Illinois to Raise Gas Taxes, Minimum Wage on July 1

Starting July 1, Illinois residents will encounter a fresh wave of tax increases affecting everything from gas prices to digital services. The state’s total fuel tax burden could climb as high as 85 cents per gallon when combining federal, state, and local …

Representative Martin McLaughlin: Pritzker’s New Tax Hikes Are A Direct Hit On Illinois Families And Job Creators

State Representative Martin McLaughlin (R-Barrington Hills) slammed the latest round of tax increases set to take effect July 1st after Governor JB Pritzker signed off on Democrats’ Fiscal Year 2026 state budget last week—the largest spending plan in …

Advocates look at next steps after Illinois law requiring halal, kosher options at state-run facilities left out of ...

Advocates of a new law requiring state-run facilities to offer halal and kosher meal options upon request are busy brainstorming what’s next after the bill, which was subject to appropriations, did not make it into the Illinois budget in June. The Faith by …

Illinois to roll out direct admissions program for most state universities

Rep. Raja Krishnamoorthi hopes to win the Jewish vote in Illinois Senate contest

As he competes for Illinois’ open Senate seat, Rep. Raja Krishnamoorthi (D-IL) is hoping that the state’s sizable Jewish community, concentrated in the Chicago area, will help him chart a path to victory in the Democratic primary. Analysts see the Jewish …

Surprise Truck Safety Blitz in Illinois Nets 130+ Violations

The state of Illinois periodically conducts safety checks on certain stretches of roadway to make sure commercial trucks are remaining compliant with safety requirements. A crackdown held just a few days ago by Illinois State Police found more than 130 …

Betting on DraftKings, FanDuel? Expect to see Illinois’ new 50-cent fee

Illinois is adding a 25-cent fee to all bets and 50-cent fee to high-volume sportsbooks such as DraftKings and FanDuel starting July 1. Illinoisans lost $1.12 billion in 2024, with $700 million of that on parlays. The new fees will add even more to that …

Fireworks in Illinois: What is banned vs what is legal

ILLINOIS (WAND) - As the 4th of July approaches, here is a list of what fireworks are legal and which are banned in the state of Illinois.  Under the Illinois Pyrotechnic Use Act, some smaller fireworks are permitted. But many are not allowed.  Illegal …

New Illinois laws taking effect July 1: What you need to know

9 ice cream parlors in northern Illinois to visit this summer

July is National Ice Cream Month, and there’s nothing that hits the spot like a creamy ice cream treat to help keep cool in the heat. But not just any ice cream. Forget mass-produced tubs – northern Illinois is home to a fantastic array of ice cream …