Illinois Democrats love to talk about local control—but their actions tell a very different story. In Springfield, they continue to pass down expensive mandates to cities, towns, and school districts, all while starving them of the resources needed to meet those demands.

Whether it’s the unfunded requirements stemming from the SAFE‑T Act, costly zoning preemptions, or education mandates on school districts — the pattern is clear: the state piles on the requirements, then walks away from the bill.

Illinois is more than just the crossroads of America—it is a cornerstone of our nation’s food supply. With more than 2,600 food manufacturers operating throughout the state, Illinois leads the nation in processed food sales, bringing in $180 billion each year. From the rolling fields of grains to the bustling production lines in Chicago, our state transforms raw agricultural goods into the foods families rely on each and every day.

Illinois politics is no stranger to corruption. Considering our state’s history, the past few years have brought an unfortunately unsurprising wave of scandal that shook public trust and exposed blatant abuses of power. From the Capitol Dome to Chicago City Hall, a multitude of indictments and convictions have made one thing clear: Illinois has an ethics problem, and the time for action is now.

Illinois is known for many great things, but one that may not be well known is Illinois’ rank in the wine industry. Illinois is home to two officially recognized American Viticultural Areas (AVAs), which are areas known for their wine producing, called wine regions.

A wine region is just as it sounds, an area where the produce used to make wine grows, most notably grapes. Grapes, however, are not versatile and need different geographical and environmental factors to thrive. This is called terroir and contributes to the different taste of the grapes, which then make different tasting wines. For example, a dry wine will require grapes to be picked off the vines early to create a more bitter taste, whereas a sweeter wine will need grapes that are harvested late to achieve sweetness.

PUBLIC CORRUPTION
Federal prosecutors seek nearly 6 years in prison for Madigan confidant Michael McClain. The feds say a man who once had an “unbreakable” bond with former Illinois House Speaker Michael J. Madigan should be sentenced to nearly six years in prison, partly for serving as Madigan’s “agent, messenger” and “henchman” in a lengthy conspiracy involving ComEd.

When you think of big-time sporting events, there’s a lot to offer in Illinois. There’s Cardinals/Cubs on a summer weekend at Wrigley Field, Packers/Bears on a crisp fall night at Soldier Field, Cubs/White Sox cross-town rivalry, and Illinois/Michigan or Illinois/Northwestern football in late fall…and the list goes on and on.

Legislation that would impose a $1.50 delivery tax on Illinois businesses did not pass both Chambers from the latest Spring Session. However, the tax hike proposal did pass in the Senate as part of HB 3438. This incredibly burdensome bill contained a LOT of costly proposals, as Democrats searched high and low for ideas to bail out Chicago’s transit funding woes.

Families maintain and grow a number of fruits and vegetables in their own gardens in Illinois, and in many cases they produce more food than what they can consume. Once the harvest is complete, instead of letting this excess food go to waste, families can consider donating their fresh food to a local food pantry.

There are a number of organizations in Illinois that accept food donations, including churches, local food pantries, larger food banks and the Salvation Army. Residents can use search engine tools online to look up donation centers near them, or consult your local health department. Ampleharvest.org is a non-profit organization that makes it easy for gardeners and farmers to find local food pantries to donate their surplus of fresh produce.

One of the great aspects of life in Illinois are the unique County Fairs that are held from June through October all over the state. 

There are over 100 County Fairs in Illinois, all offering wholesome fun for the whole family. The vast majority of county fairs in Illinois are held in the summer months of June, July and August.

Independence Day, observed annually on July 4th, marks the anniversary of the adoption of the Declaration of Independence in 1776, a turning point that laid the foundation for the United States of America.

By the mid-18th century, the thirteen colonies in North America were flourishing under British rule. But as tensions rose over taxation, trade restrictions, and lack of representation in Parliament, many colonists began to call for greater autonomy. Events like the Stamp Act (1765), the Boston Massacre (1770), and the Boston Tea Party (1773) deepened the divide between Britain and its American colonies.

GENERAL ASSEMBLY
New Illinois Laws Take Effect July 1, Starting July 1, 2025, Illinois will usher in several new laws ranging from education requirements to a ban on small single-use plastic bottles in hotels. The State will also implement several new tax increases as part of the record $55.2 billion Fiscal Year 2026 State Budget, passed by Democrats this spring.

As a general rule, consumer fireworks are not legal in Illinois. The Pyrotechnic Use Act, passed in 1942, bans the sale, possession and use of all consumer fireworks. While legal to buy in most other states,

firecrackers, bottle rockets and roman candles are not legal in Illinois. 

Violations of this law can result in large fines or even jail time, especially in cases where the fireworks are bought in from another state and transported across state lines. Illinois is one of only three states to ban all or most consumer fireworks.

Planning a trip with your furry friend? Whether you're flying across the country or hitting the open road, traveling with pets requires careful preparation to ensure their comfort and safety. Here are some essential tips to make your journey smoother for both you and your pet.

Starting Today, Illinois will usher in several new laws ranging from education requirements to a ban on small single-use plastic bottles in hotels. The state will also implement several new tax increases as part of the record $55.2 billion Fiscal Year 2026 State Budget, passed by Democrats this spring.

New Taxes Taking Effect

Sports Betting Tax Increase

A per-wager tax of $0.25 for the first 20 million bets, doubling to $0.50 after that. DraftKings and FanDuel have already responded by raising costs for users.