Ill State News

IDOA now accepting specialty crop block grant proposals

SPRINGFIELD, IL – In an effort to expand the availability of fresh, locally-grown produce and strengthen the competitiveness of the state’s specialty crop industry, the Illinois Department of Agriculture (IDOA) plans to distribute more than $679,000 over a three-year period thanks to funding allocated in the USDA Specialty Crop Block Grant program.     An application for grant

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Senate Republicans unveil plan to combat rising energy bills

By Illinois State Senator Terri Bryant SPRINGFIELD, Ill. – With energy prices once again on the rise, Senate Republicans are calling for immediate action to protect Illinois families from even higher electricity costs in the future.   According to recent utility filings, Ameren customers are expected to see their average monthly summer bills rise from

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Illinois House Republican Caucus says it sees no urgency, no discussion of any sort of structural reform, and no solutions coming from the other side of the aisle

SPRINGFIELD – With seven days left in the spring legislative session, House Republican Leader Tony McCombie said at a capitol press briefing today that there appears to be no urgency, no discussion of any sort of structural reform, and no solutions coming from the other side of the aisle as the deadline approaches.   McCombie said “We’re

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IDNR monitoring black bear sighting in southwestern Illinois

SPRINGFIELD – The Illinois Department of Natural Resources (IDNR) is monitoring sightings of a black bear in southwestern Illinois.    The bear was first observed Monday, May 19 in St. Clair County. An IDNR district wildlife biologist confirmed the sighting on Tuesday, May 20 and the animal was observed again Wednesday and Thursday, May 21 and

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IDPH offers safe swimming tips to prevent drownings and other water risks as 2025 summer season approaches

SPRINGFIELD – The Illinois Department of Public Health (IDPH) is highlighting the CDC’s annual observance of Healthy and Safe Swimming Week, which this year features the theme Splash into Fun, Not Germs and offers tips on how to safely enjoy splash pads, also known as interactive fountains.   IDPH is urging Illinoisans to take precautions to avoid risks

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IDPH recommends testing of private water wells in areas with elevated PFAS levels in community water systems

SPRINGFIELD – The Illinois Department of Public Health (IDPH) is advising private well owners to check if they are in the vicinity of community water systems (CWS) that have shown elevated levels of one or more Per- and Polyfluoroalkyl Substances (PFAS) in testing conducted by the Illinois Environmental Protection Agency (Illinois EPA). Illinois EPA recently sent

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Illinois Republicans sound alarm on governor’s clean energy plan

SPRINGFIELD — Illinois Republicans are sounding the alarm about a proposed clean energy plan, saying it will only increase costs for consumers.   The Illinois Environmental Council rallied at the state capitol last week to urge state lawmakers to pass the Clean and Reliable Grid Affordability (CRGA) Act and legislation to overhaul transit leadership and

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Illinois Senate Republicans urge Governor Pritzker to protect care for vulnerable Illinoisans

SPRINGFIELD – Members of the Illinois Senate Republican Caucus are calling on Governor JB Pritzker to protect critical funding that provides care for adults with intellectual and developmental disabilities (IDD) in Illinois. In a letter sent today Republican Senators urged him to fully restore a proposed $32 million cut to Direct Support Professional (DSP) service

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