Illinois
Ameren delivers big economic benefits for Missouri, Illinois
By Tribune Staff • ST. LOUIS – Ameren Corporation’s (NYSE: AEE) operations in Missouri and Illinois triggered more than $20.7 billion in annual economic output, according to a study by a leading market research and development firm. Conducted by HR&A Advisors and commissioned by Ameren, the study analyzed direct spending by the company on functions…
Read MoreNew H-2A wage rule ‘step in the right direction’
By TAMMIE SLOUP FarmWeek In the mid-2000s, Flamm Orchards in southern Illinois was forced to decide: Move to the H-2A temporary visa program or scale the operation way down? “We didn’t have the workforce needed to do what we do,” co-owner Austin Flamm told FarmWeek. The H-2A program allows farmers to bring non-immigrant foreign workers…
Read MoreBob Fioretti certified as Republican Nominee for Illinois Attorney General
By Tribune Staff • On Jan. 8, the Illinois State Board of Elections certified Bob Fioretti as the Republican candidate for Illinois Attorney General. With Fioretti officially having no primary opponents, the stage is set for a general election matchup between the career civil rights attorney and Democratic incumbent Kwame Raoul. Fioretti, a former two-term…
Read MoreState of Illinois urges readiness ahead of major weekend winter storm, extreme cold
SPRINGFIELD – Governor J.B. Pritzker and the Illinois Emergency Management Agency and Office of Homeland Security (IEMA-OHS) are advising residents to prepare for a multi-wave winter storm and dangerously low temperatures expected to impact the state starting Jan. 23 through Jan. 25, with Southern Illinois expected to be the most heavily impacted by significant snow…
Read MoreIllinois Retail Merchants Association launches first statewide retail scholarship challenge
By Tribune Staff • SPRINGFIELD – The Illinois Retail Merchants Association (IRMA) today announced the launch of the Illinois Retail Scholarship Challenge, which encourages high school seniors to develop creative, practical solutions to real business challenges facing the retail sector, with teams competing for scholarships of up to $60,000. Supported by grant funding from the…
Read MoreGet Covered Illinois gives residents until Jan. 31 to enroll in health insurance
CHICAGO — Get Covered Illinois announced today that it is giving residents an additional 16 days to enroll in health insurance through the state’s official marketplace. Customers now have until Jan. 31 to apply for and enroll in coverage. “We are seeing record numbers of customers finding more affordable coverage by taking the time to…
Read MoreIt’s Girl Scout Cookie Time!
Glen Carbon – It’s officially Girl Scout Cookie season in Southern Illinois! Girl Scouts throughout the area will hold cookie booths, visit customers door-to-door, and sell to friends and family online as they explore more possibilities through the largest girl-led entrepreneurial program in the world. During this highly anticipated time of the year, girls acquire five…
Read MoreNew law to improve overdose reporting information among initiatives enacted for 2026
By Tribune Staff • SPRINGFIELD – The Illinois Department of Public Health (IDPH) announced that several new laws designed to strengthen public health initiatives will take effect with the start of the New Year, Jan. 1, 2026. “The new year offers a critical opportunity to advance public health and protect Illinois families through new laws…
Read MoreRicheson tax fraud trial against Illinois moved to April
By Charles Bolinger Editor • Someone connected with Guideon Richeson’s tax fraud trial keeps kicking the whole can down the road. Richeson, who was a former Village of St. Jacob Trustee, was originally indicted by the Illinois Attorney General’s office on 11 charges in July 2025—10 counts of tax fraud and one count of poor…
Read MoreKristi Jones named Assistant Director of Agriculture in Illinois
By Tribune Staff • SPRINGFIELD — After serving the Illinois Department of Agriculture (IDOA) as Deputy Director for five years, Kristi Jones has been appointed acting Assistant Director by Governor JB Pritzker. This new position will require confirmation by the Illinois Senate. “Kristi’s policy knowledge is second to none,” said IDOA Director Jerry Costello II.…
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