‘Hidden gem’: Growing number of visitors discovering southern Illinois
Inside the state’s push to boost tourism across its inspirational southernmost region By SONYA DYMOVA, MAGGIE DOUGHERTY and Medill Illinois News Bureau, Capitol News Illinois WOLF LAKE. Ill. — Standing on the edge of a 300-foot limestone bluff in southern Illinois’ Shawnee National Forest, Machaela Sweeney could thank the perfect words she typed into…
Read MoreBudzinski announces $1.1M in federal funding for St. Louis Downtown Airport
The Department of Transportation grant would rehabilitate an access road at the airport On June 30, 2025, Congresswoman Nikki Budzinski (D-IL-13) announced $1,158,009 in U.S. Department of Transportation (USDOT) funding for St. Louis Downtown Airport in Sauget, Ill. The federal grant would go towards rehabilitating the access road to the airport’s hangar buildings. “St. Louis…
Read MorePritzker selects former Deputy Gov. Christian Mitchell as running mate
Mitchell oversaw clean energy and infrastructure projects for four years under Pritzker By BEN SZALINSKI Capitol News Illinois Gov. JB Pritzker announced Tuesday that former Deputy Gov. Christian Mitchell will be his running mate for the 2026 campaign. Pritzker’s selection, made just days after announcing a third campaign for governor, comes from a close…
Read MoreIllinois Arts Council announces FY2026 Creative Projects Grant guidelines, application
The Illinois Arts Council (IAC) recently announced the release of the Fiscal Year 2026 (FY26) Creative Projects Grant (CPG) guidelines and application. The goal of CPG is to provide up to $12,000 to support art projects for Illinois artists, eligible not- for-profit organizations, municipal entities, or colleges and universities. CPG projects must culminate with a…
Read MoreLocal Boeing IAM Union workers ready to strike if negotiations fall short
By MELISSA CROCKETT MESKE Managing Editor, Illinois Business Journal [email protected] “Rising in unity” is how IAM District 837 leaders describe it as thousands of International Association of Machinists and Aerospace Workers (IAM Union) across Boeing facilities in Mascoutah, Ill., and in St. Louis, St. Charles, Mo., announce their readiness to “fight for the fair contract…
Read MoreAG Raoul wins court order blocking Trump administration’s dismantling of HHS
Attorney General Kwame Raoul today secured a preliminary junction halting Secretary Robert F. Kennedy Jr.’s attempt to dismantle the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services (HHS), ensuring continued access to critical public health and social service programs. On May 5, Attorney General Raoul and a coalition of state attorneys general filed a lawsuit to stop…
Read MoreU.S. Attorney’s Office to participate in Collinsville naturalization ceremony
COLLINSVILLE, Ill. – The U.S. District Court and the U.S. Attorney’s Office, both of the Southern District of Illinois, will take part in a naturalization ceremony to welcome new citizens in Collinsville on Wednesday, July 2, 2025. “As we prepare to celebrate our nation’s independence on Friday, we’re reminded of our country’s long-standing tradition of…
Read MoreFirst Mid Insurance Group’s Senior Solutions division receives Million Dollar Producers Award
First Mid Insurance Group recently announced that their Senior Solutions division, which assists Medicare beneficiaries and seniors with their health insurance needs, received the 2024 Million Dollar Producers Award from Senior Marketing Specialists. In addition, they were recognized for impacting 1,019 lives in 2024 through service and sales to their customers. “This recognition is a…
Read MoreState launches newly formed Division of Behavioral Health and Recovery
llinois Department of Human Services integrates divisions to improve outcomes and access, promoting recovery and wellness for all Illinoisans On July 1, 2025, Governor JB Pritzker announced that the newly formed Division of Behavioral Health and Recovery (DBHR) has officially begun operations. Housed in the Illinois Department of Human Services (IDHS), the new division integrates…
Read MoreIDPH adds more ZIP codes to lead testing list
State moves closer to implementing universal childhood lead testing in 2026 The Illinois Department of Public Health (IDPH) has announced an expansion of its list of ZIP codes where lead exposure testing is required for children who live within those areas. 180 new zip codes, representing parts of 47 Illinois counties, have been added to…
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