Illinois quick hits: Pritzker signs abortion bills; Operation Purple Heart returns medals

August 22, 2025/

Spread the love

By The Center Square
The Center Square

Pritzker signs abortion bills

Two bills Gov. J.B. Pritzker enacted Friday impact access to abortion procedures.

House Bill 3637 shields health care providers from discipline for providing abortion services that are lawful in Illinois.

House Bill 3709 requires colleges and universities to offer contraception and medication abortion if they have an on-campus pharmacy or student health center.

Operation Purple Heart returns medals

A 16th family has been reunited with their relative’s Purple Heart military honors.

Illinois Treasurer Michael Frerichs’ office announced as part of Operation Purple Heart, they returned Army Private Stephen J. Grabowski’s military medals with grand-niece Chrystal Cantrell during a ceremony in Marion.

Frerichs, who handles unclaimed property, also returned Grabowski’s Bronze Star and other medals.

Product Expo to open at Du Quoin State Fair

The Illinois Product Expo will be open at the Du Quoin State Fair for the final weekend.

Located in the Expo Hall at the Du Quoin State Fairgrounds from 5 to 9 p.m. Friday, Aug. 29, from 11 a.m. to 8 p.m. Saturday, Aug. 30, and from 11 a.m. to 5 p.m. Sunday, Aug. 31.

Products include food, drinks, crafts and items like soaps, essential oils and more.

###

Latest News Stories

Illinois news in brief: Chicago police review Illinois Accountability Commission report; Granite City man sentenced for transporting minor in sex assault case; Report finds Illinois’ AI careers rank 34th in nation

By Jim Talamonti | The Center SquareThe Center Square Chicago police review Illinois Accountability Commission report Chicago Mayor Brandon Johnson’s administration is encouraging people whose experiences are described in the...

Illinois may bring early warning of toll costs ahead of proposed rate hike

By Sean Reed | The Center SquareThe Center Square (The Center Square) – While Illinois contemplates raising prices on tollways across the state, one state lawmaker wants increased transparency for...

Illinois senator says True Value move highlights business climate concerns

By Catrina Barker | The Center Square contributorThe Center Square (The Center Square) – Illinois state Sen. Chris Balkema said True Value’s decision to move its headquarters from Chicago to...

Chicago delays vote on parking meter sale, risks litigation

By Sean Reed | The Center SquareThe Center Square (The Center Square) – A long-awaited vote from the Chicago City Council to move forward with approving the sale of the...

Transit bill sponsor ok with recycled board appointments

By Jim Talamonti | The Center SquareThe Center Square (The Center Square) – Although recent appointees to the new Northern Illinois Transit Authority already hold seats on current transit boards...

U.S. adds 3.5M businesses despite shaky economy

By Andrew Rice | The Center SquareThe Center Square (The Center Square) - The United States added nearly 3.5 million new businesses in the first half of 2026, breaking previous...

Walmart targeted with lawsuit over customer service line voice recordings

By Jonathan Bilyk | Legal NewslineThe Center Square (Legal Newsline) — Walmart has been tagged yet again in a class action lawsuit brought under Illinois' biometrics privacy law, this time...

Illinois quick hits: Collinsville man pleads guilty to sex abuse of children

By Jim Talamonti | The Center SquareThe Center Square DCFS honors scholarship recipients The Illinois Department of Children and Family Services honored 317 youth in care with a scholarship luncheon...

Aldermen say mayor fails to collect revenue he opposes

By Jim Talamonti | The Center SquareThe Center Square )The Center Square) – Chicago aldermen are suggesting that the city has a projected budget gap of $130 million because Mayor...

Pritzker disputes Trump speech claims

By Jim Talamonti | The Center SquareThe Center Square (The Center Square) – Gov. J.B. Pritzker says President Donald Trump tried to claim victimhood during his speech to the nation...

Poll: Majority of Americans believe country not adhering to founding ideals

By Thérèse BoudreauxThe Center Square American voters overwhelmingly support their country’s founding ideals – yet the majority also believe that the U.S. is failing to live up to them, according...

Trump-backed Letlow wins Louisiana Republican Senate runoff

By Nolan MckendryThe Center Square U.S. Rep. Julia Letlow won Louisiana’s Republican nomination for U.S. Senate on Saturday, defeating state Treasurer John Fleming in a runoff that became a test...

Poll: Voters more likely to support GOP over Trump

By Andrew RiceThe Center Square Republican voters are more likely to identify themselves as supporters of the party itself rather than supporters of President Donald Trump, results of a new...

Report: Texas and Florida are leading in tort reform, Boom Belt success

By Bethany BlankleyThe Center Square Texas and Florida are leading in tort reform, bringing more business and economic growth to southern Boom Belt states, the Texas Conservative Coalition Research Institute...

Poll: 96% want Senate candidates to address Social Security cuts

By Brett RowlandThe Center Square Ninety-six percent of voters want Senate candidates to explain how they'll prevent an automatic 22% Social Security benefit cut for 70 million Americans, a new...

« Previous
1
2
3
4
5
…
151
Next »