Illinois — The Villagers Voice

IL Senator Bryant reacts to scathing IDES audit

July 27, 2023 by Villagers Voice

Shows over $5 billion in unemployment overpayments

Springfield, IL – State Senator Terri Bryant (R-Murphysboro) released the following statement regarding the recently released performance audit of IDES during the pandemic:

“The details contained in this IDES audit are without a question sickening. In an effort to fast-track claims, Illinois awarded millions of dollars to a company in a no-bid contract just for IDES to disable routine identity cross-matches meant to prevent fraud within the system we paid for. [Read more...]

Gov. Pritzker Announces $38 Million for CEJA Workforce Hubs

July 21, 2023 by Kathy Sands

Eligible entities can apply through September 1st to serve as a regional clean energy training hub as part of the landmark Climate and Equitable Jobs Act (CEJA)

CHICAGO – Governor JB Pritzker and the Illinois Department of Commerce and Economic Opportunity (DCEO) launched $37.9 million in funding for the Illinois Clean Jobs Workforce Network Program or “CEJA Workforce Hubs.” The program represents the largest training component of the Climate and Equitable Jobs Act (CEJA), establishing a network of 13 community-based hubs across the state offering training, job placement services, barrier reduction support and more. The organizations that will run CEJA Workforce Hubs will be selected through a competitive Notice of Funding Opportunity (NOFO) process. [Read more...]

Bryant reacts to the passage of legislation that strips local control from Illinois libraries

May 4, 2023 by Villagers Voice

State Senator Terri Bryant (R-Murphysboro) released the below statement following the passage of Senate Bill 689 that limits local control in libraries throughout Illinois. [Read more...]

Rich Gurka: Non-Citizens to Become Illinois Police Officers?

March 30, 2023 by Villagers Voice

Illinois House Bill 3751 is garnering lots of support in the Illinois legislature. [Read more...]

Windhorst: 117th District local governments awarded $5.5 million in Energy Transition Program Grants

March 10, 2023 by Villagers Voice

State Representative Patrick Windhorst (R-Metropolis) says the Illinois Department of Commerce and Economic Opportunity announced several recipients of Energy Transition Grants in the 117th district. The Energy Transition Community Grants, totaling more than $5.5 million, were made available due to the enactment of the Climate and Equitable Jobs Act (CEJA). The grants provide funding for communities that have been impacted by fossil fuel plant or coal mine closures or significant reductions. [Read more...]

Rep. Severin Announces Energy Transition Grant Award of Over $1 Million to White County

March 10, 2023 by Villagers Voice

State Representative Dave Severin (R-Benton) announced this week that the Illinois Department of Commerce and Economic Opportunity is awarding an Energy Transition Program Grants to White County, totaling $1,207,426 million.

The grant was made available due to the enactment of the Climate and Equitable Jobs Act (CEJA). Energy Transition Program Grants provide funding for local government entities and communities that have been impacted by fossil fuel plant or coal mine closures or significant reductions. [Read more...]

ILLINOIS SUPREME COURT TO HEAR ORAL ARGUMENTS IN SAFE-T ACT CASE ON MARCH 14

March 9, 2023 by Kathy Sands

The Supreme Court is set to hear oral arguments in the James R. Rowe, etc., et al. v. Kwame Raoul, (SAFE-T Act case) next week on Tuesday morning, March 14, 2023, at 9 a.m. at the Illinois Supreme Court Building, 200 E. Capitol Ave. in Springfield, IL. The SAFE-T Act came under fire last year with over 64 State's Attorneys filing suit against it. State's Attorney Denton Aud from White County is part of the case. A provision in the Act was set to abolish cash bail on January 1, 2023, but a stay was placed on the implementation of that provision late in December; arrests and bail provisions continue as they were. [Read more...]

Illinois hunters harvest more than 158,000 deer during 2022-2023 seasons

February 23, 2023 by Villagers Voice

Hunters in Illinois harvested a preliminary total of 158,010 deer during all 2022-2023 archery and firearm seasons that concluded Jan. 15. The total preliminary deer harvest for all seasons compares with a total harvest of 146,438 deer for all seasons in 2021-2022.

During the 2022-2023 deer seasons, hunters took 45.04% females and 54.96% males. [Read more...]