State Government

Statewide, Illinois schools saw increases in English Language Arts proficiency, particularly in grades three through eight, showing a rebound from the COVID-19 pandemic years of 2020 and 2021.

The Illinois Health Facilities and Services Review Board will hold another hearing on the proposed sale of Ascension-owned facilities in October.

The Citizens Utility Board and four state legislators held a press conference in Bolingbrook on Wednesday to discuss their efforts to oppose continually rising costs for customers of Illinois American Water and Aqua Illinois.

Gov. J.B. Priztker paid a visit to Silver Cross Hospital on Wednesday morning along with a group of lawmakers working to pass the Healthcare Protection Act, a bill which would reform and regulate health insurance and Medicaid in Illinois.

State Senator Rachel Ventura led legislation through the Illinois senate this week which will create a grant program for local governments working to mitigate climate change.

Com Ed's Joliet training facility hosted a graduation Friday for 53 apprentices who completed the second step training program to become full overhead electrical workers. The advancing of new employees is part of a larger plan by Com Ed to bolster the power grid for the future.

The City of Lockport has begun the process or replacing the pedestrian bridge over the I&M Canal at 8th Street with assistance from the State of Illinois.

Will County is the first region in the state of Illinois to establish and prepare its mandated Domestic Violence Fatality Review Team to analyze data in domestic violence cases to better establish policy for addressing and preventing family violence.

Teamsters, who have gone without a contract for 7 months and are angered by the course of negotiations, are preparing to vote on whether to vote to authorize a strike, said JP Fyans, president of Teamsters Local 916.

The $6.3 million state grant made to the Joliet Public Library helped make remodeling of the Ottawa Branch possible.

State Sen. Rachel Ventura conducted interviews at Stateville Correctional Center to renew and expand her internship program in partnership with DePaul University.

The Illinois Conservation Foundation launched ornament sales whose proceeds will be directed to restoration at Illinois state parks.

State Senator Meg Loughran Cappel invites the public to attend her traveling office hours at the Joliet Public Library Black Road Branch on Thursday.

86th District Representative Larry Walsh is celebrating the opening of his new district office in Joliet with an open house Nov. 30.

Illinois can work toward a cleaner, greener future as part of a recent bill that would require state-owned vehicles to be zero emission.

Marine Corps Private First-Class Charles John Alexander was an infantryman with the Marines serving in the Pacific Theater during World War II.

State Rep. Larry Walsh, D-Elwood, has opened a new constituent service office on Jefferson Street in Joliet.

Illinois Secretary of State Alexi Giannoulias announced the official launch of the appointment-only program set to begin Friday to reduce lines at local offices.

Joliet's inspector general has no power to sue or subpoena the Illinois State Police, according to Illinois Attorney General Kwame Raoul's Office. The inspector general is seeking records regarding an investigation over several city officials.

A job fair involving five state agencies that are looking for, among other things, correctional and security officers, medical workers at all levels, engineers and accountants, will be held July 27 at the AFSCME union hall in Dixon, and online.

Advanced Disposal Services agrees to civil penalty over May 2020 complaint filed by attorney general.

The bill is sponsored by state Rep. Barbara Hernandez, D-Aurora, and would only allow declawing if deemed medically necessary.

Leader-elect Rep. Tony McCombie of Savanna urged gun owners with legacy weapons to stay engaged, watch for legal court challenges.

People walking through downtown Springfield on Monday morning looked up to an unusual sight — a helicopter hovering over the Old State Capitol, dropping a rope and lifting away the flagpole that sat atop the bronze-colored dome.

Local and State officals attend the Will County Latinx Day of Action, an effort to talk with and engage with Latinx voters, at El Camaleon Bar and Grill in Joliet.

Questions for candidates can be submitted by constituents in advance of the Sept. 28 forum, which will be offered via Zoom.

U.S. Rep. Lauren Underwood addressed constituents during a DeKalb town hall Tuesday, touching on the Biden administration's expected student loan debt relief plan. "I hope he makes good on that promise and takes action to offer families this much-needed relief,” she said.

State Sen. John Connor resigned from the Illinois Senate on Friday. The Will County Progressives, a grassroots organization, feel neither Democratic candidate seeking his seat should be appointed in the interim.

State Sen. John Connor announced his resignation on Friday, stating he needed the time to care for a family member.

Tom McCullagh is challenging the election petition filing of his primary opponent, Michelle Smith

DeKalb city officials said they’re planning to use $17 million awarded through the state’s Rebuild Illinois program to construct a new facility to house public transit buses. Most of that money, $12 million, was awarded last week by the governor's office.

State Rep. Jeff Keicher, R-Sycamore, has been appointed to Springfield's bipartisan Legislative Ethics Commission by House Minority Leader Jim Durkin.

The Illinois Education Association is calling on school districts that are not adhering to state school safety laws to immediately comply with 2019′s School Threat Assessment Bill.

A state program aiming to take a “comprehensive approach to ending Illinois’ firearm violence epidemic” will be expanded under a law Gov. JB Pritzker signed Friday.

Citing concerns over the impact redistricting will have on the Sauk Valley, Dixon Mayor Liandro Arellano Jr. is considering a run for a seat in the state Legislature, the Republican businessman said in a news release this evening.

No one testifies at congressional redistricting hearing in Joliet

Will County Center for Economic Development vice president appointed to state board

Gov. Pritzker makes announcement about $40 million investment

JJC Board trustee announces run for Illinois Senate

State Senate passes energy bill containing $700 million five-year subsidy for nuclear plants, but House negotiations continue

The new legislator spent much time on several education reform bills regarding sex education, inclusive curriculum and more

Smith had been performing his duties as acting director since 2019

The state senator had announced his run for the statewide office in March

Private First Class Andrew Meari was killed in action by a suicide bomber on Nov. 1, 2010, while he was on active patrol in Afghanistan

Governor JB Pritzker issues declaration closing state government offices

The sitting senator in the 43rd District is running for Will County circuit judge

Rep tied importance of Japanese American history to his extended family’s experience

‘People across the state are struggling to appeal their property taxes, leaving them stuck with unnecessary costs and sometimes little help’

The legislation would increase the state fee for disposing demolition debris in quarry sites

State legislature voted to extend deadline for county boards to the end of the year