Public News Service

A University of Illinois report says such factors as climate change, fluctuating markets and the cost of operations are major stressors that farmers can't always control. (Adobe Stock)

Illinois Expands Farmers' Access to Mental-Health Services

Research shows that farmers die from suicide at a rate twice as high as the rest of the population, and Illinois officials are taking steps to help …

AgeOptions Illinois focuses on helping low-income seniors and people with disabilities in the townships around Chicago find and apply for a wide variety of programs and benefits. (zinkevych/Adobe Stock)

Illinois Seniors Can Get Help Finding Benefits, Resources

If you're an older adult, or if there's a senior in your life, you may not realize there are many benefits available in Illinois to make life a …

The new Kids Count Data Book says 54% of 3- and 4-year-olds in the U.S. are not enrolled in preschool, which prepares young learners for elementary school. (New Africa/Adobe Stock)

Report: Childcare Biggest Challenge for IL Families

Having access to reliable, affordable, high-quality child care benefits both children and adults, but a new report said it is not the norm for …

In 2020, the U.S. population's median age was 38.8, an increase of more than 10 years over the past five decades. (N Lawrenson/peopleimages.com)

Illinois Senior Centers: Not Just for Aged

Some Illinois senior centers aren't just focusing on the 65+ demographic but are beginning to include people aged 50+. The U.S. Census indicates the …

Electric vehicles, which can carry a battery pack with up to 50,000 volts of electricity, can be a danger, both to passengers and first responders, in accidents. (Adobe Stock)

First Responders Learn to Deal with Electric-Vehicle Accidents

As the number of electric vehicles on Illinois roads grows, so does the danger of injury for emergency medical technicians and firefighters …

Storage batteries hidden behind this Bronzeville mural will be part of a microgrid system that will render the entire Chicago neighborhood energy-independent. (ComEd)

Chicago's Bronzeville Neighborhood Gets Its Own Power Microgrid

By Francesca Mathewes for Reasons to be Cheerful.Broadcast version by Mark Richardson for Illinois News Connection reporting for the Solutions Journal…

Banking with Community Development Financial Institutions can help underprivileged communities. (Syda Productions/Adobe Stock)

A Unique Way to Give Back During the Holidays

CHICAGO -- Many people make charitable donations during the holiday season, but there's another way they can help their communities. Folks can make a …

A recent study found that the blood donations of approximately 2% of donors have antibodies for COVID-19. (Adobe Stock)

Do You Have COVID-19 Antibodies? Donate Blood and Find Out

CHICAGO - Illinoisans who step up to give the gift of life and donate blood right now could very well learn something new about their own health…

The Department of Homeland Security and U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement agency will build a new detention facility in the Chicago area.(Adobe Stock)

Proposed Chicago ICE 'Citizens Academy' Poses Threat to Residents, Critics Say

CHICAGO -- Starting in mid-September, the U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement agency will open its first Citizens Academy, a six-week program …

MLK Day of Service events often inspire volunteers to continue helping others in their communities. (Urban Promise)

It's a 'Day On' for Volunteerism in Illinois

SPRINGFIELD, Ill. -- From young students to business professionals, today, Illinoisans from all walks of life will honor the legacy of Martin Luther …

There was a 5% drop in the number of youth admitted to juvenile detention in Illinois from 2016 to 2017. (Jan H. Anderson/Adobe Stock)

Ending Juvenile Detention: Is Stage Set in Illinois?

SPRINGFIELD, Ill. — People who support alternatives to detention for kids in trouble say the stage is set to bring lasting reforms to …

The number of homeless young women, in Illinois and across the country, has been on the rise. (health.gov)

Agency Launches 24/7 Services to Help Homeless Youth

PARK RIDGE, Ill. -- A program that helps homeless young women in Illinois is taking a new approach with the new year. The Harbour began in 1971 and …

The debate over the Second Amendment has been reignited after the mass shooting in Las Vegas. (cdc.gov)

Anti-Violence Groups Seeing Surge in Membership After Vegas

NORTHBROOK, Ill. -- As the country mourns the loss of life at the hands of a gunman in Las Vegas this month, and the debate rages about gun control…

Thousands of homes and businesses have been inundated by floodwaters this summer. (noaa.gov)

Mother Nature Wallops Northern Illinois

ALGONQUIN, Ill. -- Mother Nature has been tough on northern Illinois this summer. Damaging floods have occurred as the Des Plaines and Fox rivers …

People who know someone who gives their time to help others are being encouraged to nominate them for the 50@50 awards. (aarp.org)

Illinois' Unsung Heroes Help Build Communities

SPRINGFIELD, Ill. – Nominations are being sought for those who donate their time and energy to improve the lives of others. Fifty of …

The U.S. Department of Energy is sponsoring a renewable-energy contest with $1 million in prize money. (lbl.gov)

Contestants Bringing Solar Power to Low-Income Neighborhoods

SPRINGFIELD, Ill. – Low- and moderate-income households represent 40 percent of America's population, but less than 5 percent of all solar …

PTAs in the country raise millions for schools, but the money isn't always distributed equally. (V. Carter)

Report: PTA Money Goes Mostly to Affluent Schools

SPRINGFIELD, Ill. – A new report looks at how much money is being raised by Parent-Teacher Associations across the country, and reveals that …

Many roads and bridges in Illinois and across the nation aren't as safe as they could be, but will money be allocated to fix them? (idot.gov)

Infrastructure Report Card: Lots of Work Needed

SPRINGFIELD, Ill. – While Illinois lawmakers continue to grapple with how to balance an overdue budget, they're being urged to keep the safety …

Major foundations across the country have been making more money but their charity giving hasn't increased much. (V. Carter)

Big Foundations Make Money, but Charitable Giving is Down

SPRINGFIELD, Ill. – Foundations receiving tax-deductible contributions have been booming, but a new report says little of the new money pouring …

Young people in urban areas say things they're afraid of include police interactions, community violence and lack of food. (Tatiyana Carter)

Report: Fear Holding Back Students of Color

SPRINGFIELD, Ill. – A study done by youth researchers cites fear as a major barrier to wellness for students of color. Youth of color …

Country singer Billy Wayne was once honored at the White House after walking halfway across America to raise awareness for foster children. (Billy Wayne)

Too Many Kids, Not Enough Foster Parents

SPRINGFIELD, Ill. – Country singer Jimmy Wayne has a message he's sharing across the country – thousands of children need help, and he …

La tasa de ni�os sin cobertura de salud en Illinois ha bajado 40 por ciento en dos a�os, de acuerdo a un reporte reciente.

Reporte dice que Illinois ha dado pasos gigantes en Asistencia para la Salud de los Niños

Springfield, Il - El 95 por ciento de los niños en los Estados Unidos ya tiene seguro medico. En un reporte reciente del Centro de la …

Work continues in Illinois to keep young offenders out of adult court. (peoriacountyjic.org)

Illinois "Champions" Honored by Juvenile Justice Initiative

EVANSTON, Ill. — An awards ceremony will be held Thursday night to honor those who work tirelessly to defend the rights of young people in the …

Distracted driving is now one of the leading causes of traffic accidents and Illinois has seen one of the largest spikes in traffic fatalities over the past two years. (iStockphoto)

Legal Experts Helping IL Students Avoid Distracted Driving

SPRINGFIELD, Ill. – With classes now in full swing, legal experts this month will be helping high school students in Illinois understand the …

Illinois immigration reform advocates point to a new study that shows the state's foreign-born population makes major contributions to local economies. (iStockphoto)

Illinois Economy Sees Big Gains from Immigrants

SPRINGFIELD, Ill. – Immigrants are adding vital benefits to Illinois' economy, according to a new study. The Partnership for a New American …

Consumer advocates hold a summit in Chicago this week about how Social Security and the gender wage gap affect women's retirement plans. (iStockphoto)

Women's Issues Missing from Social Security Reform Talks

SPRINGFIELD, Ill. — Women's issues have largely been missing from talks about how to keep the Social Security program strong far into the …

Illinois officials suspended overtime restrictions affecting about 8,000 Illinois home-care workers the same day as a class-action lawsuit was to be filed over the rules. (iStockphoto)

Home Care Advocates Claim Win as IL Overtime Restrictions on Hold

SPRINGFIELD, Ill. — Gov. Bruce Rauner reversed course on a no-overtime policy for workers who care for people living with disabilities…

Advocates say two new laws will help protect health-care options for women in Illinois. (iStockphoto)

Advocates Praise Gov. Rauner Signing Bills Protecting Women's Health

SPRINGFIELD, Ill. - Some Illinois reproductive-rights advocates are claiming a win after Governor Bruce Rauner signed new laws aimed at improving …

As the Republican National Convention marches on, some in Illinois are wondering where Gov. Bruce Rauner stands on the GOP's presumptive nominee, Donald Trump. (Illinois.gov)

Where Does Gov. Rauner Stand on Trump?

SPRINGFIELD, Ill. — Some Illinois residents are wondering where Governor Bruce Rauner stands on the presumptive Republican presidential nominee …

Legal experts are reminding protesters of their rights and responsibilities as thousands of officers from several states join Cleveland police in patrolling the city during the Republican National Convention. (iStockphoto)

IL Delegates, Protesters and the RNC

SPRINGFIELD, Ill. -- Illinois' 69 delegates are among the thousands of people in Cleveland this week for the Republican National Convention. …

Advocates for voters with disabilities are urging Illinois election officials to keep accessibility in mind when setting up polling places. (iStockphoto)

Disability Voter Registration Week: Making IL Polling Places Accessible

SPRINGFIELD, Ill. – More than 10 percent of Illinois residents are living with a disability, and this week the focus is on making sure they get …

Magdalena Zylinska, right, speaks in support of the Illinois Domestic Workers Bill of Rights during a rally in Springfield. (Arise Chicago)

Will Gov. Rauner Sign Domestic Workers' Bill of Rights?

SPRINGFIELD, Ill. - Advocates for the rights of domestic workers are urging Gov. Bruce Rauner to sign legislation they're calling "historic." The …

This month a group of immigrant students in Chicago will be learning how to become advocates for their communities. (American Friends Service Committee)

Training the Next Generation of Illinois' Immigration Activists

CHICAGO - As immigration issues continue to top national conversations on the presidential campaign trail, one group is looking to train the next …

New research shows suicide is now the second-leading cause of death among young people. (iStockphoto)

Suicide Now 2nd Leading Cause of Death Among IL Youth

SPRINGFIELD, Ill. - Suicide is now the second-leading cause of death among young people in Illinois and across the country, according to new research …

Immigration rights advocates say the U.S. Supreme Court's tie decision on President Obama's immigration policies could hurt thousands of Illinois families. (iStockphoto)

IL Immigrant Advocates Blast Supreme Court Decision

SPRINGFIELD, Ill. -- Immigration-rights advocates in Illinois are blasting Thursday's U.S. Supreme Court decision that could doom President Obama's …

Illinois ranks 21st among states in the latest national Kids Count Data Book. The research shows children of color continue to face serious challenges to education and other opportunities. (iStockphoto)

Report: African-American Children Lag Behind in Illinois

SPRINGFIELD, Ill. – Illinois is a mixed bag when it comes to children's well being, and a new report says there's plenty of work to do…

New numbers show Illinois lags behind most of the country in providing free or reduced cost summer meals for children from lower-income families. (Illinois State Board of Education)

Thousands of IL Kids Lack Summer Meals

SPRINGFIELD, Ill. – About a third of all children in Illinois don't know where their next meal is coming from, and a new report says very few …

Labor advocates say Chicago could become a leader on the issue of paid sick leave in the Midwest, if the city council adopts new rules allowing workers to earn five days off per year. (Arise Chicago)

Could Chicago Become Midwestern Leader on Paid Sick Leave?

CHICAGO - Worker's rights advocates say Chicago is poised to become a Midwestern leader on paid sick leave for employees. A City Council committee …

On the 50th anniversary of the Miranda warnings decision, legal scholars say Illinois is slowly making improvements to how young people's rights are being protected by the juvenile justice system. (iStockphoto)

50 Years After Miranda: A Look at IL's Juvenile Justice System

SPRINGFIELD, Ill. – Today marks 50 years since the U.S. Supreme Court made Miranda warnings mandatory, and legal experts say Illinois is taking …

A new report from disability-rights advocates say Illinois new overtime cuts are limiting the independence and health-care options of those who rely on home-care services. (iStockphoto)

Report: IL Overtime Rules Cutting into Home-Care Services

SPRINGFIELD, Ill. - New research shows people with disabilities and the people hired to care for them are facing problems due to Gov. Bruce Rauner's …

People across Illinois are taking part in National Gun Violence Awareness Day by wearing orange to honor those who've died from gun violence. (Wear Orange)

Honoring Illinois Gun Violence Victims by Wearing Orange

SPRINGFIELD, Ill. – With gun related violence on the rise in parts of Illinois, local gun control advocates are wearing orange today to bring …

Postal workers in Illinois are asking residents to help donate non-perishable foods this weekend, as letter carriers prepare for their nationwide annual food drive. (iStockphoto)

Help IL Postal Workers "Stamp Out Hunger" This Weekend

SPRINGFIELD, Ill. - As one in seven people in Illinois continues to struggle with hunger, this weekend the state's letter carriers will be working to …

As the Illinois budget impasse drags on, a group of activists releases its own budget plan, which the group says would put

Activists to Release IL Budget Plan at "Moral Monday" Protest

SPRINGFIELD, Ill. - A group of Illinois urban and rural public-policy activists holds a protest in Chicago today, to unveil what it calls a "People …

Some health-care advocates say Illinois' new overtime pay ban for home-care workers already is reducing services for people with disabilities. (iStockphoto)

Activists: Overtime Pay Cuts Already Harming IL Residents

SPRINGFIELD, Ill. - Illinois advocates for in-home health-care workers and their clients say the state's new overtime pay ban already may be harming …

A new analysis shows Illinois ranks near the top of the list when it comes to the cost of childncare and employment opportunities for working mothers. (iStockphoto)

Illinois Doing Right by Working Moms

SPRINGFIELD, Ill. – With Mother's Day just around the corner, new research shows Illinois is doing better by working mothers than most of the …

A new report shows young people who've been arrested have a harder time getting their juvenile records destroyed in Illinois than other states. This includes youth who've never been convicted of a crime. (iStockphoto)

Report: Only a Fraction of Juvenile Records Expunged in Illinois

SPRINGFIELD, Ill. - New research shows only a fraction of a percent of juvenile arrest records in Illinois get expunged, which could be a public …

As heroin use continues to rise in Illinois, a private substance abuse network is opening one of the first so-called sober dorms in the Midwest. (iStockphoto)

Sober Dorms Expanding in IL as Heroin Crisis Continues

CHICAGO - A sober-living residence program for college-age adults is expanding in Illinois. The so-called sober dorm is slated to open in early July …

Illinois home-care workers could soon no longer be able log overtime hours, which advocates for seniors and people with disabilities say compromises both the workers and their clients. (iStockphoto)

Overtime Cuts Coming to IL Home-Care Providers

SPRINGFIELD, Ill. - Starting next week, thousands of people with disabilities and the home healthcare workers who assist them could be affected by …

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IL: Community Issues and Volunteering