Illinois news in brief: $192 million MidAmerica Metrolink extension nears completion; Groundbreaking held for Metro East film studios

$192 million MidAmerica Metrolink extension nears completion

Court filing questions Cook County tax sale practices

(The Center Square) – According to an amicus brief filed in the Seventh Circuit Court of Appeals, Cook County Treasurer Maria Pappas has refused to follow a Supreme Court ruling that said the county is not entitled to sovereign immunity…

Executive: Fast food industry sees impact of high fuel prices

(The Center Square) – Businesses up and down Illinois have seen impacts stemming from high fuel prices in recent weeks due to refinery issues and foreign entanglements impacting international trade. One executive told The Center Square what fast food restaurateurs…

Convicted child predator allegedly attacks two women inside Planet Fitness women's locker room

A convicted child rapist allegedly attacked a woman at a Planet Fitness before sexually assaulting an employee who intervened. He is being held without bail.

Christa Pike execution failure spares murderer who bailed victim out just to kill him

Gary Wayne Sutton's Dec. 3 execution is on hold after Tennessee's botched lethal injection of Christa Pike prompted Gov. Bill Lee to halt deaths.

'American Idol' alum Caleb Flynn weeps as daughters ask him why he killed their mother, vow not to visit him

Caleb Flynn was sentenced to life without parole, plus 16 years, after an Ohio jury convicted the former "American Idol" contestant of murdering his wife.

Late fees almost half of Chicago’s red-light camera revenue in 2025

The city collected $47.1 million from the cameras last year.

The post Late fees almost half of Chicago’s red-light camera revenue in 2025 appeared first on Illinois Policy.

Illinois Policy Institute sends cease-and-desist letter to 17 Tazewell County school districts

At least 17 school districts in Tazewell County appear to be engaging in election interference.

The post Illinois Policy Institute sends cease-and-desist letter to 17 Tazewell County school districts appeared first on Illinois Policy.

Did Pritzker have the right to halt Illinois’ data center tax credit?

The governor halted the credit via press release after lawmakers declined to do so.

The post Did Pritzker have the right to halt Illinois’ data center tax credit? appeared first on Illinois Policy.

Married donors could get $3,400 tax credit under federal education scholarship program

The federal rules provide the clearest roadmap yet for how the Federal Scholarship Tax Credit, also known as the Education Freedom Tax Credit, will operate.

The post Married donors could get $3,400 tax credit under federal education scholarship program appeared first on Illinois Policy.