Illinois News & Current Events | Public News Service

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

Monday, January 30, 2023

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…

About 6% of all cars sold in the United States in 2022 were battery-electric powered, but officials say the number of EVs is expected to grow to 25% by 2030. (ake1150/Adobe Stock)

Report: EVs Could Impact Future Highway-Maintenance Funding

Most experts agree that putting more electric vehicles on the road is a positive step toward fighting climate change, but a new report warns that …

In 2022, the top 10 states, plus the District of Columbia, certified 1,202 LEED projects and nearly 343 million gross square feet, a 72% increase in just one year. (Tada Images/Adobe Stock)

Illinois Places 2nd for Green Building Program

The 2022 ranking of "green" buildings shows Illinois in 2nd place, demonstrating a commitment to LEED certification, according to the U.S. Green …

In 2022, there were almost 4.5 million gun background checks in Illinois, the highest rate among the 50 states, according to FBI background check data. (megaflopp/Adobe Stock)

Illinois Legislature Approves Controversial Ban on Assault Weapons

Illinois has become the ninth state to approve a statewide ban on assault rifles and high-capacity ammunition magazines. On Tuesday, the Protect …

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sites polluted with coal ash can cause cancer, respiratory issues and other serious health problems. (Nady/Adobe Stock)">

EPA Filed Fewer Civil Cases Against Industrial Polluters in 2022

The EPA's enforcement of federal pollution rules has plummeted. In 2022, the agency referred 88 cases to the Justice Department for civil …

Backers of the Workers' Rights Amendment, approved by voters in 2022, say it will put an end to the existing gaps and exclusions in labor laws by guaranteeing union rights for all Illinois workers. (WH_pics/Adobe Stock)

New Year Brings Wide Variety of New Illinois State Laws

It's a new year, and more than 180 new laws are going into effect, which Illinoisans need to know about. The 2022 General Assembly passed bills …

By diverting juveniles away from detention, Redeploy Illinois estimates it has saved the state $158 million, tax money that would have otherwise been spent on incarceration costs. (gorodenkoff/Adobe Stock)

Redeploy Illinois: A Model for Juvenile Justice Reform

Redeploy Illinois is a community-based alternative to incarceration, which keeps kids in their home communities. For decades, most youthful …

Easterseals advises parents to have their child evaluated as early as age 2 for symptoms of autism. (Monkey Business/Adobe Stock)

Advocates Say Illinois Families Need More Help for Autistic Children

The rate of autism among American children has grown steadily over the past three decades, but advocates say funding support is not keeping up with …

The number of restaurant workers in the United States fell from 12.6 million to 11.2 million between 2010 and 2021, according to the website Statista. (ADavit85/Adobe Stock)

IL Lawmakers Back Measure to Create Restaurant Workers' Bill of Rights

In response to massive pandemic-related layoffs, proposed legislation in Congress would create a Restaurant Workers' Bill of Rights for people in the …

Illinois educators are recruiting current and retired teachers, prospective teachers, college students and community members to train as high-impact tutors. (Wikimedia Commons)

IL Educators Plan 'High-Impact' Tutoring to Accelerate Learning Recovery

Illinois educators are investing millions of dollars to accelerate the learning recovery process for students who fell behind their grade level during…

Under the Expanded Child Tax Credit, the number of American children living in poverty in 2021 dropped by 46%. (Pexels)

Illinois Child Advocates Demand Action on Renewing Child Tax Credit

As Congress moves toward its deadline to pass a new budget, social advocates are urging lawmakers to reinstate the Enhanced Child Tax Credit for next …

Climate driven-drought has left only driftwood and sand in the channel where the Mississippi and Missouri rivers converge. (Rob Shepard-Danita Delmont/Adobe Stock)

Illinois Groups Urge New Approach to Managing Mississippi River

Drought has devastated the Mississippi River, turning parts of the 2,350-mile channel into dry streambeds and shallow pools. As barge traffic in …

The Illinois Workers' Right Amendment expands workers' ability to form a union, but opponents say they will likely challenge the measure in court. (Nelos/Adobe Stock)

IL Amendment Expands Workers' Rights to Form Unions, Negotiate

Illinois voters approved a "Workers' Rights Amendment" to the state constitution which broadens the state workforce's rights to collective bargaining…

A study by the Healthcare Cost Institute found the average price of insulin has nearly doubled since 2012. (Ratmaner/Adobestock)

New Rules Aim to Bring Down High Cost of Insulin for Diabetics

November is National Diabetes Awareness Month, and almost 1.3 million Illinoisans have been diagnosed with the disease, according to the American …

Conservation efforts by the National Wildlife Federation and other conservation groups restored the U.S. wild turkey population from near extinction to thriving in almost every state in the country. (Brett/Adobe Stock)

Conservationists Urge Congress to Pass Recovering America's Wildlife Act

Environmental groups are calling efforts over the past half-century to restore the wild turkey population from the brink of extinction one of America'…

A Loyola University analysis of Illinois pretrial incarceration outcomes showed no effects on crime or rates of re-arrest, but did find a 3% rise in defendents' failure to appear in court. (Burlingham/Adobe Stock)

Illinois Dems Seek to Tweak Cash-Bail Ban Before it Takes Effect

Illinois lawmakers, meeting in their annual "Veto Session" in Springfield, are taking a look at the controversial SAFE-T Act one last time before it …

Since recreational marijuana became legal in 2020, sales have grown to $160 million a month in Illinois. (ayehab/Adobe Stock)

Applicants Angry Over Delays in IL 'Social Equity' Cannabis Licenses

Illinois lawmakers are hoping to adjust the state's problem-plagued recreational marijuana law designed to award dispensary licenses on a fair and equ…

Analysts predict Illinois families could pay between 44% to 59% more for natural gas to heat their homes this winter. (zimmytws/Adobe Stock)

Winter Forecast: Illinois Families Prep for High Winter Gas Bills

Forecasters are predicting another season of cold, wet weather for Illinois and the upper Midwest this winter, which could bring some high energy …

The 2023 State Business Tax Index found that sales taxes in Cook County (metro Chicago area) are some of the highest excise taxes in the nation. (emiliezhang/Adobe Stock)

Survey: Small Businesses, Homeowners Pay High Price for Illinois Tax Policies

As Illinois residents get ready to pay their taxes next year, they could be in for some sticker shock. The 2023 State Business Tax Index survey…

Bullying is not gender specific; research indicates roughly equal numbers of girls and boys report being bullied. (Adobe Stock)

Bullying Prevention Means Awareness of Social-Emotional Learning

October is National Bullying Prevention Awareness Month, and experts are reminding Illinoisans to be aware of the patterns within bullying. One in …

Over 300,000 Illinois residents purchased insurance through the Affordable Care Act exchange in 2021. (Adobe Stock)

ACA Open-Enrollment Begins Soon in Illinois

Open-enrollment season for health insurance begins soon and Illinoisans have a lot to consider in attempting to get the right kinds of coverage…

The most recent census shows that nearly 45% of renters in Illinois are

Illinois Advocates Seek Reforms Around Tenant Rights

Most tenants facing eviction don't have legal representation, but advocates in Illinois are trying to change that. The Chicago Department of Housing …

Two Illinois schools are collaborating on the 'RN to BSN' program, which will save nurses a spot for up to two years after graduation. (Adobe Stock)

Malcolm X College, Illinois State U. Offer Nursing Students Dual Enrollment

Two Illinois institutions of higher learning are joining forces to create more options for nursing students. Malcolm X College and the Mennonite …

The Learning Policy Institute reports that in Finland, around 4% of teachers leave the profession annually, in the United States, that rate is about 8% per year. (Adobe Stock)

Illinois Schools Report Ongoing Teacher Shortage

School districts nationwide are struggling to meet student needs with a teacher shortage made worse by COVID. The Illinois State Board of Education …

Invasive species often disrupt native fish populations by competing for food and habitat or through predation. (Adobe Stock)

Illinois Project Aims to Keep Invasive Carp Out of Great Lakes

The threat of invasive species to America's lakes and rivers has increased in recent years, but one Illinois project is attempting to protect the …

Planned Parenthood seeks to reduce patient travel times and distances by positioning the mobile clinic at the Illinois border. (Adobe Stock)

Mobile Abortion Clinic to Operate in Southern Illinois

With the Dobbs ruling allowing states to restrict abortion access, health care practitioners have been forced to innovate in order to deliver care…

According to the National Alliance on Mental Illness, 155 million Americans live in a designated Mental Health Professional Shortage Area. (Adobe Stock)

Mental Health Highlighted on Depression Screening Day

With many people still struggling in the wake of the pandemic, this week's National Depression Screening Day on Oct. 6 is a reminder to Illinoisans …

Study authors found that 80-90% of Americans underestimate the support for major climate change mitigation policies. (Adobe Stock)

Study: Perception Versus Reality about Climate-Change Distress

The political divide over climate change seems well entrenched, but a recent study suggested the conventional wisdom is wrong. The study, published …

The Lake County Gun Violence Prevention Initiative is partnering with community groups to interrupt cycles of gun violence. (Adobe Stock)<br />

IL Leaders to Issue Call to Action Over Youth Gun Violence, Mental Health

State and local leaders are joining community groups for a call to action this weekend to draw attention to efforts to support at-risk youth in Illino…

Total book challenges in 2022 are on pace to exceed the 2021 record. (Adobe Stock)

Censorship in Illinois Libraries Highlighted During Banned Books Week

Controversial books are nothing new, but the incidence of book challenges and bans has increased substantially in recent years. This week marks the …

Concerning levels of PFAS have been discovered in the environment, water and wildlife of the Great Lakes region. (Adobe Stock)

EPA Advances Efforts on Dangerous 'Forever Chemicals'

The federal government is taking new steps to protect people in Illinois and other states from "forever chemicals." PFOA and PFOS are two types of pe…

Juvenile detentions dropped dramatically nationwide during the early part of the pandemic, but numbers have bounced back up, especially for African American youth. (Sakhorn38/Adobe Stock)

IL Juvenile Justice Groups Press to Raise Age for Pre-trial Detention

Currently, children as young as 10 are held behind bars while awaiting trial in Illinois, and now, juvenile justice reform groups are calling for the …

Most people who have wills are over age 60. But since the beginning of the pandemic, the number of 18-to 34-year-olds with estate planning documents has increased by 50%, according to a 2022 survey by caring.com. (Adobe Stock)

Will-Making Can Reduce Stress, Cost for Loved Ones

August is National Make-a-Will Month, and if you still have not started, experts emphasized there is no good reason to put it off. End-of-life …

A Center for American Progress report found in 2021, almost 70% of registered nurses in the U.S. were white, just over 11% were Black, and almost 18% were Hispanic. (Djavan Rodriguez/Adobe Stock)

Increasing Diversity in Nursing to Achieve Health Equity

The pandemic put new focus on the shortage of nurses, in Illinois and across the country. But the lack of diversity in the nursing profession is …

Experts say mental health is just as important as physical health in a child's ability to thrive. (Adobe Stock)

Report: 213,000 Illinois Kids Struggle with Mental-Health Challenges

Children's advocacy groups are sounding the alarm about the mental-health struggles facing Illinois kids. The 2022 Kids Count Data Book released …

According to the Illinois Nursing Workforce center, there were nearly 200,000 registered nurses in Illinois in 2020. (Adobe Stock)

Award Aims to Honor Work of Illinois Nurses

Illinois nurses have worked tirelessly to ensure the best care for the state's residents since the pandemic began. Now, one nonprofit organization is …

In a study of roughly 2,400 students spanning three years, a University of Pittsburgh study found more than a quarter of all Black students faced disciplinary actions for

Advocate: IL Schools Should Adopt Restorative-Justice Policies

The start of the fall semester is just around the corner for Illinois students. As children return to class, one advocate is urging school …

According to the Illinois Department of Public Health, roughly one in five of all abortions performed in Illinois in 2020 was for a patient from out of state. (Adobe Stock)

Planned Parenthood of IL, WI Partner to Bolster Abortion Access

Planned Parenthood of Illinois and Wisconsin are partnering to improve abortion access for Wisconsinites. Abortion in Wisconsin was functionally …

The Illinois Department of Corrections oversees more than 40 facilities, ranging from traditional prisons to work camps and transition centers. (Adobe Stock)

Groups Call for Water Infrastructure Testing in IL Prisons

After reports of water contamination in Illinois prisons, groups are calling on the state to conduct a top-down review of the water and sewer systems …

The Bulldog Mine's permit was only valid for three years. Failure to break ground on the project in that time frame resulted in the permit being rescinded. (Adobe Stock)

IL Environmental Groups Celebrate Defeat of Bulldog Mine

Environmental groups are celebrating the scrapping of plans for the proposed Bulldog Mine in eastern Illinois. Indiana-based Sunrise Coal was issued …

According to the Illinois Department of Public Health, about 9,700 abortions were provided for out-of-state residents in 2020, the most recent year such data is publicly available. (Adobe Stock)

With Roe Gone, Illinois Abortion Clinics Face Surge in Patients

With Roe v. Wade gone, Illinois is one of the few Midwestern states where abortions are still legal. Now the state's abortion clinics are bracing for …

According to the Center for American Progress, the average wealth level for a white household was about $1.17 million in 2020, compared with about $242,000 for Black households. (Adobe Stock)

Barriers Persist for Black Illinoisans Looking to Purchase Homes

Black Illinoisans face entrenched barriers to homeownership, part of a decadeslong legacy of racist housing practices known as "redlining." This …

According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, most U.S. citizens have at least some PFAS in their bloodstreams. (Adobe Stock)

New IL Law Seeks to Limit PFAS-Based Air Pollution

Illinois has enacted a new law to prohibit the incineration of some PFAS-based substances. The man-made chemical compounds are most commonly …

A bill signed by Gov. J.B. Pritzker this week will provide a $50

New IL Laws Aim to Increase College Enrollment, Retention

Illinois is taking steps to increase higher education opportunities for people across the state. Gov. JB Pritzker signed two higher-ed bills into …

The Environmental Protection Agency reports the transportation sector is the largest single contributor to America's annual greenhouse-gas emissions, comprising 27% of the total. (Adobe Stock)

Report: Diesel Engines Major Air Polluters in Illinois

Pollution from diesel engines can cause a variety of health issues, and a new report reveals some Illinois communities face higher risks from diesel …

A 2019 report from the Economic Policy Institute found teacher shortages were especially acute in higher-poverty schools. (Adobe Stock)

Union Leaders Push for More Support for Students', Teachers' Mental Health

As the nation processes the horrific shooting in Uvalde, where 19 children and two teachers were killed, teachers' unions across Illinois and America …

The Chicago Police Department reported recovering 458 ghost guns in 2021, up from 139 in 2020. (Adobe Stock)">

IL Governor Signs Ban on 'Ghost Guns'

Illinois has a new law banning the sale and possession of "ghost guns," essentially untraceable firearms that are sold in kit-form online or at gun sh…

The White House announced this week plans to invest an additional $250 million in domestic fertilizer production, as the Russian invasion of Ukraine has limited the supply of fertilizer globally. (Adobe Stock)

President Highlights Agriculture Initiatives During IL Visit

President Joe Biden used his trip to Illinois Wednesday to tout several new initiatives he said will support American farms. The president's trip …

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