Ill State News

BRIDGEVIEW, IL – The Cook County Department of Public Health (CCDPH) has confirmed the first human West Nile virus-related death in suburban Cook County and Illinois this year. A suburban Cook County resident, whose age is in the 60s, has died. Laboratory testing has confirmed that West Nile virus was a contributing factor to the

SPRINGFIELD—Just this year, Illinois has already seen 115 tornadoes touch down in the state, which is the highest number of twisters in the nation for 2025. On top of that, communities have faced repeated rounds of severe storms, unleashing destructive straight-line winds and flooding across the state. With September recognized as National Preparedness Month, the

SPRINGFIELD – When Governor J.B. Pritzker signed the SAFE-T Act into law in February 2021, supporters claimed it would modernize Illinois’ criminal justice system and make incarceration practices more “fair.” Republicans say the law was rushed through during a lame-duck session and made sweeping changes, putting criminals over victims, imposing unfunded mandates on police officers

SPRINGFIELD – The Illinois Department of Employment Security (IDES) has announced that total nonfarm payrolls decreased over-the-month in August, down -13,300 (-0.2%) to 6,153,700. The July monthly change in payrolls was revised from the preliminary report, from -2,500 to -1,100.   The industry sectors with over-the-month jobs increases included: Information (+800), Manufacturing (+400), and Construction (+300). 

SPRINGFIELD – As Bright Start 529 turns 25, Illinois State Treasurer Michael Frerichs is announcing record asset growth to more than $14 billion for Illinois’ flagship 529 college savings plan.   The news comes as the Illinois State Treasurer’s Office kicks off College Savings Month, which falls in September. Sponsored and launched by the State of

SPRINGFIELD – Illinois Municipal Electric Agency (IMEA) member municipalities will see an overall savings of $33.6 million on their power bills over the next ten years, thanks to a successful bond refinancing this summer by IMEA, their wholesale electric supplier.     IMEA is a nonprofit joint-action agency that supplies power and other value-added services

SPRINGFIELD — The Illinois State Board of Education recently voted to adopt new performance levels and proficiency benchmarks for state assessments.     The move will affect how Illinois measures whether students are achieving grade-level proficiency in English, mathematics and science and whether they are ready for college.     The change means a significantly higher number

SPRINGFIELD – Illinois House Minority Leader Tony McCombie (R-Savanna) announced her support for House Bill 50, legislation sponsored by State Representative David Friess (Red Bud) to put Department of Corrections (DOC) worker safety first by tightening control of inmate mail.   HB50 requires the Illinois Department of Corrections to electronically scan and process all incoming mail, using

SPRINGFIELD – Governor JB Pritzker today issued a state disaster proclamation after severe weather and flooding caused extensive damage across Boone, Cook, Kane, McHenry, and Will Counties from August 16-19, 2025. The proclamation ensures that state resources can be directed to support local response and long-term recovery efforts.   “To support those impacted by the devastating