Area News

  Almost daily, stories of cyber-attacks flood the news, but the Illinois APEX Accelerator and the Office of Innovation and Economic Development at Southern Illinois University Carbondale are offering a special workshop to help area business owners protect themselves from cyber threats. The “No-Cost Cybersecurity Workshop” is set for 9 to 11 a.m. Friday, Jan. 24, at…

Interstate shootings down 31 percent statewide in 2024 For the third year in a row, the number of shootings on Illinois interstates has dropped. ​ The Illinois State Police (ISP) is reporting interstate shootings statewide decreased 31 percent in 2024, compared to 2023. ​Since a record high in 2021, there has been a decrease in…

Program provides digital technology for proper recycling or disposal of household materials Illinois Environmental Protection Agency (Illinois EPA) Director James Jennings has announced a new partnership with Recycle Coach to provide all Illinois residents in 6,835 units of local government a holistic, locally-tailored, easy to access recycling education platform. In the coming months, Recycle Coach…

Applications are now being accepted by the Illinois Conservation Foundation (ICF) for the 2025 Conservation Achievement Scholarship program. The ICF annually awards scholarships to outstanding high school seniors in Illinois who demonstrate effective, voluntary, long-term dedication to the preservation, protection or enhancement of Illinois’ natural resources. Four scholarships of $2,000 each are available for the…

Eligible taxpayers will be able to use free, direct file tax option starting on Jan. 27 The 2025 tax season is quickly approaching, and the Illinois Department of Revenue (IDOR) recently announced it will begin accepting and processing 2025 tax returns on Monday, Jan. 27, 2025, the same date the Internal Revenue Service (IRS) begins…

State Senator Erica Harriss (R-56th-Glen Carbon) recently announced the return of her annual “Valentines for Seniors” Card Drive, now underway. She has issued an appeal for the community’s help in making cards for area seniors. “This card drive is a simple but meaningful way for our community to spread love and joy to those who…

State incentive programs more than doubled company investments from $6.3 billion in 2023 to $12.5 billion in 2024 Governor JB Pritzker and the Illinois Department of Commerce and Economic Opportunity (DCEO) recently released record-breaking data highlighting economic development milestones from 2024. Gov. Pritzker’s economic agenda doubled private investments in Illinois from $6.3 billion in 2023…