Government

Bourbonnais village trustees approved naming Bourbonnais Police Commander Jason Sztuba the interim police chief at Monday’s board meeting.

House Republicans early Thursday took a major step forward on President Donald Trump’s agenda, approving a legislative package that combines tax breaks, spending cuts, border security funding and other priorities

The nonpartisan Congressional Budget Office estimates 8.6 million fewer people would have health care coverage and 3 million less people a month would have SNAP food stamps benefits with the proposed changes

The Trump administration is reported to be slashing a $56 million annual grant program for the training and distribution of Narcan, a nasal spray that is credited with saving lives from opioid overdoses.

Mayor David Boelk issued a proclamation Monday making Mendota a “dementia-friendly” city.

The White House violated a court order on deportations to third countries with a flight linked to the chaotic African nation of South Sudan, a federal judge said Wednesday

Ottawa is showing support for veterans through the annual Poppy Days campaign, which will raise funds for local veterans services and the Honor Flight program. Mayor Robb Hasty officially recognized the effort with a proclamation during Tuesday's council meeting.

One plan commission member is questioning Plainfield’s Comprehensive Plan and how it relates to the addition of another residential development.

Figures provided by city officials show Sycamore brings in close to the amount in grocery tax revenue as neighboring DeKalb, a city twice its size. Third Ward Alderperson Nancy Copple said she thinks more people in Sycamore can afford groceries compared people in DeKalb.

A fresh analysis from the Congressional Budget Office said the tax provisions would increase the federal deficit by $3.8 trillion over the decade

The Illinois House voted 74-37 to approve Senate Bill 19, which contains a series of reforms designed to include victims’ participation in Prisoner Review Board decisions

Dixon Mayor Glen Hughes administered the oath of office at Monday’s City Council meeting to two firefighters who joined the Dixon City Fire Department last summer.

Joliet Public Works Director Greg Ruddy gave the City Council a bridge update at a council meeting Tuesday night after what he called “a rather lengthy discussion” with IDOT officials earlier in the day.

Both state and international emergency managament associations recently recognized the work of Will County EMA Director Allison Anderson.

Craig Toepfer was sworn in as a trustee of the village of Bourbonnais board during Monday night’s meeting.

A bill to ban the sale of firefighter protective gear containing “forever chemicals” is gaining momentum in the Illinois General Assembly

The city of St. Charles is seeking applicants for City Clerk, after clerk-elect moved out of the city.

Annual COVID-19 shots for healthy younger adults and children will no longer be routinely approved under a major new policy shift unveiled Tuesday by the Trump administration

Free speech advocates and digital rights groups say the bill is too broad and could lead to the censorship of legitimate images including legal pornography and LGBTQ content, as well as government critics

The Trump administration has agreed to pay just under $5 million to settle a wrongful death lawsuit that Ashli Babbitt’s family filed over her shooting by an officer during the U.S. Capitol riot

The DeKalb City Council this week approved a plan to expand Oakwood Cemetery at 611-615 N. First St. in DeKalb Township.

Trustees voted 4-1 to donate the building to the Polo Area Community Theatre following a presentation by Hart DuBois, a PACT board member, who outlined how the not-for-profit group planned to raise enough money to keep the building viable as a performance venue.

On Wed. May 28, from 2 to 4 p.m., Senior Services Associates will be rallying the troops at the Beecher Center to raise a cain against cuts to the federal Older Americans Act. Those attending the call to action are encouraged to wear blue in solidarity with Aging Advocacy Day.

All but two of the elected officials overseeing Joliet Township are new.

The Committee for a Responsible Federal Budget, a nonpartisan fiscal watchdog group, estimates that the House bill is shaping up to add roughly $3.3 trillion to the debt over the next decade

Treasury Secretary Scott Bessent acknowledged Sunday that Walmart, the largest U.S. retailer, may pass along some of the costs from President Donald Trump’s tariffs to its shoppers through higher prices

Joliet eyes moving City Hall away from the river, building five-story buildings, and other options as part of its downtown redevelopment.

Geneva officials are looking at the feasibility of building a site to access solar energy on city-owned property.

A building-sized mural will soon adorn a downtown Sycamore building, and more could be on the way.

“Rabies is a preventable disease that can be fatal if not treated properly,” said Alpesh Patel, chief epidemiologist for the Will County Health Department. "We want our residents to be informed of the potential dangers of rabid animals and stay away from bats."

This year the department brought-in three additional full-time firefighters, bringing the department’s total to 35-full time firefighters. Another 12-14 part-time staffers round out the team.

The tour’s first coffee and conversation event will be held at 8 a.m. June 4 in Franklin Grove.

Read the transcript of our Talk-Line interview with State Rep. Brad Fritts discussing the status of his proposed legislation he put forward this year

A growing number of state lawmakers are moving to repeal a 2015 Illinois law penalizing companies that boycott Israel to protest its policies toward Palestinians

Extending President Donald Trump’s 2017 tax cuts, a priority of the Republican-controlled Congress, Moody’s said, would add $4 trillion over the next decade to the federal primary deficit (which does not include interest payments)

Representatives from Great Lakes Urban Forestry will be performing the work on every tree located within the city of Joliet right-of-way.

The number of 911 calls from those seeking emergency medical aid in Sycamore is higher than the state average, data shows. “A lot of that is symptomatic of the load that’s in the emergency room,” Fire Chief Bart Gilmore said.

The TALK-LINE interview for May 16 featured Illinois 74th District State Representative Brad Fritts of Dixon discussing the progress made moving towards the end of the General Assembly session at the end of this montn

The conservative holdouts from the Freedom Caucus are insisting on deeper cuts — particularly to Medicaid. They want new work requirements for aid recipients to start immediately, rather than on Jan. 1, 2029, as the package proposes

The Supreme Court seemed intent Thursday on maintaining a block on President Donald Trump’s restrictions on birthright citizenship while looking for a way to scale back nationwide court orders

Officials quiet on other reform plan details, funding options for transit agencies

House Speaker Emanuel “Chris” Welch made the extraordinary move of removing an appropriations committee chair with two weeks left in the legislative session and a tightening fiscal landscape

Ray Slattery was on the Joliet Township board for 20 years before leaving this week along with three other trustees who were in their first terms.

Sycamore City Manager Michael Hall was given a pay raise by the Sycamore City Council recently. Hall’s base salary has increased by $21,385 over the past three years, records show.

Chosen by peers from across the state, the Lake County Emergency Management Agency has been recognized for setting the standard in emergency preparedness.

Sue Rezin, 38th District State Senator, R-Morris, told the Grundy County Economic Development Commission Monday morning that additional federal and state funding are needed to address the lack of healthcare in rural areas.

Gov. JB Pritzker’s office is now projecting state revenues to come in about a half-billion dollars below the baseline projections assumed during his February budget address

Geneva alderpersons recommended approval of a nearly $715,000 contract for underground electric replacement due to age and system capacity.

The Trump administration is reported to be slashing a $56 million annual grant program for the training and distribution of Narcan, a nasal spray that is credited with saving lives from opioid overdoses.

Gas utilities seek to increase rates by $7 to $10 per month next year