(The Center Square) – Beginning with the 2025-2026 school year, every public high school shall require a unit of instruction addressing climate change in either a required science class or a required social studies class. House Bill 4895 gives the Illinois State Board of Education (ISBE) the directive to create professional development resources for educators to best teach climate change coursework. State Rep. Janet Yang Rohr, D-Naperville, said she is working to ensure young people understand the science behind climate change and the effects it will have. "ISBE recognized that there is a real ..read more

(The Center Square) – Researchers from the University of Illinois joined Gov. J.B. Pritzker Thursday to release a report detailing the contributing factors to Black homelessness around the state. Pritzker is increasing funding in an effort to combat homelessness among Blacks in Illinois. Pritzker said he is earmarking $250 million in the fiscal year 2025 budget, an increase of $50 million from last year to address the structural factors contributing to racial inequalities in homelessness. “We’re dedicating $13 million specifically to work on reducing racial disparities in homelessness,” said P ..read more

Two dead after RV collides with train Two people are dead after their RV was struck by a train in Christian County Thursday. Christian County 911 received a call in reference to a crash outside of Blue Mound. Officials believe the RV was traveling east and crossed over the tracks and was struck by a freight train. The identity of the victims have not been released. Illinois State Police warn about phone scam The Illinois State Police has issued a warning regarding a new phone scam. Individuals have reported receiving calls from someone pretending to be an ISP investigator, claiming their ident ..read more

Talking about poverty has historically stirred partisan tension and circular ideological debates. With more finger wagging than handshaking, leaders in neither America as a whole nor the city of Chicago have improved the livelihoods of those in poverty. Progressive extremists have flocked to solutions for helping the poor such as the Fight for $15 minimum wage hike and welfare expansions. But throwing more money at state or federal agencies hasn’t solved the problem. It has, in many cases, worsened things by creating a cycle of dependency. Conservative extremists have pointed to solutions such ..read more

(The Center Sqquare) – As legislators return for the final weeks of session, the budget will be top of mind, but there may also be more tax credits to consider. At a recent Senate Revenue Committee, a tax credit for the music industry was discussed. State Sen. Sara Feignholtz, D-Chicago, said it’s needed, especially after the pandemic. “This sort of sector of musicians really suffered and is still lagging in their recovery,” she told the Senate Revenue Committee. “So I’m hoping that this tax credit bill is going to incentivize more live music, music education.” Senate Bill 3395 would award cre ..read more

(The Center Square) – Illinois Treasurer Michael Frerichs is working with U.S. Rep. Danny Davis, D-Chicago, to urge the U.S. Treasury to make it easier for states to facilitate the return of mature U.S. Savings Bonds. Freichs said at a news conference in Chicago that the Illinois Treasurer’s Office has an unclaimed property and missing money department where they take money that was maybe forgotten in an old savings account, and they put that money back into the pockets of those who may claim the assets. "When we put that money back into people’s pockets, they’re able to use that money to mayb ..read more

(The Center Square) – The American Civil Liberties Union of Illinois is concerned an ordinance approved by the Chicago City Council paves the way for security zones around the Democratic National Convention this summer. With the DNC slated to be held at the United Center beginning Aug. 19, residents and businesses in the area face contending with “buffer zones” set to be installed across the neighborhood. The same holds true for parts of the South Loop, where various event activities and other functions are scheduled to be held at nearby McCormick Place. “The plan the City Council approved is ..read more

(The Center Square) – A cancer advocacy group is applauding legislation it says will remove barriers to access clinical trials for underserved communities in Illinois. Officials at the American Cancer Society Cancer Action Network say clinical trials often suffer from a lack of diversity, with underrepresentation of certain demographic groups such as minorities, women and older adults. “This is a complex issue and if we could legislate something like this away this easily, we would have done it a long time ago,” said Cancer Action Network Government Relations Director Ally Lopshire. The measur ..read more

(The Center Square) – House Bill 4611, another measure that is of priority of the Illinois Secretary of State, has stalled. The measure limiting factors that auto insurers can use to set rates didn't advance before last week's deadline. Secretary Alexi Giannoulias responded to concerns that the measure he's supporting will raise auto insurance rates on senior drivers. "When we learned people are paying more for car insurance based on their credit scores and zip codes, that sounds fundamentally discriminatory and unfair, but maybe there’s a good reason for it. So we reached out to insurance com ..read more

Lawsuit over fatal COVID outbreak proceeds Legal proceedings will move forward in LaSalle County in connection with the deaths of dozens of veterans who died at a retirement home during the COVID-19 pandemic. Between November 2020 and January 2021, 36 veterans died during an outbreak at the LaSalle Veterans Home. An investigation by an inspector general found that health and safety protocols were ignored. The firm representing 31 of the 32 families who are taking legal action did not disclose the amount of damages they are requesting. Protests at Northwestern University Northwestern University ..read more