Lizzie Seils

Move over, Asian carp, ‘copi’ is the new fish in town. The Illinois Department of Natural Resources is attempting to rebrand the four species of fish to get more people interested in eating them to get them out of Illinois’ waters.

As the cost of road travel continues to rise to historic highs, many are still looking to hit the roads this weekend for the official start of the summer season.

As the country recover’s from the latest mass shooting, Illinois lawmakers are investigating root causes of gun violence to prevent it in their own state.

Illinois was one of 14 states undercounted by the 2020 Census, disproving the classic complaint that Illinois is seeing a massive exodus in population. But for those left out of the count, it means a loss of resources for their community.

More than 900 hundred miles from the Illinois Statehouse, House Speaker Emanuel “Chris” Welch made a visit to the New York General Assembly, returning a visit made by Assembly Speaker Carl Heastie in March of this year.

Planned Parenthood of Illinois is offering abortion care in the mail.

Illinois residents will see a temporary suspension in the motor fuel tax increase this summer, but fuel retailers are concerned about the fine they may face if they don’t post a sticker crediting the suspension to the Illinois General Assembly.

Department of Children and Family Services Director Marc Smith was found in contempt of court for the 11th time for violating an order to place children in more appropriate care settings

For most of the state, early voting opened up for residents to cast their ballots in the Illinois primary. Some counties, including Cook, have delayed the start of primaries due to ongoing legal disputes over who should and shouldn’t be on the ballot.

Ghost guns, constructed firearms produced either by 3D printer or parts bought online, are unregistered, “untraceable” weapons. Now they’re banned in Illinois.

Following a 10th contempt of court holding in six months for keeping children in medical facilities longer than necessary, and a state audit finding fault with the department, Illinois House Republicans say it’s time for the director to go.

Following viral videos in recent months depicting large groups rushing into stores and stealing as much merchandise as they can carry, Gov. JB Pritzker signed into law a bill meant to crack down on those types of crime.

An review required by law of the Department of Children and Family Services made key findings on how the state in ensuring the quality of care for children.

Illinois Democrats gathered downstate Wednesday to urge the US Senate to vote for the Women’s Health Protection Act and codify the landmark abortion decision Roe v. Wade into law. But they also said they are prepared in the event of abortion loses its legal protection.

Four fire fighters were honored today for losing their lives in service to their communities through the fire department. It’s a large sacrifice, but to the fire fighters at the memorial today, they say what they do is nothing out of the ordinary.

In the final week of the spring legislative session, some lawmakers were calling for a complete transformation of the agency

Eleven officers who died in the line of duty were recognized for their service.

Increased funding for Illinois’ higher education system may do one thing the industry is hoping for: bring more students into the classrooms.

The Illinois Manufacturing Association held its third annual online competition for the coolest thing manufactured in the state.

The elimination of cash bail is fast approaching for Illinois following the passage of the SAFE-T act in January 2021. Some judges have even begun the transition to no cash bail, but prosecutors are saying no cash bail will make their job a lot harder.

For the ninth time, the Cook County Juvenile Court has haled the embattled DCFS Director Marc Smith in contempt of court for keeping a youth in a medical facility longer than necessary.

In an attempt to address DCFS worker safety, lawmakers moved ahead on a bill that would give assaulting a caseworker a harsher penalty, but it never made it through the final step.

The stage is fully and finally set for the Illinois primary, which is shaping up to have some contentious competitions in congressional and statewide races.The Illinois State Board of Elections officially certified the ballot after an hours-long meeting going through the over dozens of objections filed questioning the validity of a candidates residency or petition signatures that were turned in in early March.

A nationwide oversight agency is reporting that corporations often aren’t paying their fair share.

Attorney General Kwame Raoul was a major proponent of the bill, even making appearances on the floors of both chambers to drum up support for the legislation.

In an emergency situation, a dispatcher is often the first point of contact after someone dials 911, but, they aren’t considered first responders like firefighters, police or paramedics.

Nursing home reform reached its culmination after passing the house with unanimous support.

Hundreds of pairs or shoes were left empty in remembrance of the 347 children who have died while under Department of Children and Family Services care since April 2019, when A.J. Freund of Crystal Lake was killed by his parents.

Nursing home reform, that stalled last year in negotiations, has now passed the Senate unanimously.

In a yearly tradition, gun owners in Illinois took to Springfield streets to advocate more less restrictions on firearm usage and ownership.

One part of a larger legislative package passed out of committee today with some concern from Republican lawmakers.

As carjackings continue to be a growing concern in the state, Democratic Senators introduced a package of two bills they believe will help reduce carjackings statewide.

During the pandemic, visitation was restricted in medical facilities to prevent the spread of COVID-19. A bill moving out of the Illinois House would prevent families from not being able to visit their loved ones due to visitation restrictions.

The state’s top Medicaid provider is revealing significant progress toward a compromise.

Illinois Democrats have released a package of several bills trying to address crime in Illinois, but they argue they want to take a different approach.

Illinois lawmakers passed legislation last October to address concerns with corruption and conflicts of interest. They intended to bring more light to government; instead, some argue the law has made things cloudier.

Employers may be required to provide more breaks for employees after a bill expanding workers rights passed both Houses.

College costs can easily soar into the six figures. Senators are pushing legislation that would try to ease those costs.

Senators are pushing legislation that aims to crack down on organized retail crime, infamously known as smash and grabs where a team runs into a store grabbing any and all merchandise.

Opioid deaths in Illinois have increased twentyfold in one decade, and a large part of the deaths have to do with the powerful, lab-made fentanyl.

For Peoria Democrat Rep. Jehan Gordon-Booth, the Create a Respectful and Open Workplace for Natural Hair Act is personal; she and other colleagues have faced consequences from their natural hair before.