Ill State News

Treasurer Frerichs encourages the Gift of Education this holiday season

SPRINGFIELD – Struggling to find the right holiday gift for a child? Illinois State Treasurer Michael Frerichs has one. Invest in a young person’s future by contributing to their Bright Start 529 college savings account.   “Every time you make a Bright Start contribution, that kid sees that you believe in them. That’s a powerful […]

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State announces 2025 Illinois Human Rights Award recipients

CHIGAGO – Deputy Governor of Health and Human Services (HHS), Grace Hou, and Director of Illinois Department of Human Rights (IDHR), Jim Bennett, today presented IDHR’s annual Human Rights Awards to Youth Outlook and Mano a Mano Family Resource Center in recognition of International Human Rights Day, December 10, during a ceremony at 555 W. Monroe St.,

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New 2026 laws: Gun storage, police background check changes

By BEN SZALINSKICapitol News Illinoisbszalinski@capitolnewsillinois.com  SPRINGFIELD – Gun owners in Illinois must take new steps in 2026 to secure their firearms in their homes, particularly when children are present.   Gov. JB Pritzker signed Senate Bill 8, known as the Safe Gun Storage Act, in late July, which prohibits gun owners from storing their weapons

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Funding opportunity for new EV charging stations

SPRINGFIELD – The Illinois Department of Transportation today announced the third official notice of funding opportunity through the Illinois National Electric Vehicle Infrastructure Program, which will provide approximately $65.6 million for the construction of charging stations across the state. The latest opportunity builds on the first two rounds, which awarded funding for 62 charging stations along

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FBI offers $25,000 reward in triple homicide involving juvenile victim

SPRINGFIELD, ILLINOIS — The Federal Bureau of Investigation, in partnership with the Sangamon County Sheriff’s Office, is announcing a $25,000 reward for information leading to the arrest and conviction of the unknown subject(s) involved in the homicides on Hoover Street on October 09, 2025.   On October 09, 2025, Sangamon County Sheriff’s Office responded to

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Despite enormous trade losses, Trump’s aid to Illinois farmers cut in half

SPRINGFIELD, IL — History is repeating itself as President Donald Trump announces a tariff aid package in response to his self-manufactured trade crisis that began shortly after he took office in January.   Due to the last major trade war during Trump’s first term, U.S. agricultural export losses exceeded an estimated $27 billion from mid-2018 to

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Stay merry and safe: Fire safety comes first this holiday season

SPRINGFIELD, Ill – As holiday celebrations get underway, the OSFM, Camp I Am Me by the Illinois Fire Safety Alliance, Northern Illinois Fire Sprinkler Advisory Board and the Springfield Fire Department urge residents to keep fire safety at the top of their holiday checklist.   According to the National Fire Protection Association (NFPA) more than

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Illinois unemployment rate stable, payroll nearly unchanged in September

SPRINGFIELD – The Illinois Department of Employment Security (IDES) announced today that total nonfarm payrolls were nearly unchanged over-the-month in September, down -2,200 (0.0%) to 6,162,600. The August monthly change in payrolls was revised from the preliminary report, from -13,300 to -2,200.   The industry sectors with the largest over-the-month jobs increases included: Trade, Transportation and

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Public libraries across Illinois to stock, administer opioid overdose reversal agents

SPRINGFIELD – The Illinois Department of Public Health (IDPH) has issued an updated standing order which adds Illinois public libraries to the list of locations that are permitted to keep a supply of opioid overdose reversal agents on hand, and to allow trained staff to administer them in the event of a suspected overdose on their

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Illinois winter disconnection rule in effect through March

CHICAGO, Il – The Illinois Commerce Commission (ICC) is reminding customers that the state’s winter weather rule is in effect from December 1 – March 31. The winter weather rule limits utilities from disconnecting eligible customers who use electric or gas as their primary source of home heating.   “Illinois winters are known for frigid temperatures and frequent

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