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

Economic index shows reduced uncertainty, more stability in Midwest

Economic index shows reduced uncertainty, more stability in Midwest

By Jim Talamonti | The Center SquareThe Center Square (The Center Square) – The Federal Reserve Bank of Chicago’s Survey of Economic Conditions Activity Index suggests more stability and less...
New law sparks debate over Illinois school mergers, communities fear loss

New law sparks debate over Illinois school mergers, communities fear loss

By Catrina Barker | The Center Square contributorThe Center Square (The Center Square) – A new law that could push school districts to study possible consolidation, aiming for efficiency and...
Illinois in Focus: Rest area burglary arrests made; overdose awareness events planned

Illinois in Focus: Rest area burglary arrests made; overdose awareness events planned

By Jim Talamonti | The Center SquareThe Center Square Rest area burglary arrests made Two men have been detained in connection with a reported burglary at the northbound Interstate 57...
Trump-appointed judge blasts administration for campaign against judiciary

Trump-appointed judge blasts administration for campaign against judiciary

By Morgan SweeneyThe Center Square A federal judge dismissed a Justice Department lawsuit against all 15 federal district judges in Maryland Tuesday, emphasizing the extraordinary nature of the case and...
Report: Teachers' unions give millions to progressive causes

Report: Teachers’ unions give millions to progressive causes

By Esther WickhamThe Center Square The two largest U.S. teachers unions have donated over $40 million to progressive organizations and initiatives, a new report found. Since 2022, the American Federation...
Illinois quick hits: Record hotel tax revenues reported; grocer sentenced for SNAP, WIC fraud

Illinois quick hits: Record hotel tax revenues reported; grocer sentenced for SNAP, WIC fraud

By Jim Talamonti | The Center SquareThe Center Square Record hotel tax revenues reported Illinois tourism numbers for 2024 saw an all-time high for hotel tax revenue. The Illinois Department...
Trump goes on attack over digital services taxes, threatens tariffs

Trump goes on attack over digital services taxes, threatens tariffs

By Brett RowlandThe Center Square President Donald Trump broadly attacked other nations' plans for a digital services tax, which he said were designed to harm U.S. companies while giving others...
WATCH: Policy questions loom as Pritzker announces ag investment, tax credits

WATCH: Policy questions loom as Pritzker announces ag investment, tax credits

By Jim Talamonti | The Center SquareThe Center Square (The Center Square) – Gov. J.B. Pritzker says a new fertilizer production facility in Douglas County is a major win for...
Report: Claims that preserving coal plants will cost $6B based on unlikely assumptions

Report: Claims that preserving coal plants will cost $6B based on unlikely assumptions

By Tate MillerThe Center Square A new report released Tuesday by America’s Power challenges environmental organization-sponsored claims circulating that say the Trump administration’s decision to preserve coal power plants will...
Federal officials confirm case of New World screwworm

Federal officials confirm case of New World screwworm

By Brett RowlandThe Center Square Federal officials confirmed a human case of New World screwworm on Tuesday and said the government will be monitoring livestock in response to the threat....
Colorado committed to increasing housing supply

Colorado committed to increasing housing supply

By Elyse ApelThe Center Square Colorado remains committed to building more homes to address the ongoing housing crisis. Gov. Jared Polis, a Democrat, joined state legislators in making that commitment....
Stock market weathers Fed governor's attempted firing well

Stock market weathers Fed governor’s attempted firing well

By Morgan SweeneyThe Center Square Tuesday’s stock market remained little changed from Monday, despite President Donald Trump’s attempted termination of Federal Reserve Governor Lisa Cook on Monday evening. The major...
WATCH: Police officer, legislator: Seize opportunity to reform Illinois’ cashless bail

WATCH: Police officer, legislator: Seize opportunity to reform Illinois’ cashless bail

By Greg Bishop | The Center SquareThe Center Square (The Center Square) – Illinois Republicans want to change the state's no-cash bail law. Democrats say cashless bail is working. President...
Trump proposes returning death penalty to D.C.

Trump proposes returning death penalty to D.C.

By Sarah Roderick-FitchThe Center Square Capital punishment could be returning to Washington, D.C., as President Donald Trump announced during a cabinet meeting on Tuesday. “Anybody murders in the capital? Capital...
WATCH: IL Hospital Association: $50B rural hospital fund ‘woefully inadequate’

WATCH: IL Hospital Association: $50B rural hospital fund ‘woefully inadequate’

By Greg Bishop | The Center SquareThe Center Square (The Center Square) – Illinois Gov. J.B. Pritzker continues sounding the alarm over federal health care subsidies as the White House...