Illinois quick hits: Anti-SLAPP bill signed; Chicago schools settles meditation case

Illinois quick hits: Anti-SLAPP bill signed; Chicago schools settles meditation case

August 21, 2025/
Spread the love

By Jim Talamonti | The Center Square
The Center Square

Anti-SLAPP bill signed

Gov. J.B. Pritzker has signed legislation to protect news media from strategic lawsuits against public participation (SLAPP).

The governor said Senate Bill 1181 will ensure that the press won’t have to fear retaliation for telling the truth.

The measure takes effect immediately.

Chicago schools settles meditation case

A court-approved settlement of over $2.6 million is now being paid to 207 former Chicago Public School high school students who were required to participate in a transcendental meditation program during class.

Plaintiffs’ attorneys say the students’ rights were disregarded by the Chicago Board of Education, and students were coerced to practice a worldview that was in conflict with their faith.

Du Quoin State Fair begins

Friday is Day One and Family Night at the Du Quoin State Fair.

Now in its 102nd year, the fair features music, livestock shows, auto and harness racing, rodeos and agricultural exhibits.

The Du Quoin State Fair runs from Aug. 22 through Sept. 1.

Leave a Comment





Latest News Stories

Illinois Quick Hits: Comptroller Mendoza announces run for Chicago mayor

Illinois Quick Hits: Comptroller Mendoza announces run for Chicago mayor

By Jim Talamonti | The Center SquareThe Center Square (The Center Square) – Illinois Comptroller Susana Mendoza is running for mayor of Chicago. Mendoza said in a campaign video released...
Wiener, Gallagher, Gray lead in congressional races

Wiener, Gallagher, Gray lead in congressional races

By Madeline ShannonThe Center Square As results poured in for several congressional races Tuesday night, incumbent U.S. Rep. Adam Gray, California Assemblymember James Gallagher and California state Sen. Scott Wiener...
Waters, other incumbents ahead in LA congressional races

Waters, other incumbents ahead in LA congressional races

By Zachery SchmidtThe Center Square Democratic incumbents topped the vote counts in Los Angeles congressional districts in Tuesday's primary. U.S. House District 43 U.S. Rep. Maxine Waters, D-Inglewood, got the...
Desmond, Wilpert ahead in District 48 race to succeed Issa

Desmond, Wilpert ahead in District 48 race to succeed Issa

By Chris WoodwardThe Center Square Republican Jim Desmond has a big lead in the race for California Congressional District 48. The race will decide who replaces U.S. Rep. Darrell Issa....
Candidates advance in redrawn congressional districts

Candidates advance in redrawn congressional districts

By Andrew RiceThe Center Square Several candidates across altered congressional districts in California are projected to head to November’s general election. California voters passed Proposition 50, a measure that altered...
Kiley, Pan neck to neck in Congressional District 6 race

Kiley, Pan neck to neck in Congressional District 6 race

By Chris WoodwardThe Center Square U.S. Rep. Kevin Kiley, I-Rocklin, has a slight edge over the competition in the race for Congressional District 6 in California. Kiley emerged with 24.9%...
Bass, Pratt lead Los Angeles mayoral race

Bass, Pratt lead Los Angeles mayoral race

By Chris WoodwardThe Center Square Los Angeles Mayor Karen Bass and Republican candidate Spencer Pratt could be headed for a runoff in November in a race that is getting national...
Becerra, Hilton to face each other in gubernatorial race

Becerra, Hilton to face each other in gubernatorial race

By Chris WoodwardThe Center Square Republican Steve Hilton and Democrat Xavier Becerra apparently will square off in the Nov. 3 general election for governor of California, according to unofficial results...
Miller-Meeks, Bohannan to face off again in November

Miller-Meeks, Bohannan to face off again in November

By Andrew RiceThe Center Square Voters across Iowa selected partisan candidates on Tuesday night in races that could determine control of Congress. U.S. Rep. Mariannette-Miller Meeks will face off against...
Gulf allies targeted by Iran as strikes continue despite ceasefire

Gulf allies targeted by Iran as strikes continue despite ceasefire

By Sarah Roderick-FitchThe Center Square Despite the ongoing ceasefire between the U.S. and Iran, the two countries exchanged fire once again, with the Islamic Republic targeting regional neighbors. U.S. Central...
U.S. Supreme Court approves Alabama redistricting map

U.S. Supreme Court approves Alabama redistricting map

By Andrew RiceThe Center Square The U.S. Supreme Court allowed Alabama to move forward with an altered election map, that costs taxpayers an additional $4.45 million. Justices on the high...
Trump rolls back tariffs on farm equipment, HVAC systems

Trump rolls back tariffs on farm equipment, HVAC systems

By Brett RowlandThe Center Square President Donald Trump reduced tariffs on certain agricultural equipment, residential air conditioning systems and industrial machinery, marking the second rollback of import taxes since returning...
Law firm: California's gender policies violate Constitution

Law firm: California’s gender policies violate Constitution

By Chris WoodwardThe Center Square A law firm is putting California Attorney General Rob Bonta on notice about keeping parents in the dark about their children's gender transitions. Liberty Justice...
Group challenges gender policies in New Mexico schools

Group challenges gender policies in New Mexico schools

By Esther WickhamThe Center Square As New Mexico students continue to rank among the lowest in the nation in academic proficiency, some parents are questioning why gender ideology has become...
Supreme Court rules for Texas in Rio Grande River lawsuit

Supreme Court rules for Texas in Rio Grande River lawsuit

By Bethany BlankleyThe Center Square The U.S. Supreme Court has handed Texas a win in a lawsuit first brought by Gov. Greg Abbott when he was attorney general. Abbott was...