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Illinois Department Of Agriculture Suspends Poultry Exhibition And Sale Events

1 year 1 month ago
SPRINGFIELD, IL - The Illinois Department of Agriculture (IDOA) is issuing a 30-day suspension, effective Tuesday, February 11, 2025, on the exhibition or sale of poultry at swap meets, exhibitions, flea markets, and auction markets in response to the ongoing threat of H5N1 avian flu. The move is intended to reduce and prevent the spread of the disease, which has been detected in commercial and backyard flocks in Illinois. “Prevention is our most effective tool to mitigate the spread of avian flu. By being proactive in biosecurity and limiting poultry movement and exposure, we are protecting the public as well as the poultry industry,” said Dr. Mark Ernst, IDOA State Veterinarian. Avian flu is caused by an influenza type A virus which can infect poultry (such as chickens, turkeys, pheasants, quail, domestic ducks, geese, and guinea fowl) and wild birds (especially waterfowl). Avian flu virus strains are extremely infectious, often fatal to chickens, and can spread rapidly

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Local Students Named To President's And Dean's Lists At Drake University

1 year 1 month ago
DES MOINES, Iowa - The following local students have been named to the Dean's and President's Lists at Drake University. Edwardsville, IL Kenton Ausmer, Arts & Sciences, Dean's List Brynn Miracle, Zimpleman College of Business, Dean's List To be eligible for the Dean's List, students must have earned a GPA of 3.5 or higher during the Fall 2024 semester at Drake. To be eligible for the President's List, students must have earned a perfect 4.0 GPA during the Fall 2024 semester at Drake. Drake University is recognized as one of the finest national liberal arts universities. A distinctive and distinguished private university in Des Moines, Iowa, Drake enrolls nearly 3,000 undergraduate and more than 1,800 graduate students. Students choose from more than 70 majors, minors, and concentrations and 20 graduate degrees offered through seven colleges and schools. In addition, Drake offers a range of continuing education programs serving working professionals, community members, and

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Budzinski Hits Trump Administration Over Impact of Proposed Tariffs on America's Farmers

1 year 1 month ago
WASHINGTON, D.C. — Today, Congresswoman Nikki Budzinski (IL-13) engaged with farm stakeholders during a House Committee on Agriculture hearing, addressing the potential impact of tariffs on Canada and their effect on import prices for farmers. The Committee heard testimony from four figures in the agriculture sector – from California to Illinois – who shared the challenges they are facing. Earlier this month, President Trump announced a 25 percent tariff on imports from Canada, including a 10 percent tariff on energy imports. While the President has since instituted a 30-day pause, it is unclear if tariffs will ultimately be applied. The U.S. imports some four million barrels per day of Canadian oil, 70 percent of which is processed by refiners in the Midwest. In response to Budzinski’s questioning, the witnesses confirmed that the increased input costs caused by tariffs would hinder, rather than help, our farmers’ ability to remain competitive. Budzinski’s

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Gov. Pritzker Announces "Aspen Ideas: Climate" Conference Will Move to Chicago

1 year 1 month ago
CHICAGO - Today Governor JB Pritzker joined the Aspen Institute, climate advocates, and business leaders to announce that the 2025 Aspen Ideas: Climate conference will take place in Chicago. Previously, the conference has been held in Miami Beach, Florida each year since its inception in 2022. “Illinois and our Midwestern neighbors are leading the way growing a clean energy economy that supports good-paying jobs and lowers energy costs. ? I can think of no better place to bring together clean energy and climate leaders than Chicago,” said Governor JB Pritzker. “Our focus on fresh water, electric vehicles, alternate energy sources, and so many other facets of sustainable infrastructure form a regional powerhouse that I’m eager to show off to climate leaders from around the country.” The Aspen Ideas: Climate conference brings together members of the public alongside climate leaders to learn about current climate issues and discuss innovative solutions.

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Free Income Tax Preparation Assistance Available for Qualifying Taxpayers

1 year 1 month ago
CHICAGO – Several trusted Illinois programs offer free income tax preparation for low-to-moderate income families and older adults who may need assistance in filing their 2024 income taxes. The Internal Revenue Service (IRS), American Association of Retired Persons' (AARP) Foundation Tax-Aide Program, and the Ladder Up Tax Assistance Program (TAP), provide free basic income tax return preparation with electronic filing to qualified individuals in select locations statewide. "It is important for Illinois taxpayers to know they can receive help from qualified volunteers certified by the IRS at various locations statewide," said Illinois Department of Revenue Director David Harris. "These individuals are ready and willing to assist taxpayers in filing their state and federal tax returns accurately and on time by the Tuesday, April 15 deadline.” How taxpayer assistance is provided and when services are available varies by region, based upon volunteer capacity. “Tax

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IDPH Announces Grant Opportunity to Promote the Community Health Worker Profession in Illinois

1 year 1 month ago
SPRINGFIELD – The Illinois Department of Public Health (IDPH) has announced a Notice of Funding Opportunity (NOFO) that will award grant money to a lead organization to develop a multi-year campaign supporting and promoting the inclusion of community health workers (CHWs) in health teams. Community health workers are trusted members of their communities, who serve as a bridge between health care and social services and the community. IDPH supports CHWs in many ways, including its ongoing work to develop and establish a certification program that will improve the quality and availability of CHW training programs and will open the door for reimbursement of CHW services through the Medicaid program. The grant funding opportunity further supports CHW programs around the state by creating a campaign to improve awareness and understanding of what CHWs do and support the effective integration of CHWs into public health, health care, and human services organizations. The campaign wil

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Hannah Schlemer Launches Fundraiser For Troy 6-Year-Old Ace Waldeck

1 year 1 month ago
TROY - Hannah Schlemer is leading a fundraising effort to support the ongoing needs of 6-year-old Ace Waldeck, of Troy, who faces numerous health challenges due to complications from a premature birth. The campaign aims to raise funds for essential items not covered by insurance, including a ramp, a lift, and an accessible van. Ace was born prematurely and, at just 11 days old, suffered a bilateral hemorrhagic stroke that left him quadriplegic and nearly blind. He also lives with Cerebral Palsy and Epilepsy, and in 2022, he developed a blood clot that damaged one of his kidneys, leaving him with only one functioning kidney. Despite his challenges, Ace is described as a happy boy with a vibrant spirit, Schlemer said. "He enjoys listening to books and music, watching shows, and engaging with his siblings," she said. "He's an old soul," noting his ability to communicate discomfort despite being nonverbal. Schlemer expressed gratitude to the community for their generosity in providing

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