Schools to get funding increase, but less than some had urged
by Peter Hancock SPRINGFIELD – Illinois lawmakers passed a budget Monday morning, June 1, that includes a full $350 million increase in Evidence-Based Funding for public schools, money earmarked specifically for the neediest school districts in the state. That includes a restoration of the $47 million for property tax relief grants called for in the…
Read MoreIllinois lawmakers fail to pass Bears bill despite goal line push
by Brenden Moore and Ben Szalinski SPRINGFIELD — Despite a Hail Mary heave from the Illinois Senate in the final hours of the spring legislative session, state lawmakers ultimately failed to reach the end zone on a bill incentivizing the Chicago Bears to build a new stadium in Illinois. The Senate voted to approve the…
Read MoreRideshare drivers could unionize in Illinois under bill passed by General Assembly
by Jenna Schweikert and UIS Public Affairs Reporting (PAR) Over the past five months, a sea of rideshare drivers in yellow T-shirts flooded the Illinois state Capitol almost weekly, lobbying for the right to form a union. They may be able to do so soon, after Illinois lawmakers passed a bill giving them that ability…
Read MoreCell-phone ban, loosening foreign language requirements among education bills to pass
by Peter Hancock Gov. JB Pritzker says he intends to sign legislation imposing a statewide ban on cell phones and other wireless communication devices during instructional time in public schools and charter schools. Although many districts in Illinois have already adopted more stringent bans of their own, Senate Bill 2427 would require all school boards…
Read MoreIllinois’ ‘swipe fee’ law on the brink after another delay, adverse court ruling
by Jerry Nowicki SPRINGFIELD — An Illinois law banning “swipe fees” on taxes and tips, already delayed twice by lawmakers, appears to be on life support after a federal judge that once permitted it issued a permanent injunction against it this week. U.S. District Judge Virginia Kendall issued the injunction just hours after the General…
Read MoreU.S. attorney acknowledges speech to ‘Broadview 6’ grand jury as calls for his resignation mount
by Hannah Meisel CHICAGO — Nearly two weeks after missteps by federal prosecutors compelled U.S. Attorney Andrew Boutros to personally appear in court to drop charges against the remaining “Broadview Six” protesters, Boutros on Tuesday, June 2, acknowledged having spoken to the October grand jury that would go on to indict the group later that…
Read MoreFor Your Health — At Any Age, We Can Cut the Risk of Colorectal Cancer
By Dr. Graham A. Colditz Siteman Cancer Center Recent headlines have pushed colorectal cancer back to the top of news feeds with the unfortunate passing of actor James Van Der Beek. Like Chadwick Bozeman, who died of the disease in 2020, Van Der Beek was diagnosed at a relatively young age, part of a troubling…
Read MoreFor Your Health — What to Know About GLP-1 Drugs for Weight Loss and Health
By Dr. Graham A. Colditz Siteman Cancer Center As many of us know, keeping weight in check can be hard. And national numbers certainly reflect this. Rates of overweight and obesity in the U.S. have steadily climbed since the early 1980s. The impact this has had on health and well-being is very significant. Weight gain…
Read MoreFor Your Health — Make Health Gains with Whole Grains
By Dr. Graham A. Colditz Siteman Cancer Center If someone asked us to name five ways to improve our health and lower the risk of illness, “eat a healthy diet” would probably land on most of our lists, and it certainly belongs there. Research has shown that healthy eating could prevent over 80,000 cancer cases…
Read MoreFor Your Health – Eleven tips for a healthier summer
By Dr. Graham A. Colditz Siteman Cancer Center The weather and school calendars have moved quickly toward summer, and that makes it a great time to think about ways we, and our families, can keep up with healthy routines while enjoying all that the season has to offer. While it’s hard to find a time…
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