illinois

Pritzker has ‘no plans’ for added mitigations; ‘local control’ is focus of new school guidelines (Springfield, IL) - The wide availability of COVID-19 vaccines has changed the state’s approach for mitigating the virus’ spread statewide and in schools.

Media literacy requirement, animal products ban among latest 53 bills signed by Pritzker (Springfield, IL) - Public high schools in Illinois will soon be required to teach students how to access and evaluate various kinds of news and social media they see online and elsewhere as part of their regular curriculum.

Unprecedented unemployment deficit threatens to ‘cripple’ businesses, claimants (Springfield, IL) - Since economic shutdowns began and COVID-19 death counts started to rise in March 2020, national unemployment rates have hovered at historically high numbers, stressing state unemployment systems left dealing with an unprecedented number of claims.

New law requires public schools to teach Asian American history (Springfield, IL) – All public schools in Illinois will soon be required to teach a unit on Asian American history and culture as part of their social studies curriculum.

Merchants association President Karr says omnibus energy bill is a ‘painful prospect for retailers’ (Chicago, IL) - Rob Karr, president and CEO of the Illinois Retail Merchants Association, echoed the concerns of the manufacturing industry that Gov. J.B. Pritzker's Consumers and Climate First Act would be costly for businesses and consumers.

State revenues surged in previous fiscal year (Springfield, IL) - Revenues flowing into state coffers surged in the fiscal year that ended June 30, spurred largely by an influx of federal funds, the delayed deadline for filing income tax returns last year and an economic recovery that boosted income and sales tax collections beyond what had been estimated.

Illinois residents who have health coverage through Medicaid now have access to a broad range of services including mental health counseling, substance abuse treatment, smoking cessation and dental services.

Reporter Kelly to Lightfoot: 'You've lost control of the city!' (Chicago, IL) - Mayor Lori Lightfoot recently lashed out at Newsmax reporter William Kelly after he pressed her on the city’s rising violent crime rate. 

Parent lashes out against CRT in Homer Glen schools: "We are not OK with this; we will not back down' (Homer Glen, IL) - Castigating the form of instruction “as damaging to our kids,” parent and former Illinois State Senate candidate Michelle Lee is vowing to do everything she can to stop critical race theory from coming to the Homer Glen 33C school district.

Peters: 'Formerly incarcerated people need to have an opportunity to reintegrate into society' (Chicago, IL) - Legislation that requires the Illinois Department of Corrections to provide people scheduled to be freed from prison with information in an effort to curb recidivism awaits the signature of Gov. J.B. Pritzker.