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Freedom Alliance leader addresses issues with energy sources
(The Center Square) – Concerns are being raised as solar energy facilities displace Midwestern farmland. The Institute for Energy Research reports that the target for solar operations is increasingly in the Midwest, where government subsidies allow solar companies to pay more to rent land than the farmers feeding the nation. Myke Luebbers of the Illinois Freedom Alliance said there were more green areas in Southern California before solar farms were...
Illinois mandates utilities report residents’ water usage to wastewater agencies
(The Center Square) – An Illinois state senator has concerns about a new law possibly allowing wastewater agencies to charge consumers more. Gov. J.B. Pritzker signed House Bill 5459 into law earlier this month. The law mandates a public utility that provides drinking water services report water usage of a resident to a municipal wastewater agency upon request. Two senators opposed the measure in the Illinois Senate. State Sen. Craig...
Report Shows 110% Rise in Illinois Domestic Violence Deaths as Advocates Call for Action
Advocacy groups are sounding the alarm on a spike in domestic violence cases. A new report from the Illinois Coalition Against Domestic Violence says domestic violence deaths in Illinois rose by 110% last year, with 94 incidents of domestic violence leading to 120 deaths in 2023. That includes 107 homicides and 13 suicides in which the perpetrators took their own lives. That’s up from the previous year, when there were 45 incidents that led to 57 deaths.
Climate bill rebates for electric appliances and upgrades coming to Illinois in 2025
They are some of the juiciest consumer incentives in President Joe Biden’s 2022 climate bill: rebates of up to $8,000 for a heat-pump air conditioner and heater, up to $4,000 for an electrical panel, up to $2,500 for electrical wiring, and up to $1,750 for an electric heat pump water heater. And they’re coming to Illinois. The state plans to roll out its home energy rebates in the first ...
OSF HealthCare opens Illinois orthopedic practice
Peoria, Ill.-based OSF HealthCare has opened a new orthopedic office in Peru, Ill., according to a July 25 report from Shaw Local News Network. The Peru office will open its doors July 29, and will offer X-ray services nearby. It will be staffed by orthopedic surgeons Connor Kasik, DO, and Robert Mitchell, DO.
Illinois Women Warned About Vicious New Banking & Romance Scams
Obviously no scam is good, but I would argue the worst are the ones that prey on emotions to rob a person blind or worse. That's why there are urgent warnings for Illinois women to be aware there are current ploys that use text messages to lure victims into romance and banking problems.
Illinois Duo Sentenced for Multi-Million Dollar Bank Fraud Scheme and Money Laundering
Two Illinois men, Erik Richard Jones and Mitchell Allen Melega, were sentenced to prison after being convicted of bank fraud and money laundering. They were also ordered to pay nearly $4.84 million in restitution for defrauding First Midwest Bank and misappropriating loaned funds. The sentences were handed down in Rock Island, following their guilty pleas to multiple charges. On July 23, 2024, Erik Jones, of Colona, was sentenced to 54 months in prison followed by five years of supervised release. Mitchell Melega, formerly of Orion, was sentenced to 75 months in prison, followed by five years of supervised release. They were both ordered to pay $4,840,944.63 in restitution.
More layoffs at freight-related firms: 607 workers cut across 4 states
Layoffs continue across the commercial transportation and freight industry, according to a new round of worker reduction notices in Florida, Texas, Illinois and Wisconsin. It is the second round of layoffs since the beginning of July. Averitt Express, Bath & Body Works Logistics Services, ShipBob, and Henry Avocado Corp. announced a total of 218 layoffs earlier in the month.
James Calitri Receives the 2024 Award of Excellence in Artistic Directing by the Illinois Theatre Association
James Calitri is poised to be honored with the 2024 Award of Excellence in Artistic Directing by the Illinois Theatre Association. Recognized for his profound impact on state theatre, Calitri’s accolades will be formally acknowledged at the ITA Annual Members Celebration. This event is scheduled for August 3, 2024, at the historic Two Brothers’ Roundhouse in Aurora. Attendees can expect a vibrant evening celebrating artistic achievements, where Calitri’s influence on Illinois theatre will be front and center. This award underlines his longstanding commitment and innovative contributions to the artistic community. “James believes in the magic that ignites the stage and the message that shines under the lights. His creativity is beyond measure, and his passion for theater is boundless. He is well-deserving of this award.” said Princeton Theater Group Board President Tracy Makransky.
Illinois quick hits: More layoffs announced; suspects sentenced for stealing mail
More layoffs announced Manufacturers Caterpillar and John Deere are laying off workers. Moline-based John Deere laid off 170 employees this week, following hundreds more layoffs in the Quad Cities area the past few months. Caterpillar officials confirmed that the company implemented a one-week layoff for employees in East Peoria. According to Industrial Technology Research, U.S....
Most Illinois jails restrain people in chairs. This county ‘violently shocked’ them, too.
CHARLESTON, Ill. – Brice Fritz was naked, strapped down to a chair in a jail cell when a staff member monitoring her via video delivered 80,000 volts of electricity through the stun cuff on her leg. “I felt like I was being electrocuted,” Fritz told the Illinois Answers Project,...
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