victims identified in Minneapolis Catholic school shooting

Victims identified in Minneapolis Catholic school shooting

By Jon StyfThe Center Square “As a family, we are shattered, and words cannot capture the depth of our pain.” Those are the words of the parents of 10-year-old Harper...
Pentagon to build new task force to counter drone threats

Pentagon to build new task force to counter drone threats

By Brett RowlandThe Center Square The Pentagon is creating a new task force to counter drone threats and keep U.S. airspace safe. Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth said the Department of...
'Horrendous' religious freedom violation leads to payout by Chicago Public Schools

‘Horrendous’ religious freedom violation leads to payout by Chicago Public Schools

By Jim Talamonti | The Center SquareThe Center Square (The Center Square) – A court-approved settlement of over $2.6 million is being paid to 207 former Chicago Public School students...
Extended Secret Service protection canceled for Kamala Harris

Extended Secret Service protection canceled for Kamala Harris

By Sarah Roderick-FitchThe Center Square More than seven months after leaving office, President Donald Trump is revoking the taxpayer-funded Secret Service protection detail of former Vice President Kamala Harris. Former...
Du Quoin State Fair gets $50M as senator defends two state fairs in Illinois

Du Quoin State Fair gets $50M as senator defends two state fairs in Illinois

By Catrina Barker | The Center Square contributorThe Center Square (The Center Square) – The Du Quoin State Fairgrounds have received over $50 million in upgrades, part of Gov. J.B....
WATCH: Pritzker alleges Trump election interference; tells disgruntled residents to move

WATCH: Pritzker alleges Trump election interference; tells disgruntled residents to move

By Greg Bishop | The Center SquareThe Center Square (The Center Square) – In today's edition of Illinois in Focus Daily, The Center Square Editor Greg Bishop shares where there...
Illinois quick hits: Foreign national indicted for fraud; Chicago Public Schools budget approved

Illinois quick hits: Foreign national indicted for fraud; Chicago Public Schools budget approved

By Jim Talamonti | The Center SquareThe Center Square Foreign national indicted for fraud A foreign national has been indicted in U.S. District Court in Chicago for allegedly defrauding numerous...
mokena library logo graphic.5

Mokena Library Awarded Nearly $30,000 Grant from Illinois Secretary of State

Mokena Community Public Library District Board of Trustees Meeting | July 2025 Article SummaryThe Mokena Community Public Library District has received a significant financial boost after being awarded a Per...
CA Supreme Court rejects GOP bid to stop redistricting

CA Supreme Court rejects GOP bid to stop redistricting

By Dave MasonThe Center Square The California Supreme Court rejected an emergency Republican petition to take congressional redistricting off the Nov. 4 ballot. "The petition for writ of mandate and...
Lawsuit links CA teen's suicide to artificial intelligence

Lawsuit links CA teen’s suicide to artificial intelligence

By Esther WickhamThe Center Square The parents of a California teenager who committed suicide sued OpenAI, alleging that ChatGPT taught him how to harm himself, according to a lawsuit the...
fall-festival-b2adf834-992f-4ebd-ac09-edfc1d11b40a-circle

Your Ultimate Guide to the 2025 Frankfort Fall Fest: Everything to Know for the Nationally-Ranked Event

FRANKFORT, IL – The heart of historic downtown Frankfort is set to transform into a vibrant hub of art, music, and community spirit for the 57th annual Frankfort Fall Festival. Running...
HHS, Department of Education announce nutrition reforms

HHS, Department of Education announce nutrition reforms

By Esther WickhamThe Center Square The U.S. Department of Health and Human Services, along with the U.S. Department of Education, announced this week an initiative urging medical education organizations to...
White House appoints interim CDC director; standoff continues with former director

White House appoints interim CDC director; standoff continues with former director

By Morgan SweeneyThe Center Square The White House has appointed Department of Health and Human Services Deputy Secretary Jim O’Neill as interim director for the Centers for Disease Control and...
WATCH: Pritzker claims Trump plans election interference with troop deployment

WATCH: Pritzker claims Trump plans election interference with troop deployment

By Greg Bishop | The Center SquareThe Center Square (The Center Square) – Illinois Gov. J.B. Pritzker says President Donald Trump only wants troops on the ground to interfere in...
Plaintiffs take Cook County gun ban challenge to SCOTUS

Plaintiffs take Cook County gun ban challenge to SCOTUS

By Greg Bishop | The Center SquareThe Center Square (The Center Square) – Plaintiffs challenging Cook County’s ban on semi-automatic firearms are asking the U.S. Supreme Court to take the...