ILLINOIS STATE NEWS BRIEF (07/08/2024)

(SPRINGFIELD) Illinois voters could see three non-binding referendums on the November 5th general election ballot this fall, once it is certified next month on August 28th. The Illinois State Board of Elections says alongside with candidates for President, Congress, Statehouse seats, and other elected offices, the Illinois General Assembly approved the three questions to ask voters. They include the Election Worker Protection & Candidate Accountability Referendum Act, the Property Tax Relief & Fairness Referendum Act, and the Assisted Reproductive Health Referendum Act. Again, all are non-binding questions.

(SPRINGFIELD) Illinois’ in-state average tuition over the last 15 years has jumped 49%, leaving the state with the third-highest costs in the nation and many students are either leaving home to seek further education or taking on more debt to make it happen in the Land of Lincoln. A new Illinois Policy Institute survey finds average in-state costs at the state’s twelve (12) public universities now stands at nearly $15,000, or more than $5,000 higher than in-state tuition among the country’s ten (10) most populous states. The only other states with higher costs than Illinois at Vermont and New Hampshire.

(SPRINGFIELD) The Illinois Department of Transportation is reminding the public that roadside mowing is well underway and motorists need to slow down and pay attention while behind the wheel. During the summer, IDOT conducts two types of moving – safety mowing, which occurs adjacent to the road when needed to improve visibility – and maintenance mowing, which includes areas next to culverts, ditches, and traffic control devices. The state’s heaviest mowing operations will continue now through August 15th.

(SPRINGFIELD) The box office for the Illinois State Fair remains open each weekday in Springfield for in-person ticket sales from 8:00 to 5:00 each day, Monday through Friday. Tickets are available for all the special events, including the huge tractor & truck pulls, the monster truck race, the popular rodeo, and much more, plus all the grandstand concerts available with a wide array of performers on stage nearly every day or night of the fair. For more information, go to the Illinois State Fair website at statefair.illinois.gov. The Illinois State Fair in Springfield begins Thursday, August 8th, running thru Sunday, August 18th.