Illinois Quick Hits: General Assembly approves CTE bill

Illinois Quick Hits: General Assembly approves CTE bill

Spread the love

(The Center Square) – A bill offering career technical education classes as an alternative to Illinois’ foreign language mandate is headed to Gov. J.B. Pritzker’s desk.

The Illinois House passed Senate Bill 3070 on Sunday.

The measure provides that high school students can still take two years of foreign language but will now have the option to take CTE classes starting in 2028.

NONPROFIT INVESTMENT BILL PASSED

The Illinois General Assembly has passed legislation allowing the state treasurer’s office to set up an investment pool for nonprofit organizations.

Illinois Treasurer Michael Frerichs said Senate Bill 2968 is intended to help nonprofits strengthen their financial stability and maximize resources that help communities.

Frerichs told The Center Square last fall he would keep working on the legislation that was vetoed by Gov. J.B. Pritzker last summer.

COOK COUNTY ANNOUNCES MINIMUM WAGE HIKE

Minimum wages will be going up in Cook County on July 1.

The county’s Commission on Human Rights issued a notice on Monday that the minimum wage for non-tipped workers over the age of 18 will increase from $15 to $15.40 and the minimum for tipped employees will rise from $9 to $9.25.

Cook County’s minimum wage is based on the greatest rate among the federal minimum wage, Illinois minimum wage, or on the county’s calculation using the Consumer Price Index.

CHICAGO ANNOUNCES BUDGET ENGAGEMENT EVENTS

Chicago officials have announced a series of five budget engagement roundtable events, starting Wednesday at Malcolm X College. T

he events are open to the public and will be livestreamed on social media platforms. More information is available at the city’s fiscal year 2027 budget engagement website.

The city’s $16.7 billion budget passed in December includes higher taxes on cloud computing, liquor and plastic bags, along with rideshare surcharges and a roughly $1 billion sweep of tax-increment financing funds to Chicago Public Schools.

Leave a Comment





Latest News Stories

Trump issues threat to Iran ahead of deadline to reopen Strait of Hormuz

Trump issues threat to Iran ahead of deadline to reopen Strait of Hormuz

By Brett RowlandThe Center Square President Donald Trump threatened a brutal attack on Iran two days ahead of his deadline for the Islamic Republic to reopen the critical Strait of...
Trump gives Iran 48 hours to reopen Strait of Hormuz

Trump gives Iran 48 hours to reopen Strait of Hormuz

By Dan McCalebThe Center Square President Trump on Saturday gave Iran a 48-hour deadline to open the Strait of Hormuz to oil cargo or "all hell will reign down." "Remember...
One year later, analysts say strategic trade preferred over tariffs

One year later, analysts say strategic trade preferred over tariffs

By Andrew RiceThe Center Square Analysts and trade experts are calling for the United States to move away from wide-ranging tariffs and embrace strategic trade relationships to counter global adversaries....
Lawmaker criticizes surplus spending bill

Lawmaker criticizes surplus spending bill

By Catrina Baker | The Center Square contributorThe Center Square (The Center Square) – A proposal aimed at helping local governments manage retiree health care costs is drawing differing views...
Student suspended for pro-ICE flyer while NEA spends $1.7M to help anti-ICE protests

Student suspended for pro-ICE flyer while NEA spends $1.7M to help anti-ICE protests

By Esther WickhamThe Center Square A student at Torrey Pines High School in San Diego was suspended after posting a pro-Immigration and Customs Enforcement flyer reading, “We [heart] ICE –...
Beecher Graphic.1

Joyride Derails Initial Beecher Fourth of July Raffle Car Bid, Board Approves Backup Vehicle

Village of Beecher Board of Trustees Meeting | March 23, 2026 Article Summary: The Village of Beecher had to pivot on its traditional Fourth of July raffle car purchase after...
Washington Township Graphic.3

Meeting Summary and Briefs: Washington Township Board of Trustees for February 2, 2026

Washington Township Board of Trustees Meeting | February 2, 2026 The Washington Township Board of Trustees met on Monday, February 2, 2026, to address multiple local initiatives, including mental health...
Salvation Army rehab ‘enrollees’ who work at thrift stores aren’t ‘employees’

Salvation Army rehab ‘enrollees’ who work at thrift stores aren’t ‘employees’

By Jonathan Bilyk | Legal NewslineThe Center Square A few days after agreeing to let them proceed with their class action against one of America's most prominent charities under labor...
Evers vetoes bills to exempt overtime, cash tips from income tax

Evers vetoes bills to exempt overtime, cash tips from income tax

By Jon StyfThe Center Square Wisconsin Gov. Tony Evers vetoed a pair of bills Friday that would have exempted overtime pay and cash tips from state income taxes. Assembly Bill...
Illinois housing affordability efforts pit tax cuts against new spending

Illinois housing affordability efforts pit tax cuts against new spending

By Sean ReedThe Center Square As homeownership may be growing out of reach for many young residents, Illinois lawmakers are split between trimming taxes and growing state programs. Republicans are...
Report: AAMC’s claims that patients are better treated by doctor of same race debunked

Report: AAMC’s claims that patients are better treated by doctor of same race debunked

By Tate MillerThe Center Square A new report from medical group Do No Harm debunks claims of the benefits of racial concordance, or the matching of doctors’ and patients’ races,...
Coloradans react to ruling against ban on conversion therapy

Coloradans react to ruling against ban on conversion therapy

By Chris WoodwardThe Center Square Coloradans have mixed reactions to this week's U.S. Supreme Court ruling against the state's ban on conversion therapy for the LGBTQIA+ community. At issue in...
Illinois Quick Hits: Chicago city workers owe more than $19M

Illinois Quick Hits: Chicago city workers owe more than $19M

By Jim Talamonti | The Center SquareThe Center Square (The Center Square) – Chicago city workers reportedly owe more than $19 million in traffic tickets, water bills and fines, yet...
Attorney expects conversion therapy ruling to impact Illinois ban

Attorney expects conversion therapy ruling to impact Illinois ban

By Jim TalamontiThe Center Square Illinois’ ban on conversion therapy may be challenged in the near future. Last week, the U.S. Supreme Court ruled 8-1 against a similar prohibition in...
White House govt funding request for 2027 cuts $73 billion

White House govt funding request for 2027 cuts $73 billion

By Thérèse BoudreauxThe Center Square The White House proposes a dramatic increase in defense spending in fiscal 2027 while significantly reducing spending in other departments, according to its budget submission...