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Gov. Pritzker Urges Federal Workers In Illinois To Understand Their Rights

1 year 1 month ago
CHICAGO - Today, Governor JB Pritzker released the following statement concerning the federal government’s “deferred resignation” offer for federal workers in Illinois: “Donald Trump and his special government employee Elon Musk are unleashing an assault on the fabric of our government and the working families who rely upon and need our democracy to deliver for them. Elon’s secret servants are asking millions of federal employees to give up their legal rights, agree to a vague severance, and just hope for the best – it’s insulting to workers. I urge federal employees who live or work in Illinois to proceed with caution before taking an offer that requires them to waive their legal rights. We can make government more efficient for the taxpayers without misleading and mistreating workers. In Illinois, we will do all we can to protect worker rights.” The federal government is the second largest single employer in Illinois, behind

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Secretary of State Mobile DMV to Appear at Senior Services Plus

1 year 1 month ago
ALTON - The Illinois Secretary of State's mobile Driver Services unit will be at Senior Services Plus on Tuesday, March 11, 2025. The event will be from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. at 2603 N. Rodgers Ave, Alton, Ill., 62002. Representatives of the Secretary of State's office will be on hand to assist with renewing or correcting driver's licenses, converting existing standard driver’s licenses into REAL ID driver’s licenses, obtaining renewed or first time Standard or REAL state IDs, issuing free state IDs for seniors aged 65 or older, and purchasing license plate stickers. Attendees can also register to be an organ donor/tissue donor and register to vote while applying for a driver’s license or identification card. Please contact Leslie Eberlin at 618-465-3298 ext. 123 or leberlin@seniorservicesplus.org with questions. A list of acceptable documents for the issuance of first time ID’s and REAL ID’s can be found at www.ilsos.gov .

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Trump proposed U.S. takeover of Gaza met with little enthusiasm in Congress

1 year 1 month ago
WASHINGTON — President Donald Trump’s proposal to have the United States take over Gaza and potentially deploy American troops in the extremely volatile region failed to win over members of Congress, many of whom — including Republicans — said during interviews Wednesday they either won’t support it or need more details. Maine GOP Sen. Susan […]
Jennifer Shutt

Protest erupts in D.C. against Trump plan to shut down global humanitarian aid

1 year 1 month ago
WASHINGTON — Thousands gathered on Capitol Hill Wednesday to protest the Trump administration’s bulldozing of U.S. disaster aid and critical medical care in war-torn and poverty-stricken regions around the globe. The future of American humanitarian efforts is unclear after U.S. Agency for International Development employees were told late Tuesday to prepare for administrative leave and […]
Ashley Murray

Durbin, Duckworth Join Kaine In Raising Alarm Over Trump Administration Chaos At Critical National Security Agencies

1 year 1 month ago
WASHINGTON – U.S. Senate Democratic Whip Dick Durbin (D-IL) and U.S. Senator Tammy Duckworth (D-IL), a member of the U.S. Senate Committee on Foreign Relations, joined U.S. Senator Tim Kaine (D-IL), along with 34 of their Senate colleagues, in sending a letter to Secretary of State Marco Rubio expressing their deep concern regarding the growing chaos and dysfunction at the U.S. Department of State and the Trump Administration’s illegal attempt to destroy the U.S. Agency for International Development (USAID). USAID is a critical pillar of U.S. national security strategy, providing lifesaving aid and development support around the world to help ensure stability. Earlier this week, personnel at USAID were not permitted to enter the agency’s headquarters, and Elon Musk announced that President Donald Trump agreed to close the agency and move it under the State Department – which Trump has no legal authority to do. The Trump Administration, led by Musk, has

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Attorney General Kwame Raoul Secures Historic Settlement With National Women's Soccer League Over Player Mistreatment

1 year 1 month ago
CHICAGO - Attorney General Kwame Raoul, with District of Columbia Attorney General Brian Schwalb and New York Attorney General Letitia James, today announced a landmark settlement with the National Women’s Soccer League (NWSL) after numerous players came forward with allegations of harassment and sexual misconduct. A subsequent independent investigation found that emotional abuse and sexual coercion were systemic across the league. Under the settlement, the NWSL will continue to implement comprehensive reforms to improve player safety and well-being, and Raoul and the attorneys general will have the ability to oversee and enforce new league protocols and protections for players. As a result of the investigation, the NWSL will also create a $5 million fund to compensate players who were abused. “I commend the current and former players whose courage and leadership off the field was critical to reaching today’s settlement. Despite having the most to lose, these

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Gov. Pritzker Signs the Kinship in Demand ('KIND') Act

1 year 1 month ago
SPRINGFIELD - Today, Governor JB Pritzker signed House Bill 4781, the Kinship in Demand (“KIND”) Act, into law, allowing the Illinois Department of Children and Family Services (DCFS) to develop more flexible standards to certify grandparents and other relatives who are able to safely care for youth in DCFS’s care. The bill also creates a path for more youth in care to find permanent homes through guardianship. Studies show that when youth-in-care are able to remain with relatives in stable and familiar homes they often experience better outcomes, a stronger sense of identity and connection, and greater well-being. “Staying in a familiar place and seeing a comforting face every day can make all the difference in the life of a child-in-care,” said Governor JB Pritzker. “The KIND Act enhances family finding efforts to ensure we are doing everything we can to identify relatives who can care for and maintain ongoing, supportive connections with our youth

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Attorney General Raoul Reaffirms Commitment To Protecting Access To Gender-Affirming Care

1 year 1 month ago
CHICAGO – Attorney General Kwame Raoul today joined a coalition of 14 attorneys general in reaffirming their commitment to protecting access to gender-affirming care in the face of the Trump administration’s recent executive order. In Illinois, the Human Rights Act requires health care providers to provide health care to all residents and prohibits unlawful discrimination on the basis of sex, which specifically includes gender identity. The coalition released the following statement: “As state attorneys general, we stand firmly in support of health care policies that respect the dignity and rights of all people. Health care decisions should be made by patients, families and doctors, not by a politician trying to use his power to restrict your freedoms. Gender-affirming care is essential, lifesaving medical treatment that supports individuals in living as their authentic selves. “The Trump administration’s recent executive order is wrong on the science

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Amy Meek to Serve as Deputy Director of the Illinois Department of Human Rights

1 year 1 month ago
CHICAGO – Today, the Illinois Department of Human Rights (IDHR) announced Amy Meek will serve as the agency’s next Deputy Director. Meek is an experienced civil rights attorney and brings an exceptional record of leadership in government and the nonprofit sector. The announcement comes alongside Alex Bautista’s transition from IDHR after nearly 8 years of service to work on special projects with the Governor’s Office of New Americans. “Alex Bautista has been an essential advisor for the last 6 years. He was thoughtful, deliberate, and collaborative,” said IDHR Director Jim Bennett. “I am confident that Amy Meek will rise to the occasion in her new role as she leads our efforts to secure freedom from unlawful discrimination for all individuals in Illinois.” Alex Bautista is a lifelong champion of human rights and has centered his leadership on obtaining equity for all groups protected by the Illinois Human Rights Act. At IDHR, he oversaw

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Gabe Futhey Is Art Fahrner-Edward Jones Alton High School Remarkable Redbird Of The Month

1 year 1 month ago
ALTON - An accomplished senior leaves an impactful legacy in many areas as he winds down his career at Alton High School. This month's Art Fahrner-Edward Jones Remarkable Redbird Gabe Futhey has not only left his mark at Alton High, but he has also left lasting impressions on members of the Alton High staff as well. Gabe has been playing the trumpet since he was in fifth grade and is heavily involved in multiple music organizations at Alton High. As a sophomore, he auditioned for and became part of the wind ensemble. He has been a part of the Illinois Music Education Conference (IMEC). Gabe also went to the University of Illinois in Champaign for a performance with a large number of schools throughout the state that performed at this event. Gabe is a member of the Marching 100 and is also a member of the Jazz Band, who meet once week to practice for performances 3 times per year. Gabe also has a course load of five AP classes (Calculus, Physics, Music Theory, Macroeconomics and Statistics)

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