State News

Legal Cannabis Sales Begin Wednesday in Illinois But Still Illegal in Indiana

Tuesday, December 31 by WROY/WRUL Staff

Wednesday is the first day of legal cannabis sales to anyone over 21 in Illinois. The state’s approved dispensaries can open as early as 6 a.m. With long lines expected, there’s no guarantee recreational users will get what they’re looking for. The law requires...

Gender Neutral Restroom Law Goes Into Effect Jan. 1 in Illinois

Tuesday, December 31 by WROY/WRUL Staff

Illinois is about to get a lot more gender neutral restrooms. A new state law that takes effect tomorrow requires all public, single use restrooms to be labeled gender neutral. That means restrooms in public buildings and schools will need new signs. Single-gender restrooms...

St. Louis Among Top 25 Places To Visit in 2020

Tuesday, December 31 by WROY/WRUL Staff

(St. Louis, MO) -- St. Louis ranks among the top 25 places in the United States to visit in 2020, according to an article in Forbes magazine. The magazine surveyed travel experts and says St. Louis's museums, Gateway Arch and Missouri Botanical Garden are...

Make a Resolution to Drive Sober, Buckle Up; Law Enforcement Patrols Planned for New Year’s Holiday

Tuesday, December 31 by WROY/WRUL Staff

With 2019 coming to an end and Illinois motor vehicle fatalities down from last year, the Illinois Department of Transportation (IDOT), Illinois State Police and more than 200 law enforcement agencies across the state today reminded motorists they’ll be working overtime now through the...

Illinois Sees Nation’s Worst Population Decline of the Decade

Tuesday, December 31 by WROY/WRUL Staff

Illinois closes the decade experiencing the worst population decline of any state in the nation with a total loss of 168,700 residents. According to data released today by the U.S. Census Bureau, Illinois shrank by 51,250 residents from July 2018 to July 2019, bringing the state to six...

Rep. Bailey ‘School Bus Safety’ Bill One of 256 New Laws to Go into Effect January 1, 2020

Monday, December 30 by WROY/WRUL Staff

State Rep. Darren Bailey (R-Xenia)is reminding residents about more than 250 new laws that go into effect on January 1st. One of those new laws (public Act 101-55) is the doubling of fines on violators who drive around stopped school buses. First offense fines...

Ho- Ho- Ho- Holiday Enforcement Is Here

Tuesday, December 24 by WROY/WRUL Staff

The Illinois Department of Transportation, Illinois State Police and more than 200 police and sheriff’s departments are coming together for the annual holiday “Drive Sober or Get Pulled Over” campaign to keep impaired drivers off the roads. Motorists will notice this life-saving enforcement effort...

Getting Around Illinois Provides Latest Winter Road Conditions

Friday, December 20 by WROY/WRUL Staff

As the official start of winter approaches, the Illinois Department of Transportation reminds travelers to visit and bookmark GettingAroundIllinois.com site is a great resource for getting you the latest information...

2020 Illinois Conservation Cropping Seminars Scheduled

Friday, December 20 by WROY/WRUL Staff

Springfield, IL–Illinois’ annual Conservation Cropping Seminars will be held January 21, 22 and 23 in three locations statewide. Each one-day seminar will feature guest speakers focused on sustainable and regenerative agricultural practices.Speakers and special guests include: Hans Kok, Indiana Soil Health Consultant; Bryan Young,...

Unemployment Rate Falls to New Historical Low in November

Thursday, December 19 by WROY/WRUL Staff

The Illinois Department of Employment Security (IDES) announced today that the unemployment rate fell -0.1 percentage point to 3.8 percent, a new historical low, while nonfarm payrolls lost -17,200 jobs in November, based on preliminary data provided by the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics...