Ogle County Sheriff Brian VanVickle was president of the Illinois Sheriff’s Association when the SAFE-T Act was written and passed.

State Sen. Li Arellano, R-Dixon, will lead a legislative update Tuesday, Dec. 16, 2025, that will provide a great opportunity for residents of the 37th District to hear about recent legislation and ongoing policy discussions from the fall veto session and beyond.

The Clean and Reliable Grid Affordability Act passed by the state legislature in late October stands to impact the city of Rochelle-owned Rochelle Municipal Utilities and its customers, city officials said Nov. 19. Gov. JB Pritzker has pledged to sign the bill.

State Sen. Sue Rezin. R-Morris, traveled to Washington, D.C. to lead a two-day series of discussions with lawmakers, utility leaders, grid operators, and energy experts from across the country.

Pace’s 2026 budget is supported by $18.9 million in new funding from state legislation and includes significant service and program investments without increasing fares

Bipartisan legislative commission reviews spending at state agencies.

The legislation next goes to the House for a vote and would transfer ownership of 135 acres undeveloped land east of Collins Street for $1.

State Rep. Jed Davis, R-Yorkville, and State Rep. Barbara Hernandez, D-Aurora, will co-host a bipartisan town hall at Waubonsee Community College in Aurora.

State Sen. Michael E. Hastings has introduced legislation that would require insurance companies to give consumers advance written notice before raising rates on home or auto policies.

A new Illinois law will allow victims of trafficking or exploitation as minors more time to bring forth charges.

Illinois Senate Bill 1446 is a bipartisan measure to ensure the tracking of the manner of death of all Illinois firefighters, including suicide and various types of cancer.

State legislation authorizes Joliet to take over East Joliet Sanitary District, that includes Preston Heights neighborhood.

State Rep. Natalie Manley, D-Joliet, said the Neurodiversity Legislative Advisory Committee is intended to serve as a forum for neurodiverse individuals, their families and service providers.

U.S. Rep. Sean Casten, D-Downers Grove, expressed anger and disappointment Thursday during a telephone town hall he hosted to discuss how passage of the One Big Beautiful Bill Act will impact Illinois residents.

“This bill is a crucial first step in recognizing the essential role of credentialed technicians," Joliet Junior College professor Abby Panozzo said, referring to Illinois House Bill 3360, which passed both chambers of the Illinois General Assembly.

Plainfield Pride, a local LGBTQ+ advocacy group, says it has seen an uptick in support in 2025 despite hostile political climate.

Coffee with local state legislators will be held from 4-6 p.m. Monday at McWethy’s Tavern in Romeoville.

State Sen. Rachel Ventura, D-Joliet, joins in condemnation of use of Illinois license plate reader to track woman seeking abortion services.

DuPage County officials could revisit a discussion of whether to pursue home-rule powers in light of a controversial measure that emerged in Springfield to save public transit from a massive budget shortfall.

A terminally ill Lombard woman continues push Illinois lawmakers to approve a medical ‘aid in dying’ bill

A bill pending in Springfield would ease the way for Will County to get land for 143rd Street construction in Homer Township, but some county board members are trying to slow it down.

On Wed. May 28, from 2 to 4 p.m., Senior Services Associates will be rallying the troops at the Beecher Center to raise a cain against cuts to the federal Older Americans Act. Those attending the call to action are encouraged to wear blue in solidarity with Aging Advocacy Day.

38th District State Senator Sue Rezin, R-Morris, and 40th District State Senator Patrick Joyce, D-Essex, addressed a group of business leaders Monday morning regarding how new data centers affect both energy and water resources in Northern and Eastern Illinois.

The Grundy Economic Development Commission hosted its annual Legislative Breakfast Monday morning, where local legislators were able to answer questions from the business community.

A Lombard mom is one of thousands of Illinois parents opposed to proposed homeschool legislation

State Sen. Rachel Ventura, D-Joliet, backing legislation that supports green infrastructure loans for municipalities and counties throughout Illinois.

Democrat State Sen. Rachel Ventura has proposed legislation for for a K-9 mail drug detection pilot program to help stop illicit substances coming through prisons by mail.

Tom Weitzel examines whether Trump administration policies will benefit the law enforcement community

Fentanyl is a lethal opioid that can be fatal even in small doses. Test strips allow individuals to detect the presence of fentanyl in substances before consuming them.

Democratic representatives Lauren Underwood and Sean Casten have proposed legislation that would raise the amount of state and local taxes that can be deducted from federal tax returns

In the wake of the killing of a Chicago police officer, Will County's state's attorney said lawmakers should close a “loophole” with the SAFE-T Act. Supporters of the law said his solution won't improve safety.

Republican incumbent state Rep. Amy Grant of Wheaton is being challenged again by her crosstown Democratic rival Jackie Williamson

The Citizens Utility Board and four state legislators held a press conference in Bolingbrook on Wednesday to discuss their efforts to oppose continually rising costs for customers of Illinois American Water and Aqua Illinois.

The Illinois legislature’s decision to eliminate the state’s 1% grocery tax, but allow cities and villages to replace it with a 1% tax of their own, is receiving mixed reviews from suburban leaders.

Senate Bill 2751 calls for counties to waive building permit fees for veterans with disabilities and their caregivers when modifications are needed to accommodate the veteran’s disability,

State Rep. Jed Davis responds positively to the implementation of the Startup Fund Program by the Illinois Department of Children and Family Services.

Proposed fee for intermodal transports could generate $38 million a year for local road repairs.

State Senator Meg Loughran Cappel’s measure to prohibit e-cigarettes from being shipped to anyone in the state has passed the Senate

Kendall County State’s Attorney Eric Weis was in Springfield along with law enforcement officials to speak with Illinois House and Senate leaders to discuss funding of programs for children that prevent crime.

Local, state and national political leaders and legislators met with Farm Bureau leaders from across the state, including six members of Lee County Farm Bureau, to discuss IFB’s 2024 legislative priorities.

E-cigarette use will no longer permitted in indoor public spaces in Illinois beginning Monday, one of several public health-related laws that take effect Jan. 1.

Students enrolled in FFA and Illinois Extension 4-H will benefit from a new bill signed into law by Gov. JB Pritzker on Aug. 14.

Animal rights advocates are backing a bill sponsored by State Rep. Barbara Hernandez, D-Aurora, that would make it illegal to declaw cats.

Amanda Vinicky’s remarks will focus on current happenings in the Illinois General Assembly and the upcoming primary elections.