Ill State News

New program offers EECA consumer-members bill credits for reducing wnergy use suring peak times

MURPHYSBORO, IL – Nearly 12,000 residential consumer-members of Egyptian Electric Cooperative Association (EECA) can now enroll in the new Peak Power Rewards Program (PPR), a voluntary program that rewards consumer-members with bill credits for temporarily reducing energy use during short periods of high electricity demand.     The program, offered in partnership with EECA’s wholesale […]

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llinois Conservation Foundation releases 2025 state park ornament featuring Lincoln’s New Salem in Menard County

SPRINGFIELD – The Illinois Conservation Foundation is proud to announce the release of its 2025 collectible Illinois state park holiday ornament, featuring the iconic bronze statue of Abraham Lincoln reading on horseback at Lincoln’s New Salem State Historic Site in Menard County. A beloved symbol of Illinois history, the statue greets visitors at the entrance to

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Illinois Manufacturers’ Association welcomes new board chair

SPRINGFIELD – The Illinois Manufacturers’ Association (IMA) is proud to announce Kara Demirjian Huss will serve as the new Chair of the IMA Board of Directors, bringing visionary leadership and deep industry expertise to further advance the state’s dynamic manufacturing sector.   Demirjian Huss is an Owner and Senior Vice President of Global Marketing, Sustainability &

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IDPH releases first-ever report on alcohol use in Illinois

SPRINGFIELD – The Illinois Department of Public Health (IDPH) has issued its first-ever comprehensive report on how alcohol is used, and sometimes misused, by Illinois residents. The report, entitled “Alcohol Use in Illinois,” collects and analyzes data from multiple sources, including IDPH’s own Illinois Behavioral Risk Factor Surveillance Survey (BRFSS) and Illinois Youth Risk Behavior Surveillance Survey

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Illinois House minority leader responds to controversial assisted suicide bill signing

SPRINGFIELD – Illinois Governor JB Pritzker has signed legislation allowing assisted suicide to become law. Opponents state the legislation, SB 1950, faced significant objections from coroners, medical experts, religious communities, and disability-rights advocates. Throughout debate, concerns were raised about the bill’s lack of guardrails, the exclusion of key stakeholders, and the potential risks it creates for vulnerable families.

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Governor Pritzker signs bill expanding end-of-life options for terminally ill patients

CHICAGO – Governor Pritzker has signed the Medical Aid in Dying bill (SB 1950), a law that will provide qualified terminally ill patients with the option to seek medication to peacefully end their lives on their own terms in consultation with physicians.   To ensure the highest safeguards for patients, the law is effective in September

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Treasurer Frerichs encourages the Gift of Education this holiday season

SPRINGFIELD – Struggling to find the right holiday gift for a child? Illinois State Treasurer Michael Frerichs has one. Invest in a young person’s future by contributing to their Bright Start 529 college savings account.   “Every time you make a Bright Start contribution, that kid sees that you believe in them. That’s a powerful

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State announces 2025 Illinois Human Rights Award recipients

CHIGAGO – Deputy Governor of Health and Human Services (HHS), Grace Hou, and Director of Illinois Department of Human Rights (IDHR), Jim Bennett, today presented IDHR’s annual Human Rights Awards to Youth Outlook and Mano a Mano Family Resource Center in recognition of International Human Rights Day, December 10, during a ceremony at 555 W. Monroe St.,

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New 2026 laws: Gun storage, police background check changes

By BEN SZALINSKICapitol News Illinoisbszalinski@capitolnewsillinois.com  SPRINGFIELD – Gun owners in Illinois must take new steps in 2026 to secure their firearms in their homes, particularly when children are present.   Gov. JB Pritzker signed Senate Bill 8, known as the Safe Gun Storage Act, in late July, which prohibits gun owners from storing their weapons

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Funding opportunity for new EV charging stations

SPRINGFIELD – The Illinois Department of Transportation today announced the third official notice of funding opportunity through the Illinois National Electric Vehicle Infrastructure Program, which will provide approximately $65.6 million for the construction of charging stations across the state. The latest opportunity builds on the first two rounds, which awarded funding for 62 charging stations along

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