New state agency passes Senate

The Illinois Senate approved a measure that would create a new state agency for early childhood programs.

Senate Bill 1 was approved unanimously to over time consolidate initiatives in three separate state agencies into one new state agency titled the Department of Early Childhood. In the first year of the transition, it’s expected to cost taxpayers $13 million.

The measure can now be taken up by the House.

Trooper cadet class graduates

Illinois State Police welcomed nine new troopers Friday from Cadet Class 146 at a graduation ceremony at the Illinois State Police Academy in Springfield.

The new troopers were scheduled to report Sunday to three different Troops throughout the state, which included Chicago, Champaign and Peoria. Since 2019, 512 troopers have joined ISP.

Richest Illinoisans revealed

Forbes is out with its annual billionaires list. With a net worth of $28 billion, Walmart heir Lukas Walton, the grandson of founder Sam Walton, is once again the richest person in Illinois.

Patrick Ryan of Winnetka, with a net worth of $10.7 billion, is the second-richest person in the state. Ryan is the founder of the brokerage firm Ryan Specialty Group.

Several members of the Pritzker family, heirs to the Hyatt Hotels fortune, made the list, including Gov. J.B. Pritzker.