Family member details conditions of child held beyond medical necessity By BETH HUNDSDORFER Capitol News Illinois bhundsdorfer@capitolnewsillinois.com Leah is a 13-year-old girl under Department of Children and Family Services care who lives in a psychiatric ward in a Chicago hospital. Capitol News Illinois is using a pseudonym to protect her identity, but has confirmed she’s…

By Jeff Thornton Herald Publications The pandemic postponed our coverage of the Gran Prix of Alabama in 2020 and 2021. The race was canceled in 2020, and the 2021 race was limited live press coverage. This year it finally happened and we were able to cover the event! Photographer Greg Junge and I had visited…

Draft opinion would overturn landmark 1973 decision Roe v. Wade By GRACE KINNICUTT Capitol News Illinois gkinnicutt@capitolnewsillinois.com SPRINGFIELD – Gov. JB Pritzker and Illinois Democrats warned of an “end to the constitutional right to privacy” if a leaked U.S. Supreme Court decision overturning the 1973 landmark decision in Roe v. Wade becomes finalized as precedent.…

Docket has spurred nine contempt charges against agency’s director By BETH HUNDSDORFER Capitol News Illinois bhundsdorfer@capitolnewsillinois.com SPRINGFIELD – The weekly docket for children who are wards of the state and waiting for placements recommended by the Department of Children and Family Services after an assessment of their needs took place as scheduled Thursday in Cook…

New Ad Campaign ‘Middle of Everything’ spotlights Illinois as the center of culture, food, outdoor adventures, architecture, history and more to attract visitors and accelerate the state’s tourism recovery CHICAGO —Governor JB Pritzker joined the Illinois Department of Commerce and Economic Opportunity (DCEO), at the Shedd Aquarium to kick off the state’s new tourism campaign,…

Bill clears Senate; will soon head to governor By PETER HANCOCK Capitol News Illinois phancock@capitolnewsillinois.com SPRINGFIELD – Public schools in Illinois may soon be serving a lot more vegan and vegetarian meals, thanks to a bill that cleared the General Assembly Tuesday. House Bill 4089 requires school districts to provide a plant-based lunch option that…