Tornado damages property of Champaign County farmers
Severe storms damaged farm equipment and business on Friday night.
‘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’.
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…
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.
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.
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.
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.
‘Equitable restrooms’ bill advances in House
Bill calls for setting standards for multi-occupant, all-gender facilities.
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.
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…
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…
Champaign realtor association educates landlords on new housing law
The Champaign County Association-Realtors hosted a forum Tuesday night to inform landlords and tenants about the new source of income law that passed early this year.
Push for state child tax credit begins, could face uphill battle
Low- and middle-income families would get $700 per child
More improvements planned for Old State Capitol
SPRINGFIELD – A $15 million state investment at the Old State Capitol in Springfield means more renovations to the historic site. The funding will help pay for removing and replacing the historic site roof, repairing damaged plaster, replacing wood flooring on the main and upper levels, basement waterproofing, restoring the perimeter fence, and upgrading one hydraulic…
UAW Local 974 overwhelmingly authorizes strike as Caterpillar contract negotiations continue
UAW Local 974 second vice president Tony Newton said 98% of membership voted in favor of strike authorization.