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2+ hour, 8+ min ago (314+ words) After years of "fiscal cliffs and "doomsday scenarios," Chicago transit now has a financial lifeline from Springfield, and Charlie Wojciechowski breaks down what's in the bill. Drivers who use the Illinois Tollway could face higher fees under a sweeping overhaul of statewide public transit signed on Monday by Gov. J.B. Pritzker. The Northern Illinois Transit Authority Act, which calls for $1.5 billion in new annual transit funding, includes increases in both passenger and commercial vehicle tolls to fund the Illinois Tollway capital program. State officials said toll revenue will continue to go toward Tollway maintenance, operations and capital improvements -- and those dollars will remains separate from the $1.5 billion, which will be dedicated to transit improvements across Illinois. Under the proposed increase, which raises tolls for passenger vehicles $0.45, a trip to O'Hare on the'Tri-State Tollway'would cost $1.20. The current cost is $0.75. Along with the…...

3+ hour, 58+ min ago (1459+ words) A Bloomington-Normal historian says bicycles were once a top export from the state of Illinois with manufacturing centers in the state, including Peoria and Chicago, making two-thirds of all bicycles sold in the country in 1898. Chris Sweet, a librarian and professor at Illinois Wesleyan University, said that changed a lot in a series of ups and downs over many decades. His new book, "A History of Bicycling in Illinois: 160 Years of Booms and Busts," is out early next month from the University of Illinois Press. Sweet said in the 1890s, bicycling was a national activity second only to baseball. It was brought on by the entry of so-called safety bikes, with two wheels about the same size instead of the previous "big wheel," or "high wheel"" era that began in the 1870s. The design change allowed children and women to ride more…...

13+ hour, 22+ min ago (501+ words) On Dec. 30, the Illinois Fighting Illini will face the Tennessee Volunteers at Nissan Stadium in Nashville in the Music City Bowl. For Illinois edge rusher Gabe Jacas and OL JC Davis are opting out to prepare for the NFL Draft. The other significant injury for the Illini is Xavier Scott, who has not played since week three. For Tennessee the news is that stud receiver Chriss Brazell II (62 catches for 1,017 yards and nine TDs) has opted out of the bowl game to prepare for the NFL Draft. This game will feature two of the best QBs in the country: Luke Altmyer and Joey Aguilar. Neither team plays particularly good passing defense. Tennessee is 15th out of 16 teams in the SEC, while the Illini are 15th in the 18-team Big Ten. So, both teams might be inclined to air it out. The Illini…...

16+ hour, 57+ min ago (209+ words) Joey Wright hosts hour #2 of Sportstalk live from the Esquire Lounge in downtown Champaign with sportswriters Scott Richey & Bob Asmussen along with special guests, Illinois running back Aidan ... CHAMPAIGN " Illinois officially introduced Toni Bilic on Tuesday after the Croatian forward signed a Big Ten athletics aid agreement Bilic, a 6-foot-8, 210-pound forward, will join the Illini as a midseason addition for the remainder of the 2025-26 roster.What Bilic won't do, however, is play this season The Trogir, Croatia, native will practice with the Illini and spend his remaining time focused on strength and conditioning training and development."Toni is a multi-positional, skilled player who we are excited to have join us in practice," Illinois coach Brad Underwood said in an official release "He comes from a basketball family He has good feel for the game and a high IQ He…...

21+ hour, 33+ min ago (193+ words) Citadel is reportedly shrinking its Chicago footprint three years after company owner Ken Griffin left the city for Florida. Crain's Chicago Business reports the financial firm is moving its remaining Chicago operations from the former Citadel Center tower downtown to a smaller space north of the Chicago River. Citadel once employed as many as 1,100 people in Chicago, but the number is down to about 200 after relocations to Miami and New York. Gov. J.B. Pritzker says he was not given any notice before he found out U.S. Customs and Border Patrol Commander Gregory Bovino was back in Chicago Tuesday morning. Bovino led CBP during most of Operation Midway Blitz. Pritzker said the Trump administration referred to Bovino and other federal immigration officers' actions as "enforcement" while his administration calls it "harassment." Get Covered Illinois announced that Illinois residents now have until Dec. 31 to…...

21+ hour, 36+ min ago (305+ words) After years of "fiscal cliffs and "doomsday scenarios," Chicago transit now has a financial lifeline from Springfield. On Tuesday at Union Station, Illinois Gov. J.B. Pritzker signed a sweeping transit bill designed to modernize public transportation throughout the state, but especially in the Chicago area. "This is a once in a lifetime investment that will benefit everyone, especially the overall Illinois economy." Prizker said. The bill, which passed with mostly Democratic support, would replace the Regional Transportation Authority with a new body called the Northern Illinois Transit Authority. The NITA would have expanded authority over the CTA, Metra and Pace. The newly-signed legislation calls for $1.5 billion in new annual transit funding, which will come, in part, from redirecting the state fuel sales tax to fund transit. The change is expected to bring in about $860 million annually. Cook County Board President Toni…...

22+ hour, 36+ min ago (1101+ words) CHICAGO " Illinois lawmakers vowed to keep fighting for protections against artificial intelligence after President Donald Trump signed an executive order Thursday to shield tech companies from state laws. Trump's order targets state regulations, including several in Illinois, that he said are inconsistent with national policy on AI. Critics said Illinois will not be swayed by the influence of "Big Tech." The order calls on Attorney General Pam Bondi to establish an AI Litigation Task Force within 30 days to review state AI laws and sue those with regulations that undermine a national policy framework to promote "global AI dominance" for the United States. A spokesperson for Gov. JB Pritzker called the move "unlawful" and "a blatant federal overreach" in a statement to Capitol News Illinois. Pritzker's office and Illinois Attorney General Kwame Raoul's office each said they are reviewing the order…...

1+ day, 4+ hour ago (213+ words) Starting in January, insurance companies must cover a brand name when the generic version isn't available. That's one of many new Illinois laws that take effect in January. NBC 5's Mary Ann Ahern reports. A new Illinois law taking effect on January 1 will require employers to provide paid breaks for nursing mothers to pump breast milk. Under the provisions of Senate Bill 0212, employers must provide paid break time to mothers so that they may "express or pump breast milk" for their children. The bill requires employers to provide up to 30 minutes of paid break time to any employee who needs to express or pump breast milk for their children. That requirement lasts for up to one year after a child is born, according to text of the bill. According to Fine's office, approximately 80% of new mothers in the U.S. breastfeed, and…...

1+ day, 4+ hour ago (485+ words) Shauna Green's legacy continues to grow with the Illinois basketball program, as the head coach notched career win No. 200 in Division I women's college basketball against North Texas. This milestone was achieved this past Sunday in Champaign, when the Illini trounced the visiting Mean Green by a score of 81-69. It was a dominating performance that also gave Green her win No. 73 with Illinois, firmly cementing her in third place in program history. Green, who is in her fourth year with Illinois, has been a Division I head coach for almost 10 years. Before arriving in Champaign, she actually started in the Atlantic-10, where Green compiled a very hefty resum with the Dayton Flyers. Winning has been a major part of Green's career in D-1 athletics. That is why when athletic director Josh Whitman brought her in after Nancy Fahey's retirement, fans were…...

1+ day, 5+ hour ago (206+ words) PRINCETON, Ill. " A person in a vehicle suspected of involvement in a homicide in Rock County was found dead from a self-inflicted gunshot wound at a rest area in Princeton, Ill., approximately an hour and 45 minutes south of Beloit. According to the Illinois State Police, troopers and local law enforcement attempted to pull over the suspected vehicle around 9:51 p.m. on Dec. 10. The pursuit ended at the Great Sauk Rest Area on I-80 westbound near Princeton. Upon making contact, officials discovered the person deceased. The driver was the sole occupant of the vehicle. The Illinois State Police stated it will conduct a thorough investigation and remain in contact with the Bureau County State's Attorney's Office regarding the incident. The investigation is active and ongoing. On the same day, 25-year-old Arianna Fobes'was shot in the 1900 block of Colony Court in Beloit.'She was taken to the…...