Replacing Illinois institution as secretary of state, Giannoulias makes modernization push
Publishes transition plan with input from former GOP challenger Brady
At World Economic Forum, Pritzker plays role of Illinois’ ‘best chief marketing officer’
Governor touts accomplishments from energy and infrastructure to assault weapons ban.
Plans for a new cannabis dispensary in Danville go up in smoke
CHAMPAIGN – Danville has no plans to welcome a third cannabis dispensary anytime soon. The Danville City Council on Tuesday denied a special-use zoning permit to open a new dispensary in the Lynch Road corridor. That vote came after the decision to amend the city’s zoning ordinance to allow one or more cannabis…
Report predicts billions in motor fuel tax revenue losses if state meets EV goals
Union-tied research group pushes for mileage tax to shore up road-building funds.
Bill guaranteeing workers five days of paid leave will head to governor
One hour of time off would accrue for every 40 hours worked
Amid a national egg shortage, local farmers continue to deliver
CHAMPAIGN — Americans have felt the pain of inflation in grocery stores this year. The USDA estimates that the cost of groceries was 10.6 percent higher in November 2022 than November 2021. Prices may finally be on their way down as the Federal Reserve tinkers with interest rates, but the cost of one product –…
Here’s the latest on the NOTAM outage that caused flight delays and cancellations
WASHINGTON — Flights across the U.S. slowly resumed Wednesday after a nationwide ground stop by the Federal Aviation Administration, stemming from the outage of a crucial piece of technology. The failure of the Notice to Air Missions system, or NOTAM, caused airlines to cancel more than 1,300 flights, and delay nearly 10,000 more, according to…
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.
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.
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.
Bills target pawnbrokers for tighter rate limits
Legislative Black Caucus calls them ‘predatory’ lenders; pawnbrokers push back.
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…
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%…
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…
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…