The ongoing federal shutdown is poised to cut off Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP) benefits to nearly 2 million Illinois residents starting November 1.
Illinois Governor J.B. Pritzker (D) floated the possibility that Democrats may seek criminal charges against federal immigration officials for enforcing U.S. immigration laws within his state. In a television interview this week, Pritzker claimed that, although prosecutions may not happen immediately, they could be pursued after the Trump administration—while the statute of limitations still allows.
The village of Broadview, Illinois, has issued a new executive order restricting where and when protests may occur near its Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) facility. The move comes after 15 arrests during demonstrations last Saturday, according to local officials.
One of Illinois’ most powerful political figures, former House Speaker Michael J. Madigan, is officially headed to federal prison. On the eve of the state legislature’s fall veto session, Madigan—who dominated state politics for decades—will begin serving a 7.5-year sentence for corruption.
A 27-year-old high school teacher in Westville, Illinois, has been arrested for allegedly grooming a student and sending explicit images via social media. Kaylee Broadway was taken into custody Wednesday after law enforcement uncovered digital evidence supporting allegations that she sent nude photographs to a minor.
Illinois Governor J.B. Pritzker (D) accused the Trump administration on Sunday of deliberately escalating tensions in Chicago to justify deploying more federal troops to the city. Speaking on CNN’s State of the Union, Pritzker said federal agents were turning routine policing operations into scenes of chaos and fear.
Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE), in coordination with the Department of Homeland Security (DHS), has arrested nearly 550 illegal aliens in Illinois as part of an enforcement campaign named “Operation Midway Blitz.” The operation, launched in honor of Katie Abraham—a 20-year-old woman killed in a drunk driving crash by an illegal alien—has focused on detaining individuals with serious criminal records.
Illinois congressional candidate Kat Abughazaleh, a Democrat and former Media Matters for America staffer, openly joined demonstrators at an anti-ICE rally where protesters shouted violent slogans, including "shoot ICE" and "shoot the [Expletive]."
Illinois legislators are preparing to advance public transit legislation during the fall veto session, even as new projections suggest the looming $770 million transit funding cliff may not arrive until 2027. Lawmakers from both parties agree that systemic issues still demand urgent attention.
