Illinois quick hits: Governor bans school fines; Target fires hundreds over fraud

Illinois quick hits: Governor bans school fines; Target fires hundreds over fraud

August 20, 2025/
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By Jim Talamonti | The Center Square
The Center Square

Governor bans school fines

Gov. J.B. Pritzker has signed legislation that bans schools from issuing fines or citations to students for breaking school rules or committing municipal code violations on school grounds during school hours.

Senate Bill 1519 also requires school districts to report the number of students who were referred to a law enforcement agency or official and the number of referrals to law enforcement that students received.

Tax incentives used for battery storage expansion

A green energy company is taking advantage of state tax incentives to expand its manufacturing headquarters in Kane County.

Gov. J.B. Pritzker said Richardson Electronics would invest $8.5 million over the next four years with support from the Reimagining Energy and Vehicles in Illinois (REV Illinois) program.

The project to develop next-generation battery energy storage system (BESS) technologies is expected to create 54 new jobs.

Target fires hundreds over fraud scheme

A Target spokesperson says the company has terminated Chicago team members found in violation of the company’s code of ethics.

The statement came after Block Club Chicago reported that Target fired hundreds of workers at a distribution facility after they allegedly defrauded the company’s medical benefits program.

Target said it has put measures in place to prevent such activity.

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