by Peter Hancock, Capitol News Illinois February 13, 2026 Article Summary A bill that would give state insurance regulators authority to review and modify homeowners' insurance rates failed on the floor of the House last year but could be revived for a second vote when lawmakers return to the Statehouse next week. JB Pritzker called for the legislation last year after Bloomington-based State Farm Insurance raised its rates in Illinois an average 27.2%. Pritzker and others suggested the compan...

Ameren Illinois reports customers saved substantially during Winter Storm Fern when natural gas prices jumped as high as $70 per British thermal unit on the open market. Through optimized storage field operations, leased storage, and strategic heating, Ameren officials say they were able to deliver natural gas purchased in the summer months at $3 to $4 per therm. The savings from market exposure January 23rd to February 2nd is estimated at $78.2 million. January 23rd was the 14th highest nat...

The Salem City Council Tuesday night will consider an additional downtown TIF agreement with Jered Gambill who is preparing to renovate more downtown buildings. Under the proposal, Gambill would receive $47,000 in TIF money to purchase and renovate buildings at 122 West Main and 102, 104, and 106 North Walnut Street. Gambill would receive $10,000 for property acquisition. He would be paid the rest of the reimbursement after roof repair, tuckpointing and other measures to bolster and protec...

A 22-year-old Olney man has been arrested by Marion County Sheriff's Deputies on an outstanding Richland County misdemeanor failure to appear warrant. Elijiah Moore of South Mill remains in the Marion County Jail pending transfer to the Richland County Jail at Olney.

Residents who live in the Jefferson Fire Protection District are invited to an open house Monday night to learn more about a bond issue on the March 17th primary ballot that would allow for construction of a new fire station. Fire officials as well as architects on the new building will be on hand to answer questions between five and 7:30 pm. The current fire station is a building built in 1948 for a car dealership and has been the home of the fire district since 1960. The replacement is be...

By GEOFF MULVIHILL Associated Press President Donald Trump's administration cannot force states to hand over detailed information on people who have applied for or received aid from the Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program, a judge said in a tentative ruling Friday. San Francisco-based U.S. District Judge Maxine Chesney last year blocked the U.S. Department of Agriculture from requiring states to provide the data, including on the immigration status of people who receive benefits and app...

By HANNAH SCHOENBAUM Associated Press President Donald Trump's administration cannot rescind $600 million in public health grants allocated to four Democratic-led states, for now, a federal judge in Illinois ruled Thursday. California, Colorado, Illinois and Minnesota sued Wednesday to try to block the planned funding cuts to programs that track disease outbreaks and study health outcomes of LGBTQ+ people and communities of color in major cities. U.S. District Judge Manish Shah stopped the cu...

He also ordered Homeland Security to give notice to attorneys before releasing people from detention By MAGGIE DOUGHERTY Capitol News Illinois mdougherty@capitolnewsillinois.com Article Summary Federal Judge Jeffrey Cummings ordered the Department of Homeland Security on Friday to release four people arrested without warrants amid 'Operation Midway Blitz' by Monday evening. He specified that those released under the order should be released without conditions such as bond or parole. Cumming...