Ill State News

Illinois bankers applaud legislation addressing racial disparities in home appraisals

SPRINGFIELD – The Illinois Bankers Association (IBA) applauds House passage of legislation that would create a task force dedicated to reforming the home appraisal process to address inequalities in home ownership created by decades of policies that have particularly impacted minority homebuyers.   Sponsored by Rep. Lamont J. Robinson, D-Chicago, HB 4410 creates the Real Estate Valuation Task Force to address […]

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Illinois House passes legislation to expand access to higher quality school meals for low-income and minority students

SPRINGFIELD – The Illinois House late Thursday unanimously approved legislation that would increase equity for low-income and minority students by expanding access to higher quality school meals across the state. The legislation, sponsored by House Deputy Majority Leader and Speaker Pro Tempore Jehan Gordon-Booth, D-Peoria, would ensure that all students receive the nutrition needed to learn and

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IDPH reports 10,462 new cases of COVID over the past week

SPRINGFIELD – The Illinois Department of Public Health (IDPH) Friday reported 10,462 new confirmed and probable cases of coronavirus disease (COVID-19) in Illinois, including an increase of 272 deaths since February 25, 2022.   Currently, IDPH is reporting a total of 3,037,199 cases, including 32,926 deaths, in 102 counties in Illinois.  The age of cases

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West Star Aviation gains new private equity owner

From AINonline EAST ALTON, Ill. – Three months after announcing a major expansion at three of its four primary maintenance locations, West Star Aviation has been acquired by Houston-based private equity firm The Sterling Group. Financial terms of the deal between West Star’s parent, Norwest Equity Partners, and Sterling were not disclosed.   The closing of the West

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Third annual ‘Makers Madness’ contest seeks Coolest Thing Made in Illinois

SPRINGFIELD – The diversity and strength of our state’s manufacturing industry takes center stage as the Illinois Manufacturers’ Association (IMA) launches its third annual “Makers Madness” contest, a bracket-style tournament in which the public will vote on which product earns the 2022 title of The Coolest Thing Made in Illinois.   Presented by Comcast Business, the

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Michael Madigan indicted

SPRINGFIELD, Ill. – Michael J. Madigan, the former speaker of the Illinois House of Representatives who for decades wielded extraordinary power over Democratic politics in the state, was indicted on Wednesday on federal racketeering, bribery, wire fraud and extortion charges.   Prosecutors said Mr. Madigan, who also chaired the Illinois Democratic Party, used his position

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Republican lawmakers call for end of Illinois House mask mandate

SPRINGFIELD, Ill. – The indoor mask mandate has expired in Illinois and State Representative Adam Niemerg (R-Dietrich) along with State Representatives Dan Caulkins (R-Decatur); and Blaine Wilhour (R-Beecher City) are calling on House Speaker Emanuel Chris Welch to end the mandate on the House floor.   “Today, we again entered the Illinois House chamber without

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Russia Invades Ukraine

By Rick Francis, State Representative PERRYVILLE – While we slept on Wednesday night February 23, 2022 Russia invaded Ukraine.   While we slept the largest attack, the largest invasion occurred on a sovereign nation in Europe since WWII.   Missiles and bombs rained down on Ukrainian cities.   Columns of Russian troops poured across the

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