News
Stalled surveillance bill highlights tension between privacy and public safety
2+ day, 13+ hour ago (994+ words) CHICAGO " Backers of a bill aimed at limiting law enforcement's use of biometric surveillance say they're not looking to move the measure this legislative session. House Bill 5521, the proposed Biometric Surveillance Act, would prohibit law enforcement agencies from using or…...
20, 000 trucks a day: Life near a booming warehouse hub
2+ day, 16+ hour ago (1761+ words) Trucks at a busy intersection in Joliet, Ill. Credit: Jamie Kelter Davis for The New York Times Cam Rodriguez, who grew up in Bolingbrook, Ill. , reported on the effects of warehouse development on Chicago's suburbs as part of The Times's Local Investigations…...
Tech giants sued over "stealing" voices of well-known journalists, voice actors to train AI
2+ day, 11+ hour ago (663+ words) CHICAGO " Over hundreds of pages in legal filings this week, a group of well-known Chicago-based journalists, podcasters and voice actors accused tech giants like Google, Amazon, Apple, Microsoft and others of "stealing" their voices to train Artificial intelligence. The vast…...
Federal drug discount expansion proposal may cost Illinois millions, agency head says
2+ day, 12+ hour ago (887+ words) SPRINGFIELD " A proposal that would expand access to a federal program that discounts the price of prescription drugs could end up costing Illinois employers an additional $89 million a year, including more than $12 million a year for the state of Illinois…...
More than 1, 500 first-time homebuyers benefit from state's "Access Home' program
2+ day, 16+ hour ago (317+ words) MOORE'S SUMMARY: In March, we told you about a new program Gov. JB Pritzker's administration launched offering up to $15, 000 in down payment and closing cost assistance for eligible first-time Illinois homebuyers. Within nine weeks, more than 1, 500 homebuyers have been offered…...
Ex-residents of apartment building targeted in massive immigration raid seek millions in damages
2+ day, 16+ hour ago (850+ words) Former residents of a raided Chicago apartment building are seeking millions over alleged federal immigration abuses....
School choice option at standstill as legislators weigh benefits, political fallout
2+ day, 17+ hour ago (1629+ words) CHICAGO " Diverse interest groups " from public school activists and downstate voters to state officials and school boards " have pushed Gov. JB Pritzker to finally make a decision about the Trump administration's Education Freedom Tax Credit. Yet, there has been mostly…...
IDOT targets young engineering talent with student loan assistance
3+ day, 12+ hour ago (720+ words) SPRINGFIELD " The Illinois Department of Transportation announced this week it will soon repay up to $60, 000 in student loans for eligible employees over four years as part of an initiative to lure recently graduated engineers in an increasingly competitive job market....
Advocates, accusing governor of "lack of engagement," urge passage of data center regulations by end of May
3+ day, 17+ hour ago (1560+ words) SPRINGFIELD " Environmental advocates continue to pressure lawmakers to require more transparency about data centers" water and energy use as the legislative session creeps toward the finish line. The POWER Act is the primary vehicle for regulations that address concerns about…...
Behind the scenes of Illinois" AI regulatory negotiations
3+ day, 13+ hour ago (296+ words) Illinois lawmakers are negotiating new AI regulations with support from Open AI and Anthropic as talks intensify....