Ill State News

Get Covered Illinois transitions to a state-based marketplace this November

CHICAGO – Get Covered Illinois has announced that the Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services approved Illinois’ transition to a state-based health insurance marketplace. Launched in 2013 as a branded portal to access Healthcare.gov, Get Covered Illinois will now operate as a full state-based marketplace.    “Today marks a pivotal step towards bringing quality, affordable healthcare […]

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Illinois State Police protects children with the passage of Alicia’s Law in Illinois

SPRINGFIELD – The Illinois State Police (ISP) is celebrating the signing of House Bill 2586, known as Alicia’s Law, named after Alicia “Kozak” Kozakiewicz, the first widely reported internet-related child abduction victim. ​ Internet crimes against children involve crimes that exploit or endanger children through the use of the internet, including luring children online to meet for sexual

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Sen. Terri Bryant Column

Illinois State Senator – 58th District   Audit Exposes Continued Failures at DCFS   A new report from the Illinois Auditor General has once again revealed ongoing failures at the Illinois Department of Children and Family Services (DCFS). According to the audit, 29 of 34 findings were repeated issues from prior years, a sign of

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Southern Illinois Builders Association celebrates 80 years of building the industry and the region

O’FALLON, IL–The Southern Illinois Builders Association (SIBA) is proudly celebrating its 80th anniversary in 2025—marking eight decades of service to the construction industry and economic development across Southern Illinois.   Founded in 1945 by a small group of contractors determined to improve working conditions and stimulate growth in their communities, SIBA has grown from just

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Illinois unemployment falls as payroll jobs set another record high

SPRINGFIELD – The Illinois Department of Employment Security (IDES) announced today nonfarm payrolls totals reached a record high in June, increasing over-the-month up +9,400 to 6,175,200. June’s record payroll job total surpassed the previous high set in March, marking another milestone in Illinois’ record-setting year for total payroll employment. The May monthly change in payrolls was

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24 additional license types added to new licensing system

CHICAGO – The Illinois Department of Financial and Professional Regulation (IDFPR) announced today that 24 more professions are now available for licensure via the Department’s new online licensing system, CORE (Comprehensive Online Regulatory Environment). Today’s announcement marks the successful completion of CORE’s Phase 2.3, with the final part of Phase 2 set for completion this summer.

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Illinois state treasurer returns record $303 million

SPRINGFIELD – Illinois State Treasurer Michael Frerichs returned a record $303.8 million in missing money to nearly 312,000 residents, businesses and organizations through the I-CASH program during Fiscal Year 2025.   Frerichs marked the record-breaking total by presenting a check for more than $200,000 to the Orphans of the Storm animal shelter in Riverwoods. The

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DRA makes more than $12 million available for infrastructure, workforce and business development needs

  DRA makes more than $12 million available for infrastructure, workforce and business development needs   CLARKSDALE, MISS. – The Delta Regional Authority (DRA) is making more than $12 million in funding available through its States’ Economic Development Assistance Program (SEDAP), a funding opportunity supporting economic and community development needs across DRA’s eight-state service region.    As one of DRA’s

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Southern Illinois Builders Association and Southern Illinois Construction Advancement Program to host Skilled Trades Summer Camp July 21-25, 2025

Southern Illinois Builders Association and Southern Illinois Construction Advancement Program to host Skilled Trades Summer Camp July 21-25, 2025O’FALLON, IL – The Southern Illinois Builders Association (SIBA) and Southern Illinois Construction Advancement Program (SICAP), in partnership with the Greater St. Louis Area Council’s Exploring program, will once again offer a Skilled Trades Summer Camp this

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Illinois Lottery celebrates over five decades of giving back during Lottery Week

CHICAGO —The Illinois Lottery is proud to join lotteries across North America in celebrating Lottery Week, taking place July 14–18, 2025. This annual event shines a spotlight on the positive impact lottery proceeds have on communities—from funding public education to supporting small businesses, boosting local economies, and investing in charitable causes. “For over 50 years,

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