CHICAGO – Gov. Pat Quinn says more than 685,000 people across Illinois now have access to quality healthcare through the Affordable Care Act since open enrollment began nearly one year ago. State officials are gearing up to ensure even more residents sign up for health care in year two of the open enrollment period, which…

A longtime member of the Simmons Firm was named on Tuesday as associate judge in the 3rd Judicial Circuit. Judges announced they had appointed attorney Martin J. Mengarelli to the post vacated upon the recent resignation of Associate Judge Keith Jensen. Chief Judge David A. Hylla announced the appointment. Jensen had resigned effective Aug. 31.…

WASHINGTON, D.C. – U.S. Rep. Rodney Davis, R-Taylorville, today announced he is co-sponsoring bipartisan legislation, the Student Worker Exemption Act of 2014, to protect on-campus student workers and universities from what he said are some of the unintended consequences of Obamacare. “Heading in to this school year, my office heard instances of universities informing student…

More than 70 military members transitioning from posts at Scott Air Force Base participated in a unique networking event Thursday night co-sponsored by the Belle-Scott Committee and the Leadership Council Southwestern Illinois. The event was intended to match the individuals with available, quality job openings. ‘Networking Night at Scott Air Force Base’ featured 63 companies…

Two Metro East start-ups – both assisted by the Illinois Small Business Development Center Network – are in the midst of crowd-funding campaigns to grow their emerging companies. Code 3 Spices, the Maryville-based brainchild of veteran police officer Mike Radosevich and former IT professional Chris Bohnemeier, bottles award-winning barbecue spice blends used on the grill,…

U.S. Sen. Dick Durbin, D-Illinois, U.S. Rep. Tammy Duckworth and several others from the Illinois Congressional delegration today asked the Department of Transportation Inspector General to conduct an immediate investigation into the Federal Aviation Administration’s emergency protocol and mitigation measures at Chicago air traffic control facilities. The request comes after a fire broke out last…

EDITOR’s NOTE: This column is a weekly update offered by state Sen.Kyle McCarter, R-Lebanon. SPRINGFIELD  – New employment and job numbers for Illinois are available and despite the recent hype over the downward unemployment rate, the state’s economy continues to struggle. Reporting on negative economic news is disappointing, but it is also necessary because we…

SPRINGFIELD — Procrastinating car owners can relax under a new law allowing drivers to temporarily stay on the road without a current registration sticker. State Sen. Patricia Van Pelt, D-Chicago, says her legislation was signed into law in August and takes effect in January. It allows drivers to stay on the road for a short…

Southern Illinois University Edwardsville will honor seven remarkable graduates at the 2014 SIUE Alumni Hall of Fame on Friday, Oct. 3 in the Morris University Center. These alumni have achieved exploits in their respective fields, are role models and are testament to SIUE’s educational excellence. A cocktail reception in the MUC restaurant will begin at…

CHICAGO – Professionals in Illinois who break the rules of their licenses could face steeper penalties, thanks to a new state law pushed by state Senator Bill Haine, D-Alton. A new law signed this summer by the governor gives regulators more flexibility when disciplining severe breaches of professional conduct. “We need to hold professionals in…