SPRINGFIELD, IL — COVID-19 restrictions in regions of Illinois that meet certain metrics the Pritzker administration laid out may be able to relax mitigations. A restaurant association wants things opened statewide. Earlier this week, Gov. J.B. Pritzker said if a region of the state has a COVID-19 test positivity rate below 12 percent, greater…… Read more…
Illinois lawmaker says House could soon have a new speaker
SPRINGFIELD, IL — According to one Illinois lawmaker, there could soon be a new Speaker of the House of Representatives in Illinois. On Monday, longtime Speaker Michael Madigan said in a statement his announcement to suspend his campaign but said he is “not withdrawing” his name. However, Dan Brady, who represents the 105th District, said…… Read more…
After student suicides, some ask for competition in Illinois to resume amid pandemic
ILLINOIS (IRN) — It’s been months of no sports for Illinois high school students because of Pritzker administration guidance during COVID-19, and some say the impacts have been deadly. Student-athlete Dylan Buckner from Northbrook reportedly took his own life last week. The Daily Herald reported before the COVID-19 pandemic, and the governor’s rules prohibiting…… Read more…
Lawmakers pass huge reform bill to combat inequities in education
SPRINGFIELD, IL — Illinois lawmakers are approving a massive reform bill designed to address inequities in the state’s education system. The legislation approaches the problem from several angles, such as kindergarten readiness and a lack of advanced placement classes in poorer school districts. Senator Kimberly Lightford says they also want to attract and retain more…… Read more…
Pritzker says widespread availability of COVID-19 vaccine, treatments needed before state can lift restrictions
SPRINGFIELD, IL — Illinois Gov. J.B. Pritzker’s plan to reopen Illinois with no restrictions, or Phase 5, is having a vaccine or therapeutic for COVID-19 “widely available.” The governor still can’t say exactly when that’ll be. A 12-member state legislative panel Tuesday could take up a new emergency rule in place until June requiring…… Read more…
Leading Illinois Democrats look to members of House to chose next speaker
SPRINGFIELD, IL — On Monday the Speaker of the House – Mike Madigan announced that he was suspending his campaign for Speaker – that is not to be considered a total withdrawl from running. He’s on pause to see if House Democrats can find a lawmaker to back with 60 votes. Governor JB Pritzker says…… Read more…
VA Director Linda Chapa LaVia resigns after criticism over deadly COVID-19 outbreak at LaSalle Veterans’ Home
LASALLE, IL — In the wake of a coronavirus outbreak at an Illinois veterans home which resulted in 36 deaths, Illinois Department of Veteran’s Affairs Director Linda Chapa LaVia is stepping down from her role. Gov. J.B. Pritzker announced Monday that Major General Peter Nezamis, assistant adjutant general in the Illinois National Guard will serve…… Read more…
Mild temps for Illinois this week
ILLINOIS (RFD) — Moderate and mild temperatures will be the rule this week in Illinois. Meteorologist Peter Speck says we’ll also see a pretty quiet weather pattern. Speck is with the National Weather Service in the Quad Cities.… Read more…
Sweeping last-minute changes to Illinois system of justice faces opposition, support from all sides
SPRINGFIELD, IL — A broad bill making its way through the Illinois legislature in the final days of lame-duck session could bring sweeping changes to criminal justice new regulations on police. House Bill 163, as amended, would bring a slew of measures law enforcement groups oppose. The measure also brings about various reforms to…… Read more…
Study shows students more likely to get COVID-19 from family
ILLINOIS (IRN) — As Illinois school districts transition back to in-class instruction, a new study shows that classrooms don’t pose as big of a risk in spreading the virus as previously thought. The University of Mississippi Medical Center study, in collaboration with the Centers for Disease Control, found that children are more likely to be infected at…… Read more…
DNR Officials Discuss Ice Safety
ILLINOIS (RFD) — Whether you’re looking to do some ice-fishing or traveling on untreated roadways, local authorities are reminding all residents of the dangers ice can bring. Conservation Police Captain John Williamson says fisherman looking to get on the ice of area bodies of water need to be very careful this time of the year.…… Read more…
Pritzker doesn’t expect to close $4 billion budget hole during lame-duck legislative session
SPRINGFIELD, IL — Gov. J.B. Pritzker said Wednesday that it could be difficult to address the state’s out-of-balance budget during the short lame-duck legislative session that starts Friday to wrap up the 101st General Assembly. Whether there’s the urgency to deal with the $4 billion shortfall depends on who you ask. State lawmakers…… Read more…
Illinois GOP pushes for citizen commission to redraw legislative maps
SPRINGFIELD, IL — Illinois House Republicans are making another effort to take the process of redrawing legislative districts out of the hands of lawmakers and place the duty on an independent 11-person commission. State Reps. Tim Butler of Springfield, Ryan Spain of Peoria and Jackie Haas of Kankakee held a press conference Tuesday to propose…… Read more…
Dem. says no tax increase being pushed during lame duck session
SPRINGFIELD, IL — Republican members of the Statehouse are warning that Democrats are ready to come to the upcoming lame duck session to pass a state-wide income tax increase. Democrat State Senator Andy Manar says he doesn’t see any tax increase being voted on. Rather he says it’s time to continue to look at the…… Read more…
Analyst says data shows opening Illinois schools for some in-person learning is safe
SPRINGFIELD, IL — A researcher from the University of Illinois Springfield said data shows schools are safe and should be reopened. Nearly 1.2 million of the state’s 1.9 million students were fully remote as of Dec. 18, according to the Illinois State Board of Education. In Chicago on Monday, the public schools were…… Read more…