Illinois Quick Hits: Illinois House approves student cell phone ban

Illinois Quick Hits: Illinois House approves student cell phone ban

Spread the love

(The Center Square) – The Illinois House has approved a bill banning students from using cell phones during the school day.

Senate Bill 2427 passed after a floor amendment was added on Thursday, with 102 votes in favor and only three opposed.

The measure now goes back to the Senate for concurrence.

SMALL BIZ OPTIMISM DECLINES

The NFIB Small Business Optimism Index fell 3 points in March to 95.8, below the 52-year average of 98.0.

The last time the index fell below its historical average was April 2025.

The NFIB Uncertainty Index rose 4 points to 92, well above its historical average of 68.

NFIB Illinois State Director Noah Finley said Illinois legislators must tamp down on proposals that would impose new costs and legal liabilities on Main Street businesses.

TEXAS MAN GETS 23-YEAR PRISON SENTENCE FOR CRYPTO SCAM

A federal judge in Chicago has sentenced a Houston, Texas man to 23 years in prison for orchestrating a cryptocurrency scam that bilked nearly 1,000 investors out of more than $20 million.

Robert Dunlap, 55, was also ordered to pay restitution to his victim investors. Prosecutors say Dunlap claimed the Meta-1 Coin was backed by billions of dollars in art and gold, and many victims lost all their savings.

FREEDOM CAUCUS: ABOLISH EQUITY AND INCLUSION COMMISSION

Following reporting by The Center Square and testimony before a House committee this week, the Illinois Freedom Caucus is calling for the Illinois Commission on Equity and Inclusion to be abolished.

State Rep. Brad Halbrook, R-Shelbyville, said in a statement that the commission is doing the opposite of what it was created to do, and the taxpayers have paid millions of dollars for failure.

Leave a Comment





Latest News Stories

Govt. shutdown leads to over 800 flights cancelled, number growing

Govt. shutdown leads to over 800 flights cancelled, number growing

By Thérèse BoudreauxThe Center Square As the government shutdown drags into its 38th day and forced flight reductions begin taking effect, the number of daily flight cancellations Americans are experiencing...
Illinois approves $1.5B transit package, funding for long-delayed projects

Illinois approves $1.5B transit package, funding for long-delayed projects

By Catrina Barker | The Center Square contributorThe Center Square (The Center Square) – Illinois lawmakers approved a $1.5 billion transit package, including long-delayed Moline-to-Chicago rail, hailed by Democrats as...
Joliet-Junior-college.-Graphic-Logo.5

JJC Receives Surprise $1.9 Million from IRS Employee Retention Credit

Joliet Junior College Board of Trustees Meeting | October 15, 2025 Article SummaryJoliet Junior College has received an unexpected $1.9 million windfall from the federal Employee Retention Credit (ERC), a...
Supreme Court allows Trump to withhold partial SNAP payment

Supreme Court allows Trump to withhold partial SNAP payment

By Brett RowlandThe Center Square The Supreme Court said Friday that the Trump administration could withhold a partial payment for the federal food benefits program amid the longest-ever government shutdown....
Illinois quick hits: State EPA looks to fund EV charging stations; Tax Foundation says mayor's proposal would hinder employment;

Illinois quick hits: State EPA looks to fund EV charging stations; Tax Foundation says mayor’s proposal would hinder employment;

By Jim Talamonti | The Center SquareThe Center Square State EPA looks to fund EV charging stations The Illinois Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) has announced an Electric Vehicle (EV) Charging...
Screenshot 2025-11-06 at 4.17.15 PM

Federal Lobbyists Brief Will County on Government Shutdown, Warn of SNAP and TSA Disruptions

Meeting Summary and Briefs: Will County Legislative Committee for November 4, 2025 Article Summary: Will County’s federal lobbyists reported that the ongoing government shutdown, now the longest in U.S. history, is...
Screenshot 2025-11-05 at 3.38.44 PM

Frankfort Board Approves Final Plats for Crystal Brook and Copper Creek Subdivisions

Frankfort Village Board Meeting | November 3, 2025 Article Summary: The Frankfort Village Board approved final plats for two major residential developments on Monday, November 3, 2025, advancing plans for...
Will County Logo Graphic

Commission Approves Mokena-Area Garage Variance Over Village’s Objection

Will County Planning and Zoning Commission Meeting | November 4, 2025 Article Summary: The Will County Planning and Zoning Commission approved a variance for a new garage in unincorporated Frankfort Township...
Screenshot 2025-11-05 at 4.02.49 PM

Will County Committee Advances Gougar Road Bridge Project with Over $540,000 in Agreements

Will County Public Works & Transportation Committee Meeting | November 2025 Article Summary: The Will County Board approved two key agreements for the Gougar Road bridge project in New Lenox,...
Joliet-Junior-college.-Graphic-Logo.4

JJC Receives Surprise $1.9 Million from IRS Employee Retention Credit

Joliet Junior College Board of Trustees Meeting | October 15, 2025 Article SummaryJoliet Junior College has received an unexpected $1.9 million windfall from the federal Employee Retention Credit (ERC), a...
Joliet-Junior-college.-Graphic-Logo.2

JJC Advances ERP Modernization with New Vendor and Two-Year Budget

Joliet Junior College Board of Trustees Meeting | October 15, 2025 Article SummaryJoliet Junior College is entering the next phase of its Enterprise Resource Planning (ERP) system overhaul, with the...
frankfort-square-park-district.1

Park District Reviews Emergency Response After Frankfort Square Shelter-in-Place

Frankfort Square Park District Meeting | September 2025 Article Summary: Following a law enforcement incident that prompted a shelter-in-place order in Frankfort Square, the park district reviewed its emergency protocols...
Screenshot 2025-11-06 at 4.17.02 PM

Will County Committee Shapes 2026 Legislative Agendas on Housing, Energy, and Health

Meeting Summary and Briefs: Will County Legislative Committee for November 4, 2025 Article Summary: The Will County Legislative Committee advanced key priorities for its 2026 state and federal legislative agendas, focusing...
solar panels photovoltaics in solar farm

Frankfort Library Board Moves to Explore Community Solar Power

Frankfort Public Library District Meeting | September 2025 Article Summary: The Frankfort Public Library District is exploring renewable energy options after the Board of Trustees authorized a consultant to seek...
Congressional Perks: Committees, caucuses cost $50 million since 2019

Congressional Perks: Committees, caucuses cost $50 million since 2019

By Arthur KaneThe Center Square Since 2019, partisan and special interest caucuses and coalitions in the U.S. House spent at least $50 million for staff, food, travel and other expenses,...