Illinois quick hits: Illinois House speaker's son to attend private school; AFSCME workers set strike date at Illinois State University; IDOT urges public to avoid distracted driving

Illinois quick hits: Illinois House speaker’s son to attend private school; AFSCME workers set strike date at Illinois State University; IDOT urges public to avoid distracted driving

April 6, 2026/Newspaper Staff/

By Jim Talamonti | The Center Square
The Center Square

Illinois House speaker’s son to attend private school

Illinois House Speaker Emanuel “Chris” Welch, D-Hillside, says his son will attend a Catholic high school. Welch announced in a social media post on Saturday that his son, Tyler, is taking his talents to Nazareth Academy. When asked by The Center Square in December about school choice legislation, the speaker said he promised to call a bill for a vote if 60 Democrats would support it.

AFSCME workers set strike date at Illinois State University

A group of Illinois State University employees say they may walk off the job as soon as Wednesday. AFSCME Local 1110 members voted to authorize a strike last week. According to a statement on the union’s website, workers are “fed up with the administration’s refusal to agree to fair wages.”

IDOT urges public to avoid distracted driving

The Illinois Department of Transportation says more law enforcement officers will be on the lookout during April for texting, social media use, video viewing and other forms of distracted driving. IDOT says 253 people died and 28,271 people were injured in crashes involving distractions between 2020 and 2024 in Illinois.

Leave a Comment





Latest News Stories

Dems fail in first try to use ‘state sovereignty’ to ‘veto’ ICE

Dems fail in first try to use ‘state sovereignty’ to ‘veto’ ICE

By Jonathan Bilyk | Legal NewslineThe Center Square As a federal judge in Chicago prepares to hear Illinois' and Chicago's lawsuit seeking to all but halt ICE and Border Patrol...
Illinois Quick Hits: McIntyre back as inspector general for DCFS

Illinois Quick Hits: McIntyre back as inspector general for DCFS

By Jim Talamonti | The Center SquareThe Center Square (The Center Square) – Gov. J.B. Pritzker has reappointed Ann McIntyre to continue serving as inspector general for the Illinois Department...
Lawmakers discuss budget, spending, tax credits as Illinois Senate returns

Lawmakers discuss budget, spending, tax credits as Illinois Senate returns

By Jim Talamonti | The Center SquareThe Center Square (The Center Square) – The Illinois Senate Appropriations Committee chair says greater federal scrutiny of state government spending will not change...
IL lawmakers push discount drug legislation to prevent restricted access

IL lawmakers push discount drug legislation to prevent restricted access

By Jim Talamonti | The Center SquareThe Center Square (The Center Square) – Illinois lawmakers are pushing an amendment to ban restrictions or interference with a federal discount drug program....
ag

Dudley Smith Farm Winter Meeting to Focus on Cattle Markets and Soil Health

Article Summary: The annual Dudley Smith Farm Winter Meeting is scheduled for February 10 in Taylorville, offering producers updates on cattle profitability, market outlooks, and agricultural research. Dudley Smith Winter...
Chicago downtown office space vacancy rate ends year at record high levels

Chicago downtown office space vacancy rate ends year at record high levels

By Glenn Minnis | The Center Square contributorThe Center Square (The Center Square) – Wirepoints Executive Editor Mark Glennon warns Chicago’s dwindling business community could be riding into high-gear after...
Ex-Illinois candidate sides with Vance after Duckworth–Rubio clash

Ex-Illinois candidate sides with Vance after Duckworth–Rubio clash

By Catrina Barker | The Center Square contributorThe Center Square (The Center Square) – U.S. Sen. Tammy Duckworth, D-Illinois, is facing fresh criticism after Vice President J.D. Vance likened her...
Illinois Quick Hits: Judge rules Cook County misspent $243M

Illinois Quick Hits: Judge rules Cook County misspent $243M

By Jim Talamonti | The Center SquareThe Center Square (The Center Square) – A circuit court judge has ruled that Cook County spent $243 million in violation of the Illinois...
On behalf of the Cahokia Creek Dirt Riders, Steve Pickerill presented Sheriff Holshouser with a donation to the Montgomery County Sheriff's Office. The funds will be used in support of operations at the Sheriff's Office.

Montgomery Sheriff Donation

On behalf of the Cahokia Creek Dirt Riders, Steve Pickerill presented Sheriff Holshouser with a donation to the Montgomery County Sheriff's Office. The funds will be used in support of...

Principals Highlight “Success Days” and Data-Driven Incentives

Litchfield CUSD #12 Meeting | January 20, 2026 Article Summary: Litchfield school principals presented updates to the Board of Education regarding recent professional development focusing on data analysis and new...
Litchfield Fire personnel practiced ice rescue techniques at Walton Park this week. Residents are reminded that frozen bodies of water can have many hidden dangers. Please refrain from walking or riding recreational vehicles on any ice without experience or checking the ice thickness beforehand. Refrozen holes could be significantly thinner and give way under weight.

Ice Rescue Training

Litchfield Fire personnel practiced ice rescue techniques at Walton Park last week. Residents are reminded that frozen bodies of water can have many hidden dangers. Please refrain from walking or...
Chicago FOP boss: Mayor’s ICE on Notice order is 'piece of toilet paper'

Chicago FOP boss: Mayor’s ICE on Notice order is ‘piece of toilet paper’

By Jim Talamonti | The Center SquareThe Center Square (The Center Square) – Chicago Mayor Brandon Johnson has signed an executive order directing members of the city’s police department to...
Litchfield Fire Department has a loaner fire engine one of the engines is out for an emergency repair. Firefighters ensured it’s equipped and ready to serve with little to no interruption in service.

Loaner Fire Engine

Litchfield Fire Department has a loaner fire engine one of the engines is out for an emergency repair. Firefighters ensured it’s equipped and ready to serve with little to no...
Lawmaker, officer: 'Blue Envelope" could help navigate autism during stops

Lawmaker, officer: ‘Blue Envelope” could help navigate autism during stops

By Catrina Barker | The Center Square contributorThe Center Square (The Center Square) – An Illinois lawmaker who also serves in law enforcement says proposed legislation creating a “Blue Envelope”...
Meeting Briefs

Meeting Summary and Briefs: City of Litchfield for January 22, 2026

City of Litchfield Meeting | January 22, 2026 The Litchfield City Council met on Thursday, January 22, 2026, to address infrastructure projects, property management, and lake operations. The meeting was...