News

Payroll jobs up, unemployment rate stable in April

SPRINGFIELD – The Illinois Department of Employment Security (IDES) announced today that the unemployment rate was 5.1 percent in April, unchanged from March, and up +0.6 percentage point from the same month, one year ago, based on data provided by the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS). The revised March unemployment rate was 5.1 percent.   

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MU Extension recommends treating clothing to repel ticks

COLUMBIA, Mo. – University of Missouri Extension specialists are urging farmers, gardeners, hunters, fishermen and other outdoor enthusiasts to take precautions against ticks by treating clothing with permethrin, a highly effective repellent that both repels and kills ticks.   The reminder comes as tick activity increases across the Midwest. Recent data from the Centers for

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Kaitlyn Chung of Sparta added to Belmont University’s Spring 2026 Dean’s List

NASHVILLE, TN — Belmont University released the Dean’s List for the spring 2026 semester, with approximately 49% of the University’s 6,724 undergraduate students earning the academic recognition. Kaitlyn Chung of Sparta is among the Dean’s List students. “The Dean’s List recognition reflects a commitment to excellence that is both personal and shared across our community,”

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Illinois Retail Merchants Association announces winners of inaugural Illinois Retail Challenge Scholarship Competition

SPRINGFIELD – The Illinois Retail Merchants Association (IRMA) has announced the winners of the inaugural Illinois Retail Challenge Scholarship Competition during a special awards luncheon held at the Governor’s Mansion and attended by Gov. JB Pritzker.   The event brought together student finalists, retail industry leaders, and elected officials to recognize the next generation of retail

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Illinois EPA renews funding opportunity for local governments to conduct residential sharps collections

SPRINGFIELD – Illinois Environmental Protection Agency (illinois Epa) Director James Jennings has announced another round of annual funding to provide grants to units of local government for the collection and proper disposal of household sharps from their residents. Sharps, including needles, syringes, and lancets, collected from private citizens are a household waste. Through the grant program,

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Graduate and celebrate the safe way

SPRINGFIELD – Congrats, Grad! The Illinois Liquor Control Commission (ILCC) applauds your remarkable achievements this commencement season. Graduating is a major milestone filled with pride, excitement, unforgettable memories, and new opportunities ahead. Of course, an accomplishment this special calls for a celebration!   As families and friends gather to honor the Class of 2026, we

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Gov. Pritzker announces $2.6 Million investment in LLCC’s Truck Driver Training Program

LITCHFIELD — Governor JB Pritzker has joined the Illinois Department of Commerce and Economic Opportunity (DCEO) and Lincoln Land Community College (LLCC) to announce new investments in Litchfield to expand LLCC’s Truck Driver Training Program. The State of Illinois will provide $2.6 million for design and implementation of infrastructure improvements, which will create a new training

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EPA announces over $63 million to reduce lead in drinking water in Missouri

LENEXA, KAN. – The EPA has announced $63,606,000 in funding to protect Missourians from exposure to lead in drinking water. This investment will go directly to states through the Drinking Water State Revolving Fund (DWSRF) and is part of EPA’s unwavering commitment to Making America Healthy Again. This funding will go toward finding and replacing

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