Air travel across US thrown into chaos after computer outage
Flights are being delayed at multiple locations across the United States after a computer outage at the Federal Aviation Administration.
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Pritzker: Hike cabinet pay to ‘bring, retain great people’
The Senate will consider that legislation Sunday night. Pritzker’s request expanded to include raises in the 10% range for six constitutional officers and a $13,000-a-year raise.
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Vice president touts bridge funding in Chicago: ‘We will finally fix this problem’
Vice President Kamala Harris’ visit to Chicago is part of the Biden administration’s united effort to highlight how the bipartisan infrastructure law is driving the economy.
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Bills target pawnbrokers for tighter rate limits
Legislative Black Caucus calls them ‘predatory’ lenders; pawnbrokers push back.
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New area code coming to southern Illinois
The Illinois Commerce Commission has announced another new area code in the state, this one for 37 southern counties. That will include communities such as Alton, Belleville, Cairo, Carbondale, Centralia, E. St. Louis, Edwardsville and Marion. The new area 730 area code will overlay the existing 618 area code. It’s being done to address the…
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The Fed continues its crackdown on inflation, pushing up interest rates again
WASHINGTON — The Federal Reserve raised interest rates by half a percentage point Wednesday, as it continues its crackdown on slowing, but stubborn, inflation. The hike comes one day after the latest government reading showed inflation is running at its slowest annual rate in nearly a year. Still, consumer prices in November were up 7.1%…
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Rivian and Mercedes pause plans to build electric vans together in Europe
Rivian says it’s canceling plans to build electric vans with Mercedes-Benz in Europe, just three months after their joint venture was announced. Rivian is calling it a “pause” in the partnership. The company says it wants to focus on its consumer business and existing commercial business — which is making vans for Amazon. The e-commerce giant…
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State Farm ends retiree charitable matching gifts
BLOOMINGTON – In a surprising move that has implications for not-for-profit organizations in central Illinois, State Farm is cutting back on its charitable giving in at least one area. The company website notes retirees will no longer be eligible for the company’s charitable matching gift program, effective with the new year. The Bloomington-based insurer will…
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Pritzker signs plan to eliminate debt in unemployment fund
SPRINGFIELD — The governor of Illinois has signed into law a measure that officials say will eliminate a $1.8 billion debt in the pandemic-battered account that pays out unemployment benefits. Gov. J.B. Pritzker says that an unexpected surge in revenue fuels the plan. It was brokered by business and labor, as well as Democrats and…
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Economy | Environment | Health
Tax credits, prison reform pass in veto session
SPRINGFIELD – Illinois lawmakers last week passed significant legislation dealing with electric vehicle manufacturing incentives and the availability of hygiene products for prisoners in the state’s correctional system. But some weightier issues, including a possible assault weapons ban, will wait until a lame duck session scheduled for early January. Last week, lawmakers wrapped up a…
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Flash Index reports a pause in the decline in Illinois economy’s growth rate
Illinois’ economic growth rate held steady in November, according to the University of Illinois Flash Index. The economist who compiles the index says that’s good news after seven months of decline. The Flash Index was at 103.7 for a second month in a row in November. The pause comes after the index fell from a…
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Lawmakers announce bipartisan plan to pay down remaining unemployment debt
SPRINGFIELD – Lawmakers on Tuesday announced a bipartisan plan to use state revenues to pay down the remaining $1.4 billion in debt taken on by the state’s Unemployment Insurance Trust Fund amid the COVID-19 pandemic. Part of the agreement is expected to move through the General Assembly this week before lawmakers adjourn for the year….
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Right to unionize amendment projected to pass
SPRINGFIELD – Illinois voters have approved a state constitutional amendment guaranteeing workers the right to organize and engage in collective bargaining. Estimates compiled by multiple media outlets projected Tuesday that the ballot measure had support on an estimated 53 percent of the total ballots cast in the election, with more than 95 percent of the…
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State Rep. Chris Miller reflects on January 6, analyzes midterm elections in IPM interview
URBANA — State Representative Chris Miller of Illinois’ 110th district won re-election in last week’s midterms. He ran unopposed and will soon serve his third term in office. Miller, the Coles County Republican, attended the “Save America” rally in Washington D.C. on January 6, 2021, which preceded the attack on the U.S. Capitol Building. A…
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Tightening abortion laws reignite conversation around a permanent Child Tax Credit
INDIANAPOLIS — Maxine Thomas got her first Child Tax Credit payment in the spring of 2021. She was skeptical, like it was too good to be true. “I really didn’t think I was going to get it for some reason,” she said. Thomas is a single mom of five children. She works full time at…
