Latest News from Prairie State Wire

Illinois urges awareness during Childhood Lead Poisoning Prevention Week

By Prairie State Wire | Oct 25, 2024

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.

Job numbers rise as unemployment falls across most metro areas

By Prairie State Wire | Oct 24, 2024

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

By Prairie State Wire | Oct 24, 2024

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

By Prairie State Wire | Oct 24, 2024

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

By Prairie State Wire | Oct 24, 2024

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.

Fire officials stress importance of working smoke alarms during awareness event

By Prairie State Wire | Oct 23, 2024

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

By Prairie State Wire | Oct 23, 2024

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.

IDNR informs hunters about free chronic wasting disease testing locations

By Prairie State Wire | Oct 22, 2024

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

By Prairie State Wire | Oct 22, 2024

State and local fire safety officials gathered at the Carbondale Fire Department to emphasize the importance of working smoke alarms and promote a no-cost installation program for Carbondale residents. The initiative aims to reduce residential fire deaths, which claimed 89 lives in Illinois in 2023, mostly in homes without functional smoke detectors.

Pritzker administration hosts minority health conference focusing on equity

By Prairie State Wire | Oct 21, 2024

The Illinois Minority Health Conference commenced today in Naperville, hosted by Governor JB Pritzker's administration and the Illinois Department of Public Health (IDPH). The event spans three days and aligns with IDPH's ongoing efforts to implement the Healthy Illinois 2028 State Health Improvement Plan. A central focus of this plan is addressing racism as a public health crisis.

Pritzker administration opens minority health conference focusing on equity

By Prairie State Wire | Oct 21, 2024

The Illinois Department of Public Health (IDPH) and Governor JB Pritzker's administration have commenced the 2024 Minority Health Conference in Naperville.

Tax deadlines postponed for Illinois storm victims

By Prairie State Wire | Oct 21, 2024

Governor JB Pritzker and the Illinois Department of Revenue have announced tax relief measures for individuals and businesses affected by severe weather events in Illinois. These include storms, tornadoes, straight-line winds, and flooding that began on July 13, 2024.