State official: renewable investments ‘best thing’ to lower energy costs
House committee with history of supporting environmentalist proposals gets new chair By ANDREW ADAMS and LEONARDO PINI Capitol News Illinois SPRINGFIELD — With an increasing number of officials warning Illinois might struggle to meet its renewable energy goals, regulators and lawmakers met Tuesday to discuss how the state should regulate its energy industry. The state…
Read MorePritzker to call for expansion of 4-year degree offerings at some community colleges
Select institutions could offer bachelor’s degrees in high-need career fields By PETER HANCOCK Capitol News Illinois Editor’s note: This article has been updated to reflect a correction to Martin Torres’s job title. SPRINGFIELD – Gov. JB Pritzker plans to offer a proposal in his budget address Wednesday that would allow some community colleges to offer…
Read MoreNew Illinois law for retailers in effect for alcohol-infused product displays
‘Wait! There is Alcohol in This!’ The alcohol marketplace has changed and so have the laws. Effective Jan. 1, 2025, SB 2625 went into effect. Alcohol-infused products such as alcoholic ice cream, whipped cream, popsicles, and other similar products are now considered alcoholic beverages regulated by the Illinois Liquor Control Act and the ILCC. This…
Read MorePritzker calls $55.2B budget ‘responsible and balanced’ – but warns Trump policies could upend it
Proposal shaves $1.2B from November spending estimate, doesn’t include new income or sales tax By BEN SZALINSKI, PETER HANCOCK and JERRY NOWICKI Capitol News Illinois [Editor’s note: This story was updated to accurately reflect a quote attributed to Sen. Karina Villa.] SPRINGFIELD — An improved revenue forecast is helping ease pressure on state finances as…
Read MoreState treasurer presents awards to downstate leaders in honor of Black History Month
Jesse White, artist Preston Jackson, educator Ed Hightower, lawmaker Doris Turner, former NBA player A.J. Guyton among those recognized On Feb. 18, 2025, Illinois State Treasurer Michael Frerichs hosted a celebration to commemorate Black History Month and honor leaders in the African American community. The event, held at the Marine Bank Building at 1 E.…
Read MoreLetter to the Editor: Update on progress in Wood River
To the Editor: The City of Wood River values its history while looking forward to the future. Our downtown district, with its blue-collar charm and historic architecture, is the heart of our town. To support this vital area, Wood River established a Tax Increment Financing (TIF) District in 2019. This initiative has led to significant…
Read More‘Totally 80s!’ Great Rivers & Routes Tourism Bureau hosts annual summit, celebrates 40 years
Bureau highlights 2024 successes and honors Tourism Trailblazers at Feb. 20 annual summit By MELISSA CROCKETT MESKE IBJ Managing Editor Reminiscent of the “wayback” era of the 1980s, a party like none other took place on Thursday, Feb. 20 in Godfrey, complete with rad appearances from “Michael Jackson,” “Cyndi Lauper,” “Richard Simmons,” and still others…
Read MoreCommittee advances bill to ban vehicle searches based on smell of cannabis
Legislation comes after state Supreme Court ruled burnt, raw cannabis odors are governed by different laws By BEN SZALINSKI Capitol News Illinois An Illinois Senate committee advanced a bill on Tuesday that would strictly limit police’s ability to search a vehicle after smelling cannabis. The Senate Criminal Law Committee voted 7-3 to advance Senate Bill…
Read MoreU.S. Attorney Rachelle Aud Crowe for the Southern District of Illinois departs from post
FAIRVIEW HEIGHTS, Ill. – Rachelle Aud Crowe, the United States Attorney for the Southern District of Illinois, who has served as the chief federal law enforcement officer in the district, has departed from the position, effective Feb. 18, 2025. She released the following statement: “It has been my honor to serve the Southern District of…
Read MoreGateway Arch Park Foundation selects The Cordish Companies to transform Millennium Hotel site
Innovative redevelopment will bring new energy, connectivity and activity to downtown St. Louis Downtown St. Louis-based nonprofit Gateway Arch Park Foundation (“The Foundation”) recently announced that it has selected The Cordish Companies to redevelop the Millennium Hotel property, located at 200 S. 4th St. adjacent to the iconic St. Louis Gateway Arch. This milestone marks…
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