State | Daily Chronicle

Toll increases are contemplated in a refreshed Illinois tollway strategic plan that also envisions extending existing highways or constructing new ones.

A DeKalb School District 428 bilingual teacher and Cortland mother of three will seek to unseat a three-term Sycamore Republican from the statehouse.
Republican State Rep. Jeff Keicher, R-Sycamore, recently announced he’ll seek reelection to the Illinois 70th House District in 2026, vowing to work across the aisle for decreased taxes, job growth, women’s health and more.
Residents who live in the Illinois General Assembly’s 70th District are invited to office hours hosted by Rep. Jeff Keicher, R-Sycamore, at various locations across DeKalb, Kane and McHenry counties this summer.
State Rep. Amy “Murri” Briel, whose district covers La Salle, Bureau and DeKalb counties, introduced a new bill that will target deceptive sales on sexual assault survivors.

Read the transcript from our latest podcast: State Rep. Amy “Murri” Briel, D-Ottawa, talks with Shaw Local reporter Bill Freskos about rural healthcare access, the state of local hospitals and more

State Rep. Amy “Murri” Briel, D-Ottawa, talks with Shaw Local reporter Bill Freskos about rural healthcare access, the state of local hospitals and her objectives in the Illinois General Assembly
The Illinois State Police have announced that data from 2024 shows a decrease in shootings on Illinois interstate roads for the third year in a row.
Following almost a year of legal battles and fierce public opposition from many customers, water utility Aqua Illinois is set to raise its rates in 2025, impacting water customers in 14 northern Illinois counties.
What policies would you support to ease the burden on Illinois taxpayers? David Simpson: Equal education funding across the state will lower property tax.
Should Illinois impose a state parks fee that is earmarked for maintenance of those facilities? If so, how should it be implemented? Randi Olson: At this point, there should not be a state park fee. At some point, there is a possibility we might need one.
House Bill 5134 would require those convicted of sex trafficking, involuntary servitude, and involuntary sexual servitude of a minor to register as a sex offender

State. Rep. Jeff Keicher, R-Sycamore, was appointed this week to serve on the Illinois Human Trafficking Task Force in Springfield, according to a news release from the legislator’s office.
Crystal Loughran on repealing the SAFE-T Act: "We need stiffer sentencing guidelines giving criminals more jail time and the possibility of criminals seeing up to 80% of their sentences." Read her full questionnaire here.
The Federal Trade Commission and 17 state attorney generals filed an antitrust lawsuit against Amazon on Tuesday, alleging the e-commerce behemoth uses its position in the marketplace to inflate prices on other platforms, overcharge sellers and stifle competition.
The Illinois Supreme Court may issue an opinion on Tuesday that could decide whether cashless bail for criminal defendants will be implemented in the state.
Multiple state legislators will host a health fair for older adults in DeKalb on Wednesday, part of a plan to help connect older area residents with resources and information on health care and money.
Gov. JB Pritzker along with other Illinois lawmakers, City of DeKalb officials and representatives of Northern Illinois University were on hand Tuesday at the Barsema Alumni and Visitors Center at NIU to talk about the importance of funding higher education in Illinois.

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