WATCH: Illinois Gov. J.B. Pritzker delivers state budget address
February 18, 2026//
(The Center Square) – Illinois Gov. J.B. Pritzker delivers his State of the State and Budget Address at noon Wednesday in front of a joint session of the General Assembly.
Watch the speech live here.
Latest News Stories
Judge declines CTU’s motion to dismiss financial audit lawsuit
By Dan McCaleb and Jim Talamonti | The Center SquareThe Center Square (The Center Square) – A Cook County judge on Monday denied a Chicago Teachers' Union motion for summary...
Illinois pushes rate-hike protections forward despite consumer cost fears
By Sean Reed | The Center SquareThe Center Square (The Center Square) – Home and auto insurance providers in Illinois could face new oversight and regulation after a Senate bill...
Illinois bill aims to delay 2024 tax sales, protect homeowners’ equity
By Catrina Barker | The Center Square contributorThe Center Square (The Center Square) – Illinois lawmakers are weighing a proposal to delay property tax sales and pause penalties as the...
Illinois Quick Hits: Man on pretrial release charged with fireman’s murder
By Jim Talamonti | The Center SquareThe Center Square (The Center Square) – A Chicago man is charged with murder and aggravated arson in connection with a fire that killed...
Comptroller, state lawmaker call for federal tax credit scholarships
By Catrina Barker | The Center Square contributorThe Center Square (The Center Square) – As Illinois edges toward a decision with significant implications for families and students, State Rep. Regan...
Leitschuh’s All-Around Performance Lifts Litchfield Past Springfield 7-6 in Extra Innings
The Litchfield varsity baseball team outlasted Springfield in an eight-inning, non-conference battle on Saturday afternoon, securing a 7-6 road victory behind a phenomenal two-way effort from senior Max Leitschuh. Litchfield...
Trump says he will send ICE agents to airports if funding deal doesn’t pass
By Dan McCalebThe Center Square With many travelers seeing long waits at airports because of the partial government shutdown, President Donald Trump said Saturday he would send Immigration and Customs...
Lawmaker criticizes efforts to replace natural foods with alternative proteins
By Catrina Barker | The Center Square contributorThe Center Square (The Center Square) – Illinois plans to pump $5 million into alternative protein research at state universities, aiming to boost...
Many voters blame AI data centers for rising electricity costs
By Andrew RiceThe Center Square A significant number of American voters are blaming AI data centers for rising energy costs across the country, a new poll reveals. The Center Square...
U.S. Supreme Court to hear mail-in ballots case Monday
By Andrew RiceThe Center Square The U.S. Supreme Court on Monday will hear arguments in a consequential case to determine if states can accept and count mail-in ballots after Election...
Massive Second Inning Propels Athens Past Litchfield, 10-4
The Litchfield varsity softball team jumped out to an early lead on Friday, but a massive eight-run second inning by visiting Athens proved too much to overcome in a 10-4...
Trump: Strikes on Iran could be ‘winding down’
By Sarah Roderick-FitchThe Center Square The U.S. is “very close” to meeting objectives in Iran, President Donald Trump said Friday, while providing a glimpse of the region after military strikes...
Arizona Republican lawmakers plan to end Cesar Chavez Day
By Dave MasonThe Center Square The Republican majority in the Arizona Legislature is working on a bill to end Cesar Chavez Day following allegations of sexual abuse and rape by...