Latest News from Prairie State Wire

IDHS, Social Services Advisory Council, Outreach, Engagement, Equity, and Policy Committee met Sept. 20

By Kristine Gonzales-Abella | Oct 26, 2023

IDHS, Social Services Advisory Council, Outreach, Engagement, Equity, and Policy Committee met Wednesday, Sept. 20

Illinois receives $11.25M for unemployment insurance system upgrades

By Prairie State Wire | Oct 25, 2023

The Illinois Department of Employment Security (IDES) has been granted $11.25 million by the U.S. Department of Labor (DOL) to enhance unemployment insurance systems across the state. This funding is part of a broader initiative, with Illinois being one of 19 states and territories receiving over $204 million in federal support aimed at improving the reliability and accessibility of these systems.

Illinois authorities stress sober driving for safe Halloween celebrations

By Prairie State Wire | Oct 25, 2023

The Illinois Department of Transportation, in collaboration with the Illinois State Police and local law enforcement agencies, is issuing a reminder about the dangers of impaired driving during Halloween. The campaign emphasizes the importance of sober driving with messages such as "Drive Sober" and "If you Drive High, you'll get a DUI."

Illinois State Board of Elections met Aug. 15

By Kristine Gonzales-Abella | Oct 25, 2023

Illinois State Board of Elections met Tuesday, Aug. 15

Illinois Department of Children and Family Services Latino Advisory Council met Sept. 20

By Kristine Gonzales-Abella | Oct 25, 2023

Illinois Department of Children and Family Services Latino Advisory Council met Wednesday, Sept. 20

Illinois Criminal Justice Information Authority Domestic Violence Fatality Review Committee met September 19

By Corazon L. Gonzales | Oct 24, 2023

Illinois Criminal Justice Information Authority Domestic Violence Fatality Review Committee met 1 p.m. Tuesday, September 19.

McHenry County increases motor fuel tax rate effective January 2024

By Prairie State Wire | Oct 24, 2023

McHenry County will implement an increase in the County Motor Tax rate on retail sales of motor fuel starting January 1, 2024. This change is detailed in the document titled "FY 2024-06, Summary of County Motor Fuel Tax Rate Changes, Effective January 1, 2024."

Illinois State Board of Elections met Sept. 19

By Kristine Gonzales-Abella | Oct 24, 2023

Illinois State Board of Elections met Tuesday, Sept. 19

Illinois State Board of Education met Sept. 19

By Kristine Gonzales-Abella | Oct 24, 2023

Illinois State Board of Education met Tuesday, Sept. 19

Illinois Department of Children and Family Services Statewide Foster Care Advisory Council met Sept. 15

By Kristine Gonzales-Abella | Oct 23, 2023

Illinois Department of Children and Family Services Statewide Foster Care Advisory Council met Friday, Sept. 15

Illinois Department of Children and Family Services Advisory Council met Sept. 14

By Kristine Gonzales-Abella | Oct 23, 2023

Illinois Department of Children and Family Services Advisory Council met Thursday, Sept. 14

Illinois Labor Relations Board State Panel met Aug. 10

By Kristine Gonzales-Abella | Oct 21, 2023

Illinois Labor Relations Board State Panel met Thursday, Aug. 10

Illinois Freedom Caucus: ‘Dismal education is an issue all across Illinois’

By Prairie State Wire Report | Oct 20, 2023

The Illinois Freedom Caucus has drawn attention to the alarming convergence of inadequate education and daily violence in certain Chicago neighborhoods, highlighting the grim choices parents face: staying within the failing public school system, hoping for educational alternatives, or leaving the city altogether.

Comptroller Susanna Mendoza fires staffer over antisemitic social media messages

By Prairie State Wire Report | Oct 20, 2023

Illinois Comptroller Susanna Mendoza on Thursday fired her legal counsel after learning of a social media exchange that included antisemitic messages.

Statewide effort to have parents’ rights question on 2024 ballot

By Prairie State Wire | Oct 20, 2023

The Parents Matter Coalition (PMC) is leading a movement to put the issue of parents' rights on the Illinois 2024 ballot. They have submitted a Petition of Advisory Question of Public Policy with the question, "Shall the written consent from a minor’s parent or guardian be required before any entity, person, clinic or school can provide a minor (under the age of 18 years) any nonemergency medical procedure, medication, pharmaceutical, or any gender modification procedure, gender identification counseling or gender therapy?"

Illinois Labor Relations Board Local Panel met Aug. 10

By Kristine Gonzales-Abella | Oct 20, 2023

Illinois Labor Relations Board Local Panel met Tuesday, Aug. 10

Illinois Labor Relations Board State Panel met Sept. 14

By Kristine Gonzales-Abella | Oct 20, 2023

Illinois Labor Relations Board State Panel met Thursday, Sept. 14

Illinois sees record high payroll jobs despite rising unemployment rate

By Prairie State Wire | Oct 19, 2023

The Illinois Department of Employment Security (IDES) has reported an increase in the state's unemployment rate to 4.4% in September, a rise of 0.3 percentage points from August. Despite this, nonfarm payrolls saw an increase of 9,500 jobs, reaching a record high and surpassing pre-pandemic levels according to preliminary data from the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics.

Illinois pauses immigrant seniors' health benefits enrollments amid funding limits

By Prairie State Wire | Oct 19, 2023

The Illinois Department of Healthcare and Family Services (HFS) has announced a temporary pause on new enrollments for the Health Benefits for Immigrant Seniors (HBIS) program, effective November 6. This decision comes as the program approaches its enrollment cap of 16,500 individuals.

Illinois State Board of Education, State Education Equity Committee (Learning Conditions Subcommittee) met Aug. 10

By Kristine Gonzales-Abella | Oct 19, 2023

Illinois State Board of Education, State Education Equity Committee (Learning Conditions Subcommittee) met Thursday, Aug. 10

Prairie State Wire

News from October 2023