Capitol News Illinois

A Cook County judge has set a mid-May ruling after lengthy arguments Friday for and against appointing a special prosecutor to investigate alleged wrongdoing by federal immigration agents this fall during “Operation Midway Blitz.” @hannahmeisel has more. buff.ly/7Nmbog3K

This post is updated with a comment from Rep. Kam Buckner on the amusement tax

The IL House passed a megaprojects bill that could help the Chicago Bears, but the team says it needs changes. Constitutional amendments for redistricting and a millionaire tax were also considered. @BenSzalinski has the details in this week’s Capitol News Recap.

The Senate Executive Committee heard nearly three hours of testimony on Gov. JB Pritzker’s BUILD plan for more affordable housing in Illinois. @ptsklineman reports for @Medillschool: buff.ly/dEKaUj3

Gov. JB Pritzker offered some insight on changes the Bears want to the megaprojects bill while imploring the Senate to move quickly. @BenSzalinski reports buff.ly/6RrYV4A

Developed in a public-private partnership, two websites launched last week seek to share work, training and volunteer opportunities for Illinois SNAP recipients. @jeschweikert reports buff.ly/IR3s1N5

Voters won’t see a question about creating a millionaire tax this November after the plan didn't get enough support in the Illinois House. Read the full story: buff.ly/1tTPjJO

House Speaker Chris Welch publicly addressed Rep. Harry Benton’s exile from the House Democratic Caucus for the first time Wednesday, saying he has stayed silent to “respect victims” and protect “due process.” @brendenmoore13 reports. buff.ly/l3koGbX

Voters won’t see a millionaire tax on the ballot in November after the proposal failed to get enough support in the Illinois House. @benszalinski reports. buff.ly/1tTPjJO

House lawmakers want data centers to publicly report how much water they use. The data center industry isn’t so sure. @n_hytrek has more. buff.ly/lkQY5KY

While Illinois’ capital still grapples with post-pandemic challenges in the city center, officials anticipate record tourism numbers for 2026. @Medillschool students Erika Tulfo and Jacques Abou-Rizk report. buff.ly/DLrx9aW

The House passed a megaprojects bill that could help the Chicago Bears stay in the state. But there’s still a long way to go before the bill becomes law. Read the full story: buff.ly/LosM5ZO

The House passed a massive economic development bill on Wednesday, but the Chicago Bears aren’t satisfied. @brendenmoore13, @benszalinski , and @nowickipress report. buff.ly/LosM5ZO

The measure passes 78-32

The bill’s up on the floor now

Read the story: capitolnewsillinois.com/news/wednesday…

Happening now in Springfield: A Bears bill cleared committee on bipartisan lines. But it still faces questions ahead of a potential Wednesday night vote

Illinois voters could be asked to change the state’s constitutional requirements for redistricting under a plan passed by the House on Wednesday. @BenSzalinski & @brendenmoore13 report. buff.ly/Y4oWRTI

The report’s authors say that to make substantial progress, legislators can’t keep flat-funding preschool programs and may have to prioritize it over other budget items. @jeschweikert reports. buff.ly/flvpoAU

The Illinois secretary of state’s office took action to help ease a school bus driver shortage after the pandemic. @jeschweikert has more. buff.ly/8SZdjgn