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

Beecher Baseball Bobcats

Lane’s Arm, Opportunistic Offense Lead Beecher Past St. Anne, 4-1

The Beecher varsity baseball team capitalized on a stellar pitching performance and critical defensive miscues to secure a 4-1 conference victory on the road against St. Anne on Thursday afternoon....
WATCH: California probe ends $267M in alleged hospice fraud

WATCH: California probe ends $267M in alleged hospice fraud

By Chris WoodwardThe Center Square California Attorney General Rob Bonta has announced the results of a massive hospice fraud bust in Los Angeles County. Known as Operation Skip Trace, the...
Ex-Blago attorney: Quid pro quo is key to Madigan appeal

Ex-Blago attorney: Quid pro quo is key to Madigan appeal

By Jim Talamonti | The Center SquareThe Center Square (The Center Square) – A federal appeals court heard oral arguments Thursday as judges consider former Illinois House Speaker Michael Madigan’s...
Illinois Quick Hits: House GOP says no Bears deal without property tax reform

Illinois Quick Hits: House GOP says no Bears deal without property tax reform

By Jim Talamonti | The Center SquareThe Center Square (The Center Square) – Illinois House Republicans say they will not support any Chicago Bears stadium deal or megaprojects legislation without...

WATCH: More than $600 million stolen from SNAP in 2025

By Andrew RiceThe Center Square About $607 million was stolen from EBT accounts in 2025, according to a new report. Propel, an EBT benefits tracking program, found large amounts of...
Melania Trump denies any relationship with Jeffrey Epstein

Melania Trump denies any relationship with Jeffrey Epstein

By Sarah Roderick-FitchThe Center Square In a stunning statement, First Lady Melania Trump denied any relationship with the late disgraced financier Jeffrey Epstein, calling for complete transparency and justice for...
Generic Track & Field Graphic

Manteno Track and Field Sweeps Triangular Meet Titles Over Beecher, Peotone

MANTENO, Ill. — The Manteno high school track and field program defended its home turf in dominant fashion on Wednesday, April 8, 2026, sweeping both the boys' and girls' team...
War Powers Resolution halting Trump's Iran ambitions fails in U.S. House

War Powers Resolution halting Trump’s Iran ambitions fails in U.S. House

By Thérèse BoudreauxThe Center Square A resolution to halt U.S. military hostilities in Iran failed to advance in the U.S. House pro forma session Thursday. House Democrats attempted to obtain...
Answers wanted to 'pathetic' state procurement issues

Answers wanted to ‘pathetic’ state procurement issues

By Jim Talamonti | The Center SquareThe Center Square (The Center Square) – Lawmakers say Illinois-based businesses are getting work in other states but struggling to get business in their...
Report paints dismal picture of California's jobs market

Report paints dismal picture of California’s jobs market

By Chris WoodwardThe Center Square New research shows California is the Not-So-Golden State when it comes to jobs. Pacific Research Institute, a Pasadena-based, nonpartisan free market think tank, went as...
Report: U.S. added $1.2 trillion to national debt in six months

Report: U.S. added $1.2 trillion to national debt in six months

By Thérèse BoudreauxThe Center Square The U.S. government added $1.2 trillion to the national debt over the past six months, borrowing $163 billion during March alone, the Congressional Budget Office...
Illinois House pushes through bill restricting ICE detention centers in state

Illinois House pushes through bill restricting ICE detention centers in state

By Sean Reed | The Center SquareThe Center Square (The Center Square) – After heavy debate and Republican opposition, the Illinois House passed a bill that would all but ban...
Cheaper gas could take time amid tentative ceasefire

Cheaper gas could take time amid tentative ceasefire

By Brett RowlandThe Center Square Americans hoping for cheaper gasoline after the U.S.-Iran ceasefire will need to be patient, as oil prices and other economic factors continue to work against...
Trump says military remains in place as talks with Iran set to begin

Trump says military remains in place as talks with Iran set to begin

By Sarah Roderick-FitchThe Center Square President Donald Trump says that increased military assets in the Middle East will remain in place and ready as the U.S. and Iran embark on...
Illinois Quick Hits: Ex-nonprofit exec sentenced for state, federal grant fraud

Illinois Quick Hits: Ex-nonprofit exec sentenced for state, federal grant fraud

By Jim Talamonti | The Center SquareThe Center Square (The Center Square) – A former Chicago-area nonprofit executive has been sentenced to a year in federal prison for misappropriating nearly...