When half of a Rockford elementary school has no bus, the community takes action
ROCKFORD — A group of Rockford elementary school students stand against the front of Lewis Lemon Elementary, trying to stay out of the snow. They’re wearing colorful winter coats and hats to keep warm, which is tough since it feels like -4 degrees with the wind-chill. They live within a mile and a half of […]
FBI: Romance scammers made $20M off unsuspecting victims in Illinois in a year
Hundreds of Illinoisans fall victim to online romance scams every year. While the numbers for 2022 are still being calculated, the FBI’s Internet Crime Complaint Center preliminary results show a reported victim loss of $739 million, impacting 19,000 victims. In Illinois, the FBI reported 591 victims in 2021, the last year data was available. The […]
What does the start of Missouri recreational marijuana sales mean for the Metro East?
COLLINSVILLE — Collinsville City Manager Mitch Bair has managed a budget that’s seen between $1.5 million and $2 million in extra sales tax revenue since 2020 from the addition of recreational marijuana. But the sales tax generated from Illinois dispensaries is expected to drop now that Missouri approved its first shops to sell recreational marijuana […]
From classrooms to hospitals – A central Illinois teen spreads knowledge through her nonprofit
CHAMPAIGN — A central Illinois teen started a nonprofit that educates the youth. Now she’s taking things a step further by adapting a concept that one Princeton change agent helped start. Sophia Libman is the founder and CEO of X-TIME. “In math, I learned that x is kind of this value that’s constantly changing,” Libman […]
At least 30 minutes of recess is required at Illinois elementary schools. Here’s what it means for kids
ROCKFORD — On a winter’s day, 5th grade students at Gregory Elementary School in Rockford run around outside at recess. It’s a scene most people are probably familiar with from when they were in elementary school: kids in puffy winter coats playing all sorts of games and walking around with their friends. Of course, there […]
Rep. Mary Miller to boycott State of the Union Address
When President Joe Biden delivers his State of the Union Address Tuesday, central Illinois Congresswoman Mary Miller won’t be in attendance. The second-term Republican from Illinois’ 15th District says she is boycotting the speech in protest of what she calls “Biden’s record of lying to the American people.” “Former Speaker Nancy Pelosi ripped up President […]
NIU wants to be on the cutting edge of virtual reality’s education potential
DEKALB — Northern Illinois University professor Zach Wahl-Alexander pulls a virtual reality headset over his face, ready to transport to any number of far-flung alien locales, scenic vistas or even a virtual Oval Office. Listen to this story here. But, he’s not going there. He’s going to a school gymnasium. Particularly, the gym in Anderson […]
How the rhetoric around gas stoves got so heated — and what it does (and doesn’t) mean for Illinois
NORMAL — A recent study that tied the use of gas stoves in homes to rates of childhood asthma — especially in Illinois — inadvertently brought gas stoves to the forefront of the culture wars, adding a new layer to ongoing public discourse on climate change, business interests, and public and environmental health concerns. Researchers […]
DeVore intervenes in Rep. Caulkins’ assault weapons ban lawsuit over campaign donations
DECATUR — There’s a new legal spat between two parties on the same side of the gun rights issue in Illinois. An attorney who won a court ruling against the state’s new assault weapons ban has a problem with how a similar lawsuit was filed. State Rep. Dan Caulkins, a Republican who represents parts of […]
More improvements planned for Old State Capitol
SPRINGFIELD – A $15 million state investment at the Old State Capitol in Springfield means more renovations to the historic site. The funding will help pay for removing and replacing the historic site roof, repairing damaged plaster, replacing wood flooring on the main and upper levels, basement waterproofing, restoring the perimeter fence, and upgrading one hydraulic […]
UAW Local 974 overwhelmingly authorizes strike as Caterpillar contract negotiations continue
UAW Local 974 second vice president Tony Newton said 98% of membership voted in favor of strike authorization.
University of Illinois trustees raise tuition, except at UIS
The University of Illinois Board of Trustees has approved tuition increases at the Urbana-Champaign and Chicago campuses, starting this fall. But trustees chose to keep tuition flat at the Springfield campus. Incoming in-state freshmen will see tuition rise 1.9% at UIUC and UIC. That will raise Urbana-Champaign tuition by $238 to $12,712 a year. In […]
Gun rights advocates are suing over Illinois’ weapons ban. Here’s what to know.
SPRINGFIELD — In recent days, there has been a flurry of legal action aimed at a new assault weapons ban signed by Illinois Gov. JB Pritzker on Jan. 10. The law prohibits the manufacture, possession and sale of dozens of types of semiautomatic firearms and high-capacity ammunition cartridges. It also requires current owners of such […]
ISU researcher: Sensors will reduce workplace injuries but need ethics safeguards
NORMAL — Illinois State University is studying data on whether wearable tracking devices could reduce workplace injuries. Sensors that workers wear around their waist can detect strained movement of the back and neck or repetitive motions that can lead to injury. https://cpa.ds.npr.org/s402/audio/2023/01/james-jones-safety-prevention.mp3 Listen to this story here. James Jones, executive director of ISU’s Katie School […]
Changes appear to be coming for how wind and solar arrays are sited in Illinois
The new law would preempt local ordinances more restrictive than the new state standards.
