Ben Szalinski
ReporterBen Szalinski joined Capitol News Illinois in November 2024 as a Statehouse reporter covering the General Assembly from Springfield and other events happening around state government.
He previously covered Illinois government for The Daily Line following time in McHenry County with the Northwest Herald. Ben is also a graduate of the University of Illinois Springfield PAR program.
He is a lifelong Illinois resident and is originally from Mundelein.
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State lawmakers are spending this spring’s legislative session debating how to solve a $771 million funding gap the Chicago area’s public transportation agencies face in 2026. But downstate public transit agencies are also facing a similar plight as costs rise beyond the state’s longstanding funding commitment. -
Gov. JB Pritzker issued a rare veto Friday of a bill that would require warehouse workers in Illinois to know quotas they must meet at their jobs. -
Illinois lawmakers voiced a wide range of reactions Wednesday following former House Speaker Michael Madigan’s conviction on multiple federal corruption charges. -
Gov. JB Pritzker has downplayed any interest in running for president when asked by reporters but admitted last August he was “torn” about leaving Illinois to become vice president should he have been selected by Kamala Harris and won the election. -
Foster care officials will have to prioritize placing children with their relatives under a new law signed by Gov. JB Pritzker on Wednesday. -
President Donald Trump’s plan to implement tariffs on key United States trading partners could affect more than $100 billion worth of goods imported to Illinois from Canada, Mexico and China. -
Revenue returns remain on track halfway through Illinois’ budget year, though it’s next year that is causing concern in the Capitol. -
The smell of raw cannabis in a vehicle gives police probable cause to search it, the Illinois Supreme Court ruled last week.
