Illinois Quick Hits: AG, Chicago Law Department hail Massachusetts ruling

Illinois Quick Hits: AG, Chicago Law Department hail Massachusetts ruling

Spread the love

(The Center Square) – Illinois Attorney General Kwame Raoul says he is pleased with a U.S. District Court of Massachusetts decision to vacate a U.S. Department of Education rule that restricted eligibility for the Public Service Loan Forgiveness program.

Raoul, 21 other state attorneys general, Chicago and other cities, and a group of nonprofits and labor unions challenged the rule allowing government and nonprofit employees to have their federal student loans forgiven after 10 years of qualifying public service.

Raoul said the rule would have given the federal government the power to deem state governments, hospitals, schools and nonprofit organizations ineligible for the loan forgiveness program based on their support for immigrants, gender-affirming health care or diversity programs.

The decision announced on Tuesday came one day before the rule was set to take effect.

PUBLIC INVITED TO ILLINOIS VOICES 250 RECORDINGS

Illinoisans are invited to chronicle their stories, memories and reflections in audio recordings that will be archived at the U.S. Library of Congress.

Illinois Voices 250, an initiative led by the Illinois America 250 Commission in partnership with Illinois Humanities and StoryCorps Studios, scheduled free community recording days, including Wednesday at the Peoria Riverfront Museum.

Sessions are also scheduled at the Illinois State Fair in Springfield from Aug. 13 to Aug. 22.

A do-it-yourself option is available online.

REPORT: BBQ PRICES HOLD STEADY

A new report says a typical July 4th barbecue in 2026 takes the same bite out of an average American’s paycheck as it did a decade ago.

Oxylabs used Federal Reserve Economic Data database to track inflation-adjusted prices and found that beef is up 32% and soft drinks are up 30%, but burger buns, cheese, tomato prices are all down when adjusted for inflation.

Hot dogs also cost less in purchasing power terms than they did a decade ago.

IL: ZERO TOLERANCE FOR IMPAIRED DRIVERS DURING HOLIDAY WEEKEND

The Illinois Department of Transportation and Illinois State Police say there will be zero tolerance for those driving impaired during the 4th of July weekend.

Provisional IDOT data indicates there were 17 fatal crashes resulting in 18 deaths during the 2025 Independence Day holiday, from 6 p.m. Friday to 11:59 p.m. on Monday.

The “Drive Sober or Get Pulled Over” campaign is funded with federal highway safety tax dollars administered by IDOT and runs through the early morning hours of Monday.

⚠️ Flash Flood Warning issued July 4 at 4:19PM CDT until July 4 at 9:15PM CDT by NWS Chicago IL
⚠️ Flood Watch issued July 4 at 2:37PM CDT until July 4 at 10:00PM CDT by NWS Chicago IL
Today Jul 3
Showers And Thunderstorms then Showers And Thunderstorms Likely
66°

Showers And Thunderstorms then Showers And Thunderstorms Likely

Leave a Comment





Latest News Stories

Correctional center’s planned relocation draws mixed reactions

Correctional center’s planned relocation draws mixed reactions

By Jim Talamonti | The Center SquareThe Center Square (The Center Square) – Local officials are not happy about the Illinois Department of Corrections’ decision to relocate Logan Correctional Center...
Raman edges ahead of Pratt in Los Angeles mayoral race

Raman edges ahead of Pratt in Los Angeles mayoral race

By Dave MasonThe Center Square Election results for Los Angeles mayoral candidate Spencer Pratt became uncertain Sunday evening after City Councilmember Nithya Raman edged past him. Mayor Karen Bass remained...
Illinois to ban automated ticket scalping, reselling ‘ghost tickets’

Illinois to ban automated ticket scalping, reselling ‘ghost tickets’

By Sean Reed | The Center SquareThe Center Square (The Center Square) – A bipartisan effort to protect eventgoers from fraudulent tickets and online ticket scams made its way through...
Dozens of U.S. lawmakers demand privacy reforms as FISA deadline looms

Dozens of U.S. lawmakers demand privacy reforms as FISA deadline looms

By Thérèse BoudreauxThe Center Square Congressional leaders are desperate to renew the federal government’s authority to conduct mass electronic surveillance before the authority expires, but dozens of lawmakers in both...
Illinois Quick Hits: IDOR announces remote retailer amnesty dates

Illinois Quick Hits: IDOR announces remote retailer amnesty dates

By Jim Talamonti | The Center SquareThe Center Square (The Center Square) – The Illinois Department of Revenue says the state’s remote retailer tax amnesty program will be available from...
Frankfort Village Board Meeting Graphic

Frankfort Approves Final Plan for 14-Lot Industrial Park With Solar Component

Frankfort Village Board Meeting | June 1, 2026 Article Summary: The Frankfort Village Board on Monday, June 1, 2026, granted final development plan and final plat approval for Frankfort Pointe,...
Federal judge blocks Trump's 100K visa fee

Federal judge blocks Trump’s 100K visa fee

By Andrew RiceThe Center Square A federal judge in Massachusetts on Monday blocked President Donald Trump's policy seeking to implement a $100,000 fee on visas for highly skilled foreign workers....
U.S. House report: Minnesota officials failed to stop fraud

U.S. House report: Minnesota officials failed to stop fraud

By Elyse ApelThe Center Square A new U.S. House oversight report alleges Minnesota officials were aware of "rampant" fraud risks in taxpayer-funded social programs for years but failed to act,...
Senator says disability service workers’ raise falls short

Senator says disability service workers’ raise falls short

By Jim Talamonti | The Center SquareThe Center Square (The Center Square) – An Illinois state senator says wages for direct support professionals who provide services for people with developmental...
Illinois Quick Hits: Cyber attack shuts down Evanston High School

Illinois Quick Hits: Cyber attack shuts down Evanston High School

By Jim Talamonti | The Center SquareThe Center Square (The Center Square) – Evanston Township High School officials say they are cooperating with the FBI after a ransomware attack on...
DC schools use sex ed curriculum that avoids using ‘male,’ ‘female,’ promotes abortion

DC schools use sex ed curriculum that avoids using ‘male,’ ‘female,’ promotes abortion

By Tate RosentreterThe Center Square An education defense group is exposing what it says is the District of Columbia Public Schools “extreme” and “inappropriate” sexual education curriculum, where the terms...
U.S. Supreme Court slaps down Biden administration energy ruling

U.S. Supreme Court slaps down Biden administration energy ruling

By Andrew RiceThe Center Square The U.S. Supreme Court on Monday slapped down a decision from the Biden administration that regulated efficiency standards for furnaces and water heaters. Justices on...
Trump calls on Iran, Israel to 'stop shooting,' return to talks

Trump calls on Iran, Israel to ‘stop shooting,’ return to talks

By Sarah Roderick-FitchThe Center Square The ceasefire and a potential Iranian deal could be in shambles as Israel and Iran exchanged missile attacks early Monday. President Donald Trump, still seeking...
Everyday Economics: A stable labor market is not enough

Everyday Economics: A stable labor market is not enough

By Orphe DivounguyThe Center Square The May jobs report offered a measure of reassurance: the labor market is stable. Employers are still adding jobs, layoffs remain contained, and the economy...
Fishermen advocate begins campaign against offshore wind, ‘industrializing’ of the ocean

Fishermen advocate begins campaign against offshore wind, ‘industrializing’ of the ocean

By Tate RosentreterThe Center Square (The Center Square ) – The New England Fishermen’s Stewardship Association began a campaign to bring attention to what it says is a radical climate...