Illinois quick hits: Pritzker signs abortion bills; Operation Purple Heart returns medals

Illinois quick hits: Pritzker signs abortion bills; Operation Purple Heart returns medals

August 22, 2025/

By The Center Square
The Center Square

Pritzker signs abortion bills

Two bills Gov. J.B. Pritzker enacted Friday impact access to abortion procedures.

House Bill 3637 shields health care providers from discipline for providing abortion services that are lawful in Illinois.

House Bill 3709 requires colleges and universities to offer contraception and medication abortion if they have an on-campus pharmacy or student health center.

Operation Purple Heart returns medals

A 16th family has been reunited with their relative’s Purple Heart military honors.

Illinois Treasurer Michael Frerichs’ office announced as part of Operation Purple Heart, they returned Army Private Stephen J. Grabowski’s military medals with grand-niece Chrystal Cantrell during a ceremony in Marion.

Frerichs, who handles unclaimed property, also returned Grabowski’s Bronze Star and other medals.

Product Expo to open at Du Quoin State Fair

The Illinois Product Expo will be open at the Du Quoin State Fair for the final weekend.

Located in the Expo Hall at the Du Quoin State Fairgrounds from 5 to 9 p.m. Friday, Aug. 29, from 11 a.m. to 8 p.m. Saturday, Aug. 30, and from 11 a.m. to 5 p.m. Sunday, Aug. 31.

Products include food, drinks, crafts and items like soaps, essential oils and more.

###

Events

No events

Leave a Comment





Latest News Stories

WATCH: CA Dems announce congressional redistricting effort

WATCH: CA Dems announce congressional redistricting effort

By Dave MasonThe Center Square A large group of Democratic lawmakers, union leaders and other supporters gathered behind Gov. Gavin Newsom Thursday as he announced California is proceeding with efforts...
Trump orders drug stockpile, increased manufacturing

Trump orders drug stockpile, increased manufacturing

By Andrew RiceThe Center Square President Donald Trump ordered administration officials to draw up a list of 26 key drugs to develop a stockpile in the United States. His executive...
WATCH: Map debate, case against Texas Democrats continues in Illinois

WATCH: Map debate, case against Texas Democrats continues in Illinois

By Jim Talamonti | The Center SquareThe Center Square (The Center Square) – An Illinois Republican lawmaker says a judge’s ruling this week did not end the case against Texas...
WATCH: Illinois GOP State Fair rally takes aim at Pritzker, ‘woke agenda’

WATCH: Illinois GOP State Fair rally takes aim at Pritzker, ‘woke agenda’

By Greg Bishop | The Center SquareThe Center Square (The Center Square) − Republicans took their turn at the Illinois State Fair to call out Illinois Democrats for what the...
WATCH: Small business group: Pritzker-signed bills are wrong move

WATCH: Small business group: Pritzker-signed bills are wrong move

By Jim Talamonti | The Center SquareThe Center Square (The Center Square) − Gov. J.B. Pritzker has signed legislation that he says will protect workers, but a small business advocate...
Grand Canyon fire now 54% contained; 144,432 acres burned

Grand Canyon fire now 54% contained; 144,432 acres burned

By Zachery SchmidtThe Center Square America’s largest active wildfire is now 54% contained, according to a report on a U.S. government website. Containment of the Dragon Bravo Fire in Arizona...
Report: Post-election audits in swing states insufficient

Report: Post-election audits in swing states insufficient

By Elyse ApelThe Center Square A recent report analyzed the 2024 post-election audits of seven swing states, finding that many were “inadequate” and lacking “transparency.” In Michigan, it found that...
U.S. producer prices surge in July as tariffs increase costs

U.S. producer prices surge in July as tariffs increase costs

By Brett RowlandThe Center Square U.S. wholesale inflation surged last month, a sign that President Donald Trump's tariffs are boosting costs and higher prices may be on the way. The...
Colorado sued over social media warnings for minors

Colorado sued over social media warnings for minors

By Elyse ApelThe Center Square An internet trade group filed a lawsuit against Colorado Thursday morning, challenging a new law that would require social media platforms to regularly send pop-up...
WATCH: Illinois In Focus Daily | Thursday Aug. 14th, 2025

WATCH: Illinois In Focus Daily | Thursday Aug. 14th, 2025

By Greg Bishop | The Center SquareThe Center Square (The Center Square) – In today's edition of Illinois in Focus Daily, The Center Square Editor Greg Bishop shares highlights from...
Chicago’s commercial property taxes spike to twice national city average

Chicago’s commercial property taxes spike to twice national city average

By Glenn Minnis | The Center Square contributorThe Center Square (The Center Square) – Chicago business owners are now being forced to pay some of the highest commercial property taxes...
Illinois quick hits: Court rejects lawsuit against Texas Democrats; no charges for police

Illinois quick hits: Court rejects lawsuit against Texas Democrats; no charges for police

By Jim Talamonti | The Center SquareThe Center Square Court rejects lawsuit against Texas Democrats An Adams County judge has rejected a lawsuit against 33 Texas House Democrats who absconded...
Illinois judge rejects Texas legislature lawsuit over absconding Dems

Illinois judge rejects Texas legislature lawsuit over absconding Dems

By Bethany BlankleyThe Center Square An Illinois judge has rejected a lawsuit filed by the state of Texas against 33 House Democrats who absconded from the state to stop legislative...
DOJ settles race-based admissions with military academies

DOJ settles race-based admissions with military academies

By Esther WickhamThe Center Square The Department of Justice announced this week a settlement of litigation challenging the race-based admissions practices at the U.S. Military Academy at West Point and...
Illinois quick hits: Human trafficking law signed; Mercyhealth to pay for COVID vaccine discrimination

Illinois quick hits: Human trafficking law signed; Mercyhealth to pay for COVID vaccine discrimination

By Jim Talamonti | The Center SquareThe Center Square Human trafficking law signed Gov. J.B. Pritzker has signed legislation requiring state agencies to develop a strategic unified plan to build...