Illinois quick hits: Abandoned mine public comments; State Fair ribbon cut

Abandoned mine public comments

The Illinois Department of Natural Resources is accepting public comment regarding abandoned mine lands reclamation projects.

The state’s Abandoned Mine Land Reclamation Division was awarded $75 million for land and water reclamation work at 55 abandoned mine sites throughout Illinois.

States may use the federal grants to address coal abandoned mine land problems, including hazards resulting from legacy coal mining that pose a threat to public health, safety and the environment, and water supply restoration.

Durbin wants Amtrak service restored

Illinois U.S. Sen. Dick Durbin is calling on Amtrak to restore service from Chicago to Quincy. Durbin sent a letter to the CEO of Amtrak to express his frustration at the suspension of one of two Amtrak round trips due to equipment shortages.

Durbin called on Amtrak to resolve the suspension, which could last through August, as quickly as possible. Some of the affected stops include Macomb, Galesburg, Plano and Naperville.

State Fair ribbon cut

The 2024 Illinois State Fair officially got underway Thursday when Gov. J.B. Pritzker cut the ceremonial ribbon in front of the main entrance to the fairgrounds.

The first State Fair opened in 1853 in Springfield. The Illinois Department of Agriculture, which hosts the fair each year, reported a record 708,000 people attended last year’s fair, an increase of 11% from 2022.

The fair runs through Aug. 18.