Illinois quick hits: Illinois House speaker’s son to attend private school; AFSCME workers set strike date at Illinois State University; IDOT urges public to avoid distracted driving

April 6, 2026/

Spread the love

By Jim Talamonti | The Center Square
The Center Square

Illinois House speaker’s son to attend private school

Illinois House Speaker Emanuel “Chris” Welch, D-Hillside, says his son will attend a Catholic high school. Welch announced in a social media post on Saturday that his son, Tyler, is taking his talents to Nazareth Academy. When asked by The Center Square in December about school choice legislation, the speaker said he promised to call a bill for a vote if 60 Democrats would support it.

AFSCME workers set strike date at Illinois State University

A group of Illinois State University employees say they may walk off the job as soon as Wednesday. AFSCME Local 1110 members voted to authorize a strike last week. According to a statement on the union’s website, workers are “fed up with the administration’s refusal to agree to fair wages.”

IDOT urges public to avoid distracted driving

The Illinois Department of Transportation says more law enforcement officers will be on the lookout during April for texting, social media use, video viewing and other forms of distracted driving. IDOT says 253 people died and 28,271 people were injured in crashes involving distractions between 2020 and 2024 in Illinois.

Latest News Stories

Contracts Awarded for LED Signal Upgrades and Guardrail Maintenance

The Will County Public Works and Transportation Committee has approved contracts for two significant infrastructure maintenance projects: LED traffic signal upgrades and guardrail maintenance across the county. A contract for...

BRIEFS: Will County Public Works Projects

County Line Road Resurfacing Contract Awarded: The committee approved a $767,249 contract to Iroquois Paving Corporation for resurfacing County Highway 58 (County Line Road) from N5000 East Road east to...

County Approves Two Solar Energy Projects, Committee Discusses Zoning Challenges

The Will County Land Use and Development Committee approved two commercial solar energy projects Wednesday despite objections from the Village of Manhattan regarding one of the proposals. In a 6-1...

Committee Debates Easing Size Restrictions on Accessory Dwelling Units

Will County's Land Use and Development Committee is considering changes to its accessory dwelling unit (ADU) regulations that could provide more flexibility for homeowners looking to create additional living spaces...

“Tiny Homes” Status Creates Regulatory Confusion for County Officials

Will County officials are struggling to establish clear regulations for "tiny homes," with committee members expressing confusion over terminology and appropriate standards during Wednesday's Land Use and Development Committee meeting....

County Officials Begin Exploring Regulations for Small Modular Nuclear Reactors

Will County is beginning to explore potential regulations for small modular nuclear reactors (SMRs) after recent Illinois legislation allowed their development, planning staff told the Land Use and Development Committee...

Will County Land Use News Briefs

Truck Terminal Proposal Tabled for Traffic Study: The committee tabled a special use permit request from Litmax Multi-Service Inc. for a truck terminal in New Lenox Township at 22645 Cherry...

County Moves Forward with Veterans Building Renovations, Questions Arise on Pace Building Plans

Will County's Capital Improvements Committee received updates Tuesday on multiple county facility projects, including progress on the Copperfield Drive building renovations for veterans services, while discussions revealed questions about the...

County Continues Efforts to Reduce Leased Office Space Footprint

Will County officials reported Tuesday that efforts to consolidate county operations in owned facilities are continuing to reduce the county's leased office space footprint, with further reductions expected when the...

County Reports Significant Cost Savings Through In-House Facility Projects

Will County is achieving substantial cost savings by completing facility improvement projects with in-house staff rather than contracting the work out, according to a presentation to the Capital Improvements Committee...

County Legislative Committee Endorses Electronic Recycling Bill, Reviews Transit Governance

The Will County Legislative Committee voted Thursday to support proposed state legislation that would extend and expand Illinois' electronic recycling program, while also reviewing potential changes to regional transit governance...

Will County Capital Improvements News Briefs

Courthouse Scaffolding Expected to Come Down Soon: Scaffolding on one corner of the Will County Courthouse should be removed within the next two weeks, pending reports from material scientists. "We're...

County Finance Committee Advances Proposal for Elected Official Pay Raises After 20-Year Freeze

The Will County Finance Committee voted Thursday to advance a proposal that would provide the first salary increases for countywide elected officials and county board members in nearly two decades....

Will County Committee Debates Process for Taking Positions on State Legislation

Will County Legislative Committee members engaged in substantial discussion Thursday about how the committee should review and take positions on state legislation, with several members expressing concerns about the process...

State Lobbyists Update County on Springfield Action as Legislative Deadlines Approach

County officials received a comprehensive update on pending state legislation Thursday as lawmakers in Springfield approach critical deadlines for moving bills forward this session. Representatives from Mac Strategies, the county's...

« Previous
1
…
184
185
186
187
Next »