Illinois quick hits: Anti-SLAPP bill signed; Chicago schools settles meditation case
August 21, 2025/
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.
Community Events
MondayDecember 8, 2025
TuesdayDecember 9, 2025
WednesdayDecember 10, 2025
Pajama Storytime with Santa (Session #1)12:30 amPajama Storytime with Santa (Session #2)1:00 amSensory-Friendly Pajama Storytime with Santa (Session #3)3:30 pm(Ages 0-2): Baby Storytime4:30 pm(Ages 0-2): Baby Storytime10:00 pmHigh School: Winter Reindeer Decoration10:15 pm(Gr. 3rd-5th) Bluestem Book Club - "Nell of Gumbling"
ThursdayDecember 11, 2025
Latest News Stories
State officials urge Trump, Congress to address national debt
By Brett RowlandThe Center Square Indiana Gov. Mike Braun and a coalition of state financial officers and lawmakers are urging Congress and President Donald Trump to address the national debt...
Committee Advances Special Use Permit for Used Car Dealership in New Lenox Township
Will County Planning and Zoning Commission Meeting | November 18, 2025 Article Summary:The Will County Planning and Zoning Commission has approved a special use permit for a light equipment sales...
Mokena 159 Students Outperform State Averages on New Baseline Assessments
Mokena School District 159 Meeting | November 19, 2025 Article Summary: Mokena School District 159 students significantly outperformed state averages on the Spring 2025 Illinois Assessment of Readiness (IAR) and...
Lincoln-Way 210 to Purchase 31 Buses, Citing Major Savings Over Leasing
Lincoln-Way Community High School District 210 Meeting | November 20, 2025 Article Summary: The Lincoln-Way District 210 Board of Education approved the purchase of 28 yellow school buses and three white...
War Department, VA have highest number of unresolved recommendations from congressional watchdog
By Morgan SweeneyThe Center Square Of the 15 federal executive departments that compose the president’s Cabinet, the Departments of War and Veterans Affairs have the most unresolved, open recommendations for...
Nearly 550 truck drivers cited for not understanding English in Illinois YTD
By Greg Bishop | The Center SquareThe Center Square (The Center Square) – The number of English language proficiency violations for commercial drivers in Illinois year-to-date has nearly eclipsed last...
Envelopes with white powder sent to two Texas ICE offices, no public threat
By Bethany BlankleyThe Center Square Texas remains ground zero for targeted attacks against U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement officers. In the past few months, ICE facilities in Texas have been...
Georgia GOP thanks Greene; Trump says she ‘went bad’
By Kim JarrettThe Center Square Less than 24 hours after the surprise resignation of U.S. Rep. Marjorie Taylor Greene, the Georgia Republican received thanks from the state Republican Party and...
Texas governor, members of Congress lead effort to ban Sharia law in US
By Bethany BlankleyThe Center Square An anti-Sharia law movement is being led by Texas Republicans, including Texas’ governor and members of Congress. Gov. Greg Abbott this week issued three directives...
California loses one taxpayer per minute, Florida gains
By Andrew RiceThe Center Square Florida welcomes a new taxpayer about every two minutes while California loses one about every minute, according to new data. An analysis of data from...
Meeting Summary and Briefs: Will County Board Executive Committee for November 13, 2025
Will County Board Executive Committee Meeting | November 13, 2025 The Will County Board’s Executive Committee met on Thursday, November 13, 2025, with its agenda dominated by a lengthy series...
SCOTUS issues stay in Texas redistricting case
By Bethany BlankleyThe Center Square Texas Attorney General Ken Paxton filed an emergency application with the U.S. Supreme Court requesting it to stay a federal district court ruling in a...
Marjorie Taylor Greene leaving Congress in January
By Kim JarrettThe Center Square U.S. Rep. Marjorie Taylor Greene said Friday evening she is resigning from Congress effective Jan. 5, 2026, citing personal attacks by President Donald Trump behind...
