Illinois quick hits: Pritzker signs abortion bills; Operation Purple Heart returns medals

Illinois quick hits: Pritzker signs abortion bills; Operation Purple Heart returns medals

August 22, 2025/
Spread the love

By The Center Square
The Center Square

Pritzker signs abortion bills

Two bills Gov. J.B. Pritzker enacted Friday impact access to abortion procedures.

House Bill 3637 shields health care providers from discipline for providing abortion services that are lawful in Illinois.

House Bill 3709 requires colleges and universities to offer contraception and medication abortion if they have an on-campus pharmacy or student health center.

Operation Purple Heart returns medals

A 16th family has been reunited with their relative’s Purple Heart military honors.

Illinois Treasurer Michael Frerichs’ office announced as part of Operation Purple Heart, they returned Army Private Stephen J. Grabowski’s military medals with grand-niece Chrystal Cantrell during a ceremony in Marion.

Frerichs, who handles unclaimed property, also returned Grabowski’s Bronze Star and other medals.

Product Expo to open at Du Quoin State Fair

The Illinois Product Expo will be open at the Du Quoin State Fair for the final weekend.

Located in the Expo Hall at the Du Quoin State Fairgrounds from 5 to 9 p.m. Friday, Aug. 29, from 11 a.m. to 8 p.m. Saturday, Aug. 30, and from 11 a.m. to 5 p.m. Sunday, Aug. 31.

Products include food, drinks, crafts and items like soaps, essential oils and more.

###

Leave a Comment





Latest News Stories

Illinois quick hits: Chicago Fed president explains vote; Treasurer encourages Bright Start gifts

Illinois quick hits: Chicago Fed president explains vote; Treasurer encourages Bright Start gifts

By Jim Talamonti | The Center SquareThe Center Square Chicago Fed president explains vote Federal Reserve Bank of Chicago President Austan Goolsbee has explained his decision to vote against the...
EXCLUSIVE: Canadian groups, First Nation police support stronger border security

EXCLUSIVE: Canadian groups, First Nation police support stronger border security

By Bethany BlankleyThe Center Square Despite Canadian officials arguing that the "Canada-U.S. border is the best-managed and most secure border in the world,” some Canadian groups and First Nation tribal...
More than 9,500 commercial truckers taken off U.S. roads nationwide

More than 9,500 commercial truckers taken off U.S. roads nationwide

By Bethany BlankleyThe Center Square More than 9,500 commercial truckers have been taken off of U.S. roads for failing English-language proficiency checks, Transportation Secretary Sean Duffy said. “We’ve now knocked...
Meeting Briefs

Meeting Summary and Briefs: Beecher Public Library District for October 2025

Beecher Public Library District Meeting | October 2025 The Beecher Public Library District Board of Trustees met on Tuesday, October 21, 2025, to seat new trustees, approve contracts, and review...
Will County Board Land Use Committee Graphic.3

New Lenox Used Car Dealership Approved by Land Use & Development Committee

Will County Land Use & Development Committee Meeting | December 2025 Article Summary: A special use permit for a used car dealership on Ford Drive in New Lenox Township was...
Beecher Graphic.1

Resident Raises Safety Concerns Over Stalled Foundation on Orchard Lane

Village of Beecher Board Meeting | Dec. 8, 2025 Article Summary: A Beecher resident voiced strong concerns to the Village Board regarding a stalled construction project at Orchard Lane and...
Will County Board Land Use Committee Graphic.1

Land Use Committee: Monee Solar Projects Granted Extensions; Battery Storage Plans Dropped

Will County Land Use & Development Committee Meeting | December 2025 Article Summary: The Will County Land Use and Development Committee granted time extensions for two separate solar farm projects...
Will County P&Z Logo Planning Zoning.2

P&Z Commission: New Women’s Recovery Center Proposed for Patterson Road Receives Support

Will County Planning and Zoning Commission Meeting | December 2, 2025 Article Summary: The Planning and Zoning Commission unanimously recommended approval for a new inpatient drug and alcohol rehabilitation facility...

WATCH: ‘Unfortunate accident’: Miss. senator blasted for comment on Guard troop shootings

By Sarah Roderick-FitchThe Center Square U.S. Rep. Bennie Thompson, D-Miss., faced heavy criticism Thursday after characterizing the recent shooting of two National Guard members blocks from the White House, killing...

WATCH: House Homeland Security hearing filled with tense exchanges

By Sarah Roderick-FitchThe Center Square A U.S. House hearing on homeland security wasn’t void of drama Thursday as Homeland Security Secretary Kristi Noem engaged in several tense exchanges with Democrats,...
Judge rules against Trump's freeze on wind energy

Judge rules against Trump’s freeze on wind energy

By Dave MasonThe Center Square Democratic attorneys general applauded a federal judge’s ruling this week that the Trump administration can’t halt development of all wind energy projects. Proponents have long...
Illinois’ new paint fee takes effect, with critics calling it another burden on taxpayers

Illinois’ new paint fee takes effect, with critics calling it another burden on taxpayers

By Catrina Barker | The Center Square contributorThe Center Square (The Center Square) – A new statewide fee on paint products adds a small charge to each container sold as...
Pritzker decision looms for energy bill 'on ratepayers' backs'

Pritzker decision looms for energy bill ‘on ratepayers’ backs’

By Jim Talamonti | The Center SquareThe Center Square (The Center Square) – Gov. J.B. Pritzker has indicated support for energy legislation awaiting his signature, but small business owners are...

WATCH: Use of National Guard debated in U.S. Senate as Illinois case lingers

By Greg BishopThe Center Square While the use of the National Guard remains on hold in Illinois, pending a legal challenge, the U.S. Senate is debating having troops on American...
Illinois quick hits: Senator's deferred prosecution deal approved; Indiana Senate votes against new maps

Illinois quick hits: Senator’s deferred prosecution deal approved; Indiana Senate votes against new maps

By Jim Talamonti | The Center SquareThe Center Square Senator's deferred prosecution deal approved U.S. District Court Judge Andrea Wood has approved a deferred prosecution agreement to resolve the bribery...