Ill State News

ICJIA announces grant opportunities totaling $50 Million to restore communities impacted by systemic racism and disinvestment

CHICAGO, IL – The Illinois Criminal Justice Information Authority (ICJIA) has announced  two funding opportunities for the Restore, Reinvest, and Renew (R3) Program, totaling $50 million in grants to historically underserved communities.    ICJIA will allocate $35 million to support community reentry from the criminal legal system, economic development, and civil legal aid programs, with another […]

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Barkhausen Cache River Wetland Center to reopen Jan. 10

SPRINGFIELD – The Illinois Department of Natural Resources (IDNR) invites the public to celebrate the reopening of the Henry N. Barkhausen Cache River Wetland Center at Cache River State Natural Area in southern Illinois from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. Saturday, Jan. 10.    Visitors can enjoy family-friendly environmental crafts; explore nearly 20 interactive community education and conservation

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Illinois House Minority Leader says New Year must bring a new direction focused on affordability, safety, and opportunity

SPRINGFIELD — As Illinois heads into a new year and a new legislative session, House Republican Leader Tony McCombie is calling for a clear change in direction, one focused on affordability, public safety, and job-creating infrastructure.   McCombie says her call for change reflects what Illinois families are experiencing every day: rising costs, safety concerns,

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New law protects workers who document violence using work devices

SPRINGFIELD – The Illinois Department of Labor (IDOL) is reminding employers and employees about a new amendment, Public Act 104-0171, to the Victims’ Economic Security and Safety Act (VESSA) which clarify that employees may use an employer-provided device to document or record evidence of violence affecting themselves and or their family.   The amendment ensures that workers who use a

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Influenza climbs to ‘very high’ levels in Illinois; COVID-19 also on the rise

SPRINGFIELD – The Illinois Department of Public Health (IDPH) is urging residents to take precautions against the spread of influenza (flu) and other seasonal respiratory illnesses, as rates continue to climb across the state. Flu activity in the state has climbed to “Very High” in recent days, the most severe of five categories of respiratory illness

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Governor Pritzker announces $24 million manufacturing training academy expansion

CHICAGO – Governor JB Pritzker and the Illinois Department of Commerce and Economic Opportunity (DCEO) have announced $24 million is now available in grant funding to establish six new Manufacturing Training Academies (MTAs) at community colleges in the state’s downstate regions to expand training for high-demand manufacturing jobs in Illinois. Grantees will be selected through a

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New laws in Illinois

SPRINGFIELD – Nearly 300 new laws took effect in Illinois on January 1, 2026.   These new laws cover a wide variety of topics, including policies that impact students, enhance educational opportunities, improve public health and healthcare access, support veterans, and more. Below is a summary of some of the more interesting new laws impacting

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Reset. Rebalance. Refresh. Dry January Starts with One Choice

SPRINGFIELD, IL – January 1st marks the new year and a new challenge: Dry January. This is the time to reset and renew after an indulgent holiday season. Dry January is a one-month sobriety challenge where participants abstain from drinking alcohol for 31 days. The goal is to cleanse the body, adopt healthy new habits,

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Illinois Department of Labor highlights key worker protections and enforcement actions in 2025

SPRINGFIELD – As 2025 ends, the Illinois Department of Labor (IDOL) is proud to share a year of impactful enforcement actions and successful resolutions that protected workers’ rights and ensured fair compensation across the state. From recovering unpaid wages – approximately $2.7 million year-to-date – to enforcing child labor and paid leave laws, IDOL has remained steadfast in

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Illinois awarded $193 million to expand healthcare access in rural areas

SPRINGFIELD – Illinois has been awarded $193,418,216 million per year for five years through the $50 billion federal Rural Healthcare Transformation Program (RHTP) fund, which will be utilized to expand equitable access to healthcare and to eliminate barriers to care that many residents of rural communities face. All 50 states applied for the RHTP funding,

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