IPR

U.S. Rep. Eric Sorensen, a Democrat who represents parts of Bloomington-Normal and Peoria, wants to stop pharmaceutical companies from gaming an FDA loophole he says is keeping generics from reaching the market.

GOP legislators also introduced bills to make it easier for people older than 65 to get a homestead exemption, and allow property tax assessments to be published online.

Three-quarters of all attorneys who passed the bar exam in February opted to work in Cook County. The Illinois Supreme Court has been examining ways to address legal deserts in small and rural counties across the state.

U.S. Rep. Darin LaHood said he favors an approach to dealing with the looming Social Security insolvency that takes at least some of the political gamesmanship out of the issue.

The Democrat from Moline recently visited Bloomington-Normal for a whirlwind tour, discussing community school funding, flood mitigation and data centers. In a WGLT interview, he also reacted to confronting the defense secretary about continued cuts to the civilian workforce that makes weapons and ammunition.

Community and afterschool programs are requesting more money as they still trying to get federal funding cuts back, and Gov. JB Pritzker proposed a funding cut in next years budget.

Don Craven, an attorney for multiple journalism associations in the state, said Illinois is in good shape compared to other states. Amid uncertainty at the federal level, he defended his work in courts and litigation to protect the profession.

The changes in the SNAP work requirements could leave more than 120,000 people without benefits. Food pantries are uncertain about the future with rising cost and demand.

U.S. Sen. Dick Durbin doesn't think the current version of the Farm Bill will fly. During a news conference in Normal, he said the House version will not get his vote.

The Trump administration said Thursday it had launched an investigation in District 87, Ridgeview, and 34 other Illinois school districts to “to determine whether they have included sexual orientation and gender ideology content in any class for grades pre-K-12.”