Ill State News

French Canyon access closed at Starved Rock State Park

SPRINGFIELD – Trail access to French Canyon at Starved Rock State Park will be closed beginning this week. The closure will last through June to accommodate the park’s ongoing trail improvement projects.    Closures include the trailhead access to the top of French Canyon, the trails from the Starved Rock Lodge parking lot, and the trail leading into […]

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$21 million to provide fiber-to-the-home to Southern Illinois

CHAMPAIGN, Ill.– ProTek Fiber is installing 700 miles of fiber to provide direct fiber-to-the-home service for more than 10,000 households, farms, businesses, and community anchor institutions.   ProTek Fiber secured a $21 million loan through Farmers State Bank of Alto Pass, guaranteed by the U.S. Department of Agriculture, to bring fiber to rural residents in Franklin,

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Illinois spring trout season opens April 4

SPRINGFIELD, IL – The 2026 Illinois spring trout fishing season will open Saturday, April 4 at 58 ponds, lakes, and streams throughout the state including Derby Lake at the World Shooting and Recreational Complex near Sparta in Randolph County.   An early opportunity at select trout sites – the spring catch-and-release fishing season – will open

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House Minority Leader Tony McCombie challenges governor following death of eight-year-old

SPRINGFIELD, IL – Illinois House Minority Leader Tony McCombie (R-Savanna) last week asked for a moment of silence in the House chamber for Markell Pierce, an eight-year-old who died on February 6th after the Illinois Department of Children and Family Services failed him.   McCombie went on to call on the House Speaker Chris Welch

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Gov. Pritzker announces Illinois breaks film industry record with $703 million in expenditures

CHICAGO – Illinois Governor JB Pritzker, the Illinois Department of Commerce and Economic Opportunity (DCEO), and Illinois film industry leaders have announced that film production expenditures in Illinois reached a record-breaking high of $703 million in 2025, supporting an estimated 18,000 in industry hires. This represents a 25 percent increase in film expenditures since before

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IDVA and the Jesse Brown VA Medical Center Women’s Health Department honor 25 Illinois women veteran leaders in 2026

CHICAGO, IL – The Illinois Department of Veterans Affairs (IDVA) and the USDVA Women’s Health Department at Jesse Brown VA Medical Center today announced the 25 Illinois Women Veteran Leaders in 2026 at Malcolm X College. Women veterans were nominated for their extraordinary leadership, contributions, and commitment to the women veteran community.   “It is

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IDOR alerts taxpayers to postal service changes that could impact tax filings

CHICAGO. IL- The Illinois Department of Revenue (IDOR) is alerting taxpayers that changes announced by the United States Postal Service (USPS) regarding postmarks could impact tax filings in 2026.   While the USPS postmark will still show the date of the first automated processing operation, the postmark may no longer reflect the date when the piece

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ICC shares water conservation tips for Fix-a-Leak Week

SPRINGFIELD, IL – The Illinois Commerce Commission (ICC) is reminding Illinoisans to check their household plumbing fixtures and irrigation systems for leaks as a part of national Fix-a-Leak Week this March 16-22, 2026.    “Every year, household leaks waste approximately 1 trillion gallons of water nationwide. Chasing down leaks can help Illinoisans shave up to 10

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Illinois State Police continues efforts to reduce gun violence through focused firearm enforcement details

SPRINGFIELD – The Illinois State Police (ISP) today announced that in 2025 the agency conducted just over a thousand firearm enforcement details statewide to help ensure individuals who are prohibited from having a firearm and pose a threat do not have firearms in their possession. ​   Additionally, local law enforcement agencies supported through state agency

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Treasurer Michael Frerichs presents awards to eight Illinois leaders in honor of Women’s History Month

SPRINGFIELD, IL – Illinois State Treasurer Michael Frerichs hosted a celebration to commemorate Women’s History Month and pay tribute to the enduring impact of women in shaping history and benefitting society.    The event, held in the Illinois Room at 555 W. Monroe St. in Chicago, was an opportunity to reflect on the great achievements

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