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Prairie State Wire

Sunday, May 5, 2024

State Government News

State Government

Pritzker Administration Issues Next Round of Conditional Adult Use Cannabis Dispensary Licenses

CHICAGO – Governor JB Pritzker and the Illinois Department of Financial and Professional Regulation (IDFPR) have announced the issuance of 35 additional Conditional Adult Use Dispensing Organization Licenses to applicants from the Social Equity Criteria Lottery (SECL). The issuance of these licenses is a significant step towards ensuring equity in the cannabis industry in Illinois.Governor JB Pritzker emphasized the importance of equity in the cannabis industry, stating, “Today’s announcement is yet another success story for Illinois placing equity at the forefront of...

By Prairie State Wire | May 3, 2024

State Government

Illinois Department of Public Health Urges Residents to ‘Fight the Bite’ During Lyme Disease Awareness Month

The Illinois Department of Public Health (IDPH) is urging the public to educate themselves on how to protect against ticks and Lyme disease as National Lyme Disease Awareness Month kicks off. IDPH Director Dr. Sameer Vohra highlighted the importance of being informed, stating, “Lyme disease is an infection that individuals can get from the bite of infected ticks – and it is the most common vector-borne illness in the United States with more than 500,000 people diagnosed and treated each year.”To help raise awareness and educate the public, IDPH has created resources such...

By Prairie State Wire | May 3, 2024

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State Government

Cahokia Mounds State Historic Site to Host Spring Native American Market in Collinsville

By Prairie State Wire | May 2, 2024

Cahokia Mounds State Historic Site will be hosting its annual spring Native American Market on May 18-19 at the Collinsville VFW, featuring arts and crafts by more than 30 tribal-affiliated artists from across North America.According to the event announcement, artists will be showcasing and selling authentic Indigenous arts and crafts, including items such as jewelry, ceramics, paintings, drawings, clothing, flutes, and woodcarvings. The public is invited to attend, and both admission and parking are free for the event, which will be held at 1234 Vandalia St. in...

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State Government

SCOTUS Distributes SAF Gun Ban Challenges for May 16 Conference

By Prairie State Wire | May 2, 2024

The U.S. Supreme Court has distributed five cases for conference on May 16, including two Second Amendment Foundation cases challenging bans on "assault weapons" and magazine capacity in Illinois and Maryland. The cases named Harrel v. Raoul and Bianchi v. Frosh, along with Gun Owners of America v. Raoul, Caleb Barnett v. Raoul, and Javier Herrera v. Raoul, were highlighted by SAF Executive Director Adam Kraut and SAF founder Alan M. Gottlieb.Kraut expressed hope that the Supreme Court would grant cert for these cases, stating, "It is time for the Supreme Court to confirm...

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State Government

Chronic Wasting Disease Detected in Ford County, Illinois

By Prairie State Wire | May 1, 2024

Chronic wasting disease has been detected in Ford County in northern Illinois, marking an expansion of the infection in free-ranging deer populations, as announced by the Illinois Department of Natural Resources (IDNR) today.According to the IDNR, the always-fatal neurological disease threatens the long-term health of white-tailed deer in Illinois. The detection in Ford County was confirmed in mid-March from a suspect-deer showing symptoms consistent with CWD infection. This adds to the list of affected counties, which now includes a total of 21 counties across northern...

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State Government

STEAM Newsletter Vol. 41: Summer Fun and Learning Opportunities

By Prairie State Wire | May 1, 2024

The latest STEAM Newsletter Vol. 41 is brimming with exciting summer fun and learning opportunities for students and educators alike. As we approach the end of the school year, the newsletter highlights various programs and events aimed at enhancing knowledge, cultivating interests in STEAM domains, and acquiring new skills. Summer camps and professional development opportunities are on the horizon, with public universities in Illinois offering a diverse array of programs. From kindergarten through 12th grade, Chicago State University, Eastern Illinois University,...

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State Government

First Bird in Illinois Tests Positive for West Nile Virus in Douglas County

By Prairie State Wire | May 1, 2024

The Illinois Department of Public Health (IDPH) has announced that the first bird to test positive for West Nile virus in Illinois for 2024 was found in Douglas County. The specimen was collected in Villa Grove on April 2 by Douglas County Health Department staff. This early detection of the virus comes after a mild winter and spring.IDPH Director Dr. Sameer Vohra emphasized the importance of taking precautions against mosquito-borne diseases, stating, “The news of the first bird with West Nile virus so early in the season is a signal for Illinois residents to begin...

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State Government

Illinois Announces Change in Motor Fuel Use Tax Rate for Second Half of 2024

By Prairie State Wire | May 1, 2024

Illinois Motor Fuel Use Tax is comprised of two parts, Part A and Part B. This tax is reported and paid by licensees under the International Fuel Tax Agreement (IFTA). The rates listed here are effective July 1, 2024, through December 31, 2024, for use on the quarterly IFTA returns. For more information, see FY 2024-24, Change in the Motor Fuel Use Tax Rate, Effective July 1, 2024, through December 31, 2024.

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State Government

Illinois State Fair, Ridgely Elementary School Unveil Winners of 2024 Postcard Contest

By Prairie State Wire | Apr 30, 2024

SPRINGFIELD, IL - For the second year in a row, Springfield Public Schools District 186 and the Illinois State Fair collaborated to provide students at Ridgely Elementary with a unique opportunity.Students at Ridgely took part in a contest to design a postcard for the Illinois State Fair, showcasing their creative perspectives on the event. Winners were selected from each grade level, with their postcards set to be printed and available for free at the fair in August."We appreciate our partnership with District 186 and look forward to families across the state of...

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State Government

Illinois Department of Financial and Professional Regulation Releases March 2024 Enforcement Report

By Prairie State Wire | Apr 30, 2024

The Illinois Department of Financial and Professional Regulation (IDFPR) has published its enforcement report for March 2024. The report was signed by key officials including Acting Director of Banking, Susana Soriano, Director of Financial Institutions, Francisco Menchaca, Acting Director of Professional Regulation, Camile Lindsay, and Director of Real Estate, Laurie Murphy.The enforcement actions detailed in the report reflect the regulatory efforts undertaken by the IDFPR in various sectors. Each official played a crucial role in overseeing and implementing these...

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State Government

IDPH, State Water Survey Remind Private Well Owners to Test for Potential Contaminants

By Prairie State Wire | Apr 30, 2024

The Illinois Department of Public Health (IDPH) and the Illinois State Water Survey (ISWS) are reminding Illinois private well-owners to properly maintain their wells and recommend that they test their wells for potential contaminants."Testing for contaminants is a simple and effective way to ensure that private wells are safe and do not pose a health risk," said IDPH Director Dr. Sameer Vohra. "We encourage all private well owners to take the necessary steps to protect themselves and everyone in their households.""We tell well owners almost every day that testing is an...

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State Government

Motor Fuel Tax Rate to Change Effective July 1, 2024

By Prairie State Wire | Apr 29, 2024

Effective July 1, 2024, a significant change is set to take place in the motor fuel tax rate for various fuel types. According to a statement released, "As of July 1, 2024, the motor fuel tax rate will change for diesel, gasoline, LPG, LNG, and CNG." This alteration is expected to have an impact on consumers and businesses alike.For further details and specifics regarding this upcoming adjustment, interested parties are encouraged to refer to the FY Bulletin 2024-23. The bulletin, titled "Change in the Motor Fuel Tax Rate, Effective July 1, 2024, through June 30, 2025,"...

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State Government

New Report Highlights Improvements Under New DPR Leadership

By Prairie State Wire | Apr 29, 2024

Acting Director of Professional Regulation, Camile Lindsay, recently shared insights on the advancements made under her leadership. Lindsay stated, "Under new Acting Director of Professional Regulation Camile Lindsay’s leadership, we’re streamlining our processes and taking proactive steps to improve efficiencies for the review of professional licensure applications."The Division of Professional Regulation has released a report titled “Reimagining Illinois: A Six-Month Review of the Division of Professional Regulation." In this report, stakeholders can "learn more about...

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State Government

As Respiratory Virus Season Winds Down, Virus Levels Continue Downward Trend Across Illinois

By Prairie State Wire | Apr 26, 2024

CHICAGO – With the respiratory virus season continuing to wind down, Illinois’ overall respiratory virus level is now Minimal and all counties in the state are at Low level for COVID-19 hospitalizations, according to CDC data for the week ending April 20. The total number of COVID-19 hospitalizations in Illinois declined 22% during the same week, according to the CDC COVID Data Tracker."I am happy to see the continued decline in respiratory viruses across the state," said IDPH Director Dr. Sameer Vohra. "As the respiratory season winds down, I want to make Illinoisians...

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State Government

IDOA & IDPH Monitoring H5N1 Influenza in Dairy Cattle

By Prairie State Wire | Apr 26, 2024

SPRINGFIELD, IL – While no cases have been reported in Illinois, federal agencies confirmed the detection of H5N1 influenza virus in dairy herds in eight states across the U.S. The Illinois Department of Agriculture (IDOA) and the Illinois Department of Public Health (IDPH) are working closely to monitor the situation and are jointly coordinating prevention and response measures. This includes working with producer groups and partner organizations to promote education to veterinarians and cattle farmers on the clinical signs of H5N1 influenza so that potential infections...

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State Government

Ives on DEI funding for universities: ‘The funding program these elitists conceived is so obviously racist that only someone in the bubble of higher ed would propose it’

By Prairie State Wire reports | Apr 25, 2024

Breakthrough Ideas CEO Jeanne Ives has launched scathing criticism against the recently proposed race-based funding program for universities in Illinois.

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State Government

Jobs Up in Majority of Metro Areas in March

By Prairie State Wire | Apr 25, 2024

SPRINGFIELD – The latest data released by the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics and the Illinois Department of Employment Security revealed that job growth in Illinois has seen a positive trend in several metropolitan areas for the year ending March 2024.Deputy Governor Andy Manar expressed his satisfaction with the progress, stating, "Job growth continues to reach areas in every corner of the state throughout industries, creating new and expanded job opportunities for Illinois workers."Among the metro areas experiencing significant increases in total nonfarm jobs were...

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State Government

Breakthrough Ideas: Illinois’ Obscene Plan to Fund Education Based on Race

By Jeanne Ives, Breakthrough Ideas | Apr 24, 2024

Public universities in Illinois are teeing up the next scam in this state. And if it comes to fruition, it is likely they will find themselves embroiled in a lawsuit all the way to the US Supreme Court.

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State Government

Discussion on Gun Rights with Richard Pearson: A Conversation with Andy

By Prairie State Wire | Apr 15, 2024

Andy from ASO Magazine recently sat down with Richard Pearson from the Illinois State Rifle Association (ISRA) for an update on ISRA activities. Pearson expressed his frustration with the negative portrayal of gun owners, stating, “Ninety-eight percent of the people in this country are decent, hardworking, honest Americans. It’s the other lousy two percent that get all the publicity. But then, we elected them.”Regarding the opposition to gun rights, Pearson remarked, “The people who work against your gun rights are basically saying to you, ‘The right of the criminal to...

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State Government

Illinois property tax woes continue: ATTOM says Illinoisans pay nation’s highest rate

By Ted Dabrowski and John Klingner, Wirepoints | Apr 10, 2024

Another tax study, another loss for Illinois taxpayers.