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 […]
Voters narrow field to Top 16 Coolest Products Made in Illinois Read More »
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
Superstar Trio The Chicks to take the Illinois State Fair grandstand stage Read More »
SPRINGFIELD, Mo. – Morel mushroom season has finally arrived, and what better way to celebrate than to learn more about these and other fungi? Learn about morels (pictured above) and other Missouri mushrooms during two MDC virtual programs on March 31 and April 7. The Missouri Department of Conservation (MDC) will host a virtual Morel
MDC will discuss morels and more during upcoming virtual program Read More »
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
Illinois small businesses oppose minimum wage increase Read More »
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
CHICAGO, IL — Someone in Southern Illinois is celebrating a life-changing windfall after winning a $5.6 million jackpot in last night’s Lotto drawing. The winning ticket was purchased at Royals Liquor, located at 1805 N. Belt West in Belleville, Illinois. “I got a call early this morning from a customer saying we sold the winning
$5.6 million winning Lotto jackpot ticket sold in Belleville Read More »
SPRINGFIELD – The Illinois Manufacturers’ Association (IMA) will host the first Food Innovation Day at the State Capitol on Tuesday, March 24, where more than a dozen food manufacturing companies will gather to showcase their products and spotlight the sector’s vast economic contributions to the Land of Lincoln. Illinois food manufacturers are recognized around the
Illinois Manufacturers’ Association hosts Food Innovation Day Read More »
SPRINGFIELD – Trail access to French Canyon at Starved Rock State Park will be closed beginning this week. The closure will last through June to accommodate the park’s ongoing trail improvement projects. Closures include the trailhead access to the top of French Canyon, the trails from the Starved Rock Lodge parking lot, and the trail leading into
French Canyon access closed at Starved Rock State Park Read More »
CHAMPAIGN, Ill.– ProTek Fiber is installing 700 miles of fiber to provide direct fiber-to-the-home service for more than 10,000 households, farms, businesses, and community anchor institutions. ProTek Fiber secured a $21 million loan through Farmers State Bank of Alto Pass, guaranteed by the U.S. Department of Agriculture, to bring fiber to rural residents in Franklin,
$21 million to provide fiber-to-the-home to Southern Illinois Read More »
