Ill State News

Illinois promotes earthquake preparedness during today’s Great ShakeOut

SPRINGFIELD –The nation’s Great ShakeOut will happen today when people in every state are asked to practice safety as if an earthquake has started. Your reaction should be to drop, cover, and hold on. Those persons with disabilities who use walkers or wheelchairs should modify the instructions to lock, cover, and hold on.   “Our […]

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Gov. Pritzker unveils zero-emission locomotives made in Illinois

MINOOKA, ILL. – Illinois Governor JB Pritzker and the Illinois Department of Commerce and Economic Opportunity (DCEO) joined Innovative Rail Technologies (IRT) and Motive Power Resources, Inc. (MPR) to celebrate the commissioning of their latest zero-emission, battery electric locomotive. Bolstered by a Reimagining Energy and Vehicles in Illinois (REV Illinois) agreement, Motive Power Resources, Inc. has

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Department on Aging offers free help to make Medicare open enrollment decisions

SPRINGFIELD, Ill. – The Illinois Department on Aging (IDoA) is encouraging everyone with Medicare to check if their plan still meets their needs and budget during this year’s Open Enrollment Period, which began on Oct. 15 and runs through Dec. 7, 2025. Individuals can get free help comparing health and drug plan options by contacting the

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IDNR announces state and federal sites to be open for 2025 youth waterfowl hunting seasons

SPRINGFIELD – Numerous Illinois state parks, state fish and wildlife areas, and other public lands will be open to youth waterfowl hunting during the 2025 youth waterfowl hunts.   Federal sites that fall under the Illinois Department of Natural Resources’ (IDNR) waterfowl administrative rule that will be open for the youth hunts also are listed

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Veto session preview: Federal issues top of mind as lawmakers seek transit, energy solutions

By BEN SZALINSKICapitol News Illinoisbszalinski@capitolnewsillinois.com . SPRINGFIELD — Violent protests, legally questionable immigration raids and the deployment of National Guard troops without the governor’s approval will be at the forefront of state lawmakers’ minds when they return to Springfield on Tuesday. “Lawyers in my office are researching other things that we can do” about the

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More than half of Illinois municipalities implement local grocery sales tax to support key services

SPRINGFIELD — The Illinois Municipal League (IML) announced Monday that 656 municipalities across Illinois – more than half of all municipalities in the state – have adopted an ordinance establishing a 1% local grocery sales tax to replace the statewide grocery tax when it expires on January 1, 2026.   The statewide 1% grocery sales tax,

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FOP statement calls for ouster of acting corrections director following numerous incidents

SPRINGFIELD, IL — The Illinois Fraternal Order of Police Corrections Lodge 263 has lobbied for years and continues to stand firmly with legislators calling attention to the escalating crisis at Hill Correctional Center in Galesburg and across the Illinois Department of Corrections (IDOC).   FOP Corrections Lodge President Scot Ward issued the following statement:  

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State of Illinois earns Aetna Workplace Well-being Platinum Award for fourth consecutive year

SPRINGFIELD, IL – The Illinois Department of Central Management Services (CMS) is proud to announce it has received the 2025 Aetna Workplace Well-being Platinum Award, the highest level of recognition offered by Aetna. This marks the fourth year in a row that CMS has earned the prestigious award for its continued efforts in building a

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IDOA launches new CPRG-Climate Smart Agriculture Program

SPRINGFIELD, IL – The Illinois Environmental Protection Agency (Illinois EPA) and the Illinois Department of Agriculture (IDOA) have announced $67 million in funding to offer cost-share/financial incentives to producers and landowners who will implement no-till or strip-till starting in the fall of 2025.   The intent of the program is to promote the implementation of no-till

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Governor Pritzker and ISAC congratulate schools for excellence in financial aid application completion

CHICAGO –The Illinois Student Assistance Commission (ISAC), the state’s college access and financial aid agency, is proud to announce the 2025-26 Financial Aid Application Completion Recognition of Excellence awardees, honoring Illinois high schools that demonstrate outstanding leadership and commitment to student success by achieving high financial aid application completion rates. These schools have gone above and beyond

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