Illinois Quick Hits: General Assembly approves CTE bill

Illinois Quick Hits: General Assembly approves CTE bill

Spread the love

(The Center Square) – A bill offering career technical education classes as an alternative to Illinois’ foreign language mandate is headed to Gov. J.B. Pritzker’s desk.

The Illinois House passed Senate Bill 3070 on Sunday.

The measure provides that high school students can still take two years of foreign language but will now have the option to take CTE classes starting in 2028.

NONPROFIT INVESTMENT BILL PASSED

The Illinois General Assembly has passed legislation allowing the state treasurer’s office to set up an investment pool for nonprofit organizations.

Illinois Treasurer Michael Frerichs said Senate Bill 2968 is intended to help nonprofits strengthen their financial stability and maximize resources that help communities.

Frerichs told The Center Square last fall he would keep working on the legislation that was vetoed by Gov. J.B. Pritzker last summer.

COOK COUNTY ANNOUNCES MINIMUM WAGE HIKE

Minimum wages will be going up in Cook County on July 1.

The county’s Commission on Human Rights issued a notice on Monday that the minimum wage for non-tipped workers over the age of 18 will increase from $15 to $15.40 and the minimum for tipped employees will rise from $9 to $9.25.

Cook County’s minimum wage is based on the greatest rate among the federal minimum wage, Illinois minimum wage, or on the county’s calculation using the Consumer Price Index.

CHICAGO ANNOUNCES BUDGET ENGAGEMENT EVENTS

Chicago officials have announced a series of five budget engagement roundtable events, starting Wednesday at Malcolm X College. T

he events are open to the public and will be livestreamed on social media platforms. More information is available at the city’s fiscal year 2027 budget engagement website.

The city’s $16.7 billion budget passed in December includes higher taxes on cloud computing, liquor and plastic bags, along with rideshare surcharges and a roughly $1 billion sweep of tax-increment financing funds to Chicago Public Schools.

Leave a Comment





Latest News Stories

Lawmaker, officer warns Elgin officer firing could chill free speech

Lawmaker, officer warns Elgin officer firing could chill free speech

By Catrina Barker | The Center Square contributorThe Center Square (The Center Square) – An Illinois lawmaker and law enforcement officer is sharply criticizing the city of Elgin’s decision to...
Illinois quick hits: Coalition calls for more action on data centers

Illinois quick hits: Coalition calls for more action on data centers

By Jim Talamonti | The Center SquareThe Center Square Coalition calls for more action on data centers The Illinois Clean Jobs Coalition says more action is needed from the Illinois...
IL House GOP asks “Have you had enough yet” following student’s murder

IL House GOP asks “Have you had enough yet” following student’s murder

By Jim Talamonti | The Center SquareThe Center Square (The Center Square) – After the alleged murder of a Loyola University student by a migrant who was in the country...
Gas spike continues for Illinoisans; state leaders offer no plan to help yet

Gas spike continues for Illinoisans; state leaders offer no plan to help yet

By Sean Reed | The Center SquareThe Center Square (The Center Square) – As fuel prices continue rising, government leaders in Illinois have responded to growing concern over the impact...
Screenshot

Updated: St. John Woman Charged with Nine Counts of Murder in Crete Township Triple Homicide

Article Summary: Jenna Strouble, 30, of St. John, Indiana, has been charged with nine counts of first-degree murder following the shooting deaths of her former partner, Jacob Lambert, and his...
Illinois lagging the nation for entrepreneurship, economic growth

Illinois lagging the nation for entrepreneurship, economic growth

By Glenn Minnis | The Center Square contributorThe Center Square (The Center Square) – Illinois Policy Institute’s Josh Bandoch says he could have easily predicted the state would rank as...
Illinois Quick Hits: Iowa PA license wait times half of Illinois

Illinois Quick Hits: Iowa PA license wait times half of Illinois

By Jim Talamonti | The Center SquareThe Center Square (The Center Square) – The Iowa Department of Inspections, Appeals, and Licensing says the state’s average wait time for new physician...
Peotone Blue Devil Baseball Graphic

Bishop McNamara Offense Overpowers Peotone Baseball in 17-2 Non-Conference Tilt

Despite grabbing an early lead in the first inning, the Peotone varsity baseball team fell victim to a relentless offensive attack and a combined one-hitter from Bishop McNamara, dropping Monday’s...

Will County Previews ‘GuideWill’ Comprehensive Resource Management Plan

Will County Land Use & Development Committee Meeting | March 2026 Article Summary: Will County's Land Use Department unveiled the branding, interactive tools, and initial timeline for its updated Resource Management...
State attorneys general blame feds for rising gas prices, Trump admin pushes back

State attorneys general blame feds for rising gas prices, Trump admin pushes back

By Dave Mason | The Center SquareThe Center Square (The Center Square) - It’s up to the federal government to stop hikes in gas prices, according to Democratic attorneys general...
Union president: TSA workers want to be paid, not replaced by ICE

Union president: TSA workers want to be paid, not replaced by ICE

By Jim Talamonti | The Center SquareThe Center Square (The Center Square) – Federal immigration law enforcement officers have joined Transportation Security Administration workers at O’Hare International Airport in Chicago....
Illinois Quick Hits: DHS wants migrant charged with killing to remain in custody

Illinois Quick Hits: DHS wants migrant charged with killing to remain in custody

By Jim Talamonti | The Center SquareThe Center Square (The Center Square) – U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement is asking Illinois Gov. J.B. Pritzker and Chicago officials to not release...
IL U.S. Rep says health care crisis caused by failing to extend ACA tax credits

IL U.S. Rep says health care crisis caused by failing to extend ACA tax credits

By Jim Talamonti | The Center SquareThe Center Square (The Center Square) – A Democratic Illinois congresswoman says Republicans have caused a health care crisis by not extending Affordable Care...
Judge declines CTU's motion to dismiss financial audit lawsuit

Judge declines CTU’s motion to dismiss financial audit lawsuit

By Dan McCaleb and Jim Talamonti | The Center SquareThe Center Square (The Center Square) – A Cook County judge on Monday denied a Chicago Teachers' Union motion for summary...
Will County Board Graphic.04

Will County Targets May Draft for Comprehensive Artificial Intelligence Policy

Capital Improvements & IT Committee Meeting | March 2026 Article Summary:Will County is moving closer to adopting a formal Artificial Intelligence policy, with IT staff planning to deliver a comprehensive...