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Tuesday, April 16, 2024

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CO families must sign up to get $120 per child for food through Summer EBT; No Jurors Picked on First Day of Trump's Manhattan Criminal Trial; virtual ballot goes live to inform Hoosiers; It's National Healthcare Decisions Day.

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Former president Trump's hush money trial begins. Indigenous communities call on the U.N. to shut down a hazardous pipeline. And SCOTUS will hear oral arguments about whether prosecutors overstepped when charging January 6th insurrectionists.

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Housing advocates fear rural low-income folks who live in aging USDA housing could be forced out, small towns are eligible for grants to enhance civic participation, and North Carolina's small and Black-owned farms are helped by new wind and solar revenues.

IL: Budget Policy & Priorities

Teleheath services have expanded since the start of the pandemic. (Nattakorn/Adobe Stock)

Tuesday, April 16, 2024

Frozen screens? Telehealth access imperiled

By Sarah Jane Tribble for KFF Health News.Broadcast version by Eric Tegethoff for Illinois News Connection reporting for the KFF Health News-Public Ne…

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According to the Illinois Department of Public Health, the top five most disadvantaged Illinois counties include Alexander, Cook, Kankakee, Macon and Marion. (Adobe Stock)

Monday, April 15, 2024

Do work requirements 'work' to keep people out of poverty?

Members of the U.S. House Work and Welfare Subcommittee came to Illinois this month to drum up support for work requirements for anyone seeking …

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The Public Schooling in America 2024 report said
Report touts Illinois' support for public schools

A report released this month by the Network for Public Education ranked Illinois an "A" grade for its overall support of public schools. One …

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Studies show community health centers significantly reduce prescription-drug spending, as well as the need for emergency room visits and outpatient and inpatient care. (Adobe Stock) <br />
Congressional budget impasse threatens IL community health centers

Community health centers in Illinois are stuck in financial limbo as Congress contends with another potential government shutdown. More than forty …

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According to America's Health Ranking, nearly 13% of adults in Illinois report smoking at least 100 cigarettes in their lifetime and currently smoke. (Adobe Stock)
Report grades IL tobacco prevention efforts

Illinois' efforts are all over the map in a new report on what state and federal officials are, or could be, doing to discourage tobacco use…

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The Education Data Initiative predicts the average yearly cost of law school tuition between 2024 and 2025 will be nearly $52,000. (Adobe Stock)
A lack of attorneys creates 'legal deserts' in rural IL counties

Labor shortages exist across the country in the medical and teaching professions but not as much is said about the lack of attorneys in some states…

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The Illinois State Board of Education Literacy Standards indicate fourth graders should be able to determine the main idea of a text, explain how it is supported by key details and summarize the text. (Adobe Stock)
Report: Illinois' child well-being varies widely by race

A new report looks at children's well-being in every state and finds in Illinois, the outcomes vary greatly depending on race. In its Race for …

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According to America's Health Rankings, 16% of Illinois' children live in households below the federal poverty threshold, ranking Illinois as 27th in the nation for child poverty. (Adobe Stock)<br />
IL advocacy group insists state’s tax system hurts children

A new analysis of state tax systems finds the Illinois tax structure is unfair to low- and middle-income households, especially those with children…

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Farmers in Illinois and across the country are concerned over whether Congress will complete its work on a new Farm Bill by the end of the current term. (Adobe Stock)
Farm Bill delays could affect food benefits for many Americans

The once-every-five-year Farm Bill will likely be extended to six years this time around, as Congress seems months away from finding a path forward…

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About 13% of Black students in the United States choose community colleges. Nationally, there are 12 historically Black community colleges and 49 predominantly Black community colleges. (Adobe Stock)
Leaders advocate for increased funding, services for Black community colleges

Historical and predominantly Black community colleges often get overlooked when it comes to funding for higher education. However, leaders nationwide …

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This year Illinois lawmakers passed a bill ending life sentences without parole for people in Illinois who were under 21 when they were arrested. (Adobe Stock)
More work needed on juvenile justice reform

Advocates for juvenile justice reform recently gathered in Chicago to find ways to keep young people out of the criminal justice system. Herschella …

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Tipped workers, such as waiters, must depend on the generosity of their customers to make a living wage. (Adobe Stock)
Bills Filed to Phase Out Tipped Wages in Illinois Restaurants

A pair of Illinois state lawmakers is introducing legislation to phase out what is known as the "subminimum wage" for tipped workers in the restaurant…

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