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.

Latest News Stories

DHS proposes billion dollar expanded DNA testing for immigrants

By Andrew RiceThe Center Square The U.S. Department of Homeland Security issued a multibillion dollar proposal on Monday to increase biometric scanning during the immigration process. The proposal would expand...

Trump administration resumes visa processing despite shutdown

By Andrew RiceThe Center Square After a month of halted operations, the U.S. Department of Labor will begin processing necessary documents for visa and permanent resident applications again. While agencies...

Muslims in Virginia, New York face decades in prison for supporting Houthis, ISIS

By Bethany BlankleyThe Center Square Two cases in Virginia and New York highlight ongoing Islamic terrorist threats at home and abroad, including resulting in the death of two U.S. Navy...

Indian reservation focus of human smuggling probe at U.S.-Canada border

By Bethany BlankleyThe Center Square An Indian reservation that spans the U.S.-Canada border, including Ontario, Quebec and two upstate New York counties, is the focus of another human smuggling operation....

WATCH: Family, friends remember Bailey family at celebration of life

By Jim Talamonti | The Center SquareThe Center Square (The Center Square) – Loved ones have paid their respects to members of gubernatorial candidate Darren Bailey’s family at a celebration...

WATCH: Amid criticism, Pritzker defends using expletive to tell Trump where to go

By Greg Bishop | The Center SquareThe Center Square (The Center Square) – Illinois Gov. J.B. Pritzker on Monday defended the use of an expletive that he used in front...

Election integrity advocates urge reform after Illinois scores low in global survey

By Catrina Barker | The Center Square contributorThe Center Square (The Center Square) – Election integrity advocates are calling for sweeping reforms after a new international report ranks Illinois near...

WATCH: Pritzker’s rhetoric criticized; tax amnesty program; status of Guard lawsuit

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 a conversation...

Illinois quick hits: Pritzker uses expletive with teachers union; Paprocki reacts to assisted suicide bill

By Jim Talamonti | The Center SquareThe Center Square Pritzker uses expletive with teachers union Gov. J.B. Pritzker’s use of an expletive telling President Donald Trump and his supporters what...

Mokena Awards $204,888 Contract for Wastewater Pump Replacement

Village of Mokena Board of Trustees Meeting | October 13, 2025 Article Summary: The Mokena Village Board has awarded a $204,888 contract to Dahme Mechanical Industries Inc. to replace three...

Congressional Perks: House account spending jumped 21% in 2022

By Arthur KaneThe Center Square Spending on U.S. House of Representatives office accounts increased by more than 85% over the past three decades but nearly half of that occurred since...

Everyday Economics: Rate cut debate: Reading mixed signals in a fragile economy

By Orphe DivounguyThe Center Square The Federal Reserve cut interest rates last week, but the decision was far from unanimous. Two members of the Federal Open Market Committee (FOMC) dissented...

Arizona looks to legal immigration with Trump’s border security

By Andrew RiceThe Center Square As President Trump approaches the one year mark in office, apprehensions at the southern border have dropped significantly. States along the southern border, including Texas,...

Ranchers decry beef imports from Argentina, expert says good start

By Brett RowlandThe Center Square Consumers feeling the pang of high beef prices at the grocery store may see some relief from a plan to import beef from Argentina but...

Mokena Park District Increases Spending Authority to Align with New State Law

Mokena Community Park District Meeting | September 23, 2025 Article Summary: The Mokena Community Park District Board of Commissioners has updated its purchasing policy, increasing the executive director's authority to...

« Previous
1
…
79
80
81
82
83
…
133
Next »