Ill State News

SPRINGFIELD – The Illinois Department of Labor (IDOL) has created a new Informal Resolution and Mediation Unit, which will help workers and employers resolve straightforward claims before they reach an administrative hearing or litigation. By bringing parties together to resolve their disputes, informal resolution and mediation processes can resolve claims more quickly and efficiently, saving time, […]

SPRINGFIELD – Illinois Department of Natural Resources (IDNR) fisheries biologists are collecting live Christmas trees to be used as fish habitat in local lakes after the holidays.   The collected trees will be bundled together, weighted, and submerged at lakes, providing critical habitat for multiple fish species and promoting algae growth for insects that attract fish

CHICAGO – Workers in Illinois who provide personal care to family members are protected from employment discrimination based on family responsibilities as of January 1, 2025. Illinois is now one of fewer than 10 states to provide employment protections for family caregivers. “Being a caregiver is one of the most important roles a person can take

SPRINGFIELD – The Illinois Department of Natural Resources (IDNR) invites outdoor lovers to start 2025 out right with a First Day Hike at an Illinois state park on Jan. 1.   IDNR is hosting self-guided hikes at 15 state parks across Illinois on New Year’s Day. These free, family-friendly hikes are available to the public.   

SPRINGFIELD, Ill. – New perinatal doula and lactation consultant services are now available to pregnant and postpartum individuals who are enrolled in the Illinois Medicaid program, further expanding maternal and child health coverage, a core priority for the Illinois Department of Healthcare and Family Services (HFS).   Certified doulas are trained professionals who provide a

SPRINGFIELD – The new year means that some new protections will be taking effect in Illinois workplaces starting January 1, 2025. Workers will be getting a raise as the minimum wage increases by $1 per hour from $14 to $15. The minimum wage for tipped workers will rise to $9 per hour and youth workers (under

SPRINGFIELD – The Illinois Department of Employment Security (IDES) announced today that nonfarm payrolls were down -3,400 while the unemployment rate was unchanged at 5.3 percent in November, based on preliminary data provided by the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS), and released by IDES. The October monthly change in payrolls was revised from the preliminary

SPRINGFIELD – The Illinois Department of Natural Resources (IDNR) today announced Jenn Edginton will serve as director of the Illinois State Museum, a division of IDNR.   Edginton has been the interim director of the Illinois State Museum since February 2023. She joined the museum in January 2021 as director of interpretation. Prior to that, she

SPRINGFIELD – The Illinois Retail Merchants Association (IRMA) released the following statement after a judge ruled that credit card networks must comply with the Interchange Fee Prohibition Act, which limits swipe fees from being charged on the tax and tip portion of transactions:   “We’re heartened by today’s ruling, as the judge clearly states credit card

CHICAGO – The Illinois Gaming Board (IGB) and the Illinois Attorney General’s Office announces the arrest of 23-year-old Diego G. Lopez from Mount Prospect, 23-year-old Gamaliel Garcia, Jr., from Chicago, 22-year-old Elliott J. Myers from Chicago, and 23-year-old Adrian A. Zavala from Berwyn. The four men were each charged with one count of burglary, a Class