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Swarms of Dragonflies Are on the Move Across Illinois, Part of a Great and Mysterious Migration
“It’s the most exciting time of the year if you love dragonflies.”. The author of “Chasing Dragonflies” and the blog “Tuesdays in the Tallgrass” is talking about the start of the annual southern migration of green darners (Anax junius), one of the largest and most common dragonfly species.
Pritzker signs law aiming to help juveniles clear their criminal record
Ill. (WTVO) — Illinois Governor J.B. Pritzker officially signed a bill into law on Friday that starts the expungement process immediately after a juvenile is released from detention. The Juvenile Court Act has been amended by a bill that mandates state courts to expunge the records of individuals charged as juveniles, two years after they […]
Illinois Senate bill would require gender neutral restrooms remove ‘offensive’ urinals
SPRINGFIELD, Ill. (WTVO) — The Illinois Senate has amended a gender-neutral restroom bill to require such bathrooms to remove urinals. Illinois has required all single-occupancy bathrooms, defined as a room that can be locked with only one sink, toilet stall, and urinal, in public buildings to be designated for all genders since 2020. House Bill 1286 follows […]
Pritzker signs ‘Landlords Retaliation Act’ to mixed reaction
(The Center Square) – Illinois Gov. JB Pritzker has signed off on legislation prohibiting landlords from retaliating against tenants who lodge code violation complaints against them. The Landlord Retaliation Act also bans landlords from terminating leases, increasing rent, decreasing services or threatening lawsuits in instances of such disputes, as well as bars them from refusing to renew a lease after a tenant comes forward with such a complaint or seeks assistance from an elected official related to one. ...
Illinois Sen. Tammy Duckworth to lead U.S. delegation to Paralympic Games
Illinois Sen. Tammy Duckworth will lead the U.S. delegation at the 2024 Paralympic Games opening in Paris along with the newly revealed members tasked with representing America at the global event and closing ceremonies.
Nearly 200 people become naturalized citizens at Illinois fair
(The Center Square) – With the threat of another wave of migrants bused to Illinois during the Democratic National Convention next week, nearly 200 people became U.S. citizens Wednesday during a ceremony at the Illinois State Fairgrounds. The group, who came from 49 different countries, took the Oath of Allegiance. Several elected officials were on hand, including U.S. Sens. Dick Durbin and Tammy Duckworth, and Gov. J.B. Pritzker. ...
First Illinois DMV+ facility opens in Chicago suburb
Illinois' first-ever "DMV+" opened Thursday morning in the revamped Melrose Park facility, promoting new services and reduced wait times. “A DMV+ brings more services directly to our customers and their communities, and doesn’t require them to spend valuable time traveling downtown or to Springfield," Illinois Secretary of State Alexi Giannoulias said in a statement praising the opening.
Healthcare waiver to expand Medicaid coverage gets federal approval
The Healthcare Transformation 1115 Demonstration waiver was federally approved July 2, allowing the Illinois Department of Healthcare and Family Services to expand Medicaid coverage. That additional coverage is expected to help address root causes of health disparities, according to an Illinois Gov. JB Pritzker press release. That includes housing and...
Odin will not issue July water bills, residents asked to call or stop by to get their bill amount
The Odin Village Board decided Thursday night not to issue July water bills. Mayor Greg Smith says the printer for the bills is still being repaired. Residents are asked to call or drop by Village Hall to get the amount of their bill. Any unpaid amounts will be included in the August bill.
New Leaf Illinois’ Mission to Expunge Cannabis Records, Helping Thousands
Active in community events like the Bud Billiken Parade, New Leaf Illinois aims to provide a fresh start for those affected by past convictions (Photo Credit: Ethan Davis). On July 10, during National Hemp Month, Gov. JB Pritzker’s office announced that the Illinois cannabis industry had achieved $1 billion in retail sales.
Centralia Balloon Festival celebrates its 35th year
CENTRALIA, Ill. — The Centralia Balloon Festival is kicking off its 35th year, and that's not just hot air. Enjoy food, crafts, live entertainment, and, of course, hot air balloons from 3:00 p.m. until 10:00 p.m. August 16 and 17, and from noon until 6:00 p.m. August 18. According...
Fire burns remains of earlier mobile home fire in Salem
An early Friday morning fire burned the rest of an already heavily damaged mobile home in a fire earlier this summer. Salem Fire Chief Jim Cerny says they got the alarm to 700 South Washington at 5:36 Friday morning. “I don’t know who called it in but it came in...
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