Illinois Quick Hits: Pritzker to Noem: 'Don't let the door hit you'

Illinois Quick Hits: Pritzker to Noem: ‘Don’t let the door hit you’

March 5, 2026/

By Jim Talamonti | The Center Square
The Center Square

(The Center Square) – Illinois Gov. J.B. Pritzker says former Homeland Security Secretary Kristi Noem’s legacy is corruption and chaos.

In a social media video posted on Thursday after President Donald Trump reassigned Noem as special envoy for the Shield of the Americas, Pritzker advised the former secretary not to let the door hit her on her way out.

Chicago Mayor Brandon Johnson said in a statement that Noem weaponized fear to undermine trust between communities and local law enforcement.

IDOT DASHBOARD REVEALS SPENDING, SALT CONSUMPTION

The Illinois Department of Transportation has launched a new dashboard with statistics on salt, materials and labor hours used by the department during snow and ice season.

IDOT says the page will be updated regularly and will also include the number of plows that have been hit by other vehicles. Through February, the dashboard reports that IDOT’s total winter operations cost is $104.7 million. The department has used more than 262,000 tons of salt.

CHICAGO FED INDICATES SLIGHT INCREASE IN ECONOMIC ACTIVITY

The Federal Reserve Bank of Chicago says economic activity in the Seventh District rose slightly in the most recent reporting period and another slight increase is expected over the next year.

The Chicago Fed’s contribution to the latest Beige Book said manufacturing demand rose modestly, and consumer spending and real estate activity rose slightly.

The Seventh District includes parts of Illinois, Indiana, Iowa, Michigan and Wisconsin.

Event Calendar

[pdem_events format="calendar" size="xlarge" layout="stacked" exclude_category="sports,library" limit="22" debug="no"]

Events

No events

Leave a Comment





Latest News Stories

U.S. House contests to decide control of Congress in 2026

U.S. House contests to decide control of Congress in 2026

By Andrew RiceThe Center Square The 2026 midterm elections promise to bring fierce competition as Democrats and Republicans battle for control of Congress. All 435 seats in the U.S. House...
'Locked and loaded':Trump warns Iran

‘Locked and loaded’:Trump warns Iran

By Sarah Roderick-FitchThe Center Square Following days of civil unrest in Iran, President Donald Trump issued a warning to the Iranian regime that the U.S. is prepared to take action...
First negotiated Medicare drug prices go into effect Jan. 1

First negotiated Medicare drug prices go into effect Jan. 1

By Morgan SweeneyThe Center Square Negotiated lower Medicare costs for 10 popular prescription drugs went into effect Thursday. How much those savings will be passed on to Medicare Part D...
U.S. House vote on employee bargaining met with ‘political theater’ criticism

U.S. House vote on employee bargaining met with ‘political theater’ criticism

By Catrina BarkerThe Center Square )The Center Square) – An Illinois congressman praised a vote to restore collective bargaining for over one million federal workers while critics say the U.S....
Eight killed in U.S. military counter-narcotics strikes

Eight killed in U.S. military counter-narcotics strikes

By Elyse ApelThe Center Square The U.S. military conducted five more strikes on drug boats in the Caribbean in the last days of 2025. This is according to the U.S....
Hog producer: 2025 was strong, but IL legislature needs to address estate tax

Hog producer: 2025 was strong, but IL legislature needs to address estate tax

By Jim Talamonti | The Center SquareThe Center Square (The Center Square) – An Illinois hog producer says 2025 was a strong year, but state lawmakers need to address estate...
Trump to remove National Guard members from Chicago, LA, Portland

Trump to remove National Guard members from Chicago, LA, Portland

By Sarah Roderick-Fitch | The Center SquareThe Center Square (The Center Square) – National Guard members deployed in Chicago, Los Angeles, and Portland, Ore., will head home after President Donald...
Illinois’ compact fluorescent bulb ban begins to take effect

Illinois’ compact fluorescent bulb ban begins to take effect

By Jim Talamonti | The Center SquareThe Center Square (The Center Square) – One of the nearly 300 new laws that took effect in Illinois New Year’s Day is a...
Illinois quick hits: SBA sues Chicago over online betting tax

Illinois quick hits: SBA sues Chicago over online betting tax

By Jim Talamonti | The Center SquareThe Center Square Illinois to receive rural health-care funding The federal government has awarded Illinois $193.4 million per year for five years to expand...
Illinois Congressman: Millions face higher premiums despite GOP health bill

Illinois Congressman: Millions face higher premiums despite GOP health bill

By Catrina Barker | The Center Square contributorThe Center Square (The Center Square) – Although the U.S. House passed Republicans' “Lower Health Care Premiums for All Americans Act” before leaving...
Jan. 1 law lets Illinois veterinarians skip rabies shots for at-risk pets

Jan. 1 law lets Illinois veterinarians skip rabies shots for at-risk pets

By Catrina Barker | The Center Square contributorThe Center Square (The Center Square) – A new Illinois law taking effect Jan. 1 will let veterinarians renew yearly medical exemptions for...
Chicago school board raises tax levy on families 'at a breaking point'

Chicago school board raises tax levy on families ‘at a breaking point’

By Jim Talamonti | The Center SquareThe Center Square (The Center Square) – The Chicago Board of Education has raised its property tax levy to fund Chicago Public Schools, but...
Lake Co. Circuit Clerk can’t undo $2.5M verdict for workers fired over politics

Lake Co. Circuit Clerk can’t undo $2.5M verdict for workers fired over politics

By Scott Holland | Legal NewslineThe Center Square A federal judge has agreed to preserve a jury’s verdict ordering the Lake County Circuit Clerk’s Office to pay more than $2.5...
Illinois quick hits: McClain reports to prison

Illinois quick hits: McClain reports to prison

By Jim Talamonti | The Center SquareThe Center Square McClain reports to prison Former Illinois House Speaker Michael Madigan’s longtime associate has begun serving a two-year prison sentence at a...
Op-Ed: How one puppy mill-teliant retailer is preempting local laws

Op-Ed: How one puppy mill-teliant retailer is preempting local laws

By Madison Gesiotto GilbertThe Center Square One of the most overlooked threats to community-based control in America isn’t coming from Washington politicians or even state government officials, but from a...