illinois

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.

Governor candidate Gary Rabine says state fiscal policies are "irresponsible," despite bond rating increase (Woodstock, IL) – Gov. Pritzker may be patting himself on the back for the uptick in Moody’s ratings of Illinois’ General Obligation bonds, but Gary Rabine, a candidate for Governor, says the truth is that federal spending is masking the state’s irresponsible fiscal policies and the state still has the worst credit rating of all 50 states...

House Speaker Welch: 'Lead by your actions, not your words' (Springfield, IL) - As House Speaker Emanuel "Chris" Welch (D-Hillside) made history as the first black man to serve in that role in the state, he has made sure to leave an impression during his first session as well.