(SPRINGFIELD) The Second Amendment Foundation is asking the U.S. Supreme Court to take a challenge to Cook County’s ban on semi-automatic firearms. Originally filed in 2021, the Seventh Circuit U.S. Court of Appeals sided with the county, upholding the ban in June of this year, plus two years ago in 2023, the state enacted a similar ban. A 2nd Amendment challenge for the statewide ban is set to be heard by the Appeals Court next month, on September 22nd. A District Judge found the state’s ban unconstitutional last year, in 2024.
(SPRINGFIELD) A new law that could push school districts to study possible consolidation, aiming for efficiency and savings, is raising concerns by critics that warn it could threaten local control. House Bill 2966 creates a state grant program, through the Illinois State Board of Education, for districts to study potential reorganization, however opponents to the plan have their doubts that it will drive much change given strong ties by communities to their schools. Proponents of the law argue that overlapping administrative structures cost taxpayers millions of dollars and the grants used to study potential mergers between school districts could highlight opportunities for efficiency.
(SPRINGFIELD) More than $8 million in federal tax funds from Washington, D.C. is headed to airports across Illinois, but mostly in upstate regions. The U.S. Department of Transportation funding goes to improve taxiways, accommodate more passengers, and to make travelling easier. An airport in Peoria is getting $7.6 million for improvements there, while other airports in Decatur and Bloomington are also receiving some of the money.
(DU QUOIN) The 2025 Du Quoin State Fair is continuing with the fairground hours each day and night from 8:00 to 12 midnight, plus free admission for all ages, but there is a fee to park. Today is Sponsor Appreciation Day featuring Kids Day at the Fair, plus the One Man Circus, various contests, and on the Grandstand stage at 7:30 tonight is Tesla. Tomorrow is Illinois Tourism Day featuring the Made in Illinois Expo, the Ponytail & Pigtail Contest, the Smile Contest, and country musician Jake Owens on stage at 7:30. Saturday is Coal Heritage Day & SIU Day with livestock shows, the Heavy Horses Pull, a Lego Contest, the afternoon USAC Silver Crown Auto Racing, a nighttime Demo Derby, and on stage Tucker Wetmore Saturday night. Not to mention all the great food concessions, other live entertainment, various shows, carnival rides, games, and much more for all ages running through Labor Day night. That’s through Monday night, check it out on the dsf.illinois.gov website online.