Businesses lobby governor, Statehouse leaders in Springfield
Manufacturers, retailers hold joint convention as lawmakers enter final stretch.
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Pritzker: ‘Devil’s in the details’ when considering lifting ban on new nuclear
Statewide building code, requirement that retailers accept cash also advancing through legislature.
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Flash Index: Illinois’ economic growth continues its slow decline in March.
After an increase to 103.4 in February, the Flash Index for March dropped back to its January level of 103.1. Except for that one-month increase, the Flash Index has been declining since a peak of 106.1 in March of 2022. (Any reading on the Flash Index above 100 indicates economic growth.)
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Microloan fund supports local businesses in Champaign County
A new microloan fund to help businesses in Champaign County recover from the pandemic is up and running. The Champaign County Economic Development Corporation announced the two-million-dollar loan program. Executive Director Carly McCrory McKay said the goal is to help under-served business owners gain access to affordable financial services. “We’ve certainly had some initial interest…
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Tornado damages property of Champaign County farmers
Severe storms damaged farm equipment and business on Friday night.
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‘You’re a street fighter,’ Madigan confidant counseled former speaker: wiretapped call
Jury hears 16 more recorded calls; Rep. says Madigan ruled ‘through fear and intimidation’.
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2 million Illinois residents hit by reduction in SNAP benefits
CHAMPAIGN – Beginning this month, people who rely on the Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP) will see a sharp reduction in benefits. As the emergency allotments enacted by Congress at the start of pandemic expire, 16 million American households will now receive less monthly assistance. In Illinois, the change is expected to affect two…
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Caterpillar workers ratify new 6-year contract with company
Unionized workers at Caterpillar Inc. have approved a new six-year contract with the company that includes a $6,000 ratification bonus, 19% in pay raises and 8% worth of lump-sum payments.
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Mendoza pushes for law requiring greater deposits in ‘rainy day’ fund
Highest-ever balance slated to exceed $1.9 billion by end of fiscal year.
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Illinois’ economic growth rate was up a bit in February — Flash Index
Following a year of declines – the state’s economic growth rate increased last month, albeit slightly. The University of Illinois Flash Index rose from January’s 103.1 to 103.4 in February.
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Budzinski tours ag research at U of I and visits with laid-off Akorn workers in Decatur
U.S. Representative Nikki Budzinski visited the University of Illinois Research Park in Champaign on Thursday. But first, the central Illinois Democrat stopped in Decatur, where more than 400 pharmaceutical plant workers had been abruptly laid off by Akorn Pharmaceutical.
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‘Equitable restrooms’ bill advances in House
Bill calls for setting standards for multi-occupant, all-gender facilities.
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Illinois poised to mandate paid leave for nearly all workers
Expansive paid leave legislation requiring Illinois employers to give workers paid time off based on hours worked, to be used for any reason, is ready for action by Democratic Gov. J.B. Pritzker, who said he looks forward to signing it.
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FBI: Romance scammers made $20M off unsuspecting victims in Illinois in a year
Hundreds of Illinoisans fall victim to online romance scams every year. While the numbers for 2022 are still being calculated, the FBI’s Internet Crime Complaint Center preliminary results show a reported victim loss of $739 million, impacting 19,000 victims. In Illinois, the FBI reported 591 victims in 2021, the last year data was available. The…
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What does the start of Missouri recreational marijuana sales mean for the Metro East?
COLLINSVILLE — Collinsville City Manager Mitch Bair has managed a budget that’s seen between $1.5 million and $2 million in extra sales tax revenue since 2020 from the addition of recreational marijuana. But the sales tax generated from Illinois dispensaries is expected to drop now that Missouri approved its first shops to sell recreational marijuana…
