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…

Trump-backed U.S. Rep. Bost touts experience amid challenge from ‘outsider’ Darren Bailey

Trump-backed U.S. Rep. Bost touts experience amid challenge from ‘outsider’ Darren Bailey

CASEY, Ill. — In a southern Illinois town described by a local librarian as “Mayberry-esque,” a deep red community of about 2,400 people is deciding whether the support of former President Donald Trump is enough to send U.S. Rep. Mike Bost back to Congress instead of his grassroots challenger, Darren Bailey. Bost was endorsed by…

Should Illinois become 11th state to adopt ‘right to die’ legislation?

Should Illinois become 11th state to adopt ‘right to die’ legislation?

A bill filed on Thursday would allow qualified individuals, not medical professionals, to self-administer a medication to end their lives. There is of course opposition to such measures, specifically from the Catholic and evangelical communities. Illinois Senate Democrats are moving forward on legislation that would give mentally capable patients who are terminally ill an option…