Farm fertilizer runoff is impacting drinking water in the Midwest, not just the Gulf’s ‘dead zone’

Farm fertilizer runoff is impacting drinking water in the Midwest, not just the Gulf’s ‘dead zone’

Worsening local effects on health and recreation in states like Minnesota and Wisconsin are spurring action on problems that also cause the Gulf of Mexico’s chronic “dead zone.”  ELBA, Minn. – Jeff Broberg’s well sits inside a wooden shed not too far from a field he rented about a decade ago to a local farmer….

tax return

Illinois residents can claim bigger state tax credit next year under new budget

The 2025 spending plan to which the Illinois House gave final legislative approval last week includes funding for once again tying the standard exemption to inflation, meaning the exemption that individuals can claim for tax year 2024 will grow from $2,425 to $2,775.

Illinois could be 19th state to phase out subminimum wage for disabled workers

Illinois could be 19th state to phase out subminimum wage for disabled workers

But some service providers say they’ll be forced to lay off staff without increased state and federal support After years of negotiations and continued opposition from service providers, Illinois appears poised to prohibit employers from using a federal exemption that allows them to pay individuals with disabilities less than the minimum wage. The federal Fair Labor…

Nursing home industry unlikely to see much help from Springfield in tough budget year

Nursing home industry unlikely to see much help from Springfield in tough budget year

It’s been four years since some of the worst scenes of COVID-19 played out in locked-down nursing homes during the early months of the pandemic.  But while most of the world has moved on, the nursing home industry is still reeling from COVID, which exacerbated pre-existing challenges in long-term care – difficulties hiring and retaining…

Pritzker administration official defends grocery tax cut as report projects modest relief for families

Pritzker administration official defends grocery tax cut as report projects modest relief for families

A report looking at the potential impact of eliminating Illinois’ grocery tax suggests most families would see only modest relief, while municipalities would face a “consequential” revenue shortfall. However, the Pritzker administration remains committed to the cut, saying it disproportionately impacts low-income households. Gov. JB Pritzker called for the permanent elimination of the 1% grocery…

How one southern Illinois town is preparing for its second total solar eclipse in 7 years

How one southern Illinois town is preparing for its second total solar eclipse in 7 years

Officials at the City of Carbondale, approximately two hours southeast of St. Louis, anticipate approximately 50,000 people will descend on the college town to experience this year’s total solar eclipse, dwarfing their population of about 21,700.

Durbin celebrates Senate confirmation of Normal Mayor Chris Koos to Amtrak board

Durbin celebrates Senate confirmation of Normal Mayor Chris Koos to Amtrak board

U.S. Sen. Dick Durbin was on hand Monday in Normal to celebrate the long-awaited appointment of Mayor Chris Koos to the Amtrak Board of Directors. The U.S. Senate voted in January to approve Koos’ appointment to the eight-member board — nearly four years after he was first recommended for the position. The nomination had been held…