Sangamon Sun

Earlier this year, Ameren and ComEd announced significant increases in summer electricity rates. These changes are attributed to energy grid capacity auctions and ongoing strains on Illinois' power supply.

Senate Republicans attribute the current rate hikes and supply issues in Illinois' energy sector to policies by Democrat lawmakers, which they claim have forced reliable power plants offline and hindered new construction.

State Senator Sally Turner is advocating for the passage of an energy legislative package during the General Assembly's fall Veto Session. The proposed legislation includes repealing closure dates for fossil fuel plants, cutting permitting delays for projects like the Lincoln Land Energy Center, and creating a task force to examine state energy policies.

"Our families are already struggling with rising costs," said Senator Sally Turner. "Illinois needs to utilize coal and gas power to strengthen grid stability."

Meanwhile, Illinois residents can find ways to reduce their energy usage on the Senate Republican Caucus’ Energy Savings FAQ page.

In response to deadly flooding in Texas over the Fourth of July weekend, an Illinois Urban Search and Rescue team was deployed by the Illinois Emergency Management Agency and Office of Homeland Security. The team departed on July 11, 2025, as part of a mutual aid agreement among states.

A report by Truth in Accounting ranked Illinois last in financial transparency among all 50 states due to delays in publishing its fiscal year 2023 Annual Comprehensive Financial Reports. Senator Sally Turner criticized Democrats for failing to provide basic transparency.

The Illinois Department of Commerce and Economic Opportunity announced $7 million in grants for four tech incubators across the state under the Tech Incubator Enhancement Grant Program. This program aims to support innovation and entrepreneurship in key growth industries.

The Illinois State Police recently graduated its largest cadet class in 25 years with 95 new troopers completing training. Each trooper will undergo additional field training before transitioning to solo patrol duties.

Data from the Illinois Shelter Alliance shows a 116% increase in homelessness within the state over the past year, linked to high living costs. Critics argue that Democratic lawmakers should focus on addressing root causes of homelessness rather than funding non-citizen services.