While about half the country already has reduced the amount of pandemic-era federal food assistance offered in their state, Illinois is preparing for the change to take effect in March.

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(The Center Square) – Illinois’ minimum wage increased to $13 at the beginning of the year and businesses are feeling it.

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(The Center Square) – A bill headed to the governor’s desk that gives paid leave to all Illinois workers is being criticized for hurting small businesses around the state.

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Across Illinois, more than 90 county sheriffs have issued statements voicing opposition to HB 5471 Protect Illinois Communities, a law signed by Gov. J.B. Pritzker last week.

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Lisa Marie Presley, the only child of Elvis Presley and a singer-songwriter dedicated to her father’s legacy, died Thursday after being hospitalized for a medical emergency. She was 54.

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(The Center Square) – A new report by an inspector general for the Illinois Department of Children and Family Services shows 171 children died while in contact with the department last year, 40% more than the year before. Lawmakers are now demanding action.

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It is now illegal to buy or sell more than 170 semi-automatic firearms. Those who owned such guns before the ban went into effect Tuesday when the governor signed the measure must register them with Illinois State Police by Jan. 1, 2024. There’s also a ban on long gun magazines of more than 10 and handgun magazines of more than 15.

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The Southern Region of Nutrien recently attended a training session at Rend Lake College’s Agronomy Innovation Center, provided by Syngenta. The training covered machines and applications for agricultural spray application, including mixing, cleaning, and chemicals. The partnership with Syngenta allowed Nutrien to upskill its current agricultural employees and encourage a pipeline of students for the future workforce.

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(The Center Square) – Prosecutors in a case involving Michael Madigan say they have wires of the former Illinois House speaker acknowledging operatives “made out like bandits” in a scheme involving utility ComEd.

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(The Center Square) – The 103rd Illinois General Assembly is officially underway for a new two-year term after members of the House of Representatives and the Senate were sworn in during separate ceremonies Wednesday in Springfield.

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