Area News
ISP hosts its first-ever all-women law enforcement recruitment event March 18
Meet the women in ISP: A career exploration The Illinois State Police (ISP) is hosting its first ever all-women recruitment event to encourage women to explore the many career paths available both as sworn police officers and as civilian employees. The ISP Academy, at 3700 E Lake Shore Dr., Springfield, IL 62712, will be…
Read MoreSecretary of State’s Mobile DMV will be at Edwardsville’s R.P. Lumber Center April 9
The City of Edwardsville and the Illinois Secretary of State are teaming up once more to offer a Mobile DMV service, taking place at the R.P. Lumber Center on Wednesday, April 9. The Mobile DMV will operate from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. in the community rooms at the R.P. Lumber Center, 6289 Tiger Drive.…
Read MoreIllinois EPA invests $112.7M in drinking water, wastewater projects in FY25 first half
$9.9M in loan forgiveness granted to loan recipients Illinois Environmental Protection Agency (Illinois EPA) Acting Director James Jennings recently announced the investment of more than $112 million through water infrastructure loans to local governments and water districts for the first half of Fiscal Year 2025 (July – December 2024). The Illinois EPA State Revolving Fund…
Read MoreKrishnamoorthi joins local leaders, emphasizing importance of protecting Medicaid, Social Security
Congressman Raja Krishnamoorthi (D-IL) was joined by elected officials, community leaders, and representatives of organized labor from the Metro East area in East St. Louis on Saturday, March 8, 2025, to discuss the importance of protecting Medicaid and Social Security for Illinoisans. Krishnamoorthi also participated in a walk-through tour of the Clyde C. Jordan…
Read MoreSt. Clair County Transit District celebrates opening of Belleville Tecklenburg Trail
Communications, wayfinding enhancements along MetroBikeLink system of trails also completed On March 6, representatives of St. Clair County Transit District (SCCTD) joined with local officials, stakeholders and residents to celebrate the grand opening of the $4.3 million Tecklenburg Trail in Belleville. The new, 1.1-mile, paved bike and pedestrian pathway will connect residents in West Belleville,…
Read MoreHigh school student helps draft bill to require opioid overdose medications in Illinois libraries
Legislation would follow a model already at work in Chicago, other cities and states By ISMAEL M. BELKOURA Medill Illinois News Bureau [email protected] ELGIN – High school students generally don’t participate in drafting legislation. Jordan Henry is an exception. A senior at the Illinois Math and Science Academy, the Elgin native is working with her…
Read MoreGreenville University updates MOU with ROE, allowing for employee scholarship program
An updated agreement between Greenville University and the Regional Office of Education #3 has been renewed to enhance cooperation between the two parties, allowing for a scholarship program aimed at employees of local school districts. This program will support enrollment in GU’s online graduate and undergraduate courses. The Regional Office of Education #3 serves Bond,…
Read MoreRural schools face unique challenges filling teaching positions
Districts finding creative solutions to persistent shortage By JESSIE NGUYEN and Medill Illinois News Bureau, Capitol News Illinois March 10, 2025 SPRINGFIELD – When Gretchen Weiss applied for a teaching position at Macomb Middle School in west-central Illinois more than 20 years ago, the school’s policy was to keep applications on file for only a…
Read MoreSIDEBAR: Educators say low pay hinders teacher recruitment, retention efforts
‘Poor Working Conditions’ also cited as deterring new hires: 2024-25 teacher shortage report By JORDAN G. OWENS and Medill Illinois News Bureau SPRINGFIELD – Increased pay for educators, better school conditions, mentoring and mental health support are key factors cited by educators that could help alleviate the critical ongoing teacher shortage in Illinois. “Poor Working…
Read MoreIllinois schools turn to retirees, substitutes, outsourcing, state grants to combat prolonged teacher shortage
Annual educators’ survey showed lack of applicants, salary issues and poor working conditions among main causes By JESSIE NGUYEN, JORDAN OWENS and Medill Illinois News Bureau SPRINGFIELD – From hiring retired educators to adjusting class offerings, Illinois schools are relying on a variety of short-term, innovative measures to cope with a prolonged and critical statewide…
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