Study: State’s broadband investment will help address ‘digital divide,’ ‘pay for itself’

SPRINGFIELD – A $400 million investment in broadband internet infrastructure approved by Illinois lawmakers in 2019 could pay for itself by added tax revenues alone within four years of completion of construction, according to a new study. That’s according to a report by the University of Illinois Project for Middle Class Renewal and the Illinois Economic […]
New law provides $700 million for nursing home staffing

SPRINGFIELD – Gov. JB Pritzker signed legislation Tuesday that will pump an additional $700 million annually into Medicaid-funded nursing homes, provided they use that money to increase staff and wages in their facilities. “This is truly a game changer,” Pritzker said at a bill signing ceremony at a Chicago-area nursing home. “… Together we’ve delivered […]
Champaign Public Library appoints Brittany Millington as library director

On June 1, the Champaign Public Library will welcome its new director – its former deputy director who has more than 17 years of experience working in libraries. Brittany Millington takes over for retiring director Donna Pittman, who has been the director since 2016. Millington has served as the library’s deputy director since 2017 and […]
217 Today: Black farmers in U.S. are in limbo after not receiving funds promised by the American Rescue Plan Act

Tuesday, May 31, 2022 Today’s headlines: Illinois Governor J.B. Pritzker will sign into law a measure funneling $700 million annually into Medicaid-funded nursing homes to improve their quality of care. The Champaign Public Library’s new director starts this week, replacing the current director, Donna Pittman. The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention reported on […]
How the newest federal prison became one of the deadliest

THOMSON — Bobby Everson was nearing the end of his decade-long federal prison sentence, but he feared he wouldn’t make it home alive. In July 2021, he was sent to the Special Management Unit at the new U.S. penitentiary in Thomson, Ill. — a program meant for some of the most violent and disruptive prisoners, […]
One year later, farmers of color are still waiting on billions of federal relief dollars

The American Rescue Plan promised $4 billion in debt relief to “socially disadvantaged farmers.” But a swarm of lawsuits from banks and white farmers alleging discrimination has put the aid on hold. Barbara Norman remembers exactly how she felt when she first opened the letter from the U.S. Department of Agriculture. It was a cold, […]