JB Pritzker

A federal appeals court upheld Illinois' law banning semiautomatic assault weapons and large-capacity magazines, reversing a lower court's ruling that declared the ban unconstitutional. The decision emphasized the law's alignment with firearm regulation traditions, while a dissent argued it violated Second Amendment rights. Illinois officials celebrated the ruling, and the National Shooting Sports Foundation plans to appeal to the Supreme Court.

A federal appeals court upheld Illinois' ban on semiautomatic assault weapons and large-capacity magazines, reversing a lower court ruling that found the law unconstitutional. Chief Judge Michael Brennan dissented, arguing the ban violates Second Amendment rights, while Illinois officials celebrated the decision as a public safety victory. The National Shooting Sports Foundation plans to appeal to the Supreme Court.

A federal appeals court upheld Illinois's ban on semiautomatic weapons, overturning a lower court's ruling that deemed the ban unconstitutional. The Seventh Circuit's 2-1 decision affirmed the law's compliance with the Second Amendment, citing its alignment with firearm regulation traditions and evidence linking such weapons to severe gun violence. The law, enacted in 2023, was prompted by a 2022 mass shooting at a Chicago-area parade.

A federal appeals court upheld Illinois' ban on semiautomatic weapons, reversing a lower court's ruling that found the law unconstitutional. The decision supports the 2023 Protect Illinois Communities Act, enacted after a 2022 Highland Park shooting, and asserts the law aligns with firearm regulation traditions. The National Shooting Sports Foundation plans to seek Supreme Court review, while Illinois officials called the ruling a victory for public safety.

A federal appeals court upheld Illinois' ban on semiautomatic weapons, reversing a lower court's ruling that found the law unconstitutional. The decision, in a 2-1 ruling, affirmed the law's compliance with the Second Amendment and its role in addressing gun violence. The law, enacted after a 2022 Highland Park parade shooting, faces opposition from gun rights groups seeking Supreme Court review.

A federal appeals court upheld Illinois's ban on semiautomatic weapons, overturning a lower court's ruling that deemed the law unconstitutional. The 2-1 decision affirmed the law's compliance with the Second Amendment, citing its alignment with firearm regulation traditions and evidence linking assault weapons to mass shooting severity. The law, enacted in 2023, prohibits AR-15 rifles, large-capacity magazines, and related attachments following a 2022 Highland Park parade shooting.

Chicago Board of Education members aligned with Mayor Brandon Johnson and the Chicago Teachers Union urged Governor JB Pritzker to hold a special legislative session to increase education funding, citing a $700 million deficit in Chicago Public Schools' budget. They advocated for progressive tax policies targeting wealthy individuals and corporations, but legislation for a millionaire's tax stalled in May.

Illinois Governor JB Pritzker signed Senate Bill 315, the Artificial Intelligence Safety Measures Act, modeled after similar legislation in California and New York. The bill imposes transparency and accountability requirements on large AI models generating over $500 million annually, including reporting catastrophic risks and incidents. The law aims to establish a de facto national standard, with Illinois, California, and New York representing 40% of the U.S. AI market.

Disgraced ex-legislator Harry Benton resigned following unspecified misconduct allegations, with Governor JB Pritzker stating he made the right decision. The resignation was prompted by a report from Legislative Inspector General Mike McCuskey, leading Illinois House Speaker Emanuel Welch to halt expulsion proceedings.

Illinois Gov. JB Pritzker signed AI regulations requiring third-party audits and safety plans for large AI developers like OpenAI and Anthropic to mitigate catastrophic risks. The law imposes civil penalties for non-compliance, including $1 million for first violations and $3 million thereafter, and mandates reporting critical safety incidents within 72 hours.

Illinois has become the first state to require third-party audits of AI models for the largest artificial intelligence labs. The Artificial Intelligence Safety Measures Act (S.B. 315) mandates audits of safety plans to address AI risks.

Gov. J.B. Pritzker signed a new AI protections bill, making Illinois the third state to regulate AI. The law, set to take effect in 2028, is described as one of the strongest AI safety laws in the country.

Illinois Gov. JB Pritzker signed Senate Bill 315, the Artificial Intelligence Safety Measures Act, which targets the most powerful AI companies in the country.

Governor JB Pritzker is set to sign a bill into law on artificial intelligence Monday. The legislation focuses on AI-related regulations.

Illinois Democrats are debating the use of AI in their work and personal lives, with some representatives like Bill Foster using it to draft legislation while others like Delia Ramirez avoid it due to privacy and societal risks. State lawmakers passed legislation requiring AI companies to address severe risks through annual plans and third-party audits, pending Governor JB Pritzker’s signature. Federal and state actions, including President Donald Trump’s executive order on AI model reviews, highlight growing regulatory efforts.

Illinois Attorney General Kwame Raoul criticized a $10 million budget cut to his office after a late-night state budget passage. Governor JB Pritzker praised Raoul for defending Illinoisans against federal challenges but acknowledged budget constraints. Raoul is seeking restored funding to maintain operations.

The U.S. Supreme Court upheld laws in 27 states restricting biological males from women's sports, but 19 of 23 remaining states allow transgender athletes in girls' sports. California and Illinois defend their state laws protecting transgender athletes, while Hawaii complies with existing policies. A lawsuit against California's AB 1266 law, which permits transgender students to compete consistent with their gender identity, is ongoing.

Democratic governors requested the U.S. Postal Service to withdraw a proposed rule linked to President Donald Trump's executive order, which aimed to create a federal voter list and restrict mail-in ballots. A federal judge previously blocked the order, citing unconstitutionality, and the governors argued the rule would undermine election trust and disenfranchise voters.

The New York State Trial Lawyers Association honored Court of Appeals Associate Justice Jenny Rivera and civil rights attorney Ben Crump at its annual Law Day gala, emphasizing the importance of trial lawyers in upholding equal justice and legal principles. Honorees highlighted the role of attorneys in safeguarding constitutional rights and addressing issues like police brutality through high-profile cases.

Governor JB Pritzker signed legislation establishing the Illinois Department of Early Childhood, effective July 1. The new department consolidates three previous agencies that managed early childhood services into a single entity.

Illinois Gov. JB Pritzker claimed President Donald Trump exhibits signs of dementia through disjointed speech and public behavior, criticizing Trump's rhetoric on socialism. The White House dismissed Pritzker as a 'slob' and 'incompetent governor,' defending Trump's health and accusing him of spreading false narratives to remain relevant.

Illinois Gov. JB Pritzker (D) accused President Trump of 'suffering from dementia' during a CNN appearance. Pritzker addressed Trump's claims, including the assertion that communism is a greater threat than both world wars, the attack on Pearl Harbor, and the Sept. 11 attacks.

Illinois implements a new $56 billion budget and 14 laws on July 1, including permanent cocktails-to-go, AI-related cyberbullying regulations, and the launch of the Department of Early Childhood. The laws address pandemic-era alcohol sales, AI-generated harmful content in schools, contraband reporting in prisons, and a statewide public defender office.

Illinois Gov. JB Pritzker issued a disaster proclamation to address severe weather, flooding, and tornadoes affecting multiple counties over several months. The proclamation aims to mobilize state resources and expedite recovery efforts, with potential federal funding through the Community Development Block Grant Disaster Response program.

Governor Pritzker issued a disaster proclamation for Illinois counties affected by severe storms. The proclamation takes effect immediately.

Illinois Governor JB Pritzker is making Illinois the first state to require insurance coverage for preeclampsia testing. Kara Boeldt, founder of End Preeclampsia, discusses the importance of this requirement on ChicagoLIVE.

The U.S. Supreme Court agreed to hear a challenge to Cook County’s assault weapons ban, which prohibits possession of firearms like AR-15s. The case, consolidated with a similar challenge from Connecticut, will determine whether the Second and Fourteenth Amendments guarantee the right to own such rifles. The decision follows the 2022 Bruen ruling, which established a framework for evaluating gun laws based on historical tradition of firearm regulation.

The Illinois AFL-CIO has deferred decisions on legislative and statewide endorsements due to dissatisfaction with Springfield's handling of key priorities, including a Tier Two pension fix and unemployment insurance bills (HB2565 and HB4416). Unions criticized legislative processes and opposition from business interests and local schools, while Governor JB Pritzker's pause on data center tax breaks may force negotiations.

Illinois Gov. JB Pritzker visited Texas to support Democrats in their bid for a statewide seat and build political coalitions, following past tensions with Texas Gov. Greg Abbott over migrant busing. Pritzker also hosted a fundraiser for Democratic Senate candidate James Talarico and has delivered speeches that have fueled speculation about a 2028 presidential run.

Governor JB Pritzker signed a bill allowing cocktails to-go starting July 1. State Senator Sara Feigenholtz discusses the legislation on ChicagoLive.

Illinois has banned hidden 'junk fees' in online purchases and targeted bots and 'ghost ticketers' in ticket sales through new legislation signed by Gov. JB Pritzker. The law requires upfront disclosure of all fees, including service and processing charges, and prohibits resellers from listing tickets they do not physically possess.

Chicago welcomed 56.8 million tourists in 2025, generating $21.5 billion in visitor spending, a record high. The city saw 11.9 million hotel room bookings, with Millennials accounting for 37% of visitors. New events like the 2026 WNBA All-Star Game and 2027 MLB All-Star Game, along with a tourism improvement district, aim to further boost tourism.

Kalshi, a prediction market platform, sued Illinois officials over a new state law imposing a 15% tax on sports-related wagers. The company argues the law violates the supremacy clause by conflicting with federal regulation of derivatives overseen by the Commodity Futures Trading Commission.

Governor JB Pritzker is set to sign legislation protecting reproductive freedoms in Illinois on the anniversary of the Dobbs decision, which shifted the federal constitutional right to abortion to the states.

Reeve L., an Illinois resident, spiraled into gambling addiction after legalizing sports betting in 2019, losing $450,000 in savings and $150,000 in loans. Illinois expanded gambling operations, generating $2.6 billion in tax revenue in 2022, but critics argue the state lacks sufficient safeguards to protect individuals from addiction and financial ruin.

Gov. JB Pritzker is expected to sign new legislation aimed at protecting reproductive health records in Illinois. The legislation focuses on safeguarding these records from potential threats.

Gov. JB Pritzker will sign Illinois legislation to protect abortion-related medical records from access by outside authorities. The Reproductive Health Records Privacy Act, sponsored by Sen. Celina Villanueva and Rep. Mary Beth Canty, requires segregation of abortion data and limits cross-state sharing without patient consent. Patients may sue for violations, and health exchanges must implement changes by 2027.

Gov. JB Pritzker is hosting a Chicago fundraiser for Democratic Senate candidate James Talarico, who faces Texas Attorney General Ken Paxton in a high-stakes Senate race. Talarico raised $40.2 million in the primary, and the election is considered Democrats' best chance to win a Senate seat in Texas. The race follows a Texas Democratic walkout to Illinois to block GOP redistricting plans.

Illinois has become a destination for abortion seekers following the overturn of Roe v. Wade, with rising demand and costs prompting increased financial aid. The Chicago Abortion Fund provided over $25 million in support in 2025, and a new public-private fund aims to assist clinics handling out-of-state patients.

Gov. JB Pritzker's efforts to keep the Bears in Illinois and pass the BUILD affordable housing plan failed due to opposition from local government leaders. The BUILD plan aimed to streamline housing development but stalled in the legislature, with critics citing preemptive state control over local zoning. Pritzker remains determined to push the plan during a fall veto session.