Ill State News

SPRINGFIELD — The Illinois Conservation Foundation (ICF) announced the recipients of its annual Outdoor Excellence Awards. The awards recognize individuals and organizations whose work has strengthened conservation, outdoor recreation, and public access across Illinois.   2025 Illinois Outdoor Excellence Award winners:   Outdoor Writer/Author of the Year – Steve Sarley Steve Sarley is recognized for more […]

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

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,

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

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

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