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Nominees are being sought for open seats on Illinois’ newly-created Route 66 Centennial Commission, and the Illinois Department of Transportation (IDOT) is also seeking input on a public campaign urging safety on state roadways. The state’s transportation department is also launching a new initiative to test connected and automated vehicles, while in other state news, the Department of Veterans’ Affairs

As the November 6 election approaches, this week state and local officials outlined policies and procedures designed to protect against cyber threats. In other news, the state’s parks and other recreational trails and facilities across Illinois will benefit from the release of state and federal funding earmarked to finance improvements and maintenance at these sites. Illinois State Board of Election

The Illinois State Board of Education (ISBE) is seeking input on public education funding for the fiscal year 2020 budget. Three open budget hearings have been scheduled, giving individuals the opportunity to share their funding requests prior to the agency sending its final recommendations to the General Assembly and the Governor. In other action, legislation was filed to keep people

Illinois has been ranked as the fourth best state in the nation for teachers, according to the personal finance website WalletHub. Also during the week, the Illinois Department of Public Health (IDPH) is recommending that residents get the flu shot as soon as it is available in their communities, and the Governor has proclaimed October as College Changes Everything® Month.

A recent list from WalletHub ranks the best cities in Illinois for their labor-market health. More than 120 cities were ranked based on job opportunities, starting salary, employment growth, among other factors.  Also during the week, Illinois is set to receive nearly $44 million from the federal government to help fund treatment centers and increase the availability of addiction treatment

As part of the recently approved Fiscal Year 2019 capital budget, two local community colleges in the 35th Senate District will receive funding for emergency or deferred maintenance projects on campus. “We need a strong, up-to-date infrastructure to attract businesses to Illinois,” said Gov. Bruce Rauner. “The funds we are releasing today are included in the bipartisan budget we signed

More than $6.6 million in capital funding has been released to benefit Northern Illinois University as part of the Fiscal Year 2019 capital budget approved by lawmakers in late May. The capital program was appropriated as part of the current FY 2019 state budget. “This capital investment in Northern Illinois University allows for critical infrastructure improvements here,” said Gov. Bruce

Opioid management law offers alternative pain-management option Friday, August 31, marks International Overdose Awareness Day, an annual global event that aims to raise awareness of overdose and reduce the stigma of a drug-related death. The day coincides with the recent signing of a monumental new law to curb opioid addiction in Illinois. Senate Bill 336 creates the Alternatives to Opioids

More than 100 new laws were signed this week, advancing changes targeting the state’s teacher shortage, streamlining services for veterans, and giving a leg-up to Illinois’ entrepreneurs. Other measures became law that aim to increase senior citizens’ access to high-speed Internet services, guarantee the safety of Illinois residents’ drinking water, and encourage Illinois students to pursue their higher education in-state.

Illinois has several new laws that address a backlog of applications for nursing home care, provide more first responders with medicines for allergy-related emergencies, boost protections for DCFS workers, and create a new lottery game to benefit families of fallen police officers. Also during the week, Gov. Bruce Rauner signed a measure creating the Illinois Route 66 Centennial Commission, and