Illinois Quick Hits: State spends $87M on ISU fine arts project

Illinois Quick Hits: State spends $87M on ISU fine arts project

January 14, 2026/
Spread the love

By Jim Talamonti | The Center Square
The Center Square

(The Center Square) – Illinois Gov. J.B. Pritzker joined officials at Illinois State University on Tuesday to break ground on the Wonsook Kim College of Fine Arts Transformation Project.

Pritzker said the investment of $87 million in state taxpayer funds would expand ISU’s fine arts complex to offer academic, instructional, and performance spaces through phased renovation, demolition, and new construction.

STATE POLICE REPORT

Illinois State Police say they recovered 243 stolen or hijacked vehicles, made 24 arrests and seized five firearms from October through December.

ISP targets vehicle theft, hijacking, and related crimes using grant funding from the Illinois Secretary of State Illinois Vehicle Hijacking and Motor Vehicle Theft Prevention and Insurance Verification Council.

ISP was awarded a $10 million grant for the first fiscal year, another $677,000 in June 2024 and $637,500 in July 2025.

SMALL BIZ OPTIMISM

The NFIB Small Business Optimism Index rose 0.5 points in December to 99.5 and remained above its 52-year average of 98.

The Uncertainty Index dropped 7 points to 84, the lowest reading since June 2024. NFIB Illinois State Director Noah Finley said, with federal small business tax cuts locked in, Main Street is starting the year on a more optimistic note.

Leave a Comment





Latest News Stories

Midwest takes brunt of rising gas prices

Midwest takes brunt of rising gas prices

By David Beasley | The Center Square contributorThe Center Square (The Center Square) – Midwestern states, Indiana, Ohio and Michigan in particular, were hit harder in the past week by...
Illinois Quick Hits: Chicago police sergeant charged with COVID relief fraud

Illinois Quick Hits: Chicago police sergeant charged with COVID relief fraud

By Jim Talamonti | The Center SquareThe Center Square (The Center Square) – A Chicago police sergeant has been charged with fraudulently obtaining more than $41,000 in small business loans...
Democrats hold Michigan Senate majority with special election win in District 35

Democrats hold Michigan Senate majority with special election win in District 35

By Elyse ApelThe Center Square Democrat Chedrick Greene won the special election in Michigan’s 35th Senate District by a wide margin Tuesday night, preserving Democrats’ narrow majority in the chamber....
OLYMPUS DIGITAL CAMERA

Beecher Library Board Updates Borrowing Policy, Approves New Audio Equipment for Programs

Beecher Public Library District Meeting | March 17, 2026 Borrowing Rules Expanded: The Beecher Public Library District has broadened its borrowing policy to accept additional forms of identification and approved...
Appeals court splits over ICE detention of illegal immigrants without bond

Appeals court splits over ICE detention of illegal immigrants without bond

By Jonathan Bilyk | Legal NewslineThe Center Square A panel of federal appeals court judges continues to agree that a Chicago federal judge overstepped his authority in ordering the en...
Incumbents survive Indiana U.S. House challenges

Incumbents survive Indiana U.S. House challenges

By Andrew RiceThe Center Square Incumbent U.S. House candidates from Indiana held on to party nominations Tuesday, despite intense pressure from challengers. District 4 Rep. Jim Baird survived a primary...
Incumbents survive Indiana U.S. House challenges

Incumbents survive Indiana U.S. House challenges

By Andrew RiceThe Center Square Incumbent U.S. House candidates from Indiana held on to party nominations Tuesday, despite intense pressure from challengers. District 4 Rep. Jim Baird survived a primary...
Ohio voters pick candidates for November election

Ohio voters pick candidates for November election

By Andrew RiceThe Center Square Ohio voters elected party representatives for governor, U.S. House of Representatives and U.S. Senate on Tuesday. The election was the first since the Ohio legislature...
Ohio voters pick candidates for November election

Ohio voters pick candidates for November election

By Andrew RiceThe Center Square Ohio voters elected party representatives for governor, U.S. House of Representatives and U.S. Senate on Tuesday. The election was the first since the Ohio legislature...
'Project Freedom' paused while U.S., Iran try to negotiate a deal

‘Project Freedom’ paused while U.S., Iran try to negotiate a deal

By Sarah Roderick-FitchThe Center Square More than a day after its implementation, “Project Freedom,” a U.S. operation to safely escort commercial ships through the Strait of Hormuz, has been put...
Colorado House votes for credit card fee reduction

Colorado House votes for credit card fee reduction

By Liam HibbertThe Center Square Legislation to reduce credit card fees on purchases is a step closer to final passage in Colorado with proponents saying it will help small businesses...
Rubio confirms Epic Fury over; U.S. responding defensively in Strait of Hormuz

Rubio confirms Epic Fury over; U.S. responding defensively in Strait of Hormuz

By Morgan SweeneyThe Center Square Secretary of State Marco Rubio said Tuesday afternoon that Operation Epic Fury was concluded – similar to what the president has said in his communications...
Department of Employment Security faces questions about fraud recoveries

Department of Employment Security faces questions about fraud recoveries

By Jim Talamonti | The Center SquareThe Center Square (The Center Square) – The director of the Illinois Department of Employment Security says his agency has changed its processes in...
Poll: Majority of voters dissatisfied with economy, prices

Poll: Majority of voters dissatisfied with economy, prices

By Andrew RiceThe Center Square More than half of Americans said they are at least somewhat dissatisfied with the overall economy, according to a new poll. The poll, conducted by...
Illinois Quick Hits: State rep says megaprojects bill usable for Chicago

Illinois Quick Hits: State rep says megaprojects bill usable for Chicago

By Jim Talamonti | The Center SquareThe Center Square (The Center Square) – State Rep. Kam Buckner, D-Chicago, says his megaprojects legislation is a directly usable tool for the city...