Prairie State Wire

Illinois Educational Labor Relations Board met June 16

By Philip Gonzales | Jun 17, 2025

Illinois Educational Labor Relations Board met Monday, June 16.

Illinois State Board of Education, Professional Review Panel met June 16

By Philip Gonzales | Jun 17, 2025

Illinois State Board of Education, Professional Review Panel met Monday, June 16.

Telecommunications excise tax rate rises to support crisis lifeline

By Prairie State Wire | Jun 17, 2025

Effective July 1, 2025, the Telecommunications Excise Tax rate in the state will increase from 7 percent to 8.65 percent.

From Chicago City Wire

Straight, white business owners excluded from Illinois State Board of Education's Juneteenth & Pride Vendor Fair

By Chicago City Wire reports | 1 month ago

The Illinois State Board of Education (ISBE) has announced a Juneteenth and Pride Vendor Fair to celebrate and uplift Black-owned and LGBTQIA+ businesses exclusively, according to internal communications shared with Chicago City Wire.

Illinois House GOP highlights failure to vote on bipartisan estate tax reform for family farms

By Prairie State Wire | Jun 16, 2025

The Illinois House GOP announced on X that lawmakers did not bring bipartisan estate tax reform legislation protecting family farms to a vote.

Illinois GOP cites state’s estate tax as threat to family farms

By Prairie State Wire | Jun 16, 2025

The Illinois GOP has announced on X that the state's estate tax is one of the most burdensome in the country, asserting it negatively impacts family farms and sometimes necessitates sales to cover tax obligations.

Illinois Freedom Caucus calls state budget a ‘generational curse’ on taxpayers

By Prairie State Wire | Jun 16, 2025

The Illinois Freedom Caucus has expressed its opposition to the recently passed state budget, labeling it a "generational curse" on taxpayers.

Dan Proft: Madigan's prison sentence is a 'modicum of justice'

By Prairie State Wire | Jun 16, 2025

Dan Proft, host of "Chicago's Morning Answer," said that the 7.5-year prison sentence for Michael Madigan represents a modest but deserved outcome, though it does not reverse the harm done to Illinois.

H-1B Insights: Employers classified under the Arts, Entertainment, and Recreation industry file 17 petitions in Illinois throughout 2024

By Prairie State Wire | Jun 16, 2025

In 2024, 17 H-1B petitions were filed by employers classified under the Arts, Entertainment, and Recreation industry located in Illinois, as per data provided by the U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services via the H-1B Employer Data Hub.

Richard "Rich" M. Santarelli, Sr., 84, Remembered as a Devoted Husband and Father

By Prairie State Wire | Jun 16, 2025

Richard M. Santarelli passed away on June 14. Below is the obituary.

Robert David Lebed, 83, Passes Away Peacefully in Elgin

By Prairie State Wire | Jun 16, 2025

Robert D. Lebed passed away on June 14. Below is the obituary.

Bernard "Bud" Lee Sr. Death News Report

By Prairie State Wire | Jun 16, 2025

Bernard A. Lee passed away on June 14. Below is the obituary.

Ejeek “EJ” Booda, 84, Remembered for Family and Dedication

By Prairie State Wire | Jun 16, 2025

Ejeek "EJ" Booda passed away on June 14. Below is the obituary.

Janet Ellen Shenk Caise, 92, Remembered for Lifelong Service and Love

By Prairie State Wire | Jun 16, 2025

Janet E. Caise passed away on June 14. Below is the obituary.

Jeanette Lois Visser, Former Orland Park Resident, Passes Away at 95

By Prairie State Wire | Jun 16, 2025

Jeanette Lois "Tootie" Visser passed away on June 14. Below is the obituary.

Justice Department backs challenge to Illinois firearm ban

By Prairie State Wire | Jun 16, 2025

Late last week, the U.S. Justice Department submitted an amicus brief to the Seventh Circuit Court of Appeals, backing a challenge against Illinois' ban on commonly owned firearms.

Illinois releases draft rules for temp worker act and lease tax

By Prairie State Wire | Jun 16, 2025

The Department of Labor and the Department of Revenue in Illinois have released drafts for new rules regarding temporary workers and a lease tax.

Medicaid Advisory Committee Autism Working Group will meet June 17

By Corazon L. Gonzales | Jun 16, 2025

Medicaid Advisory Committee Autism Working Group will meet at 3 p.m. Tuesday, June 17

Fire prevention week highlights lithium-ion battery safety

By Prairie State Wire | Jun 16, 2025

The focus for this year's National Fire Prevention Week is on the safe use of lithium-ion batteries, which power many household electronics such as smartphones, tablets, and laptops.

Illinois legislature passes multiple bills affecting business operations

By Prairie State Wire | Jun 16, 2025

Prior to adjourning, the Illinois General Assembly passed several bills that may affect the business community.