Illinois Quick Hits: AG, Chicago Law Department hail Massachusetts ruling
(The Center Square) – Illinois Attorney General Kwame Raoul says he is pleased with a U.S. District Court of Massachusetts decision to vacate a U.S. Department of Education rule that restricted eligibility for the Public Service Loan Forgiveness program.
Raoul, 21 other state attorneys general, Chicago and other cities, and a group of nonprofits and labor unions challenged the rule allowing government and nonprofit employees to have their federal student loans forgiven after 10 years of qualifying public service.
Raoul said the rule would have given the federal government the power to deem state governments, hospitals, schools and nonprofit organizations ineligible for the loan forgiveness program based on their support for immigrants, gender-affirming health care or diversity programs.
The decision announced on Tuesday came one day before the rule was set to take effect.
PUBLIC INVITED TO ILLINOIS VOICES 250 RECORDINGS
Illinoisans are invited to chronicle their stories, memories and reflections in audio recordings that will be archived at the U.S. Library of Congress.
Illinois Voices 250, an initiative led by the Illinois America 250 Commission in partnership with Illinois Humanities and StoryCorps Studios, scheduled free community recording days, including Wednesday at the Peoria Riverfront Museum.
Sessions are also scheduled at the Illinois State Fair in Springfield from Aug. 13 to Aug. 22.
A do-it-yourself option is available online.
REPORT: BBQ PRICES HOLD STEADY
A new report says a typical July 4th barbecue in 2026 takes the same bite out of an average American’s paycheck as it did a decade ago.
Oxylabs used Federal Reserve Economic Data database to track inflation-adjusted prices and found that beef is up 32% and soft drinks are up 30%, but burger buns, cheese, tomato prices are all down when adjusted for inflation.
Hot dogs also cost less in purchasing power terms than they did a decade ago.
IL: ZERO TOLERANCE FOR IMPAIRED DRIVERS DURING HOLIDAY WEEKEND
The Illinois Department of Transportation and Illinois State Police say there will be zero tolerance for those driving impaired during the 4th of July weekend.
Provisional IDOT data indicates there were 17 fatal crashes resulting in 18 deaths during the 2025 Independence Day holiday, from 6 p.m. Friday to 11:59 p.m. on Monday.
The “Drive Sober or Get Pulled Over” campaign is funded with federal highway safety tax dollars administered by IDOT and runs through the early morning hours of Monday.
Sunny
Latest News Stories
Giannoulias ramps up campaign for state regulation of auto premiums
Illinois quick hits: Illinois U.S. senators split on shutdown vote
End to government shutdown in sight after senators make funding deal
Will County Saves Nearly $5.74 Million in Bond Refinancing, Explores Future Borrowing Options
Will County Board Advances New Speed Limits in Green Garden and Frankfort Townships
New Lenox Garage Variance Denied After Neighbor Cites ‘Massive’ Scale and Neighborhood Impact
State Veto Session Passes Energy Bill Limiting County Zoning, Approves Toll Hike for Mass Transit
Large naval presence in Caribbean ahead of Ford arrival
Voting rights group warns CA redistricting push could undermine trust in IL
Chicago downtown office space vacancy rate jumps to record high levels
Commission Approves Peotone-Area Farmhouse Split, Overruling Staff’s “Spot Zoning” Concerns
Will County Finance Committee Hits Impasse on 2025 Tax Levy, Postpones Budget Votes
Federal court backs union on feds’ partisan emails
