Urbana wins $2.9 million award against Stark Excavating of Bloomington over roadwork issues
A Champaign County jury has ruled in favor of the City of Urbana and against the Bloomington-based firm of Stark Excavating over faulty road construction. The award of nearly $2.9 million is a rarity. Stark is widely used in central Illinois for many municipal construction projects, including, for many years, by Urbana. Urbana Mayor Diane […]
Evanston mom and daughter released by Hamas after almost two weeks held as hostages, rabbi says
Judith Raanan, 59, and her daughter Natalie Raanan, 17, had been held hostage since Oct. 7 after Hamas attacked Israel.
Congress will miss the farm bill deadline in the midst of a likely government shutdown
The leaders of both Congressional agriculture committees say federal lawmakers will move back farm bill negotiations to December. The current law expires Sept. 30, but experts say there should be little peril despite the blown deadline.
Illinois becomes first state in nation today to eliminate cash bail. Here’s how it will work.
It’s been two years since the Pretrial Fairness Act was passed, but questions remain on who will be jailed and who will not.
State issues guidance on co-pays for undocumented residents as advocates criticize health care cuts
Advocates argued the rules changes were too costly for low-income patients. The governor’s office said co-pays should not have been charged yet anyway, though they are expected to resume eventually.
Nuclear Regulatory Commission resident inspectors keep an eye on Clinton plant
The Clinton Power Station in DeWitt County south of Bloomington-Normal started operating in 1987. The nuclear plant is supposed to shut down in 2026, but owner Constellation Energy has applied for a 20-year license extension. The aging plant is a massive assemblage of pipes, pumps, and valves. Security is rigorous. It takes about an hour […]
Secretary of State condemns rash of bomb threats at libraries
The Secretary of State’s Office did not say how many threats have been received, or which libraries may have been targeted. News reports indicated some facilities received threats in the Chicago area.
No better place: Wind and solar company opens training site in Bloomington
New hires for the company at any of its renewable energy sites across the United States and Canada will now come to Bloomington for two weeks of training.
DJ Casper, the Chicagoan who created the ‘Cha Cha Slide,’ dies at 58
Casper was known to music and dance fans around the globe for the hugely popular line dance/song.
Illinois Gov. JB Pritzker is launching a hotline to help high-risk patients get abortions at hospitals
Illinois Gov. JB Pritzker is launching a program to help coordinate abortions at hospitals for high-risk patients. The initiative is dubbed the Complex Abortion Regional Line for Access, or CARLA for short. Launching in a few weeks, the program is designed to get patients who show up at clinics but need a higher level of […]
Illinois prisons need $2.5 billion in repairs, and that’s just the beginning
Mold, leaky roofs, sewage backups, unsafe drinking water and raccoon infestations are at the top of the list. Next up: dire staffing shortages and an aging population.
Durbin tests positive again for COVID-19
It’s the third time he has had a positive test in a year.
Drought, deluge and the climate curious farmers of central Illinois
The state’s largest industry can’t ignore global warming — but change can be slow and expensive. Here’s what farmers say is tipping the scales for them now.
Illinois Supreme Court rules SAFE-T Act does not violate state constitution
Illinois is set to become the first state in the nation to eliminate cash bail after the state Supreme Court ruled Tuesday that a landmark criminal justice reform law did not violate the state’s constitution. The high court said the law should now go into effect in September.
London bridges? Pritzker to lead United Kingdom trade mission with state business and education leaders
Gov. J.B. Pritzker was planning to jet off to the United Kingdom Tuesday night for the first leg of a trade mission that includes meetings in London to strengthen economic cooperation between Illinois and Great Britain. Pritzker plans to first attend the Goodwood Festival of Speed from Thursday though Sunday, in West Sussex, where he’ll […]