As President Biden revealed new rules regarding Title IX protections in April of 2024, which redefined “sex” to include “gender-identity,” an analysis by Prairie State Wire shows that Illinois is one of 25 states that allow boys to play in girls’ high school sports.
State officials on Thursday dedicated Conservation World 2024 in honor of Brent Manning, the longest-serving director of the Illinois Department of Natural Resources (IDNR) and a nationally respected champion for conservation and natural resources stewardship.
Governor JB Pritzker and Illinois State Fair officials unveiled the Butter Cow today in the Dairy Building on the Illinois State Fairgrounds. Inspired by "It's Showtime!" the 2024 fair theme, sculptor Sarah Pratt's creation captures the magic of the fair through the eyes of a child.
The Illinois Department of Children and Family Services (DCFS) will have a prominent presence at the 2024 Illinois State Fair, where they aim to engage with families and provide information about their various programs and services.
The Office of the State Fire Marshal (OSFM) has announced that applications are now open for the Small Equipment Grant Program. A total of $4 million will be awarded to eligible fire departments and ambulance services for the purchase of small firefighting and ambulance equipment. Applications must be submitted electronically or postmarked by October 1, 2024.
The Illinois Department of Agriculture (IDOA), in collaboration with the Illinois Environmental Protection Agency (IEPA), has announced a $111 million investment in the agricultural sector through a U.S. EPA Climate Pollution Reduction Grant. This initiative aims to support farmers in making sustainable and long-term decisions for their operations. The U.S. EPA had previously announced the full grant, totaling over $430 million over five years.
The Illinois State Fair has announced its theme and discount days for 2024. The event will commence on Thursday, August 8, with County Fairs and Horse Racing Day. Gates will open at 7 a.m., offering a full day of horse racing, county fair celebrations, free entertainment, $3 carnival rides, traditional fair food, kick-off activities, and the annual Twilight Parade.
The Illinois Department of Natural Resources (IDNR) is currently accepting public comments until September 20 regarding the abandoned mine lands reclamation projects selected for work under President Biden's Bipartisan Infrastructure Investment and Jobs Act (IIJA).