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 »
SPRINGFIELD, IL – The 2026 Illinois spring trout fishing season will open Saturday, April 4 at 58 ponds, lakes, and streams throughout the state including Derby Lake at the World Shooting and Recreational Complex near Sparta in Randolph County. An early opportunity at select trout sites – the spring catch-and-release fishing season – will open
Illinois spring trout season opens April 4 Read More »
SPRINGFIELD, IL – Illinois House Minority Leader Tony McCombie (R-Savanna) last week asked for a moment of silence in the House chamber for Markell Pierce, an eight-year-old who died on February 6th after the Illinois Department of Children and Family Services failed him. McCombie went on to call on the House Speaker Chris Welch
CHICAGO – Illinois Governor JB Pritzker, the Illinois Department of Commerce and Economic Opportunity (DCEO), and Illinois film industry leaders have announced that film production expenditures in Illinois reached a record-breaking high of $703 million in 2025, supporting an estimated 18,000 in industry hires. This represents a 25 percent increase in film expenditures since before
