By Jerry Nowicki Illinois’ two main fiscal forecasting agencies agree: Illinois’ finances will see a strong close in the final 3½ months of the fiscal year before things tighten a bit next year. It’s a picture laid out in governor JB Pritzker’s budget proposal last month, and it got a...
Girl Scouts of Northern Illinois recently received a generous $9,000 grant from Girl Scouts of the USA. Funds from this grant will be used to support international travel for local Girl Scouts, including supporting up to 12 youth and/or adult participants as they travel to Adelboden, Switzerland, to visit Our...
Proposals draw support from gun safety groups, worry from law enforcement advocates By Andrew Adams& Alex AbbedutoCapitol News Illinoisnews@capitolnewsillinois.com Chicago — Families of gun violence victims are asking the state legislature to reform how police handle unsolved murder investigations through legislation introduced this week. House Bill 4753, sponsored by Rep....
Comcast joined Aurora Public Library District (APLD) officials recenty to announce a $30,000 donation to the Aurora Public Library District Foundation to fund a digital navigator program at Santori Library, 101 S. River Street in Aurora. Digital navigators are professionals who link residents to resources that can help them build...
By Jerry NowickiCapitol News Illinoisjnowicki@capitolnewsillinois.com With Illinois lawmakers scheduled to return to legislative session in less than a month, a recent government fiscal forecast provides an overview of the budgeting landscape that awaits them. The bottom line from the five-year forecast from the Governor’s Office of Management and Budget: The...
The DuPage County Board Tuesday, Nov. 28 unanimously approved its Fiscal Year 2024 budget, which includes a balanced, $625 million spending plan and keeps the property tax rate flat. “This is a fiscally responsible spending plan that makes critical infrastructure investments which will take the pressure off upcoming budgets,” said...
By Jerry Nowicki Illinois received another credit upgrade Tuesday, the same day a legislative committee once again scrutinized governor JB Pritzker’s administration for its handling of unemployment claims during the COVID-19 pandemic. The upgrade came from Fitch Ratings, the last remaining holdout of the nation’s three major credit reporting agencies...
October 26, 2023Dear editor; Overflowing reserves ($53MM); obstinant refusal to properly recognize and appropriately utilize interest income windfall ($14MM); constantly increasing share of state sales, income, gambling, and marijuana taxes increase (multi-millions); reprehensibly wasteful spending (at least $3MM); and even inaccurate redefinition of elementary generally accepted accounting procedures . ....
State representative Stephanie Kifowit (D-Oswego), State representative Barbara Hernandez (D-Aurora), and State senator Linda Holmes (D-Aurora) have secured $400,000 in state grant money for the funding of the Aurora Public Library District’s (APLD) new bookmobile. State legislators recently joined the APLD) and members of the community for a check presentation...
In support of libraries, education and lifelong learning, the State has awarded more than $21.4 million in grants for library services and more than $5.7 million in adult literacy grants for literacy programs to more than 140 Illinois recipients. The projects receiving grants met the following criteria: The following programs...
The U.S. Small Business Administration (SBA) announced that residents and businesses impacted by the fire at the Arden of Oakbrook apartment complex in Oakbrook Terrace July 28 may be eligible for low-interest loans to assist with recovery efforts. An SBA Disaster Loan Outreach Center will be established in DuPage County...
As their main annual fundraiser, the Quilters Dozen Quilting Club of Oswego raffles off a unique, hand-quilted creation during each year's PrairieFest, Oswego’s popular community celebration.
By Peter Hancock Governor JB Pritzker and the State’s largest public employee union announced Tuesday, July 25 that they have agreed on a new contract that will provide a nearly 18% pay raise over four years, including a four percent raise this year. The contract expands parental leave to 12...
Representative Sean Casten (IL-06) announced Monday, June 26 Illinois has received a $12,299,377 grant from the Biden-Harris Administration’s infrastructure law to put new American-built buses on the road and improve transit service in their community. The grants, administered by the U.S. Department of Transportation’s Federal Transit Administration, were made possible...
Aurora Noon Lions Club recently awarded grants totaling $1,500 to two worthy community groups. At the Club’s June 15 meeting, Noon Lions president Susan Koepke presented ceremonial checks to Diabetes Club of Fox Valley and East Aurora High School’s Naval Junior Reserve Officer Training Corps unit. Koepke said, “The Aurora...
Aurora Kiwanis president, Dr. Brian Tonner, presents a $100 check to Mary Dougherty, president Rotary Club of Aurora, in celebration of Rotary's 100th anniversary at the Kiwanis June 6, meeting.
In a 15th annual relay for life, 350 students at Pleasantdale Middle School in Burr Ridge raised $11,000 for the American Cancer Society. Jennifer Lauermann, Pleasantdale science teacher and event founder and coordinator, announced relay results at a Friday, June 2 rally culminating the fundraiser at Pleasantdale Park District’s Walker...
House gives final OK to $50.6 billion spending plan By Peter Hancock Capitol News Illinois The 2023 spring legislative session came to an end in the early hours of Saturday morning after the Illinois House gave its approval to a $50.6 billion spending plan for the upcoming fiscal year that...
Yorkville resident Ron Kelso, right, explains Habitat for Humanity to third graders at McCleery Elementary School in West Aurora School District 129 May 10.
The Batavia Chamber of Commerce is excited to announce that for the second year, a scholarship program for selected small businesses who are members in good standing with the Batavia Chamber is available. A fund called the Grow Your Business Scholarship was established last year. The recipients of last year’s...
