Second area code will be added to the 309 in central and northern Illinois

Portions of central and northern Illinois, including McLean County, will get a new second area code by late next year or early 2023. The Illinois Commerce Commission (ICC) has announced the nine counties in the 309 will get what the commission calls an overlay for a new 861 area code. That will go to all […]
Commerce Commission Taps First Black Executive Director

SPRINGFIELD — The Illinois Commerce Commission has named its first male Black executive director. Michael Merchant started his position with the state regulatory agency on Tuesday. He replaces Christy George, who joined Gov. J.B. Pritzker’s administration as first assistant deputy governor for budget and economy. Merchant is responsible for supervising approximately 200 commission employees and […]
Clean Energy Advocates Allege Ameren Ended Solar Credit Program Too Early

Clean energy advocates are crying foul after Ameren Illinois ended its solar credit program for new solar customers earlier this month, even after state…
Pritzker Again Defends High School Sports Decision, Touts Testing Capacity

After weekend protests against postponing many fall high school sports, Gov. JB Pritzker again defended the decision.
Illinois Utilities Extend Shutoff Moratorium Through August

URBANA – A moratorium on utility shutoffs in Illinois expired last Sunday. But with the COVID-19 pandemic continuing, several utilities have volunteered to extend the moratorium for another month. The Illinois Commerce Commission says utilities that agreed to the extension include Ameren Illinois, Illinois American Water and Aqua Illinois. All of those serve customers in […]