Illinois Quick Hits: State rep files Bears/megaprojects bill

Illinois Quick Hits: State rep files Bears/megaprojects bill

Spread the love

(The Center Square) – State Rep. Dan Ugaste, R-Geneva, has filed the latest piece of legislation aimed at keeping the Chicago Bears in Illinois.

House Bill 5802 allows certain megaprojects to be eligible for a freeze on property tax assessments.

Ugaste told The Center Square last month that the bill language will prevent a stadium development’s equalized assessed value from leading to higher property taxes for residents.

PRITZKER, STATE ELECTIONS BOARD IVES V. PRITZKER

Gov. J.B. Pritzker and the Illinois State Board of Elections have filed motions to dismiss a lawsuit filed by former state Rep. Jeanne Ives over the state’s congressional maps.

The federal complaint was filed in the Central District of Illinois following a U.S. Supreme Court ruling that found Louisiana’s district map to be unconstitutional because it mandates the creation of racial districts.

In May, Ives told The Center Square Daily that state Democrats have brazenly moved to draw maps based on racial lines.

Greg Bishop and Sean Reed contributed to this story

TREASURER ANNOUNCES NONPROFIT GRANTS

Illinois Treasurer Michael Frerichs has announced $195,000 in Charitable Trust grants for smaller nonprofits that are funded by fees paid to the state by larger nonprofits.

Frerichs made the announcement on Monday at Care for Friends on Chicago’s North Side.

The treasurer said the grants are aimed to help with things like food insecurity, housing and workforce development.

Frerichs said more than $5.2 million in grants have been given to more than 200 organizations since he took office in 2015.

YARD POWER TOOLS RECALLED DUE TO FIRE RISK

The Consumer Product Safety Commission says Greenworks Tools has recalled Kobalt 24-volt and 48-volt trimmers, blowers, mowers, chain saws and pruning saws with USB-C batteries due to fire risk.

The products were sold nationwide by Lowe’s from January 2026 through May 2026.

The CPSC said charging the lithium-ion batteries through the USB-C port while the batteries are inserted in the tools can cause the batteries to short-circuit, posing a risk of serious injury from fire hazard.

Leave a Comment





Latest News Stories

will county board meeting graphic.5

Board Approves Engineering Contracts for Mokena Road Widening

Article SummaryThe Will County Board approved over $1.1 million in supplemental engineering contracts to advance the ongoing 80th Avenue improvement project in Mokena. The additional funding addresses project delays and...
will county board meeting.6

Will County Awards $1.46 Million Contract for Kankakee Street Bridge Replacement in Manhattan Township

Article SummaryThe Will County Board has awarded a $1.46 million contract to "D" Construction, Inc. of Coal City to replace the Kankakee Street Bridge over Jackson Creek in Manhattan Township....
will county board meeting.6

Crete Township Community Center to Get New Digital Sign

Article Summary: The Will County Board approved a special use permit and two variances for Crete Township, allowing for the installation of a new on-premise dynamic display sign at its...
WCO Board Aug 21.1

Will County Executive Proposes $791 Million Budget Focused on Stability Amidst Economic Uncertainty

Article Summary: Will County Executive Jennifer Bertino-Tarrant presented a balanced $791 million budget proposal for Fiscal Year 2026 that aims to maintain services and prepare for potential economic challenges without...
WATCH: Detransitioner gets a second chance at medical malpractice lawsuit

WATCH: Detransitioner gets a second chance at medical malpractice lawsuit

By Carleen JohnsonThe Center Square A young woman whose detransition story has been one of the most widely covered in the nation will soon learn if a judge in North...
WATCH: CA Democrats pass congressional redistricting plan

WATCH: CA Democrats pass congressional redistricting plan

By Dave MasonThe Center Square After a day of vigorous debates punctuated by occasional applause, both houses of the California Legislature Thursday passed the three bills making up the congressional...
Pew: U.S. immigrant population declines for first time in nearly 60 years

Pew: U.S. immigrant population declines for first time in nearly 60 years

By Caroline BodaThe Center Square The U.S.’s foreign-born population shrunk this year for the first time since the 1960s, new data released Thursday from the nonpartisan Pew Research Center found....
WATCH: Illinois’ FY23 financial audit released amid criticism of tardy reports

WATCH: Illinois’ FY23 financial audit released amid criticism of tardy reports

By Greg Bishop | The Center SquareThe Center Square (The Center Square) – Illinois taxpayers can now look at how the state spent their money in the fiscal year that...
European Union says U.S. consumers will end up paying tariffs

European Union says U.S. consumers will end up paying tariffs

By Brett RowlandThe Center Square European Union leaders detailed the terms of a trade deal they struck with President Donald Trump on Thursday, making sure to point out who will...
Illinois quick hits: Anti-SLAPP bill signed; Chicago schools settles meditation case

Illinois quick hits: Anti-SLAPP bill signed; Chicago schools settles meditation case

By Jim Talamonti | The Center SquareThe Center Square Anti-SLAPP bill signed Gov. J.B. Pritzker has signed legislation to protect news media from strategic lawsuits against public participation (SLAPP). The...
U.S.-EU trade deal includes ceiling for European pharmaceutical imports

U.S.-EU trade deal includes ceiling for European pharmaceutical imports

By Morgan SweeneyThe Center Square The European Union has escaped a potential 250% pharmaceutical tariff and instead has secured a maximum 15% levy with the U.S. according to a joint...
Supreme Court allows Trump to block DEI funding

Supreme Court allows Trump to block DEI funding

By Andrew RiceThe Center Square The U.S. Supreme Court, in a 5-4 decision on Thursday, allowed President Donald Trump to cut hundreds of millions of dollars in federal research grants....
Director: Nation’s largest outdoor ag show brings economic impact to central IL

Director: Nation’s largest outdoor ag show brings economic impact to central IL

By Jim Talamonti | The Center SquareThe Center Square (The Center Square) – The nation’s largest outdoor agricultural show is set for next week in Central Illinois. The Farm Progress...
Personnel cuts to national intelligence office will save taxpayers $700 million

Personnel cuts to national intelligence office will save taxpayers $700 million

By Thérèse BoudreauxThe Center Square The Office of the Director of National Intelligence is set to undergo a massive overhaul and cut 40% of its workforce, continuing the Trump administration’s...
Redistricting would split cities, counties throughout CA

Redistricting would split cities, counties throughout CA

By Dave MasonThe Center Square Lodi, a Northern California city of 66,000 people, will be divided among three congressional districts if a Democratic Party-backed redistricting map goes into effect. And...