Author: Catrina Barker | The Center Square contributor, Washington Examiner

(The Center Square) – Opponents of Senate Bill 2482 and House Bill 3717 argue that allowing community colleges to offer bachelor’s degrees could dilute education quality and duplicate existing university programs, despite claims it would expand access and address workforce needs. State Rep. Paul Jacobs, R-Pomona, who serves on the House Appropriations-Higher Education Committee, said…

(The Center Square) – A plan to launch Illinois’ first overdose prevention site is facing pushback from critics who say it could encourage drug use and increase crime. Supporters argue it would save lives. House Bill 2929 was advanced by the Mental Health and Addiction committee but hasn’t been called to the floor. State Rep.…

(The Center Square) – Opponents say Senate Bill 2217 will be detrimental to rural Illinoisans by dissolving townships that have population sizes less than 5,000. Illinois state Sen. Suzy Glowiak Hilton, D-Western Springs, has introduced Senate Bill 2217 to dissolve townships that have population sizes less than 5,000. Jan Weber, Phoenix Township clerk in Henry…

(The Center Square) – A former Illinois GOP House candidate is urging the U.S. Department of Education to investigate Midwestern colleges in Wisconsin, Michigan, Pennsylvania and Illinois for allegedly sharing student data with groups boosting left-wing voter efforts. Desi Anderson, who lost to state Rep. Sharon Chung, D-Bloomington, in the November 2024 election, ran in…

(The Center Square) – Homeschool groups have concerns about President-elect Donald Trump’s proposed tax credit as Illinois lawmakers look at regulating the practice. Trump, in a video posted on social media, promised homeschooling parents tax relief on their education costs, up to $10,000 per year per child. “I will do everything I can to support…

(The Center Square) – Electric vehicle battery maker Gotion announced a year ago that it would transform a vacant Manteno, Illinois, Kmart distribution center into a $2 billion factory. Manteno residents sued the village and Gotion, arguing the plant will use toxic chemicals that are not allowed under local zoning provisions. Representing the citizens is…