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Pritzker signs medical debt forgiveness bill into law
(The Center Square) – Gov. J.B. Pritzker has signed legislation that will require the state’s taxpayers to pay off the medical debt for thousands of Illinoisans. Calling medical debt a “uniquely American issue,” Pritzker is using $10 million in state funding in the new fiscal year to purchase the medical debt of up to 300,000 Illinoisans. “No Illinoisan should face financial ruin after receiving the medical care they need,” said...
Winnebago, Boone counties added to ‘high-risk’ list for lead poisoning in children
SPRINGFIELD, Ill. (WTVO) — The Illinois Department of Public Health says mandatory testing for lead exposure in children is required in 148 ZIP codes in 60 counties, including those in Winnebago, Boone, Ogle, and Stephenson. Under Illinois law, any child residing in a high-risk ZIP code must be tested at 12, 24 and 36 months. […]
Red Barn Golf Course reportedly suggests homeowners pay for its $187,000 driving range net
ROCKTON, Ill. (WIFR) - A yellow golf ball rests in grass a few meters from a Summit Condos home in Rockton. Ahead of it, an orange construction fence separates the backyard from the Red Barn Golf Course driving range. “It possibly could give someone a heart attack at an age...
PHOTOS: Sinkhole in Machesney Park causes Mitchell Road to close
MACHESNEY PARK, Ill. (WTVO) — Mitchell Road is closed between Vaughdale Drive and Timbelyne Way currently due to a sinkhole. The Village asked citizens to avoid the area and use alternative routes for safety. The village also said they expect the road to reopen later this evening.
Still no closure in 2021 Belvidere triple homicide of father and sons
BELVIDERE, Ill.. (WTVO) – The 27-year-old man accused of killing a Belvidere dad and his two young sons in 2021 appeared in a Boone County courtroom Wednesday, dredging up feelings of anger and sorrow among local residents. Alize Smith is charged with three counts of first-degree murder in the shooting deaths of 31-year-old Andrew Hintt […]
Educators Encouraged to Register for Workplace Wednesday Tours
It's not too late to sign up for Workplace Wednesday offered by the Regional Office of Education #47. Sessions will be held July 10, 17 and 24 from 8:30 a.m. - 3 p.m. Workplace Wednesday gives teachers the opportunity to visit businesses in different Career Pathways throughout the three counties area. By visiting places of employment, it helps educators develop real world lessons for their classrooms and prepare students for their future in the workforce. Businesses also help educators identify students who would fit into their jobs.
District 229’s first female superintendent seeks to inspire
Even though new Kewanee School Supterintendent Rebecca Baney grew up in Hanover, Ind., and graduated from Indiana State University, she and her family have called Kewanee home for the last 24 years. Baney has spent her entire educational career within the Kewanee school district, teaching ninth and tenth grade English,...
Princeton DMV will close until August for renovations; pop-up to open
PRINCETON, Ill. (KWQC) - The Illinois Secretary of State is upgrading its Princeton DMV facility to a “One-Stop-Shop” design, offering a more customer-focused and efficient DMV experience, Secretary of State Alexi Giannoulias said. The DMV will temporarily close from July 8 to July 30 during the renovations. During...
Rockford’s Youth Poet puts health literacy in the spotlight with latest project
ROCKFORD — The city of Rockford has tapped its official youth poet to help spread a message about the importance of understanding and managing your personal health. Trinity Rucker’s poem “Do It All” is meant to capture the importance for young people to take control of their health, realizing that one day they won’t be able to rely on their parents or guardians to handle their health care responsibilities.
Health experts pushback on anti-sunscreen TikTok trend
ROCKFORD, Ill. (WTVO) — The TikTok trend that has convinced many that sunscreen contains harmful chemicals is receiving pushback from health and skin experts in Rockford. “Not only is burn bad, but just constant UV exposure,” said Rockford Dermatology’s Dr. LaKimerly Coates. “We found both of those things increase our risk for basal cell, for […]
Warm and beautiful today, slight shower/t-storm chances for the 4th
ROCKFORD, Ill. (WIFR) - A mix of sun and clouds with highs in the middle 80′s and west winds 5 - 15 MPH. Partly cloudy tonight with lows in the middle 60′s. Partly cloudy tomorrow for the 4th with a slight chance for a thunderstorm by afternoon. Highs will reach the low 80′s. Chance of showers and thunderstorms late tomorrow night with lows in the middle 60′s. Better chances for showers and thunderstorms on Friday with highs in the mid to upper 70′s.
Smoothie King blending soon in Rockford, Belvidere
ROCKFORD, Ill. (WTVO) — A national juice bar and smoothie chain is opening soon in Rockford and Belvidere. Smoothie King is set to open at 6274 E. State Street, near Jersey Mike’s subs, in Rockford, and at 1890 Crystal Parkway, near Interstate 90, in Belvidere. The restaurant offers “countless combinations of whole fruits, organic veggies, […]
Illinois politicians' pockets deepen with new law removing contribution caps
(The Center Square) – Ahead of Illinois’ Nov. 5 election, state legislators approved a measure Gov. J.B. Pritzker enacted into law that contains multiple provisions impacting elections. One provision impacts how parties can spend campaign money. The law allows for political parties, like the Democrat Party of Illinois and the Illinois House Republican Organization, to funnel unlimited campaign dollars into candidates’ war chests for both primary and general elections. State Rep. Maurice West, D-Chicago, carried the bill in the House and state Rep. Blaine Wilhour,...
New program in Illinois compares farming practices and outcomes
(The Center Square) – A farming program in Illinois aims to improve farm incomes and environmental outcomes. Precision Conservation Management recently released a summary of nine years worth of in-field data from Illinois farms. Farmers enrolled in PCM receive annual data analysis for their farm in addition to access to conservation experts and guidance on cost-share programs available to farmers. Through their data analysis, the program aims to identify conservation practices that effectively address environmental issues without risking the farmers’ bottom line. ...
Illinois Residents, Decline Calls From These 8 Area Codes Immediately
I don't know what it is, but my phone has been ringing off the hook nonstop with spam calls and they all come from different area codes. Has it been happening to you, too?. It's so irritating constantly declining calls all day long, especially when I've already flagged and blocked a ton of numbers from continuously re-calling. Obviously not all calls from these area codes are spam, but my phone has been super accurate in flagging those that are either spam or telemarketers trying to make a buck.
Illinois’ Best Music Fest Is Finally Moving To A New Home
Concert fans are excited because the best music festival in Illinois now has a new and much better home for this year. I'm a huge music fan. Some people collect stuff or have hobbies like golfing. I spend my free time and entertainment budget on going to concerts. I just love the live band experience. I've been to so many shows in my life, I couldn't even begin to count.
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