Area News
Hoffman, Giannoulias push ‘Road Safety and Fairness Act’
State Rep. Jay Hoffman, D-Swansea, is teaming up with Secretary of State Alexi Giannoulias on a plan to modernize road test requirements, raising the age in which older adults must take a behind-the-wheel driving test from age 79 to age 87. “Our state’s crash data indicates that the crash rate for drivers age 75 and…
Read MoreWhile deficit looms in next year’s budget, current-year revenues remain on track
$3.2 billion gap projected for upcoming budget discussions By BEN SZALINSKI Capitol News Illinois SPRINGFIELD — Revenue returns remain on track halfway through Illinois’ budget year, though it’s next year that is causing concern in the Capitol. The Governor’s Office of Management and Budget projects a $3.2 billion deficit for the fiscal year that begins…
Read MoreIllinois joins $80M enforcement action against Cash App mobile payment service for BSA/AML violations
Illinois and 47 state financial regulatory agencies have taken coordinated action against Block Inc. for violations of Bank Secrecy Act (BSA) and anti-money laundering (AML) laws that safeguard the financial system from illicit use. More than 50 million consumers in the United States use Cash App, Block’s mobile payment service, to spend, send, store, and invest…
Read MoreRegional grid operator selects Ameren to lead critical grid infrastructure projects in Illinois, Missouri
Transmission projects to bolster grid resiliency and energy reliability for millions of customers The Midcontinent Independent System Operator (MISO) has selected Ameren to build multiple critical energy infrastructure projects that will carry clean, reliable energy to distribution grids in Missouri, Illinois and several Midwest states. The projects, which MISO estimates will represent a total investment…
Read MoreL&C offers real estate classes again in Spring 2025
Lewis and Clark Community College is meeting the changes and challenges in the growing real estate field by offering classes to help individuals enter that career field as brokers. An individual must pass a total of 75 hours of instruction to take the Real Estate Broker’s licensure exam. Lewis and Clark is offering three…
Read MoreIllinois Comptroller Mendoza urges Illinoisans to make financial resolutions for 2025
Lose 10 pounds? Eat healthier? Exercise more? All great New Year’s resolutions – but how about resolving to get control of your finances? “Starting the new year with a fresh commitment to review and better manage your money is a great way to kick off 2025,” says Illinois State Comptroller Susana Mendoza. “It might be…
Read MoreLongtime charity ‘Givin’ It All For Guts’ announces its end
In a Facebook post recently shared forward by the RiverBend Growth Association, longtime charity “Givin’ It All For Guts” has announced the end of its tenure. Givin’ It All For Guts Foundation posted a message on its Facebook page on the morning of Jan. 13, 2025 that read as follows: It is with bittersweet report…
Read MoreIllinois bill could raise age for mandatory license renewal driving test for seniors
No other state requires an age-based driving test for license renewal By ASHLEY SORIANO and Medill Illinois News Bureau, Capitol News Illinois CHICAGO – Older drivers in Illinois could face fewer barriers to renew their driver’s licenses next year as part of a bill that would raise the age for the state-mandated annual driver’s test…
Read MoreIllinoisans may be able to file federal taxes for free; state announces Apple ID licenses
Pritzker announces state’s participation in federal Direct File program By JADE AUBREY and UIS Public Affairs Reporting (PAR), Capitol News Illinois Many Illinois residents will be able to use the IRS Direct File service to electronically prepare and file their 2024 federal tax returns for free. Almost 2 million eligible Illinois taxpayers will be able…
Read MoreSIU System partners with Gateway Equity Institute to empower students, advance equity and justice
The SIU System recently announced that both SIU Carbondale (SIUC) and SIU Edwardsville (SIUE) are engaging in a new partnership with the Gateway Equity Institute (GEI), a St. Louis based organization dedicated to advancing equity and justice. GEI empowers leaders to drive change, provides transformative training and engages youth through impactful diversity programs. SIU and…
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