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State disaster declaration follows July tornadoes
The state of Illinois has declared Henry County a disaster area in the wake of the July 15 tornadoes that swept through the county. That’s good news for Kewanee, where city officials have been seeking government assistance with the cost of clearing trees and other debris from the storm.
Why have so many Illinois politicians been corrupt?
This week, the Chicago Tribune launched a new series of stories called “Culture of Corruption”:. “What makes Illinois so corrupt?" the introduction asks. "In the coming weeks and months, the Tribune will explore and attempt to explain why corruption continues to poison virtually every level of government in our state, draining off tax dollars and robbing public service of its meaning.”
Illinois Government Agencies Use of Controversial AI Technology
CTA Using Artificial Intelligence Surveillance Program to Identify Guns in Stations. Earlier this month the Chicago Transit Authority (“CTA”) announced that it was currently one month into a year long pilot program with the private company ZeroEyes, a company that pairs surveillance videos with artificial intelligence to detect firearms. As implemented as part of the pilot program, when the AI technology software detects a possible firearm, a human employee is then alerted who reviews the footage for accuracy before they then alert the Chicago Police Department, the CTA and the Office of Emergency Management and Communications at the same time. Currently the CTA has paired the AI program with 250 cameras at various stations around the city, though it declined to identify which stations citing safety concerns. CTA President Dorval R. Carter, Jr. said in a statement that “this added measure of protection provides additional peace of mind to everyone.” The US Department of Homeland Security recently reviewed the company’s technology and in a report stated that a group of first responders found that the technology was in fact “intuitive,” but advocates worry about the lack of public discussion and the effectiveness of the technology, particularly when weighed against potential violations to individuals civil liberties. ACLU Illinois spokesman Ed Yohnka in response to the news warned against the use of more surveillance tools, particularly when he believes these technologies, “all come with allure of adding more safety, but they never seem to deliver on that promise.”
Man convicted of killing Illinois DCFS caseworker during home visit
SPRINGFIELD, Ill. (AP) — An Illinois man accused of stabbing a state child welfare worker to death as she was making a home visit to check on children has been found guilty but mentally ill in her killing.Sangamon County Circuit Judge John Madonia convicted Benjamin Howard Reed on Thursday of first-degree murder in the killing of Deidre Silas, who was a child protection specialist for the Department of Children and Family Services.Maldonia called Silas' slaying "one of the most brutal and heinous" cases he's seen in his legal career, The (Springfield) State Journal-Register reported.Silas was slain in January 2022 as she...
Commonwealth Foundation gives Illinois an 'F' for labor laws
(The Center Square) – A new report says Illinois is failing when it comes to worker freedom. Along with Policy Analyst Andrew Holman, David Osborne, senior fellow of labor policy for the Commonwealth Foundation, authored the report titled, “The Battle for Worker Freedom: Grading State Public Sector Labor Laws.” “Well, I hate to say it. Illinois probably set a new standard for ‘F’,” Osborne said. ...
Illinois’ ‘Black Moms Rising’ Is Tackling Maternal Mortality Crisis
The state of Illinois is working to address maternal mortality, with a special focus on moms of color. The state of Illinois is working diligently to get good use out of the $118 million in funding the CDC allocated to tackle maternal mortality nationwide. The Illinois Maternal Mortality Review Committee...
Illinois quick hits: Food service workers strike at U of I; CPS offers teachers 4 and 5 percent raises
Food service workers strike at U of I Food and building service workers at the University of Illinois are preparing to strike. Their current contract expires Saturday after several months of negotiations. Union workers voted down the latest contract proposal, saying they must be paid more if they serve more students. The union, representing 763 workers, said the strike would begin Sept. 15. CPS offers teachers 4 and 5 percent...
Walmart recalls apple juice with high levels of arsenic in Illinois, 24 other states
(WTVO) — Walmart is recalling 9,535 cases of Great Value brand apple juice due to high levels of arsenic across the U.S. The Federal Food and Drug Administration (FDA) expressed the immediate need to take the product off of shelves after their initial announcement on August 15th. The FDA’s classification implies the juice may cause […]
Celebrity Singer’s Semi-Truck Crashes Into Illinois Bridge
A semi-truck carrying equipment for a big summer concert tour got stuck under a bridge in Illinois. The Show Must Go On After Concert Tour Truck Gets Stuck Under Illinois Bridge. Being on the road as a famous musician is not an easy job. The bigger the artist, then the...
Illinois Blood Bank Urgently Needs Donors NOW to Save Lives
The Rock River Valley Blood Center in Rockford, Illinois is in dire need of your help. Are you willing to answer the call?. Summer is typically a tough season for blood banks across Illinois. People are just too busy to think about donating lifesaving blood, but with the holiday weekend ahead, low donation numbers could have dire consequences.
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