Illinois quick hits: $1.57B return on investments; solar-powered manufacturer cuts ribbon

Illinois quick hits: $1.57B return on investments; solar-powered manufacturer cuts ribbon

August 28, 2025/
Spread the love

By Jim Talamonti | The Center Square
The Center Square

$1.57B return on investments

Illinois Treasurer Michael Frerichs says his office made a record $1.57 billion in investment earnings from the state investment portfolio during fiscal year 2025.

Frerichs said his office also made $998 million in gross investment earnings for municipalities and school districts.

The treasurer said every dollar earned in interest is a dollar that lawmakers don’t have to raise in taxes.

Solar-powered manufacturer cuts ribbon

Gov. J.B. Pritzker and other state and local officials have cut the ribbon on a new solar-powered manufacturing facility in Mount Vernon.

Manner Polymers received Reimagining Energy and Vehicles in Illinois tax credits for the electric vehicle and solar panel component factory.

The company’s incentive package also included $2.5 million for a new rail spur, funded by state taxpayers.

Illegal gambling warning

As college and professional football seasons get underway, the Sports Betting Alliance of Illinois is warning that the risks of illegal online gaming will rise as companies pass the state’s sports-betting tax onto customers.

The group says the per-wager tax will have the most impact on recreational bettors who place small-dollar wagers, with more than half the bets placed in Illinois at $5 or less.

Leave a Comment





Latest News Stories

Vought cites $30B war cost as his agency seeks $67B for conflict

Vought cites $30B war cost as his agency seeks $67B for conflict

By Brett RowlandThe Center Square Office of Management and Budget Director Russell Vought told Congress the Iran conflict has cost "about $30 billion," six days after his own agency asked...
Pritzker defends state ban on semiautomatic weapons

Pritzker defends state ban on semiautomatic weapons

By Jim Talamonti | The Center SquareThe Center Square (The Center Square) – After the U.S. Supreme Court agreed to consider a case challenging Cook County’s ban on semiautomatic weapons,...
Pritzker defends state ban on semiautomatic weapons

Pritzker defends state ban on semiautomatic weapons

By Jim Talamonti | The Center SquareThe Center Square (The Center Square) – After the U.S. Supreme Court agreed to consider a case challenging Cook County’s ban on semiautomatic weapons,...
GOP hardliners vow to blockade must-pass bills unless voter ID demands met

GOP hardliners vow to blockade must-pass bills unless voter ID demands met

By Thérèse BoudreauxThe Center Square Despite the looming 2026 midterm elections and the growing list of congressional responsibilities, a persistent group of Republicans are vowing to obstruct all U.S. House...
GOP hardliners vow to blockade must-pass bills unless voter ID demands met

GOP hardliners vow to blockade must-pass bills unless voter ID demands met

By Thérèse BoudreauxThe Center Square Despite the looming 2026 midterm elections and the growing list of congressional responsibilities, a persistent group of Republicans are vowing to obstruct all U.S. House...
Illinois Quick Hits: AG, Chicago Law Department hail Massachusetts ruling

Illinois Quick Hits: AG, Chicago Law Department hail Massachusetts ruling

By Jim Talamonti | The Center SquareThe Center Square (The Center Square) – Illinois Attorney General Kwame Raoul says he is pleased with a U.S. District Court of Massachusetts decision...
Illinois Quick Hits: AG, Chicago Law Department hail Massachusetts ruling

Illinois Quick Hits: AG, Chicago Law Department hail Massachusetts ruling

By Jim Talamonti | The Center SquareThe Center Square (The Center Square) – Illinois Attorney General Kwame Raoul says he is pleased with a U.S. District Court of Massachusetts decision...
Pritzker, Benton’s GOP challenger weigh in calls for resignation

Pritzker, Benton’s GOP challenger weigh in calls for resignation

By Sean Reed | The Center SquareThe Center Square (The Center Square) – Less than a day after top Democrats in Springfield called on an embattled state lawmaker to resign,...
Pritzker, Benton’s GOP challenger weigh in calls for resignation

Pritzker, Benton’s GOP challenger weigh in calls for resignation

By Sean Reed | The Center SquareThe Center Square (The Center Square) – Less than a day after top Democrats in Springfield called on an embattled state lawmaker to resign,...
Fireworks buyers flock to neighboring states

Fireworks buyers flock to neighboring states

By Jim Talamonti | The Center SquareThe Center Square (The Center Square) – Illinois consumers are flocking to neighboring states to buy fireworks as the United States celebrates 250 years...
Fireworks buyers flock to neighboring states

Fireworks buyers flock to neighboring states

By Jim Talamonti | The Center SquareThe Center Square (The Center Square) – Illinois consumers are flocking to neighboring states to buy fireworks as the United States celebrates 250 years...
Trump calls out NATO nations for their spending

Trump calls out NATO nations for their spending

By Sarah Roderick-FitchThe Center Square Ahead of the NATO summit in Turkey, President Donald Trump is calling out several NATO partners for their spending. The president is set to attend...
Pritzker declares 11 county disaster over storms; state wants federal aid

Pritzker declares 11 county disaster over storms; state wants federal aid

By Sean Reed | The Center SquareThe Center Square (The Center Square) – Illinois Gov. J.B. Pritzker issued a disaster declaration late Tuesday covering 11 counties across the state that...
GAO: Additional actions needed to secure northern border

GAO: Additional actions needed to secure northern border

By Bethany BlankleyThe Center Square At a recent Congressional hearing, Subcommittee on Border Security and Enforcement Chairman Michael Guest, R-Miss., and Subcommittee on Counterterrorism and Intelligence Chairman August Pfluger, R-Texas,...
U.S. adds 57K jobs in 'disappointing' June report

U.S. adds 57K jobs in ‘disappointing’ June report

By Andrew RiceThe Center Square The U.S. economy added 57,000 jobs in June, reflecting a steady job market, according to a new report from the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics...