Trump's on a pardon spree, prison looms for Madigan, and Blago wouldn't wish sentencing on his 'worst enemy'

Michael Madigan’s sentencing hearing will cap the most aggressive, expansive corruption investigation in Chicago since the days of Rod Blagojevich. But many wonder, would President Donald Trump grant clemency?

From: 
Chicago Sun-Times

SIU Simmons Law School Offers Mobile Legal Clinics for Senior Citizens This Summer

Posted on June 5, 2025 by Kelsey Jo Burge

CARBONDALE, Ill. — The Southern Illinois University Simmons Law School will begin a series of mobile legal clinics in the region next week to provide free, onsite assistance for senior citizens wanting to prepare health care power of attorney.

The legal clinic’s Senior Summer Sessions begin Tuesday, June 10, at the Murphysboro Senior Center and will run through July 31, with site visits to each of the 13 southernmost counties the clinic serves. Participants must be age 60 or older and live within those 13 counties.

Jury awards $1.5M to city council candidate who said she was defamed during campaign

A Cook County jury on Wednesday ordered Hyde Park Ald. Lamont Robinson’s campaign and Cook County Board President Toni Preckwinkle’s 4th Ward Democratic Organization to pay $1.475 million to a former Chicago City Council candidate who said she was defamed by mailers and text messages the two organizations sent during the 2023 aldermanic campaign.

From: 
WTTW

Peoria County losing a legal resource

Federal budget cuts directed by President Donald Trump’s Department of Governmental Efficiency means that residents will soon lose the services of the Peoria County 10th Judicial Circuit Courthouse Law Library and Self-Help Center’s public assistant, who is provided free to taxpayers by AmeriCorps.

From: 
Peoria County Chronicle

Project Safe Neighborhoods expands to downtown, CTA trains

The U.S. Justice Department program started in 2001 to try to secure stiffer prison sentences for gun offenders. Up to now in Chicago, it was concentrated in high-crime areas on the West and South Sides.

From: 
Chicago Sun-Times

Illinois’ swipe fee law put on hold while being challenged in court

Banking groups are applauding the news that Illinois’ controversial Interchange Fee Prohibition Act is being placed on the back burner for a year. The law would prohibit interchange fees from being charged on portions of credit and debit card transactions that include taxes and gratuities.

From: 
Advantage News

Baby food safety, press freedom, public defender measures will head to governor

Gov. JB Pritzker will have hundreds of bills to review after lawmakers concluded their spring session, including measures protecting press freedoms and baby food, as well as creating a state public defender’s office.

From: 
WREX

Illinois AG joins fight against Trump's transgender military ban

Illinois Attorney General Kwame Raoul, alongside a coalition of 20 attorneys general, filed an amicus brief on Friday opposing the Trump administration's ban on transgender military service. This brief supports the lawsuit Shilling v. Trump, brought by current and aspiring transgender service members, including U.S. Navy Commander Emily Shilling.

From: 
WTHI

Shield law, university admissions, foster placement bills clear General Assembly

More than 150 bills moved through the General Assembly in the final week of the legislative session and will make their way to the governor, including measures touching on drug approval, college admissions and foster placement.

From: 
NPR Illinois