The Illinois Department of Financial and Professional Regulation (IDFPR) recently added 18 more professions available for licensure. The department’s new system, CORE (Comprehensive Online Regulatory Environment), completed Phase 1 in October of 2024 and has a total of 6 phases set to be fully implemented by […]
July is recognized as Extreme Heat Safety Month, and the Illinois Emergency Management Agency and the Office of Homeland Security (IEMA-OHS) are teaming up together to highlight the importance of staying safe during high temperatures. IEMA-OHS is urging residents to recognize the serious risks that extreme […]
The Illinois General Assembly has launched a major update to its website, www.ilga.gov, marking the most significant redesign in nearly two decades. While the new layout is more modern and mobile-friendly, it also comes with some changes that may affect how constituents engage with the legislative process. […]
Democrat lawmakers approved the largest budget in state history, even after the state collected a record $54 billion in tax revenue. The new spending plan includes nearly $1 billion in additional tax hikes and a series of short-term budget gimmicks that Republican lawmakers say point to […]
While there is an old saying that corn should be “knee-high by the 4th of July”, modern farming practices have developed that allow corn to grow much taller by Independence Day. Depending on when it was planted, many Illinois cornfields may have plants reaching well over 7 […]
As summer reaches its peak, the Illinois Department of Public Health (IDPH) has provided some helpful tips on how to avoid sunburn, heat exhaustion, and injury from water-related incidents. The IDPH offers the following safe swimming tips to prevent drowning and other water risks: This time […]
Applications are now being accepted for the Open Space Lands Acquisition and Development (OSLAD) Program through September 30, 2025. OSLADis a state-funded program that provides financial assistance to local administrations for both acquiring and/or developing land for various projects, including parks, nature areas, and outdoor recreation […]
Last week, the Illinois Secretary of State’s office announced the distribution of nearly $18 million in Public Library Per Capita Grants to 639 public libraries across the state. The grants, awarded annually, help libraries support valuable resources and services to their communities. Funding amounts are determined […]
Legislation that seeks to address the unchecked influence and harmful practices of pharmacy benefit managers (PBMs) was signed into law on July 1. House Bill 1697 puts an end to spread pricing, prohibits PBMs from steering patients to their own preferred pharmacies, and requires that 100 percent […]
“This is an important step toward lowering the costs of prescription drugs and making healthcare more affordable for families. I supported this initiative to bring fairness, transparency, and accountability to the process of how prices are set in local pharmacies for medications that people need access […]