State News

CAIRO MAN TO RECEIVE LIFE SENTENCE FOR DOUBLE MURDER DURING AN ATTEMPTED BANK ROBBERY

Friday, March 17 by Jc Tinsley

Donald S. Boyce, United States Attorney for the Southern District of Illinois, announced today that James Nathaniel Watts, age 32, of Cairo, Ill., has pleaded guilty to a federal Superseding Indictment regarding the May 2014 attempted robbery of the First National Bank in Cairo,...

Governor Rauner Urges General Assembly to Ensure Pension Reform, Funding for Chicago Public Schools

Friday, March 17 by Jc Tinsley

Governor Rauner released a video message Thursday encouraging the General Assembly to take swift action on legislation that would enact statewide pension reform while delivering Chicago Public Schools the $215 million it has requested from the state.The Governor has pledged to...

Unemployment Rates Increase in Most Metro Areas

Friday, March 17 by Jc Tinsley

Not Seasonally Adjusted Unemployment Rates Metropolitan AreaJan. 2017Jan. 2016Over-the-Year ChangeBloomington6.1%5.9%0.2Carbondale-Marion7.0%6.8%0.2Champaign-Urbana6.1%5.9%

The Illinois Funds Receives Top Credit Rating

Friday, March 17 by Jc Tinsley

S&P Global Ratings has issued The Illinois Funds investment pool a AAAm credit rating, the highest available, Illinois State Treasurer Michael Frerichs said. The strong, positive rating of the treasurer’s office investment fund counters the string of downgrades and negative outlooks issued to instruments issued...

Illinois Department of Commerce Increases EDGE Program Transparency

Thursday, March 16 by Jc Tinsley

The Department of Commerce and Economic Opportunity today announced the online publication of EDGE tax credit incentive agreements. The publication is the latest move by the Rauner Administration towards better government and transparency.“EDGE is a local economic development tool that has allowed communities to...

Governor Rauner Applauds State Adoption of Every Student Succeeds Act Plan

Thursday, March 16 by Jc Tinsley

Governor Bruce Rauner released the following statement Wednesday following the Illinois State Board of Education’s adoption of a comprehensive educational plan in response to the Every Student Succeeds Act. Every state must develop a plan outlining its approach to school accountability, support, and...

Severin Moves Helping Paws Legislation Out of the House

Thursday, March 16 by Jc Tinsley

Legislation introduced by State Representative Dave Severin (R-Benton) that would provide additional assistance to veterans suffering from post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD) or depression received unanimous approval from the Illinois House of Representatives on Wednesday, March 15th.HB 2897 dictates that veterans suffering from PTSD or...

Governor’s Office Statement on Democrat Opposition to Authorizing Spending Cuts

Thursday, March 16 by Jc Tinsley

The Rauner Administration today released the below statement following the Senate Executive Committee voting down legislation to give Governor Rauner the authority to cut spending and balance the budget:“Governor Rauner has said from the beginning that if the legislature is unwilling...

Celebrate the equinox and Mississippian culture March 19 at Cahokia Mounds

Thursday, March 16 by Jc Tinsley

The Cahokia Mounds State Historic Site will welcome the equinox and the arrival of spring with a special dawn event March 19 at the “Woodhenge” solar calendar.Visitors can gather at 6:45 a.m. Sunday...

Secretary of Education Calls on Chicago Public Schools to Support Pension Reform Plan Legislation

Thursday, March 16 by Jc Tinsley

Illinois Secretary of Education Beth Purvis today called on Chicago Public Schools (CPS) to support legislation being filed by Senators Michael Connelly and Jil Tracy, which would enact statewide pension reform while providing CPS with $215 million for its pension payment.“At...