Only about 200,000 of the 300,000 signatures submitted to force a statewide vote on the gerrymandered congressional map are being checked. Backers of the referendum are less than 200 signatures short of making the ballot but want all signatures reviewed

Illinois continues to be a hotspot for data center construction. According to Datacenters.com, affordable real estate and reliable power supply have made the state an attractive choice for data center development – although those factors don't always sit well with some residents of rural communities.

Governor Mike Kehoe is proposing to cut funding for transportation from $6.7 million to $1.7 million, an 85% decrease.

Voters in 31 Illinois counties are weighing in on an advisory question about whether the state should opt in to a federal school choice tax credit program that would provide scholarships of up to $1,700 for private and public school students. Supporters hope strong results will sway Governor J.B. Pritzker to join the program. Critics argue it diverts funding from public education.

Advocates say proposed cuts to Missouri’s child care subsidy program could ripple through the foster care system, making it harder for families to find child care and for providers to serve children with greater needs.

A health care expert in Illinois questions whether upcoming changes to how doctors bill for pregnancy-related care will actually expand access to maternal care services. While the update modernizes billing practices for the first time since the mid-1990s, he says deeper financial incentives and policy changes are needed to address the economic challenges driving the growth of OB deserts.

A proposed House bill would establish a registry for persistent domestic violence offenders.

The state began implementing a new $250 million computer system for accounting in 2024. The system was heavily criticized during last year’s legislative session and further deployment was halted in the fall so the system could be redesigned.

A report from the Missouri Rural Health Association finds rural veterans face major barriers to health care driven by isolation, provider shortages, and long travel distances. Advocates say this calls for targeted investments in rural health infrastructure and better coordination between the Department of Veterans' Affairs health system and community providers.

While Secretary of State Denny Hoskins says a map from 2025 is in effect, a court case could require congressional candidates to run within lines lawmakers drew in 2022.