An Illinois state legislator says Senate President Don Harmon’s Democratic National Convention comments about unions are an admission of “quid pro quo.”

Harmon delivered remarks at the DNC in Chicago for the Illinois delegation’s breakfast.

Overall participation in labor unions has declined in recent years in Illinois, although the state has seen an increase in successful unionization efforts for the second year in a row.

That’s according to the State of the Unions 2024 report, the latest installment in an annual review of unionization in Illinois and the U.S. by the Illinois Economic Policy Institute and the University of Illinois’ Project for Middle Class Renewal. ILEPI is a nonprofit research organization with a board of directors that’s closely tied to organized labor.

A federal judge in Rockford ruled it unconstitutional for Illinoisans with concealed carry permits to be prohibited from carrying guns on public transportation, a decision with uncertain implications for a decade-old state law.

The decision was a result of a 2022 lawsuit filed by four people who alleged the section of Illinois’ concealed carry law that bars holders of concealed carry licenses, or CCLs, from carrying the guns on public buses or trains violated their Second Amendment right to self-defense under the U.S. Constitution.

CTA Blue Line trains in Forest Park were facing delays Tuesday morning, more than 24 hours after four people were shot and killed while riding the line early Monday morning in what appeared to be a random attack.

According to a 3:45 a.m. announcement, CTA said Blue Line trains, which operate between Chicago O’Hare International Airport and Forest Park, were running with delays “due to a temporary shortage of available staff.”

Medical marijuana patients now can purchase cannabis grown by small businesses as part of their allotment, Illinois’ top cannabis regulator said, but smaller, newly licensed cannabis growers still are seeking greater access to the state’s medical marijuana customers.

Illinois legalized medicinal marijuana beginning in 2014, then legalized it for recreational use in 2020. While the 2020 law legalized cannabis use for any adult age 21 or older, it did not expand licensing for medical dispensaries.

The city of Springfield may criminalize “public camping” with an ordinance to be discussed at a City Council meeting later this week.

The council is set to vote on an ordinance on that bans setting up temporary structures in an effort to curb homelessness within city limits.

A new ice plant will be installed at the Peoria Civic Center in the summer of 2026, ending months of uncertainty.

The Civic Center Authority Board approved a plan Thursday night that would see $1.3 million go toward the purchase of a new ice plant from Cimco, with plans to install it by the summer 2026, according to Peoria City Councilmember Tim Riggenbach, who is also the council liaison to the Civic Center Board.

ComEd customers can expect another round of energy cost inflation next summer.

The Citizens Utility Board (CUB) said a record price spike at an electricity capacity auction means the supply price for Commonwealth Edison will likely increase significantly in June 2025.