Ill State News

CHICAGO, IL – On Thursday, the Illinois Commerce Commission (ICC) approved its annual five-year Crossing Safety Improvement Program (FY 2027-2031) to implement life-saving safety upgrades at highway-rail crossings. The plan authorizes $376 million in funding for grade crossing safety improvements and highway-rail grade separations at approximately 387 crossing locations.    “Illinois is home to more than 10,000 public highway-rail crossings. The […]

BLOOMINGTON-NORMAL – Governor Pritzker has convened local officials, community members, and construction and business representatives in McLean County to discuss building more housing to lower costs. During the roundtable, the Governor heard from local leaders and discussed how his Building Up Illinois Developments (BUILD) proposal can help make renting and owning homes more affordable in one

SPRINGFIELD – Illinois House Republicans spoke out Tuesday afternoon at a Capitol press conference addressing the shooting death of a Loyola University Chicago student who was shot near campus early Thursday morning by a masked gunman.   18 year old Sheridan Gorman was gunned down while taking a walk with friends shortly after 1:30am Thursday

  SPRINGFIELD – With nearly 80,000 votes cast, the field of contenders competing in the seventh annual “Makers Madness” contest has been narrowed to the Top 16. Hosted by the Illinois Manufacturers’ Association, Makers Madness is a bracket-style tournament in which voters will decide which product is The Coolest Thing Made in Illinois.   Presented by

SPRINGFIELD, IL – Illinois State Treasurer Michael Frerichs is calling on young Illinois photographers to submit their agriculture-related photos for the 2026 Cream of the Crop Photography Contest. Winners in three different age categories will be awarded Bright Start college savings account scholarships ranging from $250 to $1,000.   The contest entry deadline is June 12, 2026.

SPRINGFIELD, IL – The Illinois State Fair announces Superstar Trio The Chicks to take the Illinois Lottery Grandstand Stage on Saturday, August 22, 2026, bringing their powerhouse vocals and award-winning catalog to an already stacked Grandstand line-up.   Earning universal recognition as the biggest-selling U.S. female band of all time, The Chicks have sold more than 30.5 million albums

SPRINGFIELD, Ill. – Illinois small businesses are raising the alarm about a bill posted for the House Labor Committee this week. HB 5367 (Hernandez) would incrementally increase the statewide minimum wage, jumping to $17/hour on July 1, 2026. It would hit $27/hour on Jan. 1, 2032, and then every year afterwards increase with the consumer price index.   “Small business owners are

SPRINGFIELD – A coalition of Illinois public universities today released the following statement in support of legislation to provide equitable funding for public universities (SB13/HB1581), which may be heard in committee as soon as Thursday:   “Illinois public universities are the foundation of our state and regional economies, preparing the skilled workforce employers depend on, driving research and