A young girl reading a book titled The Chronicles of Willow Creek with a sleeping orange and white cat beside her on an armchair

Free Book Program for Kids (0-5 years old) in Illinois

Parents in Illinois can enroll children aged 0-5 in Dolly Parton’s “Imagination Library Program,” which offers free, age-appropriate books. Funded by the state and community organizations, this program aims to provide 60 books by kindergarten. As of early 2026, over 97,000 children are enrolled and have received nearly 1.6 million books.

What “Immigration Enforcement” looks like in Illinois

Federal agents conducted a controversial immigration raid in Chicago’s South Shore neighborhood in late September and early October 2025. A multi-agency task force targeted an apartment building at 7500 S. South Shore Drive, resulting in arrests and accusations of excessive force against residents and elected officials.