Illinois news in brief: Department of Transportation reviews CTA spending plans; Illinois manufacturers kick off 'Makers on the Move' tour; Hearings continue on energy legislation

Illinois news in brief: Department of Transportation reviews CTA spending plans; Illinois manufacturers kick off ‘Makers on the Move’ tour; Hearings continue on energy legislation

October 3, 2025/
Spread the love

By Greg Bishop | The Center Square
The Center Square

Department of Transportation reviews CTA spending plans

The U.S. Department of Transportation issued an interim final rule barring race- and sex-based contracting requirements from federal grants. In a statement, the federal agency singled out the Chicago Transit Authority with two projects for the Red Line Extension and the Red and Purple Modernization Program put under review totaling $2.1 billion. DOT said the review will ensure no federal dollars go toward discriminatory, illegal and wasteful contracting practices.

Illinois manufacturers kick off ‘Makers on the Move’ tour

The fourth annual “Makers on the Move” statewide bus tour has kicked off. The Illinois Manufacturers’ Association and the Illinois Manufacturing Excellence Center announced visits to facilities, educational institutions and community centers across the state to highlight the manufacturing industry. The first stop Friday was at The Will Group in Chicago, a minority-owned technology producer.

Hearings continue on energy legislation

Hearings continue into sweeping energy legislation that could come up at the Illinois Statehouse later this month. The Illinois House Executive Committee met for a second time to discuss a House amendment to Senate Bill 25, legislation modifying the state’s energy policy with a focus on renewables. A Senate committee heard testimony Thursday.

Leave a Comment





Latest News Stories

Energy affordability report ranks Illinois 31st, warns of 'burdensome' mandates

Energy affordability report ranks Illinois 31st, warns of ‘burdensome’ mandates

By Jim Talamonti | The Center SquareThe Center Square (The Center Square) – According to a new report on energy affordability, burdensome mandates are making Illinois more expensive. The American...
Illinois voices weigh in on birthright citizenship case

Illinois voices weigh in on birthright citizenship case

By Catrina Barker | The Center Square contributorThe Center Square (The Center Square) – As the U.S. Supreme Court considers a high-stakes challenge to birthright citizenship, a constitutional law expert...
U.S. rep.: Mexico still not delivering water to South Texas, despite claims

U.S. rep.: Mexico still not delivering water to South Texas, despite claims

By Bethany BlankleyThe Center Square Despite repeated claims by Trump administration officials, Mexico is not delivering water as promised to South Texas in accordance with a long-standing treaty. In January,...
Supporters say will storage option would streamline judicial process

Supporters say will storage option would streamline judicial process

By Jim Talamonti | The Center SquareThe Center Square (The Center Square) – Supporters say an Illinois House bill allowing county clerks to develop a will depository would streamline judicial...
Dallas Fed: Geopolitical conflicts creating uncertainty for U.S. oil and gas industry

Dallas Fed: Geopolitical conflicts creating uncertainty for U.S. oil and gas industry

By Bethany BlankleyThe Center Square A new quarterly Dallas Fed Energy Survey indicates the U.S.-Israeli conflict with Iran and other geopolitical conflicts are negatively impacting and creating uncertainty for the...
Illinois Quick Hits: Pritzker pushes for E15

Illinois Quick Hits: Pritzker pushes for E15

By Jim Talamonti | The Center SquareThe Center Square (The Center Square) – Illinois Gov. J.B. Pritzker is asking leaders of the U.S. House on Environment and Public Works Committee...
Trump addresses nation on Iran strikes; signals conflict nearing end

Trump addresses nation on Iran strikes; signals conflict nearing end

By Sarah Roderick-FitchThe Center Square Just over a month after Operation Epic Fury began, President Donald Trump Wednesday proclaimed U.S. strikes on Iran are nearing completion, while telling allies to...
IL biometrics privacy reforms apply to past cases, too: Appeals court

IL biometrics privacy reforms apply to past cases, too: Appeals court

By Jonathan Bilyk | Legal NewslineThe Center Square Pending class action lawsuits under Illinois' stringent biometrics privacy law may have become significantly less lucrative, after a federal appeals court declared...
Artemis II heads to the moon with first crewed mission since 1972

Artemis II heads to the moon with first crewed mission since 1972

By Sarah Roderick-FitchThe Center Square America is going back to the moon, after Artemis II lifted off from Cape Canaveral, Fla., Wednesday evening, more than five decades after Americans last...
Pro-life org to Trump: Taxpayers should not be forced to fund killing of unborn children

Pro-life org to Trump: Taxpayers should not be forced to fund killing of unborn children

By Tate MillerThe Center Square The Trump administration’s decision to send tax dollars to the abortion industry by continuing former President Joe Biden’s Title X grant awards to Planned Parenthood...
Birthright citizenship advocates confident in SCOTUS hearing

Birthright citizenship advocates confident in SCOTUS hearing

By Emily RodriguezThe Center Square Advocates cheered after the Supreme Court heard a case to determine the constitutional validity of President Donald Trump’s executive order to end birthright citizenship. Dozens...
College funding bill draws dissent from big Illinois universities

College funding bill draws dissent from big Illinois universities

By Sean Reed | The Center SquareThe Center Square (The Center Square) – Lawmakers questioned Illinois university leaders about a contentious bill that adjusts how new money is allocated to...
Illinois quick hits: Chicago announces $300 million housing spend; Rockford men faces cocaine trafficking charges; State to honor troopers killed in the ling of duty

Illinois quick hits: Chicago announces $300 million housing spend; Rockford men faces cocaine trafficking charges; State to honor troopers killed in the ling of duty

By Jim Talamonti | The Center SquareThe Center Square Chicago announces $300 million housing spend Mayor Brandon Johnson and the Chicago Department of Housing say they will invest more than...
Pentagon commits to tripling Patriot missile production at $4 million per

Pentagon commits to tripling Patriot missile production at $4 million per

By Morgan SweeneyThe Center Square Boeing is partnering with the Department of War to triple its production of seekers for Patriot missiles, according to a joint announcement Wednesday. The U.S....
Supreme Court appears skeptical of Trump's birthright citizenship order

Supreme Court appears skeptical of Trump’s birthright citizenship order

By Brett RowlandThe Center Square The U.S. Supreme Court Wednesday scrutinized President Donald Trump's executive order to end birthright citizenship, raising skeptical questions in a pivotal hearing. The justices heard...