News Local/State
Illinois Issues: A Decade Of Pain
New projections show nibbling around the edges of the state’s budget problems will get Illinois nowhere. That's according to the University of Illinois Institute of Government and Public Affairs.
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News Local/State
Bill Raising Electric Rates To Help Clinton, Quad-Cities Nuclear Plants Heads To Governor’s Desk
The Illinois General Assembly is allowing electric utilities to collect more money from customers. The measure approved by the Illinois House and Senate on Thursday is part of a deal in which Exelon Corporation has agreed not to close nuclear plants in Clinton and the Quad Cities for at least ten years.
News Local/State
Republican Bradfield Launches Third Attempt At Urbana Mayor
Engineer and land surveyor Rex Bradfield is launching another campaign for the office of Urbana mayor. With three Democrats in the race, that means there will be a competitive general election for the office in April. Bradfield has twice lost to incumbent Laurel Prussing, in 2009 and 2013. He says Urbana city government needs to to more to lure business to the city, and says funds have been wasted on downtown projects like the Boneyard Creek beautification.
News Local/State
Unemployment Rate Drops To 4.6 Percent, Lowest Level Since 2007
Unemployment dropped by 0.3 percentage points, to 4.6 percent, last month — the lowest rate since 2007 — according to the monthly jobs report from the Bureau of Labor Statistics.
News Local/State
Stalemate Continues In Springfield With Schools Veto, Union Lawsuit
In a sign the stalemate in Springfield is as strong as ever, Governor Bruce Rauner on Thursday vetoed a bill that had once been held up as proof he and Democratic leaders were capable of working together. The action leaves politicians divided and could leave the financially-ailing Chicago Public Schools short some $215 million.
News Local/State
Carrier Will Keep 1,000 Jobs In U.S., But Trump Faces A Much Tougher Problem
Like President Obama, Donald Trump must deal with the millions of old-school, middle-skill jobs, like manufacturing, that just aren't coming back.
News Local/State
Last-Minute Exelon Subsidy Plan Goes To Illinois House Floor
An Illinois House committee has endorsed a late-hour compromise on a monstrous energy plan originally designed to keep two unprofitable nuclear plants open, potentially saving 14-hundred jobs in Clinton and the Quad Cities. A House vote is expected Thursday, the last day of the fall veto session. Sen. Chapin Rose of Mahomet credits Gov. Bruce Rauner with becoming part of the talks with energy officials.
News Local/State
Details Of Carrier, Trump Agreement Plan Unclear
The news that air conditioning-maker Carrier made a deal with President-elect Donald Trump to keep more than 1,000 jobs in Indianapolis came as a shock to Hoosier workers and business leaders alike. Trump pledged during his campaign to stop Indianapolis-based Carrier from moving manufacturing jobs to Mexico. After months of anticipation, the company has confirmed it’s a done deal.
News Local/State
Carle Now Requiring Protective Equipment To See Isolated Patients
Carle Hospital is one of a growing list of hospitals requiring visitors to wear personal protective equipment when they visit patients kept in isolation. Area Presence hospitals - Covenant in Urbana and United Samaritans in Danville - already require the protective gear when visiting patients in isolation.
News Local/State
Lawmakers Ask Gov. Rauner To Resume Contract Talks
Nearly three dozen Illinois legislators of both political stripes are asking Gov. Bruce Rauner to resume contract negotiations with the state's largest public-employee union. Most were Democrats, but a couple of Republicans joined in. A state labor board sided with Rauner this month that talks were at "impasse', meaning the governor can impose his terms. He did that a second time Wednesday in announcing an employee drug and alcohol testing plan.