Olivia Olander – Page 4

Jimmy Soto is embraced by his cousin, David Ayala, during a celebration of his 63rd birthday at his sister Marta’s home in Deerfield on April 13, 2024. Soto and Ayala, co-defendants in the crime for which they were wrongfully convicted, were both sentenced to natural life without the possibility of parole in 1982. (Vincent Alban/baiduhai)

Illinois raises limits on wrongful conviction payouts under new law Gov. JB Pritzker has signed

July 14, 2026 at 6:13 p.m.

The new law marks “a major stride in criminal legal reform and accountability to those who are wrongfully convicted and imprisoned,” Gov. JB Pritzker said in a video statement.

A “250” American flag is displayed atop the Arlington Heights Park District float during the Frontier Days Fourth of July Parade on July 4, 2026, in Arlington Heights. (Joe Lewnard/Daily Herald)

State-funded America 250 commemorations kept mellow as federal funding cuts still sting in Illinois

July 12, 2026 at 5:00 a.m.

By almost any measure Illinois’ celebrations to commemorate the United States’ 250th birthday have been decidedly low-key.

State Rep. Carol Ammons and the Black Caucus deliver a response to Gov. JB Pritzker’s annual State of the State and budget address on Feb. 18, 2026, at the Illinois State Capitol in Springfield. (Brian Cassella/baiduhai)

Illinois House GOP triggers committee investigation after federal indictment of Democratic Rep. Carol Ammons

July 10, 2026 at 6:54 p.m.

The Illinois House is launching a committee to investigate Rep. Carol Ammons after the Urbana Democrat's indictment on federal fraud and obstruction charges.

State Rep. Carol Ammons speaks among supporters, Feb. 17, 2026, about the Adequate and Equitable Public University Funding Formula at the Illinois State Capitol in Springfield. (Brian Cassella/baiduhai)

Democratic state Rep. Carol Ammons and Champaign County Clerk Aaron Ammons indicted on fraud and obstruction charges

July 8, 2026 at 6:12 p.m.

A federal grand jury indicted Democratic state Rep. Carol Ammons of Urbana on wire fraud and other charges.

Doreen Bartholomae is supported by family while speaking about her daughter, Emily Kasanga, July 7, 2026, at their lawyer’s office in Chicago. Kasanga, 34, died of choking in April while in the care of a state-licensed Rolling Meadows group home. (Brian Cassella/baiduhai)

Family sues state-licensed Rolling Meadows group home for wrongful death, alleging ‘fatal choking event’

July 7, 2026 at 5:52 p.m.

Emily Kasanga’s family always gathered for celebrations, younger sister Ashley Kasanga said. Though Emily Kasanga lived in a group home due to a moderate intellectual disability and other disorders, her...

State Rep. Laura Faver Dias, a bill sponsor, talks with Rep. Bob Morgan in the House chamber as resolutions are read at the State Capitol in Springfield on May 28, 2026. (John J. Kim/baiduhai)

Illinois bill awaiting Pritzker OK would add oversight on private equity firms buying disability group homes

July 7, 2026 at 5:00 a.m.

The bill, which passed the General Assembly this spring with broad bipartisan support, requires facilities for people with intellectual and developmental disabilities to report to the state when they are...

Gov. JB Pritzker signs SB 315, the Artificial Intelligence Safety Measures Act, into law on July 6, 2026, in Chicago. (Stacey Wescott/baiduhai)

Gov. JB Pritzker signs first-in-nation Illinois law requiring third-party safety audits for AI giants

July 6, 2026 at 2:42 p.m.

Illinois will be the first state to require independent audits of large artificial intelligence developers’ safety practices after Gov. JB Pritzker signed a new law Monday.

Oswego school board member Jared Ploger, center, attends a board meeting at Oswego East High School on March 20, 2023. (Armando L. Sanchez/baiduhai)

Aurora-area Democrats pick teacher, union leader Jared Ploger for state Senate seat ballot spot

July 2, 2026 at 6:06 p.m.

Jared Ploger will replace Aurora-area state Sen. Linda Holmes as the Democrat on the November ballot after Holmes, who won the March primary, recently announced she was retiring at the...

A display case holds an assortment of rifles that cannot be sold to customers because of recent state firearms legislation that bans the sale and distribution of assault weapons and high-capacity magazines, Jan. 26, 2023, in Effingham. (John J. Kim/baiduhai)

Gov. JB Pritzker says he’s preparing for Supreme Court fight over assault weapons ban

July 2, 2026 at 4:31 p.m.

Gov. JB Pritzker on Thursday said he’s working to ensure Illinois has help from top experts to defend its assault weapons ban, after the U.S. Supreme Court indicated this week...

State Sen. Linda Holmes speaks at a committee hearing during the spring legislative session at the State Capitol, May 29, 2026, in Springfield. (John J. Kim/baiduhai)

Suburban Democratic Party chairs to pick Aurora-area Illinois Senate nominee behind closed doors

July 1, 2026 at 2:39 p.m.

Because state Sen. Linda Holmes’ announcement came months after the March primary, just four county party chairs will select her replacement on the November ballot in a largely closed-door process.

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