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Attorney General Raoul Wins Preliminary Injunction Against Trump Administration For Blocking Access To Education Funds

4 months 1 week ago
CHICAGO – Attorney General Kwame Raoul and a coalition of 17 states secured a preliminary injunction today against the Trump administration in an ongoing lawsuit to restore access to critical U.S. Department of Education (department) funds that support programs for students across the state. The preliminary injunction forces the Trump administration to restore states’ access to funds for programs that support low-income and unhoused students, and provide funding for other essential school services to address the long-term effects of the COVID-19 pandemic on K-12 students. “The Trump administration’s shortsighted and illegal decision to attempt to rescind already-appropriated education funding would hurt vulnerable students the most and could wreak havoc on the budgets of school districts throughout Illinois and the nation,” Raoul said. “I am committed to joining with my fellow attorneys general to stand up against the president’s continued

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This Day in History on May 7: Germany Surrenders in France During World War II

4 months 1 week ago
May 7th is a date that carries a remarkable tapestry of historical events, spanning centuries and continents, reflecting moments of innovation, conflict, and cultural shift. In 1945, May 7th marked a monumental turning point in World War II, a conflict that had reshaped the geopolitical landscape of the 20th century. On this day, the German High Command signed an unconditional surrender at Reims, France, effectively bringing an end to the war in Europe. This act was witnessed and signed by representatives of the Allied forces, marking Victory in Europe Day (VE Day) celebrations that followed on May 8th. This surrender symbolized the conclusion of years of devastating warfare, loss, and upheaval, paving the way for a new era of reconstruction and the establishment of global institutions aiming to prevent such widespread conflict in the future. Moving back in time, another significant event on May 7th occurred in the realm of science and innovation. On May 7, 1915, the RMS Lusitania,

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Duckworth to Trump's VA Secretary: Your Work to Rehire Veterans Crisis Line Workers You Wrongly Fired Is Not Complete

4 months 1 week ago
WASHINGTON, D.C. – As Donald Trump and Elon Musk continue their all-out assault against the VA and the brave Veterans it serves, today combat Veteran and U.S. Senator Tammy Duckworth (D-IL)—a member of the U.S. Senate Committee on Veterans’ Affairs (SVAC)—called out VA Secretary Doug Collins for erroneously firing 24 probationary employees with the Veterans Crisis Line (VCL)—employees who help provide life-saving care and critical resources needed by Veterans in their darkest moments. While the VA may have reinstated some workers, Duckworth made it clear at today’s SVAC hearing that every position at the VCL is mission-critical and none of the fired or rehired workers should have been fired in the first place. The Senator also highlighted that the lack of transparency surrounding these VCL firings in the wake of mass layoffs underscores the urgent need for greater oversight from Congress. Duckworth’s full remarks can be found on the Senator’s

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Scott AFB Open House and STEM Expo 2025 Cancelled  

4 months 1 week ago
SCOTT AIR FORCE BASE – Scott AFB is cancelling its June 14 Open House, due to mission prioritization and fiscal considerations. “A lot of work has gone into preparing for this event, and we were looking forward to hosting everyone,” said Col. John Poole, 375th Air Mobility Wing and Installation Commander. “As always, the tremendous support from our community partners as we prepared to welcome the public to our flightline was second-to-none. While we share in the disappointment, we look forward to hosting a full airshow and open house in 2027 in celebration of Scott AFB’s 110th Anniversary.”

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Budzinski Bill to Improve VA Training for MST Claims Passes Committee

4 months 1 week ago
WASHINGTON, D.C. — Today, the House Committee on Veterans’ Affairs passed out of markup the Improving VA Training for Military Sexual Trauma (MST) Claims Act (H.R. 2201), a bipartisan bill led by U.S. Representatives Nikki Budzinski (IL-13), Young Kim (CA-40), Don Bacon (NE-02), and Chrissy Houlahan (PA-06). According to VA officials, the department received 57,400 MST claims in fiscal year 2024, up 18% from the previous year, and approved more than 63% of them, up from roughly 40% more than a decade ago. As the number of claims rises, this legislation seeks to simplify the process for victims, helping them pursue justice without experiencing additional trauma. Watch Rep. Budzinski speak in support of the bill during today’s hearing HERE . The Improving VA Training for Military Sexual Trauma Claims Act: Requires the VA Secretary to create a plan to improve training for Contracted Disability Compensation Examiners (CDCEs) who assist veterans dealing with MST;

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