Ill State News

Another strong half-year result for the Illinois Lottery

CHICAGO — The Illinois Lottery today announced its results for the first six months of Fiscal Year 2026, reporting nearly $2.0 billion in sales and generating an estimated $430 million in returns to the State of Illinois during the period, which is a new first half-year sales record for the Illinois Lottery.   “The Illinois Lottery […]

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Illinois State Museum will share women’s Route 66 stories

SPRINGFIELD – The Illinois State Museum in Springfield will host this month’s virtual session of the Centennial Speaker Series, “Route 66 at 100 – An American Story,” at 1 p.m. Tuesday.   The session features historian and author Cheryl Eichar Jett, whose work highlights the often-overlooked contributions of women along historic U.S. Route 66. Drawing from

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IDFPR helps position Illinois at forefront of expanding its healthcare workforce

SPRINGFIELD – The Illinois Department of Financial and Professional Regulation (IDFPR) Division of Professional Regulation issued the very first license under a new pathway that will allow internationally trained physicians to provide care to the people of Illinois.   “Today marks the beginning of what we hope will become the standard among states in not

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Are You Ready for Severe Weather Season?

SPRINGFIELD – Thunderstorms, tornadoes, lightning, floods, and power outages are all possible during Illinois’ spring weather season. That is why the Illinois Emergency Management Agency and Office of Homeland Security (IEMA OHS) is urging all residents to take steps to prepare during Severe Weather Preparedness Month this March.   “Millions of dollars in storm damages within the last

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Springtime is fishing time: Get your Illinois 2026 fishing license now

SPRINGFIELD – Illinois fishing licenses – among the most affordable in the nation – are now on sale for the 2026 season. Illinois fishing licenses and stamps for 2026 are available for purchase online and at department-authorized vendors.   A standard, non-discounted resident fishing license costs $15. Licenses for the 2025 season remain valid through

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Mi Casa es Tu Casa exhibit now open at Illinois State Museum

SPRINGFIELD – The Illinois State Museum has opened a new community-curated exhibit, “Mi Casa es Tu Casa,” developed in partnership with students from the Beardstown High School Spanish Club. The exhibit explores themes of identity, community and hometown through the students’ lived experiences.   The exhibit is on display through May 10. Highlights include a

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Illinois ranked No. 2 for corporate expansion for fourth consecutive year, Chicago named No. 1 metro

CHICAGO – Illinois Governor JB Pritzker, the Illinois Department of Commerce and Economic Opportunity (DCEO), and the Illinois Economic Development Corporation (Illinois EDC) announced that Site Selection Magazine has named Illinois #2 for corporate expansion and relocations for the fourth year in a row, and Chicago was named the #1 metro for the 13th consecutive

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Illinois EPA announces $1.5 Million in funding available for energy efficiency upgrades at public water supply facilities

Springfield – The Illinois Environmental Protection Agency’s (Illinois EPA) Office of Energy is offering up to $1,500,000 in grant funding available to support energy efficiency projects at publicly owned public water supply (PWS) facilities, commonly referred to as drinking water treatment plants (DWTP). Awarded projects will range from $50,000 to $500,000 with match a requirement of

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IDPH releases carbon monoxide surveillance report

SPRINGFIELD – The Illinois Department of Public Health (IDPH) has issued its first-ever carbon monoxide surveillance report, detailing all known unintentional carbon monoxide (CO) exposures in the state from 2019-2023. Data from the report will help state and local officials work on targeted public information and education efforts and other interventions to help Illinoisans avoid emergency room

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Application deadline approaches for first-ever statewide retail challenge scholarship competition

SPRINGFIELD – With just a few weeks left to apply, the Illinois Retail Merchants Association (IRMA) is reminding high school seniors across the state to submit their entries for the Illinois Retail Challenge Scholarship Competition by March 30 to qualify for scholarships of up to $60,000.   The first competition of its kind in Illinois, the scholarship challenge

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