Capitol Briefs: State Police Report Fewer Deaths on Illinois Highways in 2023

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•January 24, 2024• By Jennifer Fuller Capitol News Illinois jfuller @ capitolnewsillinois.com  Fatal crashes on interstates and expressways in Illinois fell by 7 percent in 2023 compared to the previous year, and shootings were down more than 30 percent. Illinois State Police report the declines came at the same time troopers were beefing up their enforcement on the state’s transportation arteries. Arrests were up 3 percent, gun recoveries up 12 percent, and vehicle recoveries were up 7 percent. … Read More

Seasonal Respiratory Viruses Continue to Impact Illinois Following the Holidays

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•January 24, 2024• While more than half of the counties in Illinois remain at an elevated level for COVID-19 hospitalizations according to CDC data, the state’s overall respiratory illness level has decreased in recent weeks and is at Low in the most recent available data, the Illinois Department of Public Health (IDPH) announced. The CDC’s latest update of its COVID Data Tracker indicates that as of the week ending January 13, the state of Illinois is at Medium level for COVID-19 hospitalizations for a fourth straight week with a total of 1,393 hospitalizations reported during the week. A total of … Read More

IDNR seeking Summer Instructors for 2024 Urban Fishing Program Clinics

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•January 24, 2024• SPRINGFIELD – The Illinois Department of Natural Resources (IDNR) is accepting applications now for instructors for 2024 summer fishing clinics through the department’s Urban Fishing Program. Fishing instructors are the department’s boots on the ground at free clinics hosted in communities throughout Illinois. These are temporary positions not to exceed six months, making them perfect for teachers, retirees, students, and others who are eager to help people learn about fishing skills and ecology. … Read More

2024 Conservation Cropping Seminar

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•January 24, 2024• Attention Illinois Farmers: the annual Conservation Cropping Seminar will take place Jan. 31, 2024 with virtual attendance available for a $15 registration fee. The event will be held from 9 a.m. to 3:30 p.m., and soil and water CEUs will be available. This event will cover how to improve soil health, cover crops, adopt new technologies, improve root health, manage nutrients and provide the latest agronomic research. A question-and-answer session with an Illinois farmer panel will be offered, as well as access to helpful resources. Topics and speakers for this year include: Alternative Farming Methods   Greg … Read More

Master Gardener Spring into Gardening Event Offers Guest Presenters, a Silent Auction, Sales Booth, and More

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•January 24, 2024• Gardeners across the community can get excited about the 2024 growing season at the 14th annual Spring into Gardening event. The mini-conference offers expert presentations on industry-relevant topics, a silent auction, and a sales booth to get gardeners excited to “Spring” into gardening. This year’s event will be held from 8:00 am to 12:30 pm on Saturday, March 2 at Wesley United Methodist Church, 2206 4th Street, in Charleston. Check-in will begin at 8 am. The cost of the event is $25 for those who pre-register and $30 at the door. Cost includes door prizes, resources, and … Read More

State of Illinois Combats Human Trafficking and Supports Survivors

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•January 24, 2024• On Thursday, January 11, the State of Illinois recognized Human Trafficking Awareness Day, part of the larger Human Trafficking Awareness Month, in an effort to raise awareness about one of the most under-reported and under-identified crimes. Human trafficking involves the use of force, fraud, or coercion to control another person for labor or commercial sex act purposes.  Every year millions of men, women, and children are trafficked worldwide, including in the United States and in Illinois. … Read More

Know Your Osteoporosis Risk

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•January 24, 2024• Bone is living, growing tissue that changes as a person ages. Although healthy bone can naturally diminish as a person gets older, seniors in particular are at elevated risk of osteoporosis, a bone disease marked by rapid bone deterioration.  Osteoporosis occurs when bone mineral density and bone mass decrease, or when the strength and structure of bone changes, according to the National Institute of Arthritis and Musculoskeletal and Skin Diseases. Bone is constantly being broken down and replaced. When a person has osteoporosis, creation of new bone cannot keep up with the loss of old bone. … Read More

Back Wages Totaling More Than $5 Million Owed to Illinois Workers

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•January 24, 2024• By Alex Abbeduto Capitol News Illinois  abbeduto @ capitolnewsillinois.com  The U.S. Department of Labor is currently holding more than $5 million in wages owed to more than 7,000 Illinois workers, and the department has launched a new website in an effort to return it. When an employee is underpaid for the work they do, the DOL’s Wage and Hour Division can launch an investigation. If it finds that the employee is owed money, known as back pay, the department collects the unpaid wages and attempts to distribute it to the employee.  The new Workers Owed Wages website … Read More