State of Illinois

State of Illinois

New distracted driving law goes into effect on July 1

Beginning July 1, the Illinois secretary of state will be able to revoke driving privileges for one year when a driver causes “great bodily harm, permanent disability or disfigurement” due to use of an electronic communication device. The offense is also subject to a minimum $1,000 fine. Electronic communication devices […]

State of Illinois

Illinois minimum wage to increase July 1

Illinois minimum wage workers will see an increase in their pay Wednesday. July 1 will bring the second statewide minimum wage increase in 2020. In January, minimum wage went from $8.25 per hour to $9.25. The upcoming increase will move to $10 per hour.  Wages for tipped workers will rise […]

State of Illinois

Unemployment rate 15.2 percent in May; state on pace to enter Phase 4 on June 26

By JERRY NOWICKI Capitol News Illinois jnowicki@capitolnewsillinois.com SPRINGFIELD — Illinois’ unemployment rate fell to 15.2 percent in May, according to the state Department of Employment Security, representing a 2 percent drop from the previous month. Nonfarm payrolls added 62,200 jobs in May based on preliminary data provided by the U.S. […]

State of Illinois

Illinois residents can now preregister online for driver’s license or identification card

In an attempt to cut down on wait times and long lines at the DMV, Secretary of State Jesse White announced that Illinois residents can preregister online when applying for a driver’s license or identification card. Customers may go to www.cyberdriveillinois.com to access the preregistration application for driver’s licenses and […]

State of Illinois

Pritzker signs budget, touts spending of federal funds on child care grants

Financial uncertainty still swirls as COVID-19 continues to impact tax revenues By JERRY NOWICKI Capitol News Illinois jnowicki@capitolnewsillinois.com SPRINGFIELD — Gov. JB Pritzker signed a state budget for fiscal year 2021 Wednesday, but there is no more financial clarity now than there was when lawmakers passed the measure last month. […]

State of Illinois

Phase 3 Guidance on Illinois summer school released

By Dani Tietz dani@sjodaily.com The Illinois State Board of Education (ISBE) and Illinois Department of Public Health (IDPH) released guidance on in-person instruction for summer school Thursday. Part Two of the Transition Plan Advisory Workgroup’s recommendations for transitioning to in-person instruction provides recommendations for how schools can comply with IDPH […]