State News

Reis Sponsored Bill Eases Concealed Carry Restrictions for Active Military

Tuesday, May 30 by Jc Tinsley

Representative David Reis (R-Ste. Marie) was recently joined in Springfield by White County resident Valinda Rowe to provide testimony before the House Judiciary Criminal Law Committee. Reis and Rowe discussed SB 1524, a bill to ease concealed carry restrictions on active duty military... Read More.

Third Annual Wall of Remembrance Display in the Illinois Capitol

Tuesday, May 30 by Jc Tinsley

Illinois Senate Republicans officially opened their third annual Memorial Day Wall of Remembrance display in the state Capitol Rotunda on Tuesday. Joining Senate Republican Leader Christine Radogno in opening the display was Gov. Bruce Rauner and Illinois Department of Veterans’ Affairs Director Erica Jefferies.“This... Read More.

Statement from Speaker Madigan on Passage of Rauner-Backed Procurement Reforms

Tuesday, May 30 by Jc Tinsley

Speaker Michael J. Madigan issued the following statement Monday after the House voted to pass Senate Bill 8, a package of reforms negotiated by Gov. Bruce Rauner to help streamline acquisition of goods and services, reducing costs to the state:“Today’s passage of a procurement... Read More.

General Assembly Blocks Human Rights Executive Order that Would Provide Better Service to Taxpayers

Tuesday, May 30 by Jc Tinsley

Despite more than 1,000 cases pending with an average wait time of four years to hear a discrimination case, the Illinois House voted today to block the consolidation of the Illinois Human Rights Commission (HRC) into the Illinois Department of Human Rights (DHR).“Madigan’s legislators... Read More.

Illinois Department of Labor Posts Updated Prevailing Wage Rates

Tuesday, May 30 by Jc Tinsley

The Illinois Department of Labor (IDOL) announces that updated prevailing wage rates are now available. To view rates, visit https://www.illinois.gov/idol/Laws-Rules/CONMED/Pages/prevailing-wage-rates.aspx. These rates are effective for work performed on public works projects on or after Monday, June 5, 2017.According to the... Read More.

Jobs Decline In More Than Half of Metro Areas

Friday, May 26 by Jc Tinsley

Unemployment rates were down over-the-year in all but one of Illinois’s metro areas. Five of the metro areas had increases in nonfarm jobs, eight reported declines, and one was unchanged, according to preliminary data released today by the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS)... Read More.

As Memorial Day Approaches, IDOT Honors Crash Survivors “Saved by the Belt”

Friday, May 26 by Jc Tinsley

The Illinois Department of Transportation joined Illinois State Police and local law enforcement agencies today to honor survivors of motor vehicle crashes whose lives were saved by wearing a seat belt andto encourage all motorists to “Click It or Ticket” as we enter the... Read More.

IDOT Announces 2017 Airport of the Year Recipients

Friday, May 26 by Jc Tinsley

Six airports have been selected as winners of the 2017 Airport of the Year award presented by the Illinois Department of Transportation. The awards were presented today during the Illinois Aviation Conference in Champaign.Honored this year were Veterans Airport of Southern Illinois in Marion,... Read More.

Righter legislation to help teacher shortage passes Senate Committee

Thursday, May 25 by Jc Tinsley

Students seeking to become a teacher would have another way to receive their teaching license under legislation sponsored by State Sen. Dale Righter (R-Mattoon) and passed by the Senate Education Committee May 23.Currently, students must achieve minimum mandatory scores on standardized tests in order... Read More.

Memorial Day Safety Tips from the Red Cross

Thursday, May 25 by Jc Tinsley

Many folks will spend the upcoming Memorial Day weekend taking a road trip, having their first picnic of the season or enjoying that first dip in the ocean or pool. Follow these American Red Cross tips to stay safe and relish all the long... Read More.