Illinois Quick Hits: Illinois House approves student cell phone ban
(The Center Square) – The Illinois House has approved a bill banning students from using cell phones during the school day.
Senate Bill 2427 passed after a floor amendment was added on Thursday, with 102 votes in favor and only three opposed.
The measure now goes back to the Senate for concurrence.
SMALL BIZ OPTIMISM DECLINES
The NFIB Small Business Optimism Index fell 3 points in March to 95.8, below the 52-year average of 98.0.
The last time the index fell below its historical average was April 2025.
The NFIB Uncertainty Index rose 4 points to 92, well above its historical average of 68.
NFIB Illinois State Director Noah Finley said Illinois legislators must tamp down on proposals that would impose new costs and legal liabilities on Main Street businesses.
TEXAS MAN GETS 23-YEAR PRISON SENTENCE FOR CRYPTO SCAM
A federal judge in Chicago has sentenced a Houston, Texas man to 23 years in prison for orchestrating a cryptocurrency scam that bilked nearly 1,000 investors out of more than $20 million.
Robert Dunlap, 55, was also ordered to pay restitution to his victim investors. Prosecutors say Dunlap claimed the Meta-1 Coin was backed by billions of dollars in art and gold, and many victims lost all their savings.
FREEDOM CAUCUS: ABOLISH EQUITY AND INCLUSION COMMISSION
Following reporting by The Center Square and testimony before a House committee this week, the Illinois Freedom Caucus is calling for the Illinois Commission on Equity and Inclusion to be abolished.
State Rep. Brad Halbrook, R-Shelbyville, said in a statement that the commission is doing the opposite of what it was created to do, and the taxpayers have paid millions of dollars for failure.
Mostly Clear
Latest News Stories
Ohio debate over potential child care facility fraud heats up
As Illinois ends grocery tax locals can replace, food inflation debate continues
North Carolina NYE terror attack foiled by FBI, several police departments
DeWine defends fraud safeguards at Ohio child care facilities
Illinois quick hits: State keeps more tax revenue, locals get less
U.S. House contests to decide control of Congress in 2026
‘Locked and loaded’:Trump warns Iran
First negotiated Medicare drug prices go into effect Jan. 1
U.S. House vote on employee bargaining met with ‘political theater’ criticism
Eight killed in U.S. military counter-narcotics strikes
Hog producer: 2025 was strong, but IL legislature needs to address estate tax
Trump to remove National Guard members from Chicago, LA, Portland
