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

Will County Lowers Cedar Road Speed Limit Amid Debate Over Curve Safety and Fatalities

Will County Public Works & Transportation Committee Meeting | April 7, 2026 Article Summary: The Will County Public Works and Transportation Committee approved lowering a segment of Cedar Road to...

Nine Will County Municipalities Face Expired License Plate Reader Agreements; Crest Hill Opts Out

Will County Public Works & Transportation Committee Meeting | April 7, 2026 Article Summary: Will County's network of Automatic License Plate Readers (ALPRs) is undergoing a renewal phase, with nine...

solar panels photovoltaics in solar farm

Judge Orders Will County Board to Approve Previously Denied Solar Farm Permits

On Wednesday, Will County’s efforts to maintain local control over solar farm developments were dealt a heavy blow when 12th District Associate Judge Ben Braun ruled the County Board must...

WATCH: California probe ends $267M in alleged hospice fraud

By Chris WoodwardThe Center Square California Attorney General Rob Bonta has announced the results of a massive hospice fraud bust in Los Angeles County. Known as Operation Skip Trace, the...

Ex-Blago attorney: Quid pro quo is key to Madigan appeal

By Jim Talamonti | The Center SquareThe Center Square (The Center Square) – A federal appeals court heard oral arguments Thursday as judges consider former Illinois House Speaker Michael Madigan’s...

Illinois Quick Hits: House GOP says no Bears deal without property tax reform

By Jim Talamonti | The Center SquareThe Center Square (The Center Square) – Illinois House Republicans say they will not support any Chicago Bears stadium deal or megaprojects legislation without...

WATCH: More than $600 million stolen from SNAP in 2025

By Andrew RiceThe Center Square About $607 million was stolen from EBT accounts in 2025, according to a new report. Propel, an EBT benefits tracking program, found large amounts of...

Melania Trump denies any relationship with Jeffrey Epstein

By Sarah Roderick-FitchThe Center Square In a stunning statement, First Lady Melania Trump denied any relationship with the late disgraced financier Jeffrey Epstein, calling for complete transparency and justice for...

War Powers Resolution halting Trump’s Iran ambitions fails in U.S. House

By Thérèse BoudreauxThe Center Square A resolution to halt U.S. military hostilities in Iran failed to advance in the U.S. House pro forma session Thursday. House Democrats attempted to obtain...

Emily Anderson of CBBEL speaks with a concerned resident at the WCDOT Open House on March 19-photo by Andrea Arens

Will County DOT Hosts Open House on Manhattan-Monee Road Project

By Andrea Arens Article Summary: Will County officials are in the early planning stages of a long-term improvement project along Manhattan-Monee Road, with construction likely years away. At a March...

Answers wanted to ‘pathetic’ state procurement issues

By Jim Talamonti | The Center SquareThe Center Square (The Center Square) – Lawmakers say Illinois-based businesses are getting work in other states but struggling to get business in their...

Report paints dismal picture of California’s jobs market

By Chris WoodwardThe Center Square New research shows California is the Not-So-Golden State when it comes to jobs. Pacific Research Institute, a Pasadena-based, nonpartisan free market think tank, went as...

Report: U.S. added $1.2 trillion to national debt in six months

By Thérèse BoudreauxThe Center Square The U.S. government added $1.2 trillion to the national debt over the past six months, borrowing $163 billion during March alone, the Congressional Budget Office...

Illinois House pushes through bill restricting ICE detention centers in state

By Sean Reed | The Center SquareThe Center Square (The Center Square) – After heavy debate and Republican opposition, the Illinois House passed a bill that would all but ban...

Cheaper gas could take time amid tentative ceasefire

By Brett RowlandThe Center Square Americans hoping for cheaper gasoline after the U.S.-Iran ceasefire will need to be patient, as oil prices and other economic factors continue to work against...

« Previous
1
…
18
19
20
21
22
…
153
Next »