Ill State News

ISP opens new forensic science laboratory 

DECATUR – Illinois State Police (ISP) Director Brendan F. Kelly has announced ISP has received final accreditation for the new ISP Decatur Forensic Science Laboratory and it is now officially open for business.  The new four-story facility located along U.S. Route 51 on the south side of Decatur houses12,200-square feet of laboratory space and will serve […]

ISP opens new forensic science laboratory  Read More »

Paul Simon Institute to host journalist, foreign policy expert

CARBONDALE, Ill. — John Walcott, an award-winning journalist and foreign policy expert teaching at Georgetown University, will join Southern Illinois University Carbondale’s Paul Simon Public Policy Institute for a virtual conversation at 11 a.m. June 8. Walcott and John Shaw, institute director, will discuss “The Search for Truth in an Age of Confusion.” They will review the

Paul Simon Institute to host journalist, foreign policy expert Read More »

IDPH reports Mpox cases are rising in Chicago area ahead of summer

CHICAGO – The Illinois Department of Public Health announced that cases of mpox (formerly known as monkeypox) are on the rise in Chicago and suburban Cook County and is urging those at-risk for mpox exposure to take precautions and to get vaccinated, if they are not already, ahead of the spring and summer festival and

IDPH reports Mpox cases are rising in Chicago area ahead of summer Read More »

Rep. Frese hails launch of Blue Collar Jobs Act

SPRINGFIELD – Illinois State Representative Randy Frese said last week’s announcement of the launch of the new Illinois Blue Collar Jobs Act (BCJA) Tax Credit will help revive Illinois’ job climate and state economy.   Rep. Frese, (R-Paloma) sponsored the Act in the 101st General Assembly (House Bill 3373), and said he is very pleased that the

Rep. Frese hails launch of Blue Collar Jobs Act Read More »

Advocates praise Senate Bill 1701 passage as critical step forward for Illinois soil and water health

SPRINGFIELD — The passage of Senate Bill 1701 advances agriculture conservation in Illinois by supporting farming practices that will yield healthier, stronger soils and cleaner water across the state, advocates said today.   Legislators approved Senate Bill 1701 as part of the final days of the spring legislative session in Springfield. It now goes to the Governor for

Advocates praise Senate Bill 1701 passage as critical step forward for Illinois soil and water health Read More »

Leading business, healthcare and technology groups denounce proposed changes to Illinois’ Biometric Information Privacy Act

SPRINGFIELD – Leading business, healthcare and technology groups are united in opposition to proposed changes to the state’s Biometric Information Privacy Act (BIPA), which fails to enact needed reforms and would instead increase financial damages against businesses and further suppress security, innovation and economic growth.   A coalition including the Chicagoland Chamber of Commerce, Illinois Chamber

Leading business, healthcare and technology groups denounce proposed changes to Illinois’ Biometric Information Privacy Act Read More »

Bryant encouraged by reinstatement of Blue Collar Jobs Act

SPRINGFIELD, IL– Illinois State Senator Terri Bryant (R-Murphysboro) is applauding the reinstatement of the Blue Collar Jobs Act, which seeks to bring good-paying jobs to Illinois through a series of income tax credits for qualified capital investments in the construction of new or improved property. The Blue Collar Jobs Act was originally signed into law

Bryant encouraged by reinstatement of Blue Collar Jobs Act Read More »

Chicagoland Chamber of Commerce applauds passage of legislation to provide scholarship assistance for Illinois students in STEM

CHICAGO – The Chicagoland Chamber of Commerce applauds Illinois lawmakers for their bipartisan support and unanimous passage of the Chamber-led initiative to incentivize students looking to be future workers in the STEM field to live and work in Illinois after graduation. HB1378, sponsored by Rep. Janet Yang Rohr and Sen. Javier L. Cervantes, creates an innovative

Chicagoland Chamber of Commerce applauds passage of legislation to provide scholarship assistance for Illinois students in STEM Read More »

Illinois Hotel & Lodging Association applauds passage of legislation to strengthen protections for hotel workers

CHICAGO – The Illinois Hotel & Lodging Association (IHLA) released the following statement applauding the passage of HB 2220, which allows hotels better protect employees from verbally abusive customers:   “Our employees are the most important part of our business, and they deserve to feel safe and supported when they come to work. The extra protection

Illinois Hotel & Lodging Association applauds passage of legislation to strengthen protections for hotel workers Read More »

Illinois Senate approves legislation to require Native American history in schools

SPRINGFIELD – State Senator Suzy Glowiak Hilton is spearheading a measure to make Native American history a requirement for all public elementary and high school students.   “Native American history is American history, and it has been overlooked for far too long,” said Glowiak Hilton (D – Western Springs). “Our history classes should be more

Illinois Senate approves legislation to require Native American history in schools Read More »