Pritzker approves housing program for those at-risk of drug overdose | Illinois
(The Center Square) – A new state law will provide free housing to people at risk of a drug overdose or mental health breakdown. Gov. J.B. Pritzker has signed House Bill 449, a bill that will provide affordable housing to individuals at risk of a drug overdose or mental health breakdown. State Sen. Cristina Castro […]
Efforts to reduce nutrient loss into waterways gains momentum | Illinois
(The Center Square) – In an effort to reduce farm fertilizers from running off into waterways, a network of organizational stakeholders is continuing efforts to reduce nutrient loss. The basic goal of the Illinois Nutrient Loss Reduction Strategy is to cut nutrient loads, like nitrogen and phosphorus, almost in half and improve waterways in Illinois […]
Crowded field eyes Secretary of State job as Jesse White prepares to leave post | Illinois
(The Center Square) – Illinoisans will elect the first new Secretary of State in more than 20 years next year. Longtime Illinois Secretary of State Jesse White isn’t seeking reelection. The field to replace is likely to be crowded headed into the June 2022 primary. White is serving his sixth consecutive term. The 87-year-old initially […]
Pritzker signs legislative maps civil rights groups says violates voting rights | Illinois
(The Center Square) – Despite a federal court case challenging revised legislative maps Democrat’s passed, Gov. J.B. Pritzker gave his approval Friday. Every ten years the state Legislature redraws political boundaries. This year final Census data was delayed because of the COVID-19 pandemic. In May, Democrats approved along party lines maps based on estimates. The governor […]
Rural EMS agencies face staffing and funding challenges | Illinois
(The Center Square) – As the healthcare disparity between rural and urban areas grows, emergency medical services in rural areas are struggling to survive. According to a policy brief from the National Rural Health Association, nearly one-third of the nation’s EMS agencies in rural areas face immediate “operational jeopardy.” Low funding, typically from the county […]
Biden to visit Illinois to promote private sector vaccine mandate | Illinois
(The Center Square) – President Joe Biden will be in Chicago on Wednesday to promote his order for all businesses with more than 100 employees to require the COVID-19 vaccine for their workers. Business groups are wary about the mandate, which is expected to impact 80 million jobs nationwide. Biden announced the mandate earlier this […]
Quick hits: Illinois news in brief for Sept. 24, 2021 | Illinois
Business groups raise concerns over vaccine mandates Business groups have said President Joe Biden’s vaccine mandate on employers of more than 100 employees could create more burdens for job creators. Biden plans a visit to Chicago Wednesday to promote the mandate. The Illinois Chamber of Commerce said they don’t support a one-size-fits-all approach. The National […]
Pritzker touts state’s abortion laws in pitch to businesses | Illinois
(The Center Square) – An Illinois lawmaker says Gov. J.B. Pritzker’s attempt to lure corporations from Texas using the abortion issue is misguided. Pritzker wrote to the CEOs of several Texas businesses, including Dell and Hewlett Packard, to encourage them to move to Illinois after Texas passed a law restricting abortion access, Politico first reported. […]
State announces $40 million investment in workforce training | Illinois
(The Center Square) – Illinois is providing $40 million for a workforce recovery program aimed at helping job seekers get back to work and small businesses in industries hit hardest by the COVID-19 pandemic rebuild their employee base. The funds will go toward expanding job training, support services and help cover expenses that may prevent […]
Pritzker’s silence on revised maps ‘deafening,’ state Senator says | Illinois
(The Center Square) – With a pending lawsuit over legislative maps Illinois Democrats sent Gov. J.B. Pritzker weeks ago, Republicans are asking what’s the holdup on approval. Every ten years, states redraw political boundaries, including where districts will be for the next decade for state Senators and Representatives. This year, final data was delayed because […]