The Finishing Contractors Association of Illinois (FCAI) has awarded $44,000 in academic scholarships to 22 local students through its Larry Nedrow Scholarship Fund. Established in 1992, the FCAI Larry Nedrow Scholarship supports educational development within the painting, drywall, and glazing finishing industry. Each year, contractors who contribute to the Northern
Diane Morris, right, announces to the Plano Methodist Church congregation, August 3, that Elizabeth Gould, center, is the recipient of a scholarship, established by Pete and Betty Wolsfeld.
By Peter Hancock & Ben SzalinskiCapitol News Illinoisnews@capitolnewsillinois.com Illinois Democrats brought some of their biggest names to Springfield Tuesday, Aug. 12 to call attention to the massive cuts that will take effect in the coming years for programs that benefit low-income communities. At one event, U.S. senator Dick Durbin and
By Lori Robertson Hours after the Bureau of Labor Statistics released employment data showing slow job growth for July and prior months, president Donald Trump fired the BLS commissioner, claiming the job numbers were “phony” and that the commissioner had “faked” other job figures to help Democrats. There’s no evidence
Bright & Early DuPage, an initiative of DuPage Foundation, recently awarded nearly $350,000 to eight DuPage County early childhood collaboratives through its 2025 grant cycle. The initiative, launched in 2013, builds sustainable, coordinated, local early childhood collaborations that actively work to increase access to quality early childhood education throughout the
Mark Lyons, right, DECA (Distributive Education Clubs of America) adviser at East Aurora High School, accepts a $500 donation from Aurora Lions Club Aug. 7.
By Alan Jaffe and Saranac Hale Spencer Approximately six months into the second term of president Donald Trump, Republicans, and Democrats are making conflicting and often misleading assessments of the Donald Trump administration’s impact on inflation and prices. Both sides cherry-pick examples of consumer products to support their claims, while
August 4, 2025Dear editor; Last chance to receive 30% in federal tax credits on solar panels for your home. Solar Panels are cheaper than you may think, especially this year. If you think solar panels for your house will cost 20 or 30 thousand dollars, you are in for a
The Community Foundation of the Fox River Valley has awarded 40 grants totaling more than $535,000 to support local nonprofit organizations doing critically important work in Chicago’s Fox River Valley. These grants were awarded through the Community Foundation’s discretionary (fall 2024 and spring 2025) and Youth Engagement in Philanthropy (YEP,
By Peter HancockCapitol News Illinoisphancock@capitolnewsillinois.com Governor JB Pritzker is asking state lawmakers for more authority to regulate the homeowners insurance market in Illinois. His comments came after the Bloomington-based State Farm Fire and Casualty Company notified the Illinois Department of Insurance that it was raising premiums for residential property casualty
During Palm Sunday breakfast the Knights of Columbus Council #14929 present a check for $1,000 for to Our Lady of Good Counsel Parish.
The Batavia United Way board of directors is thrilled to announce the allocation of $140,000 in Community Impact Grants to 21 nonprofit and service-based organizations that are making a tangible difference in the Batavia community. Programs that have been awarded grants include Batavia RSVP, Batavia Interfaith Food Pantry & Clothes
By Peter HancockCapitol News Illinoisphancock@capitolnewsillinois.com Hospital officials in Illinois say they will have to make some difficult decisions in the next few years that could involve laying off staff, cutting back services, and even closing some facilities entirely. That’s the expected result of federal funding cuts built into the recently
By Ben SzalinskiCapitol News Illinoisbszalinski@capitolnewsillinois.com Hundreds of thousands of Illinoisans could lose benefits from a federal food assistance program while the state will be required to cover more costs under changes passed in the latest domestic policy plan. President Donald Trump signed the “One Big, Beautiful Bill Act” into law
By Ben SzalinskiCapitol News Illinoisbszalinski@capitolnewsillinois.com The number of homeless people in Illinois is rising, but the State’s spending on homeless prevention and other housing programs is headed in the other direction. Facing a tight budget year with constrained spending and limited natural revenue growth, the $55.1 billion fiscal year 2026
Aurora Animal Care and Control is set to receive a $2,500 grant investment from national nonprofit Petco Love in support of their lifesaving work for animals in Aurora. Petco Love is a national nonprofit leading change for pets by harnessing the power of love to make communities and pet families
By Ben SzalinskiCapitol News IllinoisBszalinski@capitolnewsillinois.com Governor JB Pritzker signed Illinois’ fiscal year 2026 budget into law Monday, taking shots at president Donald Trump’s budget management to defend hard choices state lawmakers were forced to make this year. The $55.1 billion spending plan set to take effect July 1 is the
State representative Barbara Hernandez (D-Aurora) announced State funding awards for infrastructure repairs at 11 organizations in the 50th District. In total, $1.5 million in awards for the 50th District was included in the recently passed Illinois State Budget and will be distributed through the Community Foundation of the Fox River
By Ben SzalinskiCapitol News Illinoisbszalinski@capitolnewsillinois.com Public employees hired since 2011 must continue to wait for pension reform after Illinois lawmakers declined to take up the issue during the spring session. Lawmakers and labor unions have both expressed concern that benefits for Tier 2 employees – those who entered the public
Kane County is offering financial help to renters who are behind on payments and at risk of eviction through the Kane County Homeless Prevention Program. Deadline to apply is July 31. The program can help with: •Past-due rent (up to 12 months, plus up to three months of future rent);
