Ill State News

SPRINGFIELD, IL – The NFIB Small Business Optimism Index fell 0.5 points in February to 98.8 but remained slightly above the 52-year average of 98. The Uncertainty Index decreased three points from January to 88.   “Although optimism declined slightly, small businesses report feeling more certain in February as they look toward the coming months,” said NFIB Chief Economist Bill Dunkelberg.

by Pete Rosenbery CARBONDALE, Ill. — Jan Eliasson, a former Swedish and United Nations diplomat, will join Southern Illinois University Carbondale’s Paul Simon Public Policy Institute for a virtual discussion about the American and Israeli attack on Iran and the growing conflict in the Middle East on Friday, March 13.     Eliasson will join

SPRINGFIELD – Illinois Treasurer Michael Frerichs has announced that an estimated 250,000 Illinoisans with a disability are now eligible to open ABLE accounts that allow them to save and invest money to improve quality of life without risking federal benefits.   The Achieving a Better Life Experience (ABLE) Act Congress passed in 2014 required that people had to have

ALTO PASS, Ill. — Rendleman Orchards will host the unveiling of its official historical marker for the Rendleman Orchards Historic District, recently listed on the National Register of Historic Places.   A brief dedication ceremony will be held Friday, April 3 at 12 noon at Rendleman Orchards in Alto Pass.   The short program will

Building on Governor Pritzker’s Affordability Agenda, the FY27 Proposed Budget will fund free test preparation courses through June 2027   CHICAGO – The Illinois Student Assistance Commission (ISAC) and global education company Kaplan today announced that Illinois’ first-in-the-nation free test preparation program – the Prepare for Illinois’ Future Program – will continue through the end of the academic school year.

SPRINGFIELD – As millions of Illinoisans prepare their 2025 state tax returns, the Illinois Department of Public Health (IDPH) is reminding them of the state’s voluntary contribution program to support one or more health-related programs.   Schedule G of the 2025 Illinois tax form allows Illinois taxpayers to designate a portion of their state tax refund to

SPRINGFIELD – The Illinois Department of Natural Resources (IDNR) is accepting applications for instructors for 2026 summer fishing clinics at locations throughout Illinois for the department’s Urban Fishing Program.   Fishing instructors are the department’s boots on the ground at free clinics hosted in communities throughout Illinois. These are temporary positions not to exceed six months,