State News

Crab Orchard National Wildlife Refuge will host guided eagle tours into the closed portion of the Refuge to potentially view active bald eagles and their nests.  These tours are sponsored by the Friends of Crab Orchard, and are scheduled for January 23, 24, 30,... Read More.

Carmi, IL–Illinois State Police District 19 Commander, Captain Kelly Hodge, announced today activity and enforcement figures for the month of November.  Troopers in District 19, which includes Wabash, Edwards, Wayne, White, Hamilton, Saline, and Gallatin Counties, recorded 976 incidents during the month.Enforcement activity consisted... Read More.

HARRISBURG, Ill. – This week state Rep. Brandon Phelps, D-Harrisburg, announced that he is calling on Southern Illinois residents to lend their names to an effort calling on Governor Rauner to restore cuts to Amtrak rail services that are vital to the regional economy.“Part... Read More.

HARRISBURG, Ill. – In an effort to increase accessibility to the resources his constituent services office provides, state Rep. Brandon Phelps, D-Harrisburg, will be holding mobile office hours in Carbondale on Monday, December 21st from 11 a.m. to 1 p.m. at the Civic Center,... Read More.

Springfield, IL – State Sen. Dale Righter (R-Mattoon) voted in support of Senate Bill 2039 Dec. 7, legislation that releases the state’s portion of the motor fuel tax (MFT) money and includes funding for 911 call centers, fire prevention, veterans’ homes, lottery winners, payment... Read More.

Illinois State Police Urge Motorists to Avoid the “3 Ds;” Drunk, Drugs, and Distractions.CARMI, IL – December has again been declared National Impaired Driving Prevention Month. Along with driving under the influence of alcohol, impaired driving also includes drugged driving and distracted driving. Drugged/drunk... Read More.

National Influenza Vaccination Week – December 6-12, 2015SPRINGFIELD – The Illinois Department of Public Health (IDPH) urges anyone who has not yet received flu vaccine to get it as soon as possible. This week is National Influenza Vaccination Week, a national observance to highlight... Read More.

(SPRINGFIELD,ILLINOIS) December1, 2015 —Agriculture Secretary Tom Vilsack today reminded farmers and ranchers that the next general enrollment period for the Conservation Reserve Program (CRP) begins today, Dec. 1, 2015, and ends on Feb. 26, 2016. December 2015 also marks the 30th anniversary of CRP,... Read More.

United States Attorney Collects $19,428,426.20 in Civil and Criminal Actions for Southern Illinois Taxpayers in Fiscal Year 2015Stephen R. Wigginton, United States Attorney for the Southern District of Illinois, announced today that his office collected $19,428,426.20 in criminal and civil actions in Fiscal Year... Read More.

WASHINGTON – As the House debated energy legislation this week, Congressman John Shimkus (R, Illinois-15) reminded his fellow representatives of the human toll of the Obama Administration’s War on Coal. “The human toll is lost jobs, lost benefits, and bankruptcies which... Read More.