Ill State News

April is Alcohol Awareness Month

SPRINGFIELD, IL – The National Council on Alcoholism and Drug Dependence (NCADD) sponsors Alcohol Awareness Month every April to “increase public awareness, provide education, and advocate for effective prevention, treatment, and recovery services to support individuals and communities affected by substance use issues.”   This month recognizes individuals struggling with alcoholism and the negative effects […]

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Honoring every Illinois State Police officer killed in the line of duty

SPRINGFIELD – The state of Illinois observed Illinois Trooper Day yesterday. The Illinois State Police (ISP), Illinois Department of Transportation (IDOT), Illinois Tollway, and the Illinois State Police Heritage Foundation announced every ISP Officer killed in the line of duty will be honored for their sacrifice for the people of Illinois with a memorial sign along

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Voters narrow field to top eight Coolest Products Made in Illinois

SPRINGFIELD – The field of contenders for the 2026 title of The Coolest Thing Made in Illinois has been narrowed further, with voters choosing the Top 8 products to move ahead in the annual “Makers Madness” contest. Hosted by the Illinois Manufacturers’ Association and sponsored by Comcast Business, “Makers Madness” is a bracket-style tournament that celebrates

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April Newsbits from the Illinois Department of Natural Resources

SPRINGFIELD – The Illinois Department of Natural Resources is sharing the following upcoming events and noteworthy items for April 2026.   April 2 Tot Time: Totally Turtles Dickson Mounds Museum Lewistown | Fulton County Families are invited to learn about the different types of turtles found in Illinois, presented by Jake Wolf Memorial Fish Hatchery’s

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Illinois State Police announces completion of statewide next generation 911 service upgrades

SPRINGFIELD – The Illinois State Police (ISP) is announcing all 169 Public Safety Answering Points (PSAPs) throughout Illinois, commonly called 911 call centers, have successfully transitioned to Next Generation 911 (NG911). ​ NG911 upgrades the traditional 911 service from voice-centric networks to secure, IP-based infrastructure designed to support today’s communications.   “This milestone reflects years of

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Illinois Transportation Enhancement Programworkshops set for local governments, communities

SPRINGFIELD – The Illinois Department of Transportation is hosting 11 workshops throughout the state to help local governments and communities learn about and apply for funding opportunities through the Illinois Transportation Enhancement Program.   Organized through IDOT’s ongoing Special Programs Assistance Conferences, the workshops will help stakeholders identify projects that qualify and learn how to craft

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ICC approves over $370 million for rail safety improvements

CHICAGO, IL – On Thursday, the Illinois Commerce Commission (ICC) approved its annual five-year Crossing Safety Improvement Program (FY 2027-2031) to implement life-saving safety upgrades at highway-rail crossings. The plan authorizes $376 million in funding for grade crossing safety improvements and highway-rail grade separations at approximately 387 crossing locations.    “Illinois is home to more than 10,000 public highway-rail crossings. The

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Gov. Pritzker convenes round-table on BUILD Initiative to lower housing costs

BLOOMINGTON-NORMAL – Governor Pritzker has convened local officials, community members, and construction and business representatives in McLean County to discuss building more housing to lower costs. During the roundtable, the Governor heard from local leaders and discussed how his Building Up Illinois Developments (BUILD) proposal can help make renting and owning homes more affordable in one

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Illinois House Republicans speak out on shooting death of Loyola University student

SPRINGFIELD – Illinois House Republicans spoke out Tuesday afternoon at a Capitol press conference addressing the shooting death of a Loyola University Chicago student who was shot near campus early Thursday morning by a masked gunman.   18 year old Sheridan Gorman was gunned down while taking a walk with friends shortly after 1:30am Thursday

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Voters narrow field to Top 16 Coolest Products Made in Illinois

  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

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