Public libraries have been a hotly debated topic in recent months. Illinois became the first state to essentially ban book bans after Gov. J.B. Pritzker signed a law limiting taxpayer-funded grants to libraries that don’t follow the ALA’s policies on prohibited materials.

Almost a year after the first buses of migrants arrived in Chicago from Texas in late August 2022, protesters say the city has struggled to efficiently deploy resources in order to feed and house over 10,000 asylum-seekers.

Mayor Brandon Johnson campaigned on a promise to reopen Chicago’s shuttered mental health clinics and dramatically expand an alternative response program that frees Chicago police officers from a responsibility to respond to mental health emergencies.

As part of the ongoing improvement project on the Kennedy Expressway, numerous lane and ramp closures will take place in the overnight hours for the remainder of the week, according to the Illinois Department of Transportation.

Vice President Kamala Harris was in Chicago Monday, serving as the keynote speaker at a national conference for Latino leaders as well as for a political fundraiser.

Despite some sectors indicating a slowdown, the midyear budget report from city officials showed other areas exceeding expectations. Combined, Naperville officials said at last week’s city council meeting that the local economic outlook continues to be strong.

It took millions of dollars to repair Springfield’s electrical grid. The city paid for it. Now they are hoping the federal government helps out. Since the devastating storm tore across central Illinois in late June, local governments have been going through the long process of applying for federal relief.