Illinois quick hits: Record infrastructure spending planned; watchdog urges ratepayers review Ameren bills
October 1, 2025/
Record infrastructure spending planned
Gov. J.B. Pritzker and the Illinois Department of Transportation joined state, local and organized labor officials to announce the largest multi-year infrastructure spending program in state history.
The planned investment of $50.6 billion state taxpayer funds over six years breaks the previous record of $41.4 billion set last year.
Habitat homes get $2 million
The Illinois Housing Development Authority has allocated $2 million to Habitat for Humanity of Illinois to administer the next round of a program that helps working families buy a home.
The Community Impact Fund is is expected to create 100 new homeowners across Illinois.
Watchdog urges ratepayers review Ameren bills
A utility watchdog group says Ameren’s electricity price has dropped more than 30% from what it was this summer.
The Citizens Utility Board issued an alert Wednesday, urging consumers to review the electric supply section of their bills to make sure they are not overpaying with an alternative supplier.
Latest News Stories
Redistricting would split cities, counties throughout CA
By Dave MasonThe Center Square Lodi, a Northern California city of 66,000 people, will be divided among three congressional districts if a Democratic Party-backed redistricting map goes into effect. And...
Pritzker: Fair maps in Illinois would be ‘disarming’ to Democrats
By Jim Talamonti | The Center SquareThe Center Square (The Center Square) – Illinois Gov. J.B. Pritzker says Democrats would be “disarming” if they agreed to fair maps state by...
Lincoln-Way Board Approves Special Education Co-op Budget Amid Concerns Over Rising Costs
Article Summary: The Lincoln-Way District 210 Board of Education approved the Fiscal Year 2026 budget for the Lincoln-Way Special Education District 843 cooperative, while officials expressed concern over significant cost...
States sue over Victims of Crime Act grant funding
By Elyse Apel | The Center SquareThe Center Square (The Center Square) — Colorado Attorney General Phil Weiser has joined a 20-state coalition and Washington, D.C., suing the Trump administration...
White House backs off hefty EU tariff threats, EU eliminates industrial tariffs
By Caroline BodaThe Center Square After striking a framework trade deal with the European Union in July, the White House added more details to what the agreement entails Thursday. Most...
Home sales up 2% in July as prices stayed nearly flat
By Brett RowlandThe Center Square Home sales increased 2% last month after a lackluster spring selling season as prices cooled. Existing-home sales increased by 2% in July, according to a...
Parents who lost daughters at Camp Mystic: Their deaths were ‘100% preventable’
By Bethany BlankleyThe Center Square Parents who lost their daughters from flood waters at Camp Mystic said their deaths were “100% preventable” and asked the legislature to implement mandatory safety...
Illinois quick hits: COVID fraud indictments issued; man sentenced for mailing fentanyl
By Jim Talamonti | The Center SquareThe Center Square COVID fraud indictments issued A federal grand jury has indicted four Chicago-area individuals accused of fraudulently obtaining millions of dollars in...
Trump defunds California sex ed program over ‘gender ideology’
By Andrew RiceThe Center Square The Trump administration terminated a federal grant that provided funding for sex education classes in California. The federal government terminated the Personal Responsibility Education Program,...
WATCH: Illinois In Focus Daily | Thursday Aug. 21st, 2025
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 comments from...
Meeting Summary and Briefs: Peotone Board of Education for August 18, 2025
The Peotone Board of Education’s August 18 meeting was defined by the district’s precarious financial situation. With a projected $4.2 million operating deficit and its borrowing capacity nearly exhausted, the...
Acting, Consulting Superintendents to Lead Peotone Schools During Owens’ Absence
Article Summary: Superintendent Brandon Owens is recuperating at home following a vehicle accident, prompting the Peotone Board of Education to establish an interim leadership team. Assistant Superintendent Carole Zurales will...
Texas House passes Congressional redistricting bill after absconding Dems return
By Bethany BlankleyThe Center Square After House Democrats absconded for more than two weeks in opposition to a Congressional redistricting bill, the Texas House on Wednesday passed the bill by...
Department of Education ends support for political activism
By Esther WickhamThe Center Square The U.S. Department of Education announced this week it is ending taxpayer-funded programs that supported political activism jobs on college campuses. The Department of Education...
Lincoln-Way Board Reviews $162 Million Tentative Budget, Projects Deficit Due to Bus Purchase Timing
Article Summary: The Lincoln-Way Community High School District 210 Board of Education reviewed a tentative $162.5 million budget for Fiscal Year 2026, which includes a 5.48% increase in operating expenses...