Politics
By TESSA WEINBERGThe Missouri Independent In a bid to increase vaccination rates to combat the Delta variant’s growing spread, Missouri Gov. Mike Parson announced Wednesday an incentive program that will feature chances to win $10,000 for those who get a shot. Parson was also joined Wednesday by Donald Kauerauf, a former assistant director in the Illinois Department of…
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By JERRY NOWICKICapitol News Illinois SPRINGFIELD – Democratic Gov. J.B. Pritzker announced Monday he will seek a second term, joined once again by Lt. Gov. Juliana Stratton as a running mate. In a three-minute kickoff video ending with the tagline “strong leadership in tough times,” the governor emphasized his response to the COVID-19 pandemic…
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By JERRY NOWICKICapitol News Illinois SPRINGFIELD – The state’s higher education agencies released updated COVID-19 guidance Monday encouraging all public and private higher education institutions in Illinois to issue mandatory vaccine policies. “Vaccination against COVID-19 is now widely available, and all persons over the age of 12 are eligible,” the guidance document reads. “Vaccination is the leading…
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By TESSA WEINBERGThe Missouri Independent Missouri requested Friday that the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention reconsider its rejection of the state’s vaccine incentive plan. Robert Knodell, the acting director of Missouri’s Department of Health and Senior Services, urged CDC Director Rochelle Walensky to make an exception to CDC guidance that states incentives may not…
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By JERRY NOWICKICapitol News Illinois SPRINGFIELD – The wide availability of COVID-19 vaccines has changed the state’s approach for mitigating the virus’ spread statewide and in schools. For school districts, that means suggested rather than required guidance, with an emphasis on local control in imposing mitigations. For the governor’s office, that means there are “no…
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SPRINGFIELD, Ill. — Brent Fischer is on administrative leave with pay as executive director of the Illinois Law Enforcement Training and Standards Board. Jordan Abudayyeh, press secretary for Governor J.B. Pritzker, responded to an inquiry from Muddy River News by text Friday morning. She said Fischer was “on leave pending investigation.” She didn’t elaborate any further. Fischer returned…
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CHICAGO—Using revenue generated from adult-use cannabis sales, the Illinois Criminal Justice Information Authority (ICJIA) today announced 21 grants totaling $3.5 million to organizations offering young people and adults (ages 10 to 25) pro-social activities that may reduce violence and victimization or provide increased street intervention this summer. Grant awards will support three months of programming,…
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By JERRY NOWICKICapitol News Illinois SPRINGFIELD – More than a year after new marijuana dispensary licenses were scheduled to be distributed per the state’s 2019 adult-use legalization law, the governor’s office announced the initial lottery and two new ones will happen by the end of August. The state also announced the award of more…
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SPRINGFIELD – The Illinois Department of Employment Security announced Wednesday that the unemployment rate rose one-tenth of a percentage point to 7.2 percent, while non-farm jobs increased 12,500 in June, based on preliminary data provided by the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics. The May monthly change in payrolls was revised from the preliminary report, from minus…
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By KAITLYN SCHALLHORNThe Missouri Times JEFFERSON CITY, Mo. — Gov. Mike Parson greenlit an incremental gas tax increase Tuesday, bumping it up to 29.5 cents by 2025. A passion project for Senate President Pro Tem Dave Schatz, the legislature gave the final approval for his SB 262 during the final week of session. It incrementally increases the gas…
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By JANICE ELLISMissouri Independent The state of Missouri, the “Show Me State,” is located in the heart of America. In addition to the sass and symbolism the nickname and location connote, what a great geographical and strategic position to be in — to lead, to bring about positive improvements in the lives of its citizens…
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By JERRY NOWICKICapitol News Illinois SPRINGFIELD – Since economic shutdowns began and COVID-19 death counts started to rise in March 2020, national unemployment rates have hovered at historically high numbers, stressing state unemployment systems left dealing with an unprecedented number of claims. In Illinois, that’s led to a deficit in the Unemployment Insurance Trust Fund…
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Quincy, IL – Congressman Darin LaHood (IL-18) announced today that the Quincy Regional-Baldwin Field Airport received an $8,000,000 grant from the Federal Aviation Administration’s (FAA) Airport Improvement Program (AIP). The grant will be used to help reconstruct the airport’s runway and improve its safety. “The Quincy Airport is a vital part of the transportation system and supply…
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By TESSA WEINBERGMissouri Independent As a new surge of COVID cases overtakes Missouri, businesses, healthcare providers and houses of worship will soon be shielded from most COVID-related lawsuits under a bill Gov. Mike Parson signed Wednesday. Senate Bill 51, sponsored by Sen. Tony Luetkemeyer, R-Parkville, provides sweeping protections for businesses unless a high standard of…
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From THE MISSOURI TIMES – Missourians who received erroneous federal COVID-19 unemploymentoverpayments could soon be able to seek a waiver from recovery through the Department of Labor and Industrial Relations, it announced Tuesday. The potential waiver only applies to federal overpayments given from Feb. 8, 2020, through June 12, 2021, under the Federal Pandemic Unemployment Compensation (FPUC), Pandemic Unemployment Assistance…
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From Chicago Tribune – If you’re one of the 76,000 Illinois residents who received $123 million in excess regular unemployment benefits since the pandemic hit, you may be able to keep the money — as long as you haven’t already repaid it. Signed into law Friday by Gov. J.B. Pritzker, new legislation allows people who…
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QUINCY — Barney Bier, a former Adams County Board member and former state’s attorney, believes decisions announced by County Board chairman Kent Snider after a June 15 meeting are not in line with state law. A letter dated June 16, signed by Snider and sent to county department heads, noted personnel changes with the County…
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QUINCY – Tony Grootens officially announced his run for Adams County Sheriff Saturday during the opening of the Freedom Fest at Clat Adams Park. Grootens, a Republican, had informally announced his intentions in other venues, including a meeting at the Quincy Tea Party and he had several blue-shirted supporters walking alongside during this year’s Dogwood…
Read Full Article By CAMERON GERBERThe Missouri Times JEFFERSON CITY, Mo. — Gov. Mike Parson signed off on Missouri’s operating budget for the new fiscal year, authorizing more than $35 billion in funds while issuing several budgetary vetoes. The Republican executive partially vetoed several appropriations bills, cutting line items amounting to nearly $115 million. The remaining budget emphasizes education, workforce development, and…
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By KEVIN BESSLERJust the News A bill awaiting the Illinois governor’s signature would require schools to provide free menstruation products in both girls’ and boys’ bathrooms for grades 4 through 12. Currently, Illinois requires tampons to be provided to students who need them, but the supplies are kept in the nurse’s office. State Rep. Kathleen Willis,…
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By PETER HANCOCKCapitol News Illinois SPRINGFIELD – State courts in Illinois are preparing to return to normal operations after nearly 16 months of operating under special rules brought on by the COVID-19 pandemic. The Illinois Supreme Court on Wednesday issued two new rules that call for easing social distancing requirements and reimposing requirements for speedy…
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Jeff Mays left when Gov. J.B. Pritzker took office in January 2019. And the new administration didn’t immediately start using anti-fraud tools when they started to become available later that year. Chicago Tribune – Under the Rauner administration, IDES was touting a computer upgrade it said provided a “modern and comprehensive fraud detection, prevention, and collection system.”…
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by Amanda Vinicky, WTTW – Major changes to Illinois’ criminal justice system that passed in the wake of George Floyd’s murder will begin to take effect Thursday, including a requirement that police track and report to the state incidents in which officers use a gun on someone, when use of force results in death or…
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Pritzker’s office didn’t immediately reply when asked Friday if the orders will be extended and did not issue a statement about the reissued orders before the governor’s landing page for executive orders was updated early Friday evening. From The CENTER SQUARE – Gov. J.B. Pritzker Friday extended his COVID-19 executive orders and emergency declarations that were set…
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On Muddy River News This Week, furnished by Harvey’s, Bob Gough talks to State Senator Jil Tracy (R-Quincy) about the recently-wrapped up session in Springfield and the new 50th Senate District, which she’ll represent when she runs for re-election in 2022.
Read Full Article February 22, 2025
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