Attorney General Kwame Raoul is encouraging service members, veterans and their families to participate in a free webinar series to learn about the rights and benefits earned through military service. The Attorney General’s office is hosting the webinars, which began in May during Military Appreciation Month, that continue through June.
The Illinois Housing Development Authority (IHDA) Board of Directors has approved an award of $5 million to launch the Next Generation Capacity Building Initiative (Next Gen), a new program designed to expand the talent pipeline and increase diversity within the housing development field and related industries.
Corey DeAngelis, executive director of the Educational Freedom Institute, called Gov. J.B. Pritzker, Senate President Don Harmon and House Speaker Emanuel Chris Welch, all Democrats, “a bunch of hypocrites” because the Democratic-majority Illinois legislature did not extend a school-choice funding program, called Invest in Kids, in a May 26 tweet.
The Illinois Department of Transportation and the Illinois State Police are advising the public to plan ahead for traffic disruptions during this weekend's Enjoy Illinois 300 event in Metro East. The event, which includes a NASCAR Truck Series race, a NASCAR Cup Series race, concerts, and other activities at World Wide Technology Raceway in Madison, is expected to draw over 65,000 attendees from June 2 to June 4.
Gov. J.B. Pritzker is about to sign his fifth budget into law. It’s “balanced,” committed to “fiscal responsibility” and contains “transformative investments,” he says. It’s the same language we’ve heard from the governor over the last four years.
Joseph Kagann will serve as a Member of the Amusement Ride and Attraction Safety Board.* Kagann is a U.S. Army veteran whose extensive background includes information technology, intergovernmental relations, and vendor and inventory control. He currently works as the General Manager for Sky Zone Aurora where oversees daily sales, maintenance projects, and other tasks. In addition to his work at Sky Zone, Kagann was elected as Woodridge Village Clerk and has been serving since 2017. Prior to this, he was an elected Village Trustee for ten years. Kagann has been recognized for his military achievements and was awarded the Good Conduct Medal and Army Commendation Award.
The Illinois Department of Transportation (IDOT) has announced a public hearing scheduled for June 13 regarding a proposed project to expand lanes on Interstate 55 and Interstate 72 in Springfield. The project's estimated cost is $802 million, which includes the reconstruction of several interchanges.
The Illinois State Fair Box Office will commence in-person ticket sales for grandstand events on Thursday, June 1. Operating hours for the box office are set from 8 a.m. to 5 p.m., Monday through Friday, and an additional window from 9 a.m. to 1 p.m. on Saturday, August 5. Tickets can also be purchased online via Ticketmaster.
"My thanks to Speaker Welch, Leader Jehan Gordon-Booth, and all the members of the House who voted today to advance our fifth balanced budget. This budget reaffirms our shared commitment to fiscal responsibility while making transformative investments in the children and families of Illinois that will be felt for years to come. I look forward to signing this budget making childcare and education more accessible, healthcare more affordable, and our state's business and economic position even stronger."
With the U.S. Supreme Court expected to rule this summer on the constitutionality of affirmative action in college admissions, an analysis by the Prairie State Wire shows that Illinois is one of 41 states that currently allow affirmative action.