Southern Illinois News

Legislation addressing leadership term limits in Illinois is 'good reform,' Jacob says

By Benjamin Kibbey | Apr 27, 2021

House Bill 642, which passed the Illinois House of Representatives in a 115-0 vote, seeks to put term limits on state-level politicians by limiting the time any one person can serve in a leadership role in the Illinois General Assembly to 10 years.

Youth Advisory Council virtual event still a success ‘with 20 schools participating’

By Benjamin Kibbey | Apr 9, 2021

State Sen. Dale Fowler (R-Harrisburg) looks forward each year to bringing together students from across the 59th Senate District for the annual Youth Advisory Council, and his enthusiasm wasn’t dampened by having to host the event virtually this year.

Southern Illinois returns to Tier 1 COVID-19 restrictions

By Benjamin Kibbey | Jan 24, 2021

Illinois’ Region 5, which encompasses much of the southeast corner of the state, was recently declared to have met the COVID-19 health metrics necessary for a return to Tier 1 mitigation levels.

Southern Illinois businesses brace for realities of new restrictions

By Benjamin Kibbey | Nov 27, 2020

As Southern Illinois came under increases to already stringent COVID-19 restrictions, restaurants and bars across the region bore down for the added challenges the situation presents.

Pritzker reintroduces COVID-19 restrictions in Southern Illinois, including a ban on dancing

By Benjamin Kibbey | Nov 11, 2020

As most of the country continues to ease restrictions related to COVID-19, residents in Southern Illinois’ Region 5 were recently told that Gov. J.B. Pritzker is tightening his dictates on the residents there.

TRS director resigns after being placed on administrative leave

By Benjamin Kibbey | Nov 7, 2020

Illinois Teachers’ Retirement System’s long-serving director Richard Ingram has resigned his post after being placed on administrative leave.

Illinois Teachers’ Retirement System enjoys $3 billion rebound after COVID-19 downfall

By Benjamin Kibbey | Nov 7, 2020

The Illinois Teachers’ Retirement System’s assets had an approximately $3 billion rebound – reaching a total of $51.6 billion – even as the nation struggled under the weight of the economic crisis created by COVID-19.

More than $80 million in federal funds are being distributed to assist Illinois schools with virtual learning

By Benjamin Kibbey | Oct 23, 2020

Approximately $80 million in CARES Act funds are expected to help Illinois schools overcome the digital divide.

As Illinois crews assist with blazes out west, residents are reminded to practice fire safety close to home

By Benjamin Kibbey | Oct 13, 2020

As wildfires in the American West continue to claim acre after acre of wilderness and rack up millions of dollars in damage to private property, Illinois firefighters have been tapped in efforts to bring the ongoing disaster under control.

Judge upholds responsibility of Carlinville for implications of proceeding without court ruling in Illinois Alluvial case

By Benjamin Kibbey | Oct 5, 2020

In a recent post to activist website Illinois Leaks, site operators John Kraft and Kirk Allen discussed the decision of 7th Judicial Circuit Court Judge April Troemper to deny a motion to stay filed by the City of Carlinville in relation to an order for the city to cease working with Illinois Alluvial Regional Water Co.

Grand jury subpoena delves deeper into Illinois Speaker Madigan's connections and actions

By Benjamin Kibbey | Aug 7, 2020

The federal government is taking a broad look at Illinois Speaker Michael Madigan’s (D-Dist. 22) activities.

Hurt by Pritzker's shutdown in March, Illinois economy fell 5.4% in first quarter

By Benjamin Kibbey | Aug 4, 2020

Recently released federal data shows Illinois fairing poorly economically, with the economy shrinking by 5.4% in the first quarter of 2020, but still doing better than some of the state’s nearest neighbors.

More than 1,300 Central Illinois businesses received PPP loans in excess of $150,000

By Benjamin Kibbey | Jul 29, 2020

Approximately 175,000 businesses and organizations in Central Illinois were approved loans under the U.S. Small Business Administration’s (SBA) Paycheck Protection Program (PPP), with 1,305 of those receiving over $150,000.

Pulaski County warns residents to abide by Pritzker's stay at home order

By Benjamin Kibbey | May 11, 2020

With Pulaski County now having five confirmed cases of COVID-19, local authorities have warned of arrests for those violating Gov. J.B. Pritzker's stay-at-home order

Chicago area schools respond to COVID-19 by making certain students get fed

By Benjamin Kibbey | Apr 13, 2020

Even before orders from Gov. J.B. Pritzker pushed all Illinois schools to distance learning, Chicago area schools and schools across the state were ramping up plans to continue getting meals to students who receive nutritional assistance through school.