State News

State Unemployment Holds Flat for May; County by County Numbers Due Next Week

Friday, June 18 by Jc Tinsley

We’ll get a better look at unemployment numbers on a county by county basis next Thursday, but statewide information released Thursday afternoon shows the rate for Illinois remains unchaged for May at 7.1%. Non farm payrolls were down almost 8,000 for the month based...

State Hands Out $3.3 Million in Grants to Fire Departments; White County Not Included

Friday, June 18 by Jc Tinsley

A total of $3.3 million dollars was awarded to nearly 150 fire departments/districts and EMS providers across Illinois yesterday. White County received none of it. The office of the State Fire Marshal says they received just under 450 applications requesting about $10.5 million during...

Fingerprints Not Mandatory for FOID; Bailey says Illinoisans are Under Attack by Democrats

Thursday, June 17 by Jc Tinsley

Fingerprints will not be mandatory for Firearm Owners Identifications card applicants. Kevin Bessler has the latest from the state capitol.Locally, Senator Darren Bailey says gun owners in Illinois are under attack by Democrats in Illinois. He called the vote proof that Democrats are willing...

Illinois State and Regional News Shorts

Tuesday, June 8 by Jc Tinsley

Illinois House, Senate Pass First Changes To Criminal Justice LawIllinois lawmakers are moving forward with changes to a massive criminal justice reform law. The state House and Senate both approved a trailer bill that is designed to make it easier for law enforcement to...

Investigation Underway after Dogs Found Deceased in Webster County, Kentucky

Tuesday, June 8 by Jc Tinsley

An investigation is underway after several dogs were found dead inside a Providence home. The dogs were found in kennels inside the residence after a concerned neighbor reported an odor from a home in the 300-block of Jefferson Street. Police believe the dogs died...

Report Shows 200K People On Unemployment In Indiana

Tuesday, June 8 by Jc Tinsley

There are plenty of jobs available in Indiana, but there are also a lot of people still collecting unemployment checks. The state's Department of Workforce Development says the latest numbers show that as of May 1st, just under 200-thousand people were collecting benefits. Indiana's...

Senator Bailey Reflects on Spring Legislative Session; Not Happy

Thursday, June 3 by Jc Tinsley

Now that the spring session is over for lawmakers, Senator Darren Bailey is looking back on the last five months. And he’s not happy.He says this legislative session has damaged the state from remapping the Illinois Supreme Court to the budget which he says...

Valinda Rowe of Illinois Carry Says Gun Buying Process Hamstrung with Unreasonable Delays

Wednesday, May 26 by Jc Tinsley

The demand for guns in Illinois skyrocketed in 2020, especially among first-time buyers.Valinda Rowe of Enfield is the spokeswoman for gun rights group Illinois Carry and she says fear of stronger gun laws is driving demand.The trouble is that the wait time for Firearm...

Local Lawmakers Among Those Calling Foul Over Redistricting Maps

Tuesday, May 25 by Jc Tinsley

IRN (The Illinois Radio Network) assisted with information for this storyRepublican lawmakers are calling on Gov. J.B. Pritzker to keep a campaign promise and veto the proposed legislative maps released by Democrats Friday night.Redistricting is the process of redrawing the boundaries of district maps...

IHSA Putting Out Call for Officials

Monday, May 24 by Jc Tinsley

IRN (The Illinois Radio Network) provided info for this story:The Illinois High School Association is putting out the call for new officials to work prep sporting events as the vaccine rollout continues.According to the organization, there were 13,000 total officials as recently as 2014,...