State News

  By RHIANNON BRANCH FarmWeek  March world agricultural supply and demand estimates (WASDE) reports from USDA are traditionally quiet in terms of changes to balance sheets and market reaction, and this year was no different. With few notable changes in the report, crop markets remain focused on the war in Iran and potential market implications…

  By TAMMIE SLOUP FarmWeek  As the war in Iran intensifies, farmers across the U.S. face increased fertilizer costs and shortages as the Middle East is an important hub for nitrogen fertilizer production and exports. John Newton, American Farm Bureau Federation vice president of public policy and economic analysis, stressed the urgency of the situation…

As large-scale solar developments continue to expand across Illinois, State Senator Erica Harriss (R-56th-Glen Carbon) is working to make sure taxpayers aren’t left paying the price when those projects are damaged, abandoned, or reach the end of their lifespan. Senate Bill 3953 would require companies seeking to construct commercial solar facilities to secure a surety…

Event showcases state’s diverse food manufacturing sector, which employs more than 117,000 workers and generates more than $80 billion in economic output annually The Illinois Manufacturers’ Association (IMA) will host the first Food Innovation Day at the State Capitol on Tuesday, March 24, where more than a dozen food manufacturing companies will gather to showcase…

Expanded incentives and workforce investments lay the groundwork for all-time high in film expenditures in 2025 Governor JB Pritzker, the Illinois Department of Commerce and Economic Opportunity (DCEO), and Illinois film industry leaders recently announced that film production expenditures in Illinois reached a record-breaking high of $703 million in 2025, supporting an estimated 18,000 in…

State Representative Kevin Schmidt (R-Millstadt) has been donating his legislative pay raise to different local organizations throughout his district for three years. He voted against politician pay raises and chose to give it back to the community to help families in need. This month he donated various items to the CESNA Food Pantry in New…

U.S. Senate Democratic Whip Dick Durbin (D-IL) announced his decision to not seek re-election in a video message to Illinois voters last April. Upon the conclusion and outcome of the recent Illinois Democratic primary election, Durbin released the following statement, celebrating Juliana Stratton’s winning bid to succeed him in the U.S. Senate: “The people of…

On Tuesday, March 17, 2026, Congresswoman Nikki Budzinski (D-IL-13), at a House Oversight Committee hearing, called on Postmaster General David Steiner to address flailing USPS delivery rates that have impacted rural communities in her district. Budzinski questioned why the Postmaster has continued to implement the so-called “Delivering for America” plan when the initiative has been…

On Day of Giving, Wednesday, March 25: Grab a sub, help Team Illinois athletes. 106 Illinois Jersey Mike’s locations will donate 100 percent of sales to help local athletes attend 2026 Special Olympics USA Games. Hungry to help others? Head to any Jersey Mike’s Subs in the state on Wednesday, March 25, and 100 percent…

In recognition of Sunshine Week, Attorney General Kwame Raoul has released the Public Access Counselor Annual Report with details of a sampling of over 6,000 new matters received in 2025, as well as other matters the Public Access Counselor (PAC) addressed last year. The PAC works to increase transparency in Illinois government by resolving disputes regarding…