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Area News

L&C’s first solar energy students earn certificates

  Lewis and Clark Community College’s Adult Education program presented certificates to 16 students who completed the Solar Workforce Training program, which is among the workforce and economic development programs outlined by the state’s Climate and Equitable Jobs Act (CEJA). It is the goal of the CEJA to put Illinois on track to achieve 100…

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Rep. Schmidt donates pay raise to Press Play x 2 Shinn

State Representative Kevin Schmidt (R-Millstadt) donated his pay raise for the month of December to Press Play x 2 Shinn, in the form of a food donation. Press Play x 2 Shinn Inc. was founded by Nancy Nixon of East St. Louis following the loss of two of her children. Each Thanksgiving and Christmas, she…

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Medicaid coverage announced for certified doula, lactation consultant services

New coverage intended to improve maternal and infant health outcomes across Illinois New perinatal doula and lactation consultant services are now available to pregnant and postpartum individuals who are enrolled in the Illinois Medicaid program, further expanding maternal and child health coverage, a core priority for the Illinois Department of Healthcare and Family Services (HFS).…

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IDNR collecting discarded Christmas trees for fish habitat

Illinois Department of Natural Resources (IDNR) fisheries biologists are collecting live Christmas trees to be used as fish habitat in local lakes after the holidays. The collected trees will be bundled together, weighted, and submerged at lakes, providing critical habitat for multiple fish species and promoting algae growth for insects that attract fish for anglers.…

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Regulators OK statewide electric grid upgrades, rate increases

Decision comes after state rejected utilities’ original grid plans last year By ANDREW ADAMS Capitol News Illinois Illinois utilities are set to invest more than a billion dollars into upgrading the state’s electric distribution grid, resulting in higher rates for customers around the state. The Illinois Commerce Commission on Thursday [Dec. 19, 2024] approved scaled-back…

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IDOL introduces Informal Resolution and Mediation Unit, to resolve claims more quickly

The informal resolution unit can help claimants avoid hearings, litigation The Illinois Department of Labor (IDOL) has created a new Informal Resolution and Mediation Unit, which will help workers and employers resolve straightforward claims before they reach an administrative hearing or litigation. By bringing parties together to resolve their disputes, informal resolution and mediation processes…

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IDHS issues notice of an April privacy breach involving SSNs of customers, employees

Pursuant to the requirements of the Illinois Personal Information Protection Act (PIPA), 815 ILCS 530/12, the Illinois Department of Human Services (IDHS) has published a notice regarding an incident within IDHS State of Illinois email accounts: On April 25, 2024, IDHS experienced a privacy breach. An outside entity, through a phishing campaign, gained access to…

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From IDOT, ISP: Don’t let a DUI wreck your holidays

This holiday season, the Illinois Department of Transportation, Illinois State Police, and more than 200 police and sheriff’s departments are joining forces for the national “Drive Sober or Get Pulled Over” campaign, reminding the public that law enforcement will focus not only on impaired drivers, but also seat belt violations, speeding, distracted driving and other traffic…

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