WJBC

Illinois soybean farmers welcome federal aid, but fear long-term trade damage

CHAMPAIGN — Illinois soybean farmers are set to receive special federal payments at the end of February meant to offset losses from last year’s trade disruptions. But while farmers welcome the relief, ...
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Republican candidates for governor – minus Bailey – try to distance themselves

Republican candidates for governor Ted Dabrowski, James Mendrick and Rick Heidner met for the first time for a televised debate on Tuesday. Darren Bailey, presumed to be the frontrunner, did not ...
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A city blanketed in fear: Accountability Commission hears shocking testimony about ICE

JB Pritzker’s Accountability Commission hears stories about fear and intimidation that led to disruption of schools and a negative impact on businesses and health care. The commission focused on four ...
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Former deputy in Sonya Massey killing serving prison sentence, but state officials won’t say where

Former Sangamon County Sheriff’s Deputy Sean Grayson, who was convicted last year of shooting an unarmed woman, has begun ...
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What does Gov. JB Pritzker’s nuclear energy executive order do?

A recent executive order by Gov. JB Pritzker set a new goal to begin development on new nuclear power plants by 2033, with the intention of bringing online enough energy to power up to two million ...
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Illinois legislators introduce bills to regulate pricing based on personal data

House Bill 4248, co-sponsored by Reps. Kam Buckner, D-Chicago, and Maura Hirschauer, D-Batavia, would require corporations to disclose the use of algorithmic pricing and give consumers the chance to ...
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As Illinois increasingly becomes destination for abortion access, a new public-private partnership emerges

Surrounded by states with abortion restrictions, Illinois has become a destination for patients from across the country since the U.S. Supreme Court overturned Roe v. Wade in 2022. Illinois abortion ...
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Pritzker to propose statewide zoning laws to spur homebuilding, limit local control

SPRINGFIELD — Gov. JB Pritzker will propose a statewide zoning law in his State of the State address on Wednesday, ...
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Human service advocates say they are worried after Pritzker’s status-quo budget proposal

The lobbyists expressed concern after Pritzker’s fiscal year 2027 budget proposal included only a 1.6% spending increase and didn’t increase funding for community-based programs. Providers warned that ...
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Battle over data centers in Illinois pits consumer costs vs. state competitiveness

The debate over how to regulate data centers in Illinois is intensifying as lawmakers struggle to balance a host of competing interests. Illinois consumer advocacy groups are demanding action as ...
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Democrats offer muted praise of Pritzker’s speech, Republicans dismiss ‘campaign’ rhetoric

Reaction to Gov. JB Pritzker’s combined State of the State and fiscal year 2027 budget address fell largely along partisan lines as Democrats offered muted praise while Republicans dismissed his ...