The Latest Breaking News from Illinois

Chicago-based lender stymied by state cap on interest rates

Consumer advocates suspect Opportunity Financial, or OppFi, is fighting back against the limit of 36% on loan interest, but the company isn’t discussing its lobbying aims.

Chicago Sun-Times · Feb 7, 2022

Ford Halting Mustang Mach-E Production This Week Amid Chip Crisis

Production will be suspended at plants in Michigan, Illinois and Mexico, and cut at factories in Kansas City, Dearborn, Kentucky, Louisville and Oakville.

InsideEVs · Feb 7, 2022

RNC censure of Kinzinger, Cheney could backfire for Illinois Republicans

The conservative National Review found the censure wording "political malpractice of the highest order coming from people whose entire job is politics."

Chicago Sun-Times · Feb 7, 2022

Illinois ruling favors parents who object to governor's school mask mandate; state seeking appeal

CHICAGO — Thousands of students at scores of school districts across the state may no longer be required to wear a mask in the classroom, with an Illinois judge ruling Friday that Gov. J.B. Pritzker’s COVID-19 mandate was authorized illegally.

Chicago Tribune · Feb 5, 2022

Chicago outdoors: Dropping antlers, turkey harvest, eagles on dead deer, Sam Snead/golf/hunting/fishing

A buck halfway to dropping his antlers, bald eagles on dead deer, Illinois’ turkey harvest by bowhunters, and Sam Snead on golf, hunting and fishing are among the notes from around Chicago outdoors and beyond.

Chicago Sun-Times · Feb 5, 2022

Downstate judge prohibits school districts from requiring masks in classroom

Under Sangamon County Circuit Court Judge Raylene Grischow’s temporary restraining order, several other COVID-19 mitigation measures enacted by Gov. J.B. Pritzker were deemed "null and void."

Chicago Sun-Times · Feb 5, 2022

Republican gubernatorial candidate Sullivan taps former Ives campaign aide Murphy as running mate

The other four contenders in the crowded GOP gubernatorial primary have already firmed up their tickets, allowing them to begin circulating the petitions required to get them on the ballot. "It takes time to vet candidates," Sullivan said of the delay.

Chicago Sun-Times · Feb 5, 2022

Pritzker’s budget proposal: Great, but we’ll see how long the fiscal bliss lasts

If we slide into recession, then Illinois could wind up right back where it started: in a very deep hole.

Chicago Sun-Times · Feb 4, 2022

RNC votes to censure GOP members of Jan. 6 probe, moves closer to debate withdrawal

Republican National Committee members passed a resolution on Friday to formally censure GOP Reps. Liz Cheney of Wyoming and Adam Kinzinger of Illinois over their work on a House committee investigating the Jan. 6 attack on the Capitol, in an unprecedented rebuke of sitting members of Congress.

Los Angeles Times · Feb 4, 2022

Face time? As COVID-19 cases drop 51% in a week, Pritzker hopes to lift mask mandate ‘as soon as we possibly can’

COVID hospitalizations have also seen a sharp drop, with the 3,135 beds occupied as of Thursday night marking a 31% decline from last week and a 57% decline from the all-time records set in mid-January.

Chicago Sun-Times · Feb 4, 2022