Original News, Features & Opinion on Chicago, Illinois and America
Illinois Tollway prepared to clear roads and assist drivers during Thanksgiving weekend storm Motorists asked to slow down and increase their distance from other vehicles The Illinois Tollway is reminding drivers to slow down and allow extra time for their Thanksgiving holiday travels and weekend trips as a winter storm moves through Northern Illinois, with…
Illinois sees 7th highest in total household debt, ranks 29th in debt rise With household debt reaching $18.59 trillion in Q3 2025, the personal-finance company WalletHub today released its rankings of the States With the Largest & Smallest Debt Increases, based on new data from TransUnion and the Federal Reserve, to highlight where people may…
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Hastings’s insurance reform legislation passes Senate in Springfield State Senator Michael E. Hastings advanced legislation designed to protect homeowners from excessive insurance rate increases and ensure fairness, transparency and accountability in Illinois homeowners insurance. “With this legislation, we are putting fairness and accountability back into the system,” said Hastings (D-Frankfort). “Here is what this means…
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Illinois State Treasurer Michael Frerichs Announces $50 Million Loan Program to Help Federal Workers During Shutdown Estimated 153,000 Federal Workers in Illinois to be impacted by government shutdown Illinois State Treasurer Michael Frerichs is committing $50 million to fund zero-interest and low-interest loans to unpaid federal workers during the government shutdown. The loans will be…
Hastings announces legislation to ensure fair homeowners insurance rates for Illinois families State Senator Michael E. Hastings was joined at a press conference Wednesday by Senators Willie Preston, Paul Faraci, Meg Loughran Cappel, Christopher Belt, and Doris Turner to announce new legislation designed to protect homeowners from excessive insurance rate increases and ensure fairness, transparency,…
Hastings calls for bipartisan action to protect Illinois families from SNAP benefit shutdown FRANKFORT — State Senator Michael E. Hastings is urging federal lawmakers to resolve the ongoing government shutdown to prevent the cessation of Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program, or SNAP, benefits, come Nov. 1. Nearly two million Illinois residents rely on SNAP to provide…
Get information on the Illinois Energy Omnibus Bill in Springfield Get information on the Illinois Energy Omnibus bill and how it could impact your electricity rates in Illinois. Consumers need to be aware of the full impact of the legislation. For more information, visit the website of the Illinois Industrial Energy Consumers, which provides updated…
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Senator Michael Hastings reacts to Illinois’ State Farm lawsuit SPRINGFIELD — State Senator Michael E. Hastings (D-Frankfort) released the following statement in response to Attorney General Kwame Raoul’s lawsuit against State Farm, which claims the firm is breaking the law by refusing to turn over homeowners’ insurance data to the state for regulatory examination: “The…
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Illinois Conservation Foundation Announces 2025 Illinois Outdoor Hall of Fame Inductees The Illinois Conservation Foundation (ICF) has announced nine new inductees into the Illinois Outdoor Hall of Fame, recognizing their outstanding contributions to conservation, education, and outdoor recreation. The 2025 class represents decades of dedication to protecting Illinois’ natural resources and inspiring others to enjoy…
Hastings announces $250,000 state grant for cancer treatment technology at Franciscan Health Olympia Fields OLYMPIA FIELDS — State Senator Michael E. Hastings toured the cancer treatment center at Franciscan Health Olympia Fields on Monday, meeting with doctors, nurses and staff before announcing a $250,000 state capital improvement grant to support the purchase of a state-of-the-art…
Hastings announces $75,000 grant for Olympia Fields Bicentennial Park renovations State Senator Michael E. Hastings announced that the Olympia Fields Park District has been awarded a $75,000 state grant to begin renovations at Bicentennial Park. “Bicentennial Park is an anchor for the Olympia Fields community,” said Hastings (D-Frankfort). “This investment will help modernize the park…
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The Energy Omnibus Bill will increase rates over the rest of this decade as Illinois families and businesses toil under higher utility costs Chicago, IL – The proposed Energy Omnibus Bill will increase rates over the rest of this decade as Illinois families and businesses toil under higher utility costs. “The only result guaranteed in…
Hastings: $123 million in IDOT projects will improve South Suburban roads through collaboration with local leaders State Senator Michael E. Hastings secured over $123 million to build and repair infrastructure in the South Suburbs. “Our transportation system is how families get to work, students get to school and businesses connect with customers,” said Hastings (D-Frankfort)….
Ratepayers will lose in the rush to approve battery storage electricity legislation in Springfield Chicago, IL – The Illinois Legislature should not rush to approve a battery energy storage proposal that guarantees out-of-state battery companies a 20-year profit paid for by Illinois utility customers, a leading energy ratepayer advocacy association said Wednesday. Phillip Golden, chairman…
Hastings, Giannoulias announce opening of temporary driver services facility in Orland Park State Senator Michael E. Hastings and Secretary of State Alexi Giannoulias joined community leaders Monday to announce the opening of a temporary driver services facility at CTF Illinois in Orland Park. “This facility represents more than just a place to renew a license…
Hastings introduces bill to protect consumers in insurance rate setting State Senator Michael E. Hastings has introduced Senate Bill 2691, legislation that would examine whether Illinois families are paying unfairly high premiums due to nondriving factors that have little to do with actual risk on the road or in the home. “Families in Illinois deserve…
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Hastings meets with Matteson School District 162 leaders to strengthen school safety measures State Senator Michael E. Hastings visited Matteson School District 162 last week to meet with Superintendent Dr. Blondean Davis and district leaders to discuss security measures, rapid response plans and other protocols designed to keep students safe. The meeting focused on how…
Hastings announces $75,000 state grant to upgrade New Lenox Township Fire Protection District communication systems State Senator Michael E. Hastings, a U.S. Army combat veteran, announced Tuesday that the New Lenox Township Fire Protection District has been awarded a $75,000 grant through the Illinois Department of Commerce and Economic Opportunity. The funding will support an…