Illinois to start “Secure Choice” retirement savings program
Illinois will soon begin a program requiring many employers to help create voluntary retirement-savings plans for employees and offer automatic payroll deductions. State Treasurer Mike Frerichs says that Secure Choice could eventually cover 1.2 million Illinois residents.
State unemployment rate hits 11 year low
The state unemployment rate dropped slightly last month. Illinois hit its lowest unemployment rate in eleven years, coming in at 4.6% in March. Overall, the state lost about 2,100 jobs last month, although gains were made in
Legislation in IL House would replace school police officers with social workers
Legislation before the Illinois House would replace school-based police officers with social workers. The plan would create a grant program to shift funding from school police to behavioral health specialists who know how to de-escalate disputes and
AG Madigan brings lawsuit over predatory lending scheme
Attorney General Lisa Madigan’s office is suing a company for what it says is an illegal predatory lending scheme that targeted the retirement benefits of Illinois residents. In a news release, Madigan’s office says that Nevada-based Future
Sparta man wins $1.5M Queen of Hearts jackpot
A Sparta man is $1.5 million richer. Brian Parks was the sole winner of Thursday night’s Queen of Heart’s raffle hosted by the Steeleville American Legion.
IL House approves “off-shoring” ban
The House has approved a plan pushed by the state comptroller to require Illinois governors to pay employees from their budgets, not those of other agencies. The vote yesterday was unanimous to halt what’s called “off-shoring” of
Carbondale man acquitted for attempted murder charge, convicted for aggravated battery
A Carbondale man has been acquitted on attempted murder charges but convicted of aggravated battery. The Jackson County Jury reportedly deadlocked on the attempted murder charge. 36-year-old Nathan Bowles was on trial for an August 2017 incident