Prairie State Wire

The Illinois Department of Public Health (IDPH) is emphasizing the importance of awareness regarding health risks from lead exposure during Childhood Lead Poisoning Prevention Week, which runs from October 20 to 26.

2025 Commission Calendar released for public access

The 2025 Commission Calendar is now available for download and viewing

Illinois youth hunters harvest over 4,000 deer in recent hunting season

Youth hunters in Illinois harvested a preliminary total of 4,057 deer during the youth deer hunting season held from October 12 to 14.

ATA Grand American sees significant turnout at World Shooting Complex

More than 3,000 target shooters from all U.S. states, four Canadian provinces, and five other countries participated in the 125th American Trapshooting Association's Grand American competition at the World Shooting and Recreational Complex (WSRC)...

Illinois urges awareness during Childhood Lead Poisoning Prevention Week

The Illinois Department of Public Health (IDPH) is urging residents to remain aware of health risks associated with lead exposure during Childhood Lead Poisoning Prevention Week, observed from October 20-26.

Susan T. Wroblewski, 69, Former Real Estate Assistant and Devoted Grandmother, Passes Away in Bourbonnais

Susan T. Wroblewski passed away on Oct. 22. Below is the obituary.

Job numbers rise as unemployment falls across most metro areas

Over the past year, total nonfarm jobs have risen in nine metropolitan areas and decreased in five for the period ending September 2024, according to data released by the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS) and the Illinois Department of Employment Security (IDES). Over this same period, unemployment rates decreased in eight areas, increased in five, and remained unchanged in one.

Illinois sees mixed changes in metro area job markets

Over the year ending in September 2024, total nonfarm jobs rose in nine metropolitan areas and fell in five, according to data from the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS) and the Illinois Department of Employment Security (IDES). The unemployment rate decreased in eight areas, increased in five, and remained unchanged in one.

Illinois expands certified community behavioral health clinics under new federal program

The Illinois Department of Healthcare and Family Services (HFS) has announced that 19 Certified Community Behavioral Health Clinics (CCBHCs) are now providing mental health care and substance use treatment services as part of a federal Medicaid...

Illinois regulators announce September enforcement actions

The Illinois Department of Financial and Professional Regulation (IDFPR) has disclosed the enforcement actions executed in September 2024. The announcement was made by Director of Financial Institutions, Francisco Menchaca, Acting Director of Professional Regulation, Camile Lindsay, and Director of Real Estate, Laurie Murphy.

Gail L Lynch Vanek Remembered for Her Positive Spirit and Love for Life

Gail Lynch Vanek passed away on Oct. 21. Below is the obituary.

Carol P. Raef, 98, Remembered for Her Faith, Generosity, and Love for Family

Carol P. Raef passed away on Oct. 21. Below is the obituary.

Fire officials stress importance of working smoke alarms during awareness event

State and local fire officials gathered at the O'Fallon Fire Department to emphasize the importance of working smoke alarms and to promote a no-cost smoke alarm installation program available for O'Fallon residents. Illinois State Fire Marshal James A. Rivera stated, "The OSFM is committed to helping make communities safer by providing resources to local fire departments and encouraging them to engage their community members through the 'Be Alarmed!' or similar fire prevention programs."

Illinois State Rifle Association offers training after Missouri shooting incident

The Illinois State Rifle Association (ISRA) has offered free firearm safety and training lessons to U.S. Senate candidate Lucas Kunce and former Congressman Adam Kinzinger. This offer follows an incident in Missouri where TV reporter Ryan Gamboa was accidentally shot during a campaign event. The ISRA attributes the incident to Kunce and Kinzinger's violation of firearm safety rules by firing at steel targets with an AR-15 at close range using inappropriate ammunition.

Illinois ranked 39th in average VA home loan amount in Q3

With $303,948 in home loans issued, Illinois ranked 39th in average loan amount for VA home loans in the third quarter of fiscal year 2024, according to the Veterans' Affairs Home Loans Index.

Will E. Bamberger, 85, a United States Army Corp Engineer, Passed Away Leaving a Legacy of Family Love

Will Edward Bamberger passed away on Oct. 20. Below is the obituary.

IDNR informs hunters about free chronic wasting disease testing locations

The Illinois Department of Natural Resources (IDNR) is reminding deer hunters about the locations where they can have their deer tested for chronic wasting disease (CWD) at no cost. CWD is a fatal disease affecting the central nervous system of deer and elk, first detected in Boone County in 2002. Since then, 173,486 wild deer have been sampled across Illinois, with 2,188 testing positive for CWD. The disease remains confined to a 21-county area in northern Illinois.

Fire officials promote free alarm installation during prevention week