Illinois quick hits: Illinois Supreme Court sued over judge’s removal
Illinois Supreme Court sued over judge’s removal
The Liberty Justice Center has filed a federal civil rights lawsuit against Illinois Supreme Court justices for what the LCJ says was the unconstitutional removal of Judge James R. Brown.
The retired judge was recalled to Cook County circuit court in December 2025 to help fill judicial vacancies. Brown was removed six weeks later, after the Cook County Bar Association and the Chicago Council of Lawyers objected to an opinion column and podcast appearance by Brown before he returned to the bench.
The lawsuit seeks to restore Brown to his recall position and to obtain damages for economic and reputational harm.
Renewable energy plan approved
The Illinois Commerce Commission has approved the Illinois Power Agency’s 2026 plan to guide procurement of new renewable generation over the next two years.
The IPA’s plan encourages investment in both utility scale and community solar, utility-scale wind, hydropower and other projects.
A report issued last December by the IPA, ICC and Illinois EPA said the state would have an energy shortage in four years if it continued on its current path.
Sports betting bill advances
The Illinois House Gaming Committee has advanced legislation to ban Illinois home rule cities from regulating the sports betting industry.
State Rep. Daniel Didech, D-Buffalo Grove, filed House Bill 4171 after Chicago enacted a city licensing requirement and imposed a 10.25% tax on sports wagers.
Illinois Gaming Board data shows that legal betting has declined for three consecutive months after the state imposed a per-wager tax last year.
Sunny
Latest News Stories
Coal and power groups back UP–Norfolk Southern rail merger
WATCH: U.S. House votes to extend ACA subsidies, heads to Senate
Report details sexual abuse, falsified grant applications at Chicago Public Schools
Signature shortfalls knock multiple candidates off Illinois ballot
WATCH: Vance addresses Minneapolis shooting, questions leftwing influence
U.S. House clears $180B funding bills to avoid Jan. 30 shutdown
IL state lawmaker pushes back as analysis finds municipalities lost $10.9B
Trump invites Colombian president to White House
WATCH: Pritzker says receipts shown ‘all the time’ as audits show weaknesses
Pro life org to Congress: Hyde Amendment is non-negotiable
Florida joins redistricting push, schedules special session
Senate takes first vote to limit military action in Venezuela
