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

Responses due in Virginia redistricting appeal

Responses due in Virginia redistricting appeal

By Shirleen GuerraThe Center Square Responses are due by 5 p.m. Thursday in Virginia’s emergency appeal to the U.S. Supreme Court over the commonwealth’s congressional redistricting dispute, as outside groups...
Pentagon seeks record budget despite failing every audit

Pentagon seeks record budget despite failing every audit

By Brett RowlandThe Center Square President Donald Trump is asking Congress to approve the largest military budget in American history for an agency that has never passed a financial audit....
GOP oversight report: Democrats created 'culture of fraud'

GOP oversight report: Democrats created ‘culture of fraud’

By Elyse ApelThe Center Square After two years of hearings, whistleblower testimony and document reviews, Minnesota House Republicans say they’ve uncovered what they describe as an “unprecedented” pattern of fraud...
Illinois Republicans blame taxes, lawsuits after Morton Salt exits Chicago

Illinois Republicans blame taxes, lawsuits after Morton Salt exits Chicago

By Catrina Barker | The Center Square contributorThe Center Square (The Center Square) – Republican lawmakers are warning that the departure of iconic salt producer Morton Salt from Chicago is...
Data center regulations weighed; some worry over jobs, energy, taxes

Data center regulations weighed; some worry over jobs, energy, taxes

By Sean Reed | The Center SquareThe Center Square (The Center Square) – Major bills in both the state Senate and House may heavily regulate data centers in the state....
Supreme Court affirms court authority in discrimination suit

Supreme Court affirms court authority in discrimination suit

By Andrew RiceThe Center Square The U.S. Supreme Court, in a unanimous decision on Thursday, ruled that a lower court can determine an arbitration award in an employment discrimination case....
Illinois ranks 46th out of 50 states for financial transparency

Illinois ranks 46th out of 50 states for financial transparency

By Jim Talamonti | The Center SquareThe Center Square (The Center Square) – A new report ranks Illinois 46 out of 50 states for financial transparency, partly due to the...
Solutions differ for Chicago Public Schools' potential $1B deficit

Solutions differ for Chicago Public Schools’ potential $1B deficit

By Jim Talamonti | The Center SquareThe Center Square (The Center Square) – The Chicago Teachers Union says the city’s public schools could face a $1 billion budget deficit if...
U.S. Supreme Court rules against trucking industry

U.S. Supreme Court rules against trucking industry

By Andrew RiceThe Center Square The U.S. Supreme Court, in a unanimous decision Thursday, agreed that states can protect individuals injured in trucking accidents. The case, Montgomery v. Caribe Transport,...
Exclusive: AGO speculated WA Supreme Court might ‘punt’ on millionaire’s tax

Exclusive: AGO speculated WA Supreme Court might ‘punt’ on millionaire’s tax

By TJ MartinellThe Center Square Washington Attorney General's Office officials described the state Supreme Court as “favorable a venue as we’re likely to get” to thwart a referendum on a...
Illinois Quick Hits: Dems look at Chicago for national conventions

Illinois Quick Hits: Dems look at Chicago for national conventions

By Sean Reed | The Center SquareThe Center Square (The Center Square) – The Democrat National Convention’s committee on site selection visited Chicago this week, again considered the city for...
Paramount-Warner merger could create 40,000 jobs, report says

Paramount-Warner merger could create 40,000 jobs, report says

By Tom JoyceThe Center Square A proposed merger between Paramount Global and Warner Bros. Discovery could create thousands of jobs and inject nearly $1 billion annually into Hollywood movie production,...
Powell secures Democrat nomination in key swing district

Powell secures Democrat nomination in key swing district

By Andrew RiceThe Center Square Denise Powell won the Democratic nomination in Nebraska's second congressional district, according to projections from multiple media outlets. Powell edged out state Sen. John Cavanaugh...
Canadian border crimes: Multi-million grandparent, crypto scam; human smuggling

Canadian border crimes: Multi-million grandparent, crypto scam; human smuggling

By Bethany BlankleyThe Center Square Northern border crimes continue to be prosecuted against Canadian citizens for a range of multi-million-dollar scams targeting Americans nationwide. The U.S. investigations are being led...
Will County P&Z Logo Planning Zoning.2

Zinc Leaching and Flooding Concerns Dominate Testimony at Will County Solar Hearing

Will County Board Special Planning and Zoning Commission Meeting | May 12, 2026 Article Summary: Expert and resident testimonies during Tuesday's Planning and Zoning Commission meeting highlighted severe concerns over groundwater...