The Trump administration on Thursday filed lawsuits against three states, arguing that the controversial prediction market industry should be solely regulated by the federal government, not by state gambling commissions.

The trio of legal actions against Illinois, Connecticut and Arizona is the furthest Trump officials have gone to try to override state laws and set the rules for a fast-growing industry that has run headlong into thorny questions about insider trading and profiting off war and suffering.

For months, Trump officials have voiced support for the prediction market industry, but experts say the federal suits represent a sharp escalation.

Gov. JB Pritzker for the first time is calling for President Donald Trump to be removed from office under the 25th Amendment, after the president said cities like Chicago should be used as “training grounds for the military.”

MEXICO CITY (WCIA) — Governor JB Pritzker signed a memorandum of understanding between Mexico and Illinois on Monday during a trade mission.

Pritzker signed the Addendum to the Illinois-Mexico Sister-State Memorandum of Understanding (MOU) alongside Mexico Governor Delfina Gómez Álvarez. The agreement signed by Pritzker affirms commitment to continued trade and manufacturing collaborations with a focus on biotechnology and water resources. Illinois, other states sue HHS, RFK Jr. over public grant cuts

The MOU comes at the start of a delegation trip from Illinois to Mexico City with the purpose of deepening economic cooperation and opportunities between Illinois and Mexico. This specific agreement emphasizes the strong ties with a specific focus on bilateral trade in industries including manufacturing, agriculture and finance, according to a media release from Pritzker’s office.

“Mexico has been an essential partner to the state of Illinois for decades, and I’m proud to stand alongside Governor Gómez Álvarez and assert the importance of this continuing relationship,” Pritzker said. “More than ever before, we must reassure our neighbors in Mexico that Illinois will remain a beacon of economic and cultural cooperation and opportunity for our people.”

This agreement aims to promote strategic alliances between state government authorities, universities and research centers.

The MOU emphasized the impact of sustainable and efficient water usage and the necessary biotechnology to facilitate a future with clean water. This has proved to be an important issue in both Illinois and Mexico.

This specific MOU is a celebration of the 35-year anniversary of the signing of the first MOU between Mexico and Illinois, which was signed in 1990 by Governor Thompson and reaffirmed by Governor Quinn in 2013. This agreement focused on higher education and research, specifically on a project regarding corn research at the University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign.

This MOU signing is just part of the delegation trip lead by Pritzker to Mexico City from March 30 to April 2. Pritzker, the Lieutenant Governor, senior state and education officials, private partners and business executives have been meeting with Mexican government and business officials on the trip.

Additionally, this trip aims to pave the way for future investments and emphasized the continued success between Illinois and Mexico.

“Illinois has long held Mexico in the highest regard, and there’s nothing more powerful to sparking innovation than human connection. I’m proud of Illinois’ ongoing commitment to progress, as shown today by Governor Pritzker and Governor Gómez Álvarez,” said Lt. Governor Juliana Stratton. “Expanding our mutual progress will ensure future generations will benefit from the bridge we’ve built together.”

SPRINGFIELD, Ill. (WTVO) — Illinois Gov. Pritzker and various members of the Illinois congressional delegation have sent a letter to the White House Office of Management and Budget (OMB) to demand accountability for $1.88 billion in federal funding being withheld from the state.

Last month, the White House said it would temporarily halt federal funding to ensure that the payments complied with President Donald Trump’s agenda.

The administration rescinded a memo outlining its planned funding freeze after a federal judge issued a restraining order, blocking the federal spending pause. Since then, nearly two dozen states have filed lawsuits, arguing that the funding freeze violates their First Amendment rights.

The Department of Justice (DOJ), however, said the case is moot because the memo was rescinded.

The DOJ has also said the administration still plans to freeze some funds that target issues such as gender identity, foreign aid, and diversity, equity and inclusion (DEI) initiatives.

According to Pritzker, as of mid-February, Illinois agencies still report an inability to access funds, including the Illinois Department of Agriculture, Illinois Department of Commerce and Economic Opportunity, Illinois Community College Board, Illinois Emergency Management Agency, Illinois Environmental Protection Agency, Illinois Finance Authority, the Illinois Department of Human Rights, Illinois Department of Natural Resources, Illinois Power Agency, Illinois Department of Transportation, Illinois State Board of Education, Illinois Commerce Commission, Illinois Department of Labor, and Illinois Department of Healthcare and Family Services.

The letter, addressed to OMB Director Russell Vought, reads, “On behalf of our constituents, we are seeking full transparency and accountability on any and all funding that has been paused or interrupted. If the Trump Administration is unable to follow the law and uphold their end of the deal, the people of our state deserve to know.”

In addition to Gov. Pritzker, the letter is signed by Senator Dick Durbin, Senator Tammy Duckworth, and other Illinois Democrats.

In a written directive, the Democratic Illinois governor tells his hiring office that "no one who attempts to overthrow a government should serve in government."