‘Stubbornly high’: Summer cookout cost nearly unchanged from 2024

Families celebrating the Fourth of July will still face high grocery bills, with prices down an average of just 30 cents from last year’s record, according to the American Farm Bureau Federation’s 2025 marketbasket survey.

By Hannah Spangler – FarmWeek●

Senate passes Trump’s big tax breaks and spending cuts bill as Vance breaks 50-50 tie

The package now goes back to the House, where Speaker Mike Johnson had warned senators not to deviate too far from what his chamber had already approved. The Senate did make changes, particularly to Medicaid

By The Associated Press●

State’s gasoline tax hike goes into effect Tuesday; here’s what it could cost you

Illinois motorists will pay an average of about $6 more in gasoline taxes over the coming year as the state’s motor fuel tax rate hike goes into effect Tuesday

By Jake Griffin Daily Herald Media Group●

Illinois to roll out direct admissions program for most state universities

Illinois students won’t need to fill out applications for most state universities to be admitted — if they have high enough grades. The program will begin in the 2027-28 school year, with nine of the state’s 11 public universities participating

By Andrew Adams - Capitol News Illinois●