The Chicagoland Journal

09/23/2026

Willie Wilson is calling for Chicago, Cook County, and the State of Illinois to suspend their gas taxes to give drivers financial relief. Wilson argues high gas prices are putting too much pressure on working families, and removing local and state gas taxes would offer immediate help. He says leaders should act quickly, especially as inflation continues to affect everyday costs. Wilson has made similar tax‑cut proposals in past campaigns, framing them as part of his push for affordability.

The state controls several major components of the tax burden imposed on gasoline, while Cook County and the City of Chicago levy their own taxes and fees that affect the final price motorists see at gas stations.

09/23/2026

The DuPage County Sheriff’s Office has joined the national I.G.N.I.T.E. initiative to expand rehabilitation and education opportunities for inmates. The program focuses on helping incarcerated individuals build job skills, improve literacy, and prepare for re‑entry through structured classes and support services. Sheriff’s officials say joining I.G.N.I.T.E. strengthens their commitment to reducing recidivism and giving inmates real tools to succeed once released. The initiative is already active in several states and is growing nationwide.

DuPage County officials say the program will allow the Sheriff’s Office and its partners to broaden educational and workforce training offerings for participants. The Sheriff’s Office is now seeking community partners, volunteers and sponsors willing to help expand those opportunities. ...

09/23/2026

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09/22/2026

A parental‑rights group is raising concerns about a new student data portal connected to school mental‑health screenings. The group is questioning how much information is being collected, who can access it, and whether parents are being fully informed about the system. They argue that mental‑health tools should support students without creating privacy risks or expanding data tracking. School officials say the portal is meant to streamline support services, but the debate is growing as parents push for clearer safeguards and transparency.

Adcock said the state has indicated that data will be stored in a private Google Cloud environment controlled by the state and that Google does not have access to the contents.

09/22/2026

Joshua Travis is making his third run for Park Forest Village Trustee — and this time, he says the campaign is deeply personal. Travis is focusing on community connection, accountability, and restoring trust in local leadership. He talks about his long ties to Park Forest and why he feels compelled to keep stepping forward, even after past losses. Travis highlights issues like resident engagement, transparency, and strengthening the village’s future, saying he wants to be a voice who genuinely listens.

The objective, he said, is making government more proactive instead of waiting for problems to reach a crisis.

09/21/2026

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Welcome to CJ News, powered by the Chicagoland Journal! Join us as we cover the latest stories shaping the Chicago area:

First, the Will County Clerk’s Office has launched a new online platform allowing residents to order certified birth, marriage and death records without visiting the office.

Next, parental-rights organization Awake Illinois is raising questions about student privacy, parental consent and the state’s BEACON behavioral-health portal as Illinois prepares to implement school mental-health screenings.

Finally, Illinois agencies are set to manage more than $619 million in state and federal funding for homelessness programs during fiscal year 2027. The state reports that overall homelessness declined 6%, while chronic homelessness increased 28%.

Read the full stories:

Will County’s online vital-records platform:
https://thechicagolandjournal.com/will-county-clerk-launches-online-vital-records-ordering-platform/

Student-data and BEACON concerns:
https://thechicagolandjournal.com/parental-rights-group-questions-student-data-portal-tied-to-mental-health-screenings/

Illinois homelessness funding:
https://thechicagolandjournal.com/il-homelessness-prevention-costs-taxpayers-over-600-million/

Subscribe to The Chicagoland Journal for more news from Chicago, the suburbs and communities across Illinois.

The Chicagoland Journal Newspaper is the premier source for news in the Chicago area. “You decide!”

For more news visit: https://thechicagolandjournal.com
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Twitter: https://twitter.com/newsthejournal
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09/20/2026

Read the latest weekly print edition of The Chicagoland Journal! For more news you can use, visit us online at thechicagolandjournal.com or find a print version at select locations! Always free!

09/18/2026

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Welcome to CJ News, powered by the Chicagoland Journal! Join us as we cover the latest stories shaping the Chicago area:

First, Park Forest Trustee and mayoral candidate Randall White outlines his plans for property-tax relief, business growth, infrastructure investment and Village leadership. Chicagoland Journal correspondent Cornelisa Darden also speaks with White about why he considers Park Forest’s property-tax burden a crisis.

Next, Cook County Clerk Monica Gordon welcomes a U.S. Supreme Court decision blocking new federal mail-ballot requirements from taking effect before the Nov. 3 General Election.

Finally, the Democratic Party of Illinois reports more than 221,000 doors knocked and 283,000 direct voter contacts through its Organize Illinois 2026 campaign.

Read the full stories:

Randall White’s mayoral plan:
https://thechicagolandjournal.com/randall-white-outlines-mayoral-vision-for-park-forest-focusing-on-taxes-business-growth-and-leadership/

Supreme Court mail-ballot ruling:
https://thechicagolandjournal.com/cook-county-clerk-gordon-welcomes-supreme-court-mail-ballot-ruling/

Illinois Democrats’ voter outreach:
https://thechicagolandjournal.com/illinois-democrats-highlight-high-momentum-ahead-of-november-election/

Subscribe to The Chicagoland Journal for more news from Chicago, the suburbs and communities across Illinois.

The Chicagoland Journal Newspaper is the premier source for news in the Chicago area. “You decide!”

For more news visit: https://thechicagolandjournal.com
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/ChicagolandJournal
Twitter: https://twitter.com/newsthejournal
Linkedin: https://www.linkedin.com/company/the-southland-journal

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09/18/2026

Independent candidate Collin Corbett is criticizing the Illinois Department of Financial and Professional Regulation (IDFPR) for missing a key deadline to launch its new online licensing system. Corbett says the delay is hurting workers and businesses who rely on timely license renewals and approvals. He argues that the state should be more accountable and transparent when major technology rollouts fall behind schedule. IDFPR has acknowledged the setback, noting that the system is still in progress.

Corbett argued that licensing delays have consequences beyond the professionals waiting for approval. He said workers can lose wages while waiting, businesses can struggle to find qualified employees and the state can lose potential tax revenue.