State News

Red Cross Says Turn and Test: Turn Back Clocks and Test Smoke Alarms Saturday night

Tuesday, November 1 by Jc Tinsley

Daylight Saving Time ends Sunday, November 6, and the American Red Cross reminds everyone to ‘turn’ their clocks back an hour and ‘test’ the batteries in their smoke alarms. The Red Cross recommends having working smoke alarms on every level of your... Read More.

Shimkus earns Farm Bureau Endorsement

Tuesday, November 1 by Jc Tinsley

ACTIVATOR, the Illinois Farm Bureau’s Political Involvement Fund, has announced its endorsement of John Shimkus for re-election in the 15th Congressional District.“John listens when producers visit with him. He is leader on issues important to us, particularly on Farm Bureau priority issues like EPA... Read More.

USDA Invests $1.7 Billion to Protect Sensitive Agricultural Lands through Conservation Reserve Program

Tuesday, November 1 by Jc Tinsley

The U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) will issue nearly $1.7 billion in payments to more than half of a million Americans who have contracts with the government to protect sensitive agricultural lands. The investment, part of the voluntary USDA Conservation Reserve Program (CRP), will... Read More.

IL State Fair Holiday Mega Pass Sales Begin November 1

Monday, October 31 by Jc Tinsley

The countdown to the 2017 Illinois State Fair begins November 1. Fair officials announced today that as part of its holiday promotional campaign, the fair will be offering a 2017 Mega Pass at a reduced price of $60 until the first of the year.... Read More.

Unemployment Rates Show Slight Increase in half of Metro Areas

Friday, October 28 by Jc Tinsley

CHICAGO–This month, seven of Illinois’ metropolitan (metro) areas experienced increases in their over-the-year unemployment rate and eight of the metro areas had increases in nonfarm jobs, according to preliminary data released today by the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS) and the Illinois Department... Read More.

Residents enjoy cleaner drinking water due to Kinkaid Lake restoration effort

Friday, October 28 by Jc Tinsley

About 30,000 people depend on Kinkaid Lake for drinking water. Yet, soil erosion within the watershed and along the lakeis dumping thousands of tons of sediment — enough to fill more than 2,200 dump trucks — into the lake... Read More.

Raptors and races at Cahokia Mounds Historic site hosts birds of prey demonstration Nov. 5 and 5-K run/walk on Nov. 6

Friday, October 28 by Jc Tinsley

Raptors will take to the air and runners will hit the trail the weekend of Nov. 5-6 at Cahokia Mounds State Historic Site.The World Bird Sanctuary brings live birds of prey to Cahokia Mounds at 2 p.m. on Saturday, Nov. 5.... Read More.

Miss Illinois Teen USA – Olivia Bohleber

Friday, October 28 by Jc Tinsley

Olivia Bohleber, age 16, competed in and won the title of Miss Illinois Teen USA 2017, hosted in Bloomington-Normal, Illinois. This pageant was a four day event held over Labor Day weekend, September... Read More.

Don’t be a Ghoul, Don’t Drink and Drive

Thursday, October 27 by Jc Tinsley

The Illinois Department of Transportation (IDOT) joined the Illinois State Police (ISP) and local police agencies today to warn motorists against becoming an impaired driving monster this Halloween. If you are planning to be out celebrating this Halloween, the message is simple: Drive Sober... Read More.

Illinois 529 Plan Among Best in the Country

Wednesday, October 26 by Jc Tinsley

Illinois Treasurer Michael Frerichs announced today that Illinois’ Bright Directions College Savings Program was named among the best in the nation, according to Morningstar. Morningstar, which evaluates and rates college savings plans, released its results Tuesday rating Bright Directions a “Silver-Rated Fund”. According to... Read More.