(SPRINGFIELD) New data shows Illinois’ infant mortality rate has dropped. The State Department of Public Health announced yesterday that the numbers indicate the rate went down from 5.6 deaths per 1,000 live births in 2021 to 6.5 deaths per 1,000 live births in 2018. The agency says the current rate is slightly above the national rate of 5.4 deaths per 1,000 live births, continuing to show racial disparities that persist nationally for infant mortality.
(CHICAGO) The Illinois Supreme Court has denied Cook County’s request to appeal a case challenging taxes on guns and ammunition that originated years ago in 2012 after the county approved a $25 per gun and a 1 to 5 cent tax per cartridge of ammunition. Initial challenges went to the Supreme Court, which in 2021 ruled against the county, which then in turn, modified the ordinance. Gun advocates in turn sued Cook County again and after a district court dismissed the case, an appeals court reinstated the challenge earlier this year.
(SPRINGFIELD) More than $860,000 is being awarded to ten Illinois organizations that provide services to Veterans and their families across the state. The Illinois Department of Veterans Affairs says the money comes from the Illinois Veterans’ Cash Lottery and will address Veteran homelessness, post-traumatic strees treatment, and much more.
(SPRINGFIELD) The State of Illinois has awarded nearly $22 million in taxpayer funds to libraries across the state for various services, plus $6 million for specific literacy programs. The grants will help enhance online catalogs, support current library operations, help expand inter-library loan programs, and provide news narrations to the visually-impaired.