Illinois quick hits: Illinois U.S. senators split on shutdown vote

By Jim Talamonti | The Center Square
The Center Square

Illinois U.S. senators split on shutdown vote

Illinois U.S. Senators Dick Durbin and Tammy Duckworth differed as the Senate voted to advance a bill that could end the federal government’s partial shutdown.

Durbin voted in favor of the measure that would guarantee a vote on the expiring Obamacare subsidies and reverse some of the Trump administration’s layoffs. Duckworth voted no, saying the agreement would not protect American families from what she called President Donald Trump’s “vindictive efforts” in exchange for a vague promise.

Bill would require Classic Learning Test for military admissions

Illinois U.S. Rep. Mary Miller has introduced the House companion to Indiana U.S. Sen. Jim Banks’, R-IN, Promoting Classical Learning Act.

The bill would codify Secretary of Defense Pete Hegseth’s directive requiring the U.S. Military Academy, Naval Academy, Air Force Academy, Coast Guard Academy, and Merchant Marine Academy to accept the Classic Learning Test for admissions. It also would mandate that federally operated secondary schools, including Department of Defense and Bureau of Indian Education schools, administer the CLT to all 11th-grade students.

Cook County property tax bills go out this week

Cook County officials announced Friday that 1.8 million second installment property tax bills for Tax Year 2024 are expected to be mailed to property owners on Nov. 14, 2025, with a due date of Dec. 15, 2025.

Bills are mailed to owners twice a year in two installments. Cook County tax system officials blamed this year’s delay on an overhaul of the system’s “technological backbone.”

Thérèse Boudreaux contributed to this report.