(SPRINGFIELD) Law enforcement officials and others from across the state gathered yesterday for the Law Enforcement Medal of Honor Ceremony in Springfield to honor officers who performed acts of heroism in 2025. 19 officers from six agencies received the Medal of Honor in recognition of their brave and sacrificial service to the people of Illinois. Recipients included those from the Illinois State Police, from Sheriff’s Departments in both Carroll and Kane Counties, and from Police Departments in Glendale Heights, Zion, and Chicago.
(SPRINGFIELD) Constitutional concerns surround state legislation aimed at verifying the age of internet and social media users. Sponsors of House Bill 5511 say the focus is to protect children in the digital age by creating an age assurance system that allows platforms to identify whether a user is a minor without unnecessarily collecting excessive personal information. The measure would also limit notification hours and prohibit the automatic playing of media to a covered minor by default. But some opponents say the bill does not go far enough in limiting access.
(SPRINGFIELD) Amended legislation to regulate e-bikes, motorized scooters, and other micromobility devices now goes to the State Senate for consideration after the State House approved the measure this past Wednesday night. Senate Bill 3336 would require a person to be at least 16 years old, licensed to drive, and to register certain electric devices with the state before they can be legally operated. This does not include or affect devices for the handicapped.
(SPRINGFIELD) The Illinois Department of Natural Resources reports statewide hunters harvested a preliminary record total of 20,821 wild turkeys during Illinois’ spring turkey season, surpassing the previous record of 18,189 birds harvested last year in 2025. The state’s top counties during this 2026 season were Jefferson and Jo Daviess counties, each with 646 wild turkeys harvested. Nearby Marion County was next with 530 birds, followed by Pike with 525.