A budget tweak from Mayor Brandon Johnson would charge ward accounts for pension contributions on some part‑time aides, prompting aldermen to warn of staff cuts as the city wrestles with big deficits.

Madigan's legal team urged the 7th Circuit to overturn his 2025 corruption convictions, arguing prosecutors stretched federal bribery laws. The panel will weigh the appeal.

A House committee advanced a bill that would legalize human composting in Illinois; sponsors say they'll tighten rules on licensing and liability as providers move in.

House Bill 4948 would let some repeat or extreme speeders avoid license suspensions by enrolling in a state program that fits certified speed‑limiting devices and sets fees and penalties.

Rep. Chuy García’s office launched “Our Community, Our Legacy,” a classroom program asking Pilsen students to nominate a deceased local figure to replace César Chávez on the post office. Submissions are due May 15.

Chicago unions and organizers are urging a citywide May Day economic blackout — a one‑day push for 'No Work, No School, No Shopping.'

Aurora’s Committee of the Whole on April 7 includes lead‑service reimbursements, a Fox Valley Park District parking license, lighting buys and a $2M shelter grant.

Deere agreed to deposit $99 million into a settlement fund and pledged expanded repair access as part of a proposed deal that resolves a 2022 class action. The company still faces a separate FTC enforcement case.

House Bill 5408 would direct unspent ACA abortion‑premium dollars into a state grant fund for uninsured and underinsured patients. Supporters call it a lifeline; insurers cite federal rules.

A surge of poorly documented certificate-of-error filings has frozen tens of millions in Cook County tax refunds while officials sort valid claims.

Guttmacher data show Illinois provided about 32,490 abortions to out‑of‑state patients in 2025, nearly a quarter of all cross‑state cases.

Chicago Fed President Austan Goolsbee warned that an Iran-driven energy shock could reignite inflation and push expected 2026 Fed rate cuts into 2027. Markets have already repriced odds and consumers may feel the pinch at the pump.

A video showing federal agents detaining a woman after a courthouse appearance set off a City‑County Building press event and renewed questions about ICE activity near Cook County courthouses.