(SPRINGFIELD) Gun rights advocates in Illinois have been raising alarms over a pair of State House proposals that would affect gun owners throughout the state. House Bill 43 is legislation that would create a state task force to study mandatory civil liability insurance for firearm owners. The other measure of concern, House Bill 4414 is proposing a new tax to be placed on each individual round and would require each bullet or ammunition cartridge to be serialized. State Representatives Adam Niemerg and Blaine Wilhour, along many other downstate lawmakers, are making their opposition to these bills known in Springfield.
(SPRINGFIELD) The Illinois Gaming Board’s Sports Wagering Report for January shows a fifth consecutive drop since the state implemented a per-wager tax last year. The Sports Betting Alliance says a 20% drop in legal sports betting during the Chicago Bears’ playoff run shows that bettors are leaving Illinois’ legal market for illegal sites and bookies.
(SPRINGFIELD) The U.S. Environmental Protection Agency has issued an emergency fuel waiver to allow nationwide sales of E15 gasoline and to remove federal impediments to the selling of E10 as well. The waiver is set to be in effect from May 1st to May 20th, however the EPA says it could be extended for another few weeks, maybe even up to few months.
(SPRINGFIELD) Voting is now open in the round of 16 to help determine The Coolest Thing Made in Illinois. The Illinois Manufacturers’ Association says more than 100 products from across the state were nominated for the 2026 Makers Madness title. The first round of online voting ends this Sunday with the second round on the top 8 will run March 31st thru April 5th with the final round of voting April 7th thru the 12th with the winner announced April 15th.