Illinois soon could give bonuses to universities for enrolling African American and Hispanic students under a proposal by a state government commission.

The recommendation by the Illinois Commission on Equitable Public University Funding aims to address “the historic inequities” in education “especially among students from low-income households, students of color, students from rural communities, and working adults,” according to a news release.

A judge in Springfield on Wednesday issued a temporary injunction blocking a law passed by Democrats that would have prevented Republicans from slating candidates for legislative races not filled in the March primary.

Sangamon County Judge Gail Noll issued the order pending a hearing on June 3, which had been the statutory date for filling the unfilled candidate slots on the Nov. 5 ballot.

State lawmakers are advancing a bill this week that would leave the decision on cops in Chicago Public Schools to local school councils, potentially upending the Board of Education’s plan to vote Thursday to remove officers from 39 high schools that still have them.

The bill is the latest backlash in Springfield against policy changes proposed by Mayor Brandon Johnson’s school board that align with his progressive education agenda. The Illinois Senate is also expected to vote Thursday on a bill extending a ban on school closings and limiting the school board’s authority to make budgetary and admissions changes affecting selective enrollment schools.

A proposal in the Illinois statehouse to make sure a program that helps people with their power bill doesn’t go away now awaits a signature from the Governor.

It’s the Low-Income Home Energy Assistance Program, and it’s designed to help lower income people pay for energy services like their heat bill. Advocates say if it’s cut, thousands with lower incomes will suffer.

 Illinois has one of the highest gasoline taxes in the country, so now some Illinois lawmakers want to prevent the tax from increasing for two years.

The gas tax in Illinois is just over 45 cents per gallon and will increase to 47 cents in July.

An advisory board refused Wednesday to recommend creating a $350 million tax increment financing district for a controversial development off I-88 in Sugar Grove.

But it didn’t oppose it, either.