SPRINGFIELD, Ill. (AP) – Illinois’ capital city has launched free Wi-Fi in downtown areas. The (Springfield) State Journal-Register reports that the wireless network is best for outdoor use and might not work indoors. Mayor Jim Langfelder said in a recent statement that the free high speed Wi-Fi is a step toward improving economic and visitor…
NORMAL, Ill. (AP) – Students at Illinois State University will be able to get an undergraduate degree in cybersecurity. The school’s board of trustees approved the creation of the program at their recent board meeting. The university’s School of Information Technology will administer the program. University officials say the program is designed to help students…
A $1,000 reward is being offered for information that leads to the arrest of an armed robbery suspect. The St. Louis Post-Dispatch reports the robbery took place early Saturday morning at the Huck’s store on Route 159 in Swansea,IL. The FBI is also investigating. Anyone with any information should call Crimestoppers at 1-866-371-8477.
A St. Louis man has been sentenced to nearly 2 decades in prison for robbing a farm supply store. 49 yr old Rodney Mathes was sentenced Thursday to 19 yrs and and seven months in federal prison. He was charged with breaking into the Rural King in Swansea, Illnois, with another man back in January…
KANSAS CITY, Mo. (AP) – An analysis for The Associated Press shows Missouri consumers next year will have dramatically fewer choices in health insurance markets created by President Barack Obama’s overhaul launched in 2014. The analysis by Avalere Health finds Missouri among just eight states with only one participating insurer in most of its counties.…
CHICAGO (AP) – The hourly minimum wage in suburban Chicago will be increased to $13 in action taken by the Cook County board. Wednesday’s action will gradually raise the minimum wage. The first increase, to $10 an hour, takes effect July 1, 2017. The wage rises to $11 a year later and to $12 in…
CHICAGO (AP) – The first question on Illinois ballots in November’s election isn’t for president or senator, but on a proposed constitutional amendment prohibiting diversion of public money targeted for transportation projects to other state budget needs. Despite widespread bipartisan support, some opponents have surfaced, including social service groups who argue it’s unfair to protect…
BENTON, Ill. (AP) – A mayor of a city in southern Illinois says he wants to solve the problem of trains that too often block traffic, including sometimes emergency vehicles. Benton Mayor Fred Kondritz tells The Carbondale Southern Illinoisan that trains can obstruct traffic in the community of 7,000 residents for up to two hours.…
CHICAGO (AP) – Illinois election officials say the number of registered active voters in the state is at its highest since 1970. Illinois State Board of Election spokesman Jim Tenuto said Tuesday morning that there are 7.9 million registered active voters in the state. That’s more than the 7.8 million who were registered in 2008…
(KTRS) – Early voting is expanding today in Illinois. The advance voting actually started September 29, but that was limited to facilities like a county board of elections. Starting Monday permanent polling stations have been opened across the state. Voters should cast their ballot in the county where they live. Residents can still register through…