a Better Bubble™

Aggregator

Mizzou fined $250K for storming court after upset win over No. 1 Kansas

1 year 3 months ago
The University of Missouri was fined Monday, a day after defeating the top-ranked Kansas Jayhawks at Mizzou Arena. In a press release, the Southeastern Conference announced the $250,000 fine for a violations of the conference's "access to competition area policy". The money goes to the SEC Post-Graduate Scholarship Fund because it was a non-conference game. The policy states that “institutions shall limit access to competition areas to participating student-athletes, coaches, officials, support…
Sam Clancy

Top 10 Entries Released: Public Voting on New Illinois Flag Designs Begins in January

1 year 3 months ago
SPRINGFIELD - The Illinois Flag Commission selected its Top 10 finalists for the state flag redesign contest with public voting slated to begin in January. Members of the commission could select up to 10 of their favorite designs – from the nearly 5,000 submissions – prior to their December 9 meeting where they narrowed their choices to 10 overall. “Having received nearly 5,000 entries, I appreciate the creativity and passion reflected in all the submissions,” said Illinois Secretary of State Alexi Giannoulias, whose office convened the Flag Commission meetings. Starting in January, the public will have the opportunity to vote online at www.ilsos.gov/stateflag for one of the new designs, or one of three former flag designs, including the current state flag, the 1918 Centennial Flag and the 1968 Sesquicentennial Flag. After the public voting period, the commission will report its findings and recommendations to the Illinois General Assembly by April 1, 2025,

Continue Reading

OSF Healthcare Ministries Announces Leadership Transition: CEO Bob Sehring To Retire In Spring 2026, Michelle Conger To Be President

1 year 3 months ago
PEORIA – Sister Agnes Joseph Williams, O.S.F., chairperson of OSF Healthcare Ministries, has announced that Bob Sehring, chief executive officer, has shared his intention to retire in April of 2026. To facilitate a smooth transition, Michelle Conger will assume the role of president of OSF HealthCare on January 1, 2025, and will then succeed Sehring as chief executive officer when he retires. “It is with deep gratitude that we honor Bob’s extraordinary contributions to OSF HealthCare. Under his leadership, our Ministry has achieved remarkable milestones, including strategic growth through mergers and acquisitions serving 17 communities with hospitals, providing care for more than 1 million patients this past year, demonstrating strong leadership through the pandemic and the post impacts on our health system, advancements in oncology services including the opening of the OSF HealthCare Cancer Institute in Peoria earlier this year, and an unwavering commitment to

Continue Reading

Gov. Pritzker Announces Appointment to Metropolitan Water Reclamation District Board

1 year 3 months ago
CHICAGO - Today Governor JB Pritzker announced Beth McElroy Kirkwood as his appointment to fill the vacant seat on the Metropolitan Water Reclamation District (MWRD) of Greater Chicago Board of Commissioners. Kirkwood has spent more than a decade in public service in Orland Park across multiple city departments. Kirkwood will fill the vacancy left by Mariyana Spyropolous, who was elected Clerk of Cook County Circuit court in November. “Beth McElroy Kirkwood is an example of someone who has made serving her community a lifelong priority, and I’m proud to appoint her to continue this legacy of service on the Metropolitan Water Reclamation District Board,” said Governor Pritzker. “The MWRD serves a crucial role in ensuring the greater Chicagoland area has access to clean and safe water, protecting millions of Illinoisans.” Kirkwood was appointed Orland Township Committeeperson in 2021. Kirkwood also serves on the Moraine Valley Community College Board of

Continue Reading

Attorney General Raoul Sends Warnings To Phone Companies That Have Allowed Robocalls To Bombard Illinois Residents

1 year 3 months ago
CHICAGO - Attorney General Kwame Raoul today warned four voice service providers that they have been transmitting suspected illegal robocall traffic on their networks on behalf of one or more of their customers. Raoul is a member of the bi-partisan, 51-attorney general Anti-Robocall Multistate Litigation Task Force, which has been investigating these providers. In the warning letters , the task force informs the providers that it has shared the findings of its investigations with the Federal Communications Commission (FCC), which will consider appropriate next steps. “These letters should serve as a warning to others who attempt to profit off robocalls that cost consumers time and money and violate their privacy,” Raoul said. “My office will continue to work closely with the FCC to reduce illegal and intrusive robocalls that plague consumers in Illinois and across the country.” The letters warned that if these providers continue to transmit robocalls and

Continue Reading

Three SIUE Upward Bound Staff Members Receive Graduate Degrees from the University this Month

1 year 3 months ago
EDWARDSVILLE - With their commitment to assisting students to advance academically, it is not surprising that these staff members, working in a program designed to empower students, are doing the same. Three employees of Southern Illinois University Edwardsville’s TRIO Upward Bound (UB) Programs will graduate with master’s degrees from SIUE on Friday, Dec. 13, 2024. Graduating are Christopher L. Cooper Sr., Upward Program director; Jasmeen Finn, UB counselor/data specialist; and Jurre Loveless, UB counselor. “This degree offers the necessary skills to manage public programs, lead teams and navigate the complexities of government agencies, non-profits and other public service organizations,” said Cooper, who will receive a master’s in public administration (MPA). “I am deeply passionate about positively impacting my community, and this MPA degree equips me with the tools to address critical social issues like poverty, healthcare, education and

Continue Reading

Illinois EPA Announces New Funding Round for Unsewered Communities Planning Grants

1 year 3 months ago
SPRINGFIELD - Illinois Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) Acting Director James Jennings today announced a new funding opportunity to assist communities where there are currently no wastewater collection and/or treatment facilities. Illinois EPA is making $1 million available for grants through the Unsewered Communities Planning Grant Program, which will assist small and disadvantaged communities in developing a project plan that identifies a solution to wastewater collection and treatment needs. A Notice of Funding Opportunity (NOFO) has been posted to the Illinois EPA website . “We know there is a real need for the upfront engineering and planning costs before a community can even consider construction of wastewater infrastructure,” said Director James Jennings. “Funding is a significant hurdle for many communities without access to modern wastewater systems, and this opportunity is an investment in their future and our environment.” The Unsewered Communities

Continue Reading

Lunchtime Photo

1 year 3 months ago
This is the Naschmarkt in Vienna. It's been there since the 16th century and nobody really knows why it's called that. Just look at all the pretty produce!
Kevin Drum

Staff member from state rep's office in Aurora hospitalized after opening mail, prompting evacuation

1 year 3 months ago
AURORA, Ill. — An investigation by multiple agencies is underway after a staff member from a state representative's office in Aurora may have become ill from a piece of mail Monday afternoon. The staff member was hospitalized shortly after opening the mail piece, and the potential hazardous materials incident prompted a building evacuation and a [...]
Michael Johnson