Republican leader criticizes Pritzker
The Republican floor leader of the Illinois House says Gov. J.B. Pritzker’s calls for disruption show that he knows Democrats have lost the political argument.
State Rep. Patrick Windhorst of Metropolis said Pritzker’s remarks that “Republicans cannot know a moment of peace” followed his previous suggestion that President Donald Trump should be punched in the face. Windhorst said Pritzker and his fellow Democrats are engaging in theatrics to distract from their failed policies.
Aquifer protection advances
Legislation to protect the Mahomet Aquifer from carbon sequestration has reached the floor of the Illinois House.
Senate Bill 1723 passed out of the House Energy and Environment Committee Tuesday. The measure comes after leaks were reported last year at the Archer-Daniels-Midland Company facility in Decatur.
The Mahomet Aquifer is a source of drinking water for many communities in Central Illinois.
New Poet Laureate
The new Illinois Poet Laureate is an author, lecturer and writer-in-residence at DePaul University. Mark Turcotte’s work has appeared in a number of journals and anthologies.
Gov. J.B. Pritzker announced Thursday that Turcotte would replace Angela Jackson, who served as the state’s poet laureate since 2020.
The announcement marks the 60th anniversary of the Illinois Arts Council and includes the creation of a newly formed Illinois Creative Caucus.
