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

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

(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

Litchfield Logo Graphic.3

Litchfield Council Rejects One-Way Street Proposal for Post Office

City of Litchfield Meeting | January 6, 2026 Article Summary: The Litchfield City Council voted down a proposal to convert Kirkham Street into a one-way thoroughfare, a change requested by...
Foreign national charged with having gun near ICE agents in Chicago

Foreign national charged with having gun near ICE agents in Chicago

By Greg Bishop | The Center SquareThe Center Square (The Center Square) – A Mexican national has been charged with illegally possessing and firing a loaded handgun in Chicago near...
Tariffs sink Canadian couples' long-running e-commerce operation

Tariffs sink Canadian couples’ long-running e-commerce operation

By Brett RowlandThe Center Square Lana Bain and her husband had been selling antiques online for nearly 30 years when the U.S. tariffs hit. At first it was higher prices...
Attorneys file request to Supreme Court over gender secrecy

Attorneys file request to Supreme Court over gender secrecy

By Esther WickhamThe Center Square The Thomas More Society has filed an emergency application with the U.S. Supreme Court, requesting intervention in the Mirabelli v. Bonta lawsuit over gender secrecy...
Pritzker signs energy omnibus with new charge for ratepayers in 2030

Pritzker signs energy omnibus with new charge for ratepayers in 2030

By Jim Talamonti | The Center SquareThe Center Square (The Center Square) – Gov. J.B. Pritzker has signed sweeping energy legislation that will add a new line item to Illinois...
Illinois quick hits: Primary election ballot certified; indictments increased in 2025

Illinois quick hits: Primary election ballot certified; indictments increased in 2025

By Jim Talamonti | The Center SquareThe Center Square Primary election ballot certified The Illinois State Board of Elections certified the March 2026 primary ballot this week, removing several Republican...
Trump orders $200 billion mortgage bond buy to lower rates

Trump orders $200 billion mortgage bond buy to lower rates

By Brett RowlandThe Center Square President Donald Trump said Thursday afternoon that the federal government will buy $200 billion in mortgage bonds to bring down interest rates and monthly payments....
Coal and power groups back UP–Norfolk Southern rail merger

Coal and power groups back UP–Norfolk Southern rail merger

By Tom JoyceThe Center Square Several major coal producers and power industry groups are urging federal regulators to approve the proposed Union Pacific–Norfolk Southern merger. The producers argue that reliable...

WATCH: U.S. House votes to extend ACA subsidies, heads to Senate

By Andrew RiceThe Center Square The U.S. House of Representatives passed a bill to extend Affordable Care Act subsidies for another three years. The bill passed in a 230-196 vote...
Report details sexual abuse, falsified grant applications at Chicago Public Schools

Report details sexual abuse, falsified grant applications at Chicago Public Schools

By Jim Talamonti | The Center SquareThe Center Square (The Center Square) – The Chicago Board of Education’s Office of Inspector General has released a report detailing falsified federal grant...
Signature shortfalls knock multiple candidates off Illinois ballot

Signature shortfalls knock multiple candidates off Illinois ballot

By Catrina Barker | The Center Square contributorThe Center Square (The Center Square) – The Illinois State Board of Elections certified the March 2026 primary ballot this week, removing several...

WATCH: Vance addresses Minneapolis shooting, questions leftwing influence

By Sarah Roderick-FitchThe Center Square Vice President JD Vance on Thursday questioned potential leftwing involvement in the shooting death of a woman by an Immigration and Customs Enforcement officer in...
U.S. House clears $180B funding bills to avoid Jan. 30 shutdown

U.S. House clears $180B funding bills to avoid Jan. 30 shutdown

By Andrew RiceThe Center Square The U.S. House of Representatives on Thursday cleared three nearly $180 billion government funding bills that will take a step toward preventing a federal government...
IL state lawmaker pushes back as analysis finds municipalities lost $10.9B

IL state lawmaker pushes back as analysis finds municipalities lost $10.9B

By Catrina Barker | The Center Square contributorThe Center Square (The Center Square) – A new Illinois Policy Institute analysis estimates local governments have lost $10.9 billion since 2012 due...
Trump invites Colombian president to White House

Trump invites Colombian president to White House

By Sarah Roderick-FitchThe Center Square In a matter of days, President Donald Trump has gone from threatening to strike Colombia to inviting its leader to the White House. Following a...