Illinois Secretary of State Jesse White is promising changes after continued long lines at facilities focused on driver’s licenses and identification cards.

White said in a statement Friday that 16 facilities in the Chicago area will begin requiring an appointment to apply for or renew a driver’s license and ID cards beginning next month. Road tests also will require an appointment.

To meet a surge of unemployment claims during last year’s COVID-19 shutdown, Illinois borrowed billions from the federal government.

During an interview with Capitol News Illinois last week, Gov. JB Pritzker was asked if he is considering paying down the state’s current $4.2 billion balance with money from the American Rescue Plan Act, or ARPA.

Some at the Illinois statehouse are eying a bailout of the nuclear industry with a goal to shut down coal-generated power. Critics say that would be devastating and unfair.

Legislation to achieve the governor’s goal of 100% green energy by 2050 is still elusive, but those employed by the coal industry say they’re needed for reliability and for their area’s economy.

The State of Illinois announced on Thursday that face coverings are now required in all state facilities for both vaccinated and unvaccinated people.

The announcements comes as data from the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) show the majority of counties across Illinois are experiencing substantial or high COVID-19 transmission, now including Cook County.

An Illinois tax agency has ruled that former President Donald Trump is due a $1 million refund on the 2011 tax bill on his downtown Chicago skyscraper, but local officials are trying to block the refund.

The Chicago Sun-Times reports that at issue is the Cook County Board of Review’s estimation of the value of the the Trump International Hotel & Tower’s rooms and retail space.