a Better Bubbleβ„’

Aggregator

Gov. Pritzker Announces Three Appointments to Boards and Commissions

1 month ago
SPRINGFIELD - Building on a strong team of diverse experts in their fields, Governor JB Pritzker announced the following appointments in his administration: Illinois Finance Authority Arlene Juracek will continue to serve as a Member of the Illinois Finance Authority.* Juracek is the former Mayor of the Village of Mount Prospect, Illinois. During her tenure in city council, she was appointed Chair of the O’Hare Noise Compatibility Commission, Chair of the Northwest Suburban Municipal Joint Action Water Agency, and President of the Northwest Municipal Conference. Previously, Juracek served as Acting Director of the Illinois Power Agency, and was responsible for power and energy procurement and planning for the state’s two major electric utilities, ComEd and Ameren. Juracek received a Bachelor of Science from Illinois Institute of Technology, Chicago and a Masters of Management from Northwestern University. Steven Landek will continue to serve as a Member of the Illinois

Continue Reading

Gov. Pritzker Presses PJM on Energy Affordability Crisis and Power Grid Reliability

1 month ago
CHICAGO – Today, Governor JB Pritzker alongside a bipartisan group of nine governors from across the country, issued a letter to PJM Interconnection, the grid operator for Northern Illinois, urging the group to implement governance reforms to meet the ongoing energy affordability crisis and ensure power grid reliability for Illinois working families and businesses. “Illinois has long been a national energy leader and is committed to delivering clean, reliable, and affordable energy to working families and businesses,” said Governor JB Pritzker. “But PJM undermines our efforts and lacks meaningful accountability to the very states it serves. I’m joining Governors from red and blue states to call for reforms that give states a real seat at the table, ensures transparency, and listens to working families and businesses. PJM must evolve and embrace reforms if it is to remain a credible partner and responsible steward for the region.” The letter comes

Continue Reading

Congresswoman Budzinski Votes No On Cuts To Public Broadcasting, Global Aid, and Women's Health

1 month ago
WASHINGTON, D.C. — Congresswoman Nikki Budzinski (IL-13) issued the following statement after voting no on the President’s proposed package that slashes more than $1.1 billion from the Corporation for Public Broadcasting – jeopardizing over 1,500 locally owned public television and radio stations across the country. "With this vote, House Republicans have officially abdicated Congress's constitutional duty to appropriate federal dollars, effectively surrendering that authority to the Executive Branch. Let’s be clear: the funding they just voted to slash was passed with bipartisan support and signed into law. Walking away from those commitments isn’t just irresponsible — it’s reckless. These cuts jeopardize local public broadcasting, strip access to critical healthcare, gut lifesaving emergency programs, and undermine our support for global allies. It doesn’t make us stronger — it makes us weaker.” In addition to gutting fundin

Continue Reading

Online Course Helps Firefighters Strengthen Safety Defenses While Balancing Operational Effectiveness

1 month ago
SPRINGFIELD – The Illinois Department of Labor’s (IDOL) Division of Occupational Safety and Health (IL OSHA), in partnership with the Illinois Fire Service Institute (IFSI), launched an on-demand training course, "Defenses for Firefighters," to help firefighters navigate the challenge of balancing personal safety with effective emergency response. This online training course delivers actionable guidance developed from real-world incidents and highlights the importance of continually assessing and controlling risk. Whether new to the firefighting or a seasoned chief officer, the course empowers learners with the mindset and strategies needed to identify hazards, defend against injury or death, and make risk-informed decisions. “The entire course takes only fifteen minutes. I would encourage all fire departments in Illinois to put their staff through it and then continually reinforce the principles,” said IL OSHA Chief Erik Kambarian. “The goal is clear:

Continue Reading

Rebuilding Bloomington-Normal: Reconstruction, Resurfacing And Bike Trail Extension Projects Highlight Another Historic Construction Season

1 month ago
BLOOMINGTON-NORMAL – As part of one of its busiest construction seasons ever, the Illinois Department of Transportation is delivering several major projects in the Bloomington-Normal area, fueled by Gov. JB Pritzker’s historic, bipartisan Rebuild Illinois capital program. Five major projects combined represent a total investment of nearly $83.1 million, improving safety and mobility while sustaining and creating good-paying jobs throughout the region. “Through Rebuild Illinois, we are making good on our promise to restore and transform our state’s infrastructure while promoting economic growth,” said Gov. Pritzker. “This summer, IDOT will continue to build on years of progress by undertaking construction projects that will create safer roads and bridges and provide jobs across the state. Through these projects, we are demonstrating what government is supposed to do and that’s investing in the people and communities we serve.” Of the

Continue Reading

100 Years Ago: Heatstroke Kills Two Men in Alton

1 month ago
ALTON - On Monday, July 13, 1925, two men were rushed to St. Joseph’s Hospital in Alton with heatstroke. William F. Morris died that evening. John Zink succumbed the next day. The high temperature in Alton hovered around 100 degrees Fahrenheit that week. John Zink, an employee of the James Fortin Construction Company, was overcome by heat near Roxana at noon on July 13 and was rushed to St. Joseph’s Hospital. William F. Morris collapsed on East Broadway near Main Street at 1:30 p.m. Dr. O.E. Carson, township physician, had been called in to attend Zink and was already there when Morris arrived. Dr. Carson tried to save both men, but their temperature on arrival at St. Joseph’s was 109 degrees Fahrenheit. Body temperature above 106.7 degrees is hyperpyrexia, a life-threatening emergency. Morris, 45, of 324 Main Street in Alton, worked as a lather. Bystanders noticed him staggering near the interurban car barns and he was likely on the way to his home on Main Stree

Continue Reading