Ill State News

By Terri Bryant, Illinois State Senator, 58th District   Lawmakers Enter Final Two Weeks of Session   With just two weeks remaining before the scheduled May 31 adjournment, Illinois lawmakers still have numerous major issues to resolve before the spring legislative session comes to a close.   The biggest task ahead will be passing the […]

SPRINGFIELD – Short-term rentals booked through platforms like Airbab and Vrbo could soon cost a little more under legislation advancing in Springfield that would create a new statewide tax on stays shorter than 30 days.   House Bill 5776, filed this week by a Chicago Democrat, would impose a 4% excise tax on short-term rentals across Illinois,

SPRINGFIELD – The Illinois Department of Employment Security (IDES) announced today that the unemployment rate was 5.1 percent in April, unchanged from March, and up +0.6 percentage point from the same month, one year ago, based on data provided by the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS). The revised March unemployment rate was 5.1 percent.   

SPRINGFIELD – The Illinois Retail Merchants Association (IRMA) has announced the winners of the inaugural Illinois Retail Challenge Scholarship Competition during a special awards luncheon held at the Governor’s Mansion and attended by Gov. JB Pritzker.   The event brought together student finalists, retail industry leaders, and elected officials to recognize the next generation of retail

SPRINGFIELD – Illinois Environmental Protection Agency (illinois Epa) Director James Jennings has announced another round of annual funding to provide grants to units of local government for the collection and proper disposal of household sharps from their residents. Sharps, including needles, syringes, and lancets, collected from private citizens are a household waste. Through the grant program,

SPRINGFIELD – Congrats, Grad! The Illinois Liquor Control Commission (ILCC) applauds your remarkable achievements this commencement season. Graduating is a major milestone filled with pride, excitement, unforgettable memories, and new opportunities ahead. Of course, an accomplishment this special calls for a celebration!   As families and friends gather to honor the Class of 2026, we

LITCHFIELD — Governor JB Pritzker has joined the Illinois Department of Commerce and Economic Opportunity (DCEO) and Lincoln Land Community College (LLCC) to announce new investments in Litchfield to expand LLCC’s Truck Driver Training Program. The State of Illinois will provide $2.6 million for design and implementation of infrastructure improvements, which will create a new training

SPRINGFIELD – Memorial Day weekend is the unofficial kickoff to the summer boating season, and the Illinois Department of Natural Resources (IDNR) and Illinois Conservation Police are urging people to wear life jackets anytime they’re on the water and to only operate boats while sober.    National Safe Boating Week is May 16-22, the week leading

SPRINGFIELD, IL – Global reggae icon Ziggy Marley is headed to the Illinois State Fair Grandstand on Tuesday, August 18, bringing nearly four decades of award-winning music, uplifting messages, and unmistakable reggae rhythms to Springfield for one unforgettable night.   A nine-time GRAMMY Award winner, Emmy Award winner, producer, and humanitarian, Ziggy Marley has spent nearly four decades using

SPRINGFIELD – The Illinois Department of Natural Resources (IDNR) is accepting applications for Natural Areas Stewardship grants through June 12. The grants support projects that promote the stewardship of Illinois’ natural areas.   The goal of the program is to increase stewardship efforts at natural areas protected within the Illinois Nature Preserves Commission system. Stewardship needs