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IDOL Recognizes Five Years of Online Collection of Certified Payrolls from Contractors on Public Works Projects

7 months 1 week ago
SPRINGFIELD – It will soon be five years since the Illinois Department of Labor (IDOL) began accepting certified payrolls from contractors who perform construction work on public works projects. Public works projects include any construction work funded in whole, or in part, by state or local public tax dollars. Certified payrolls are a record of wages paid to workers on these projects and are required by the Prevailing Wage Act to include such things as the workers name, classification, trade, hourly wage rate, and hours worked each week on the public works project and any other project. “Prevailing wage certified payroll filings help ensure that workers on government-funded projects are paid the correct wages and benefits for their work,” said Illinois Department of Labor Director Jane Flanagan . “Illinois’ public certified transcript of payroll portal provides transparency in the industry, helps maintain accountability among contractors that have

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IDOC to Provide Career Information Across the State in February and March

7 months 1 week ago
SPRINGFIELD - The Illinois Department of Corrections (IDOC) will participate in at least 10 hiring events open to the public in various locations throughout February and March. These events provide an opportunity for anyone interested in a career with IDOC to learn more about the application process. IDOC recruiters will be available to answer questions and assist individuals with the application process on-site. Along with correctional officers, IDOC is currently seeking nurses, wardens, office associates, social workers, and more to join its team. The State of Illinois offers competitive wages; health, vision, and dental insurance; vacation, sick, and personal days; wellness program; upward mobility program; deferred compensation plan; and a retirement plan. There are job opportunities at more than 10 statewide IDOC locations. For questions, email idocjobs@illinois.gov. IDOC recruiters will be on-site to meet with prospective applicants at the following events open to the public:

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Gov. Pritzker Announces New Partnerships to Expand Education for Illinois State Police Troopers and Officers

7 months 1 week ago
EDWARDSVILLE — Today, Governor JB Pritzker and Illinois State Police (ISP) Director Brendan F. Kelly, alongside representatives from public Illinois universities, announced new partnerships that advance educational opportunities for troopers and officers and build an even stronger law enforcement agency. Eastern Illinois University, Governors State University, Southern Illinois University Edwardsville, and Western Illinois University will offer credit hours toward a bachelor’s degree for troopers and officers who graduate from the ISP Academy. “Investing in our Illinois State Police officers is not only the right thing to do – it is one of the most important things we can do for public safety,” said Governor JB Pritzker. “Today, I am proud to announce a new initiative that recognizes their dedication and supports their continued growth. Through partnerships with our state’s public universities, ISP cadet graduates will now earn college credit

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Alton School Board Candidate Tiana Gipson Announces Community Event Set For Feb. 3

7 months 1 week ago
ALTON — Tiana Gipson, a candidate for the Alton School Board, will host a Meet and Greet from 6 to 9 p.m. on Monday, February 3, 2025, at the Alton VFW located at 4445 North Alby Street. Gipson was appointed to the Alton School Board in 2023. She emphasized her commitment to the Alton community, and said: "I am a proud Altonian dedicated to serving the great people of Alton." She expressed the importance of communication, adaptability, teamwork, and passion in her role as a candidate. Gipson highlighted her dedication to public service, and said, "The ability to give back to society and serve the people is of the utmost importance to me." She is particularly focused on the needs and concerns of the constituents in the Second Ward, where she aims to advocate effectively. In addition to her role on the school board, Gipson works in home health care, specializing in hospice services. She has also been active in community initiatives, including the Juneteenth Celebration and

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Illinois Secretary of State Joins $106 Million Multi-State Settlement with Vanguard

7 months 1 week ago
SPRINGFIELD - Several thousands of Illinois residents are eligible to receive a share of a $106 million multi-state settlement with mutual fund investor company Vanguard, which is accused of failing to disclose tax implications of its retirement funds, Illinois Secretary of State Alexi Giannoulias announced. According to the settlement, Vanguard failed to disclose potential tax consequences to investors that resulted in higher capital gains taxes for some investors. In Illinois, it led to approximately 9,000 investors paying higher than expected capital gains taxes on some retirement funds, Giannoulias added. “The Secretary of State’s office is committed to protecting Main Street investors and ensuring that companies operating in Illinois follow securities laws and are held accountable when they fail to do so,” said Giannoulias, who serves as co-chair of the National Association of Secretaries of State’s (NASS) Securities Committee. “Investment companies

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Sparklight Female Athletes Of The Month: Two Jersey Cheerleaders Also Selected To MVC All-Conference Team

7 months 1 week ago
JERSEYVILLE - Two Jersey Community Unit School District No. 100 cheerleaders, Makayla Woolsey and Katie Schultz, have been recognized for their achievements by being selected to the Mississippi Valley Conference (MVC) All-Conference Team. This announcement was made public recently, celebrating the dedication and hard work both athletes have shown throughout their cheerleading careers and as students at Jersey. The two girls are Sparklight Female Athletes of the Month for Jersey Community High School. The coaches of the cheerleading squad extended their congratulations to Woolsey and Schultz, commending their commitment to the sport. The acknowledgment from the coaches highlights the significance of this achievement within the context of the school and the community. The MVC All Conference Team selection reflects the athletes' skills and contributions to their team, further emphasizing the importance of recognizing student-athletes in competitive environments. The Jersey Community

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GoFundMe Established For Benld Woman With Cancer Following Surgery Complications

7 months 1 week ago
BENLD - Benld mother Amy Fitzwater, currently battling stage 4 cancer, is asking for community support after an emergency surgery for severe blood clots proved unsuccessful. A GoFundMe campaign launched by Alycia Page aims to help with medical costs as Fitzwater faces amputation, chemotherapy, physical therapy, and more. “As many of you know, our beautiful Amy has been fighting stage 4 cancer and has previously gotten a tumor removed from her brain,” Page wrote on the GoFundMe page . “Recently, she has developed large blood clots and has needed a life flight and emergency surgery. The emergency surgery didn’t work; any object they put in her body is getting rejected. “She will now need an amputation from the knee down on her right leg to hopefully help. She will need lots of physical therapy and chemo after. We ask for any small donation or share publicly, please. We appreciate and love our community for all the help and support we’ve received.”

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Talented East St. Louis Sophomore DaNautica Williams Receives Blackburn College's MLK Leadership Award

7 months 1 week ago
CARLINVILLE - DaNautica Williams, a sophomore justice administration major from East St. Louis, is the recipient of Blackburn College’s 2025 Martin Luther King (MLK) Student Leadership Award. Presented annually, this award honors students who have demonstrated outstanding commitment and service to the ideals of diversity, equity, and inclusion at the College. Williams was announced as the recipient during Blackburn’s annual Martin Luther King, Jr. Convocation on Monday, January 27. Blackburn’s MLK Student Leadership Award was first presented in 2014 to celebrate the exceptional community-based work Blackburn students undertake. To be eligible for the award, a student must meet one or more criteria, including exhibiting leadership that has significantly impacted the Blackburn community, extraordinary commitment and dedication to service, volunteerism, or perseverance to overcome challenges. Nominations praised Williams for her exceptional engagement and dedication t

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GoFundMe Supporting Edwardsville G.I. Nurse Established

7 months 1 week ago
EDWARDSVILLE – A GoFundMe campaign has been established for a pediatric G.I. nurse from Edwardsville known as “G.I. Jen.” Jen Kvale, also known as "G.I. Jen," has spent over 25 years caring for children at Cardinal Glennon Children's Hospital in St. Louis. Now, she’s counting on the community’s support as she faces ongoing medical costs from a devastating stroke. “Beyond her career, Jen is a devoted mother to her two daughters, Ava (16) and Claire (8), who are the light of her life,” fundraiser organizer Nisha Mangalat stated on the GoFundMe page. “She is also a loving wife to her husband Tim, a devoted daughter, a caring sister, and a loyal friend. Jen’s kindness and selflessness have touched everyone who knows her. “On August 10, 2023, Jen’s world was turned upside down when she suffered a devastating stroke, the cause of which remains unclear. Since then, she has embarked on a challenging journey of recovery,

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