Illinois quick hits: Illinois House speaker's son to attend private school; AFSCME workers set strike date at Illinois State University; IDOT urges public to avoid distracted driving

Illinois quick hits: Illinois House speaker’s son to attend private school; AFSCME workers set strike date at Illinois State University; IDOT urges public to avoid distracted driving

April 6, 2026/
Spread the love

By Jim Talamonti | The Center Square
The Center Square

Illinois House speaker’s son to attend private school

Illinois House Speaker Emanuel “Chris” Welch, D-Hillside, says his son will attend a Catholic high school. Welch announced in a social media post on Saturday that his son, Tyler, is taking his talents to Nazareth Academy. When asked by The Center Square in December about school choice legislation, the speaker said he promised to call a bill for a vote if 60 Democrats would support it.

AFSCME workers set strike date at Illinois State University

A group of Illinois State University employees say they may walk off the job as soon as Wednesday. AFSCME Local 1110 members voted to authorize a strike last week. According to a statement on the union’s website, workers are “fed up with the administration’s refusal to agree to fair wages.”

IDOT urges public to avoid distracted driving

The Illinois Department of Transportation says more law enforcement officers will be on the lookout during April for texting, social media use, video viewing and other forms of distracted driving. IDOT says 253 people died and 28,271 people were injured in crashes involving distractions between 2020 and 2024 in Illinois.

Leave a Comment





Latest News Stories

Illinois to require bell-to-bell student phone ban in public schools

Illinois to require bell-to-bell student phone ban in public schools

By Sean Reed | The Center SquareThe Center Square (The Center Square) – Legislation to ban the use of cell phones by students from bell-to-bell officially passed both chambers in...
Election 2026: Stumps heavy with economy, crime in U.S. Senate race

Election 2026: Stumps heavy with economy, crime in U.S. Senate race

By Alan WootenThe Center Square Democrat and fifth decade politician Roy Cooper’s campaign to succeed Sen. Thom Tillis, flipping one of 53 seats in the U.S. Senate, is locked in...
Quintuple fatal in Virginia renews focus on English language in CDL licensures

Quintuple fatal in Virginia renews focus on English language in CDL licensures

By Alan WootenThe Center Square Jing Dong, a U.S. citizen after immigrating from China, will be charged with involuntary manslaughter in the quintuple fatal crash early Friday morning, State Police...
Everyday Economics: Jobs report to test how long consumers can keep carrying economy

Everyday Economics: Jobs report to test how long consumers can keep carrying economy

By Orphe DivounguyThe Center Square The jobs report is the main event this week. But the real question is bigger than payrolls. Can household spending keep holding up when the...
Congress returns to backlog of must-pass legislation

Congress returns to backlog of must-pass legislation

By Thérèse BoudreauxThe Center Square After leaving town for a week without sending a key immigration enforcement funding package to President Donald Trump’s desk, Congress returns Monday to a backlog...
Climate science without a notorious worst-case scenario

Climate science without a notorious worst-case scenario

By Morgan SweeneyThe Center Square The United Nations’ Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change threw out one of its most extreme emissions scenarios last week, a major development in climate science...
Illinois Quick Hits: Housing, megaprojects take backseat to budget talks

Illinois Quick Hits: Housing, megaprojects take backseat to budget talks

By Sean Reed | The Center SquareThe Center Square (The Center Square) – Top Democrat leaders in the Illinois legislature met with Gov. J.B. Pritzker late Friday behind closed doors...
Taxpayer watchdog calls for accountability after helicopter prom controversy

Taxpayer watchdog calls for accountability after helicopter prom controversy

By Catrina Barker | The Center Square contributorThe Center Square (The Center Square) – A taxpayer watchdog is calling for a potential criminal investigation after allegations surfaced that a suburban...
Proposed $250 bill could be a boon for drug cartels, experts warn

Proposed $250 bill could be a boon for drug cartels, experts warn

By Brett RowlandThe Center Square A proposal to create the largest U.S. currency denomination in more than 50 years could unintentionally benefit drug cartels, money launderers and tax cheats, according...
Iowa voters head to the polls for fierce races

Iowa voters head to the polls for fierce races

By Andrew RiceThe Center Square Voters in Iowa will head to the polls Tuesday to elect candidates in several high-profile primary races that will be watched across the country. Many...
Frankfort School District 157-C.1

Frankfort 157-C Considers Five-Minute Public Comment Limit for Smaller Crowds

Frankfort School District 157-C Board of Education Meeting | April 21, 2026 Article Summary: The Frankfort School District 157-C Board of Education on April 21, 2026, reached consensus to extend...
Screenshot 2026-05-23 at 7.23.02 PM

District 210 Transportation Update Details Fuel Swings, New Bus Safety Technology

Lincoln-Way Community High School District 210 Meeting | May 21, 2026 Article Summary: Lincoln-Way District 210 Transportation Director Andy Rezer told the board on Thursday, May 21, 2026, that fuel...
Speakers object to transgender athletes in girls sports

Speakers object to transgender athletes in girls sports

By Madeline ShannonThe Center Square As state track and field championships commenced Friday at Buchanan High School in Clovis, Calif., protesters set up across the street to take aim at...
Taxpayers group, economist praise Pratt's plan for homelessness in LA

Taxpayers group, economist praise Pratt’s plan for homelessness in LA

By Chris WoodwardThe Center Square Critics may not care for Los Angeles mayoral candidate Spencer Pratt’s plan to deal with the drug-addicted homeless population, but a taxpayers organization and an...
Almost 25,000 immigration arrests made in Florida

Almost 25,000 immigration arrests made in Florida

By Bethany BlankleyThe Center Square Since Florida launched its immigration enforcement effort, Operation Tidal Wave, in February, nearly 25,000 arrests have been made statewide. “Florida will continue to use every...