Illinois quick hits: Anti-SLAPP bill signed; Chicago schools settles meditation case

August 21, 2025/

Spread the love

By Jim Talamonti | The Center Square
The Center Square

Anti-SLAPP bill signed

Gov. J.B. Pritzker has signed legislation to protect news media from strategic lawsuits against public participation (SLAPP).

The governor said Senate Bill 1181 will ensure that the press won’t have to fear retaliation for telling the truth.

The measure takes effect immediately.

Chicago schools settles meditation case

A court-approved settlement of over $2.6 million is now being paid to 207 former Chicago Public School high school students who were required to participate in a transcendental meditation program during class.

Plaintiffs’ attorneys say the students’ rights were disregarded by the Chicago Board of Education, and students were coerced to practice a worldview that was in conflict with their faith.

Du Quoin State Fair begins

Friday is Day One and Family Night at the Du Quoin State Fair.

Now in its 102nd year, the fair features music, livestock shows, auto and harness racing, rodeos and agricultural exhibits.

The Du Quoin State Fair runs from Aug. 22 through Sept. 1.

Latest News Stories

Frankfort to Implement 1% Grocery Tax, Replacing State Levy to Preserve Revenue

FRANKFORT – Frankfort residents will see no change at the grocery checkout line, but the village will preserve a key revenue stream after the Village Board approved an ordinance Monday...

Frankfort to Sell Vacant Downtown Property Valued at $325,000 for Commercial Redevelopment

FRANKFORT – The Village of Frankfort is officially putting a prime piece of vacant, village-owned land in its historic downtown up for sale, aiming to spur immediate commercial redevelopment. The...

New Sushi Restaurant ‘The Orange Hat’ Approved for Frankfort

FRANKFORT – A new full-service sushi restaurant, The Orange Hat, is set to open in the Hickory Creek Market Place after the Village Board approved a special use permit for...

Village Board Approves Zoning Variances for New Custom Home on Bowen Street

FRANKFORT – The Frankfort Village Board on Monday approved two zoning variances for a new custom home at 50 E. Bowen Street, allowing the builder to use non-masonry siding and...

Meeting Summary: Frankfort Village Board for August 4, 2025

The Frankfort Village Board met on Monday, August 4, 2025, to address several key ordinances and conduct village business. The board approved a measure to replace the state's expiring 1%...

Indiana Woman Identified as Victim in Fatal Wilmington-Peotone Road Crash

The Will County Coroner’s Office has officially identified the woman killed in Tuesday’s fatal crash on Wilmington-Peotone Road as 70-year-old Judith L. Stirm of Delphi, Indiana. In a statement, Coroner...

Multiple Agencies Rescue Person in Mental Health Crisis from Frankfort Pond

A person experiencing a mental health crisis was safely rescued from a pond near 80th Avenue in Lakeview Estates on Wednesday after a coordinated response by multiple emergency agencies. Frankfort...

Green Garden Township Forges Ahead with New Town Hall Plan, Faces Budget and Neighbor Concerns

The Green Garden Township Board is advancing an ambitious plan to build a new, larger town hall and community center on a six-acre parcel south of its current location, a...

IT Consultant Urges Green Garden Township to Adopt Modern Cybersecurity Measures

Green Garden Township’s digital infrastructure is vulnerable to cybercrime and requires an immediate overhaul, including adopting a modern, secure email system and multifactor authentication, an IT consultant told the board...

Meeting Summary and Briefs: Frankfort Township Board for June 9, 2025

The Frankfort Township Board on Monday, June 9, 2025, approved its primary financial documents for the upcoming fiscal year, passing separate and balanced budget appropriation ordinances for the township and...

Sanchez Family Unveils Major Redevelopment Plan for Monee Industrial Property

Article Summary: Developer Luis Sanchez, a key figure in Monee's commercial growth for two decades, presented a plan to revitalize an industrial property on Industrial Drive. The project, which includes...

Monee Approves Over $566,000 Payment for New Public Works Facility Nearing Completion

Article Summary: The Monee Village Board approved a payment of $566,134.16 for the ongoing construction of its new Public Works building. Officials reported the project is on track for a...

Sheepdog Firearms Gets Green Light for Special Use Permit in Monee

Article Summary: Sheepdog Firearms received final approval from the Monee Village Board for a special use permit to operate a retail and firearms range facility at 25812 S. Sunset Drive....

New Lenox Prepares for Grand Opening of Wintrust Crossroads Sports Complex

NEW LENOX – After months of anticipation and intensive work, the New Lenox Community Park District is making final preparations for the grand opening of its flagship Wintrust Crossroads Sports...

New Lenox D122 Board Approves Tentative Budget, Sets September Public Hearing

The New Lenox School District 122 Board of Education has approved a tentative budget for the 2025-2026 fiscal year, maintaining its long-standing practice of balanced budgets funded by existing cash...

« Previous
1
…
218
219
220
221
222
…
233
Next »