Ill State News

Illinois hotel industry proposes aid package to create jobs, assist in economic recovery efforts

CHICAGO – The Illinois Hotel & Lodging Association is calling on elected officials to pass the Hotel Jobs Recovery Plan, which would allocate funds to hotels across the state to rehire workers after more than two years of disruptions brought by the pandemic. Previously a vital contributor to the state’s hospitality economy, hotels have been devastated […]

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Illinois Sheriffs’ Association announces scholarships

SPRINGFIELD, Ill. – The Illinois Sheriffs’ Association has announced that it will be awarding scholarships throughout the State of Illinois to students wishing to pursue higher education during the 2022-2023 academic year.   The scholarships are to be applied to tuition, books and fees only.   The student must be enrolled full-time at a certified

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Paul Schimpf officially files to bring a new start to Illinois

SPRINGFIELD, Ill. – Former State Senator Paul Schimpf has officially filed to be on the ballot for governor this June, and he says his campaign is focused on bringing a new start to Illinois. On the first day of filing, Schimpf turned in the 6,500 signature maximum after gathering over 8,000 petition signatures from Illinoisans

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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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