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Mandatory pre- and post-shift activities are now compensable in Illinois

By SCOTT CRUZ Pre- and post-shift activities—security screenings, health checks, equipment donning and doffing, clock-in procedures, and compliance checks—are common in modern workplaces. Yet these activities sit at the intersection of operational efficiency and wage-and-hour compliance, making them a frequent source of wage and hour litigation. The Illinois Supreme Court’s (the Court”) March 19, 2026…

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Artificial intelligence in learning, and in life? Yes, no, and maybe

  By MELISSA CROCKETT MESKE Managing Editor, Illinois Business Journal [email protected] A student-led discussion on the impact of artificial intelligence on education was recently hosted at Lewis and Clark Community in Godfrey. Offered as both an in-person and virtual conversation between panelists and participants, the dialogue solidified more than anything else that there are still…

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OSF Saint Anthony’s earns fifth consecutive ‘A’ safety grade from The Leapfrog Group

New grade for Spring 2026 is national recognition for patient safety, continuing trend from Fall/Spring 2025, Fall/Spring 2024 For the fifth consecutive time OSF Saint Anthony’s Health Center has earned an “A” Hospital Safety Grade from The Leapfrog Group, an independent national nonprofit watchdog focused on patient safety. Leapfrog assigns an “A”, “B”, “C”, “D”…

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Op-Ed: As healthcare costs climb, Illinois must take a closer look at 340B expansion

By MARK DENZLER Illinois Manufacturers’ Association For Illinois manufacturers and employers across the state, healthcare is not just a line item. It’s one of the fastest-growing costs of doing business. Rising premiums force difficult tradeoffs and influence hiring decisions, wage growth, capital investment, and long-term competitiveness. That is why legislation under consideration in Springfield to…

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Edwardsville Police announce Distracted Driving enforcement results

The Edwardsville Police Department has announced it issued 63 citations for hands-free law violations and issued 13 citations for other violations during April’s Distracted Driving Awareness Month enforcement campaign. “We prioritize traffic safety because every member of our community deserves to get home safely,” said Lt. Matt Senci. “This extra enforcement serves as a reminder…

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Rep. Schmidt donates April pay raise to Mascoutah food pantry

State Representative Kevin Schmidt (R-Millstadt) has pledged to donate the legislative pay raise he voted against to local organizations across the 114th District to help families in need. For the month of April, he donated essential food items, including sugar, brown sugar, cooking oil, and egg noodles, to the Mascoutah Food Pantry & Concerned Christians. “Helping…

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O’Fallon-Shiloh chamber connects 600 students with real-world careers at annual career fair

The O’Fallon-Shiloh Chamber of Commerce, Junior Achievement, Scott Air Force Base STEAM Advisory Group, and the City of O’Fallon partnered again to host the 14th annual 8th Grade Career Exploration Fair on April 30 at the Regency Conference Center in O’Fallon.  The event welcomed 600+ students from O’Fallon-Shiloh’s public and private schools, connecting them with over 50 professionals representing a…

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SIU Carbondale to offer bachelor’s degree in AI+

  Beginning with the fall 2026 semester, Southern Illinois University Carbondale will become the first public university in Illinois to offer a Bachelor of Science degree in Artificial Intelligence Plus (AI+). “Artificial intelligence technology is advancing rapidly,” said Xiaoqing “Frank” Liu, dean of the College of Engineering, Computing, Technology, and Mathematics. “Many students are expressing…

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