Governor to propose relief plan to ease grocery, motor fuel, property taxes
By PETER HANCOCK Capitol News Illinois phancock@capitolnewsillinois.com SPRINGFIELD – Gov. JB Pritzker will propose a roughly $1 billion package of tax relief measures aimed at mitigating the impact of inflation on Illinois consumers when he gives his budget address Wednesday. The “Illinois Family Relief Plan,” as it’s being called, would suspend the 1 percent grocery…
Read MoreNew name for HSHS St. Elizabeth’s Hospital’s walk-in clinic: Convenient Care
The new year brought a new name for HSHS St. Elizabeth’s UrgiCare. To better reflect the type of care provided, the walk-in service has been renamed HSHS St. Elizabeth’s Hospital Convenient Care and it is now a provider-based outpatient department of the hospital. The location and hours of operation remain the same. “Convenient Care is…
Read MoreEckert’s says it is now accepting SNAP benefit payments
Eckert’s Farm in Belleville, one of the largest family-owned and operated pick-your-own farms in the United States, says that it now accepts Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP) payments via EBT cards. Guests can use their SNAP benefits at Eckert’s Country Store, Garden Center and for the farm’s Pick-Your-Own fruits and vegetables program at its farm…
Read MoreCounty wants to transfer land to Madison County Transit for green space
Officials are planning to preserve green space in Edwardsville as development continues along Governors’ Parkway. In February, Madison County is set to discuss transferring a tract of land south of Governors Parkway and west of Plum Street to Madison County Transit. “We have six tenths of an acre we want to transfer to MCT for…
Read MoreU.S. settles Illinois dispute over Disadvantaged Business Enterprise fraud
Several parties have agreed to pay a six-figure penalty to resolve claims that they defrauded a program meant to help minority and women-owned businesses. United Ironworkers, D&K Welding Services, Kim Rasnick, and Dorrie Wise-Harris have agreed to pay the United States and the State of Illinois $440,000 to resolve a civil False Claims Act investigation…
Read MoreDiverse Business Accelerator now accepting applications for spring cohort
Twelve-week program boosts business acumen of diverse entrepreneurs; provides participants with support, connections and $5,000 in non-dilutive capital Greater St. Louis Inc.’s Diverse Business Accelerator (DBA) is now accepting applications for its Spring 2022 cohort. The 12-week program is open to racially, ethnically and gender-diverse entrepreneurs looking to grow their businesses in the bi-state area.…
Read MoreIllinois will launch federally-funded mortgage assistance program this spring
Rep. Delia Ramirez, House Housing Committee chair, speaks during an event last year in Springfield. On Wednesday, she discussed during a virtual hearing how the Illinois Emergency Homeowner Assistance Fund will provide relief to those experiencing financial hardships due to COVID-19. (Capitol News Illinois file photo by Jerry Nowicki) Up to $30,000 available for pandemic-affected…
Read MoreAuthor publishes new book on Glen Carbon
All her life, Joyce Williams has been a student of history. This week, readers throughout the area can enjoy the benefits of that lifelong knowledge while reading a new book, “Glen Carbon.” It is part of Arcadia Publishing’s Images of America series. This new pictorial book consists primarily of photographs from the collections of the…
Read MoreMetro East to reap windfall in Rebuild Illinois projects
Gov. JB Pritzker and the Illinois Department of Transportation on Wednesday announced that almost $111.4 million has been awarded to transit providers downstate as part of the historic, bipartisan Rebuild Illinois capital program. The governor also announced an additional $108.3 million for public ports in Illinois. The two announcements, combined with earlier commitments of $40…
Read MorePritzker vetoes paid COVID leave for school, university employees
Negotiates new bill to provide leave to only those fully vaccinated By PETER HANCOCK Capitol News Illinois phancock@capitolnewsillinois.com SPRINGFIELD – Gov. JB Pritzker on Monday vetoed a bill that would have provided paid administrative leave for public school and university employees who miss work due to COVID-19-related issues and instead negotiated “compromise” legislation that would…
Read More