Illinois Quick Hits: Two of ComEd four released; new trial expected

Illinois Quick Hits: Two of ComEd four released; new trial expected

April 15, 2026/Newspaper Staff/

By Jim Talamonti | The Center Square
The Center Square

(The Center Square) – A U.S. appellate court has ordered two defendants in the ComEd Four case to be released pending a new trial.

Hours after oral arguments began on Tuesday, the Seventh Circuit Court of Appeals directed the federal government to release former ComEd CEO Anne Pramaggiore and codefendant Michael McClain on bond.

Pramaggiore and McClain began serving two-year prison sentences last year after they were convicted of engaging in a scheme to bribe former Illinois House Speaker Michael Madigan.

CORONARY SCAN INSURANCE MANDATE CLEARS ILLINOIS HOUSE

The Illinois House has approved legislation that would require most health insurance plans to cover medically necessary coronary calcium scans every 36 months for people age 40 and up, starting in 2028.

House Bill 4207 goes to the Senate after passing the House with a unanimous vote on Tuesday.

RECORD YOUTH TURKEY HARVEST REPORTED

The Illinois Department of Natural Resources says youth turkey hunters harvested 2,318 birds during the four-day 2026 season, setting a record for the third straight year.

Participation also reached an all-time high, with 7,369 youth permits sold.

The top counties for youth harvest were Jefferson with 75 turkeys, Fayette with 74 and Marion with 68.

Leave a Comment





Latest News Stories

Advocates urge stable tariff policy, protections against China

Advocates urge stable tariff policy, protections against China

By Andrew RiceThe Center Square Advocates sparred Wednesday over the Trump administration’s trade and national security policy, particularly with concerns over China. Advocates and experts gathered at the American Institute...
Illinois senators scrutinize diversity commission's high salaries, poor performance

Illinois senators scrutinize diversity commission’s high salaries, poor performance

By Jared Strong | The Center SquareThe Center Square (The Center Square) -- An Illinois state senator, responding to an investigation by The Center Square, suggested Wednesday that the state's...
Trump demands second 'big beautiful bill' on his desk by June 1

Trump demands second ‘big beautiful bill’ on his desk by June 1

By Thérèse BoudreauxThe Center Square Seven weeks into the Department of Homeland Security shutdown, President Donald Trump is working with Republican congressional leaders to craft a party-line budget reconciliation bill...
ALEC: State regulations drive up electricity prices

ALEC: State regulations drive up electricity prices

By Alton WallaceThe Center Square Electricity prices and other measures of consumer energy affordability are highest in states with the most extensive policy mandates, compliance requirements, and the most rigid...
Chicago mayor announces homelessness plan with unclear funding sources

Chicago mayor announces homelessness plan with unclear funding sources

By Sean Reed | The Center SquareThe Center Square (The Center Square) – Chicago officials unveiled a plan they say would effectively end homelessness in the city, even as questions...
Litchfield Girls Soccer Graphic

Marquette Catholic Shuts Out Litchfield 2-0 Behind Hough’s Three-Point Performance

ALTON, Ill. — The Litchfield varsity girls' soccer team saw its recent offensive hot streak come to a halt on Monday evening, falling 2-0 on the road to a stout...
Minnesota wins legal fight over tuition benefits for illegal immigrants

Minnesota wins legal fight over tuition benefits for illegal immigrants

By Elyse ApelThe Center Square A federal judge has dismissed a U.S. Department of Justice lawsuit challenging Minnesota’s policy of offering in-state tuition and certain scholarships to students in the...
Illini Final Four trip expected to benefit University of Illinois, state of Indiana

Illini Final Four trip expected to benefit University of Illinois, state of Indiana

By Jim Talamonti | The Center SquareThe Center Square (The Center Square) – A University of Illinois professor says the economic benefit of the school’s mens basketball team reaching the...
Trump makes history at Supreme Court amid landmark birthright citizenship challenge

Trump makes history at Supreme Court amid landmark birthright citizenship challenge

By Emily Rodriguez and Brett RowlandThe Center Square President Donald Trump made history Wednesday by attending oral arguments at the U.S. Supreme Court over his executive order seeking to end...
New Hampshire school district sued over transgender policies

New Hampshire school district sued over transgender policies

By Chris WadeThe Center Square A New Hampshire school district is being investigated by the Trump administration over allegations that administrators are allowing biological men to use girls’ restrooms and...
Trump watches as high court hears challenge to his birthright citizenship order

Trump watches as high court hears challenge to his birthright citizenship order

By Brett RowlandThe Center Square President Donald Trump became the first sitting U.S. president to attend Supreme Court oral arguments, observing as the justices considered a challenge Wednesday to his...
Illinois Quick Hits: Prtizker says Trump order is unconstitutional

Illinois Quick Hits: Prtizker says Trump order is unconstitutional

By Jim Talamonti | The Center SquareThe Center Square (The Center Square) – Gov. J.B. Pritzker says President Donald Trump’s executive order issued on Tuesday to address election integrity is...
U of I pressed on costly abandoned development project, stance on DEI directives

U of I pressed on costly abandoned development project, stance on DEI directives

By Sean Reed | The Center SquareThe Center Square (The Center Square) – As many Illinois universities face multimillion dollar budget deficits, state senators were critical of spending by the...
Trump says Iran's new leader wants ceasefire

Trump says Iran’s new leader wants ceasefire

By Brett RowlandThe Center Square President Donald Trump announced today that Iran's new leader has requested a ceasefire, marking a possible turning point in the ongoing conflict that has gripped...
‘Conversion therapy’ bans in IL, other states, in danger, after SCOTUS ruling

‘Conversion therapy’ bans in IL, other states, in danger, after SCOTUS ruling

By Jonathan Bilyk | Legal NewslineThe Center Square The days appear to be numbered for a Colorado state law banning so-called "conversion therapy," after the U.S. Supreme Court lopsidedly sided...