Get the latest news from around Illinois.
The Center Square: Vote by mail for the November election begins Wednesday in Illinois
Vote-by-mail applications for the Nov. 8 general election opened Wednesday, along with the new ability to permanently request mail-in ballots.
All registered Illinois voters are eligible to vote by mail due to a new state law allowing voters to tell their election authority they permanently want to receive mail-in ballots.
WCIA: Local nursing homes fined by state
Several central Illinois nursing homes are being fined by the state.
The Illinois Department of Public Health released its 2022 second quarterly report. Showing nursing homes violating the nursing home care act.
NBC 5 Chicago: Illinois REAL ID: Here's the List of Documents Required to Apply
Soon, U.S. residents will no longer be able to simply use an ordinary driver’s license as a form of identification when flying domestically.
At that time, anyone 18 and older will be required to present a REAL ID-compliant driver’s license or identification card to fly within the country, or visit a federal facility.
The Center Square: Report: Fraction of Illinois hospitals complying with price transparency law
A new report from a patients rights group finds that most Illinois hospitals continue to hide actual prices from consumers 18 months after the Hospital Price Transparency Rule went into effect.
Beginning in January 2021, every hospital operating in the U.S. was required to provide clear, accessible pricing information online about the items and services they provide.
WIFR: In-depth: Breaking down the criminal justice system
If you commit a crime and go to court, state law requires the person must be competent in order to stand trial. 23 News has an in-depth look at how a defendant’s ability to stand trial impacts the entire court case, but more importantly the burden it has on defense attorney’s.
“People have a very distorted perception of what it means to be found unfit as though it’s somehow a free get out of jail card, it is the polar opposite,” said Rockford area defense attorney Chris DeRango.
The Center Square: Study: Illinois has some work to do when it comes to free speech
A new study on state laws that regulate political speech argues Illinois could do better in some key areas.
According to the Institute for Free Speech, which produced the report, “The Free Speech Index” examines how well each state supports the free speech and association rights of individuals and groups interested in speaking about candidates, issues of public policy, and their government.
WBBM: Applications to permanently receive mail-in ballots now available for Illinois voters
Voting by mail isn’t new, of course, but Wednesday marked the first day Illinois residents could choose to receive mail-in ballots permanently.
As of today, any Illinois voter can request to vote by mail in all subsequent elections in their county.