(SPRINGFIELD) Illinois Governor J.B. Pritzker has signed legislation to protect news media from strategic lawsuits against public participation (SLAPP). Officials say Senate Bill 1181 will ensure that the press will not have to fear retaliation for telling the truth in reporting. The new measure takes effect immediately throughout the state of Illinois.
(CHICAGO) A federal grand jury has indicted four Chicago-area individuals accused of illegally obtaining millions of dollars in small business loans under the Coronavirus Aid, Relief, & Economic Security Act. Prosecutors say the three men and one woman turned in numerous fraudulent applications for Paycheck Protection Program and Economic Injury Disaster Loan Program funds from 2020 to 2022. They face years in prison and restitution.
(JOLIET) NASCAR has announced it will return to Joliet next year in 2026. The Chicagoland Speedway there has sat mostly dormant since the stock-car series last raced ther in 2019. The NASCAR calendar released yesterday has a Cup Series Race set in Joliet for July 5th.
(DU QUOIN) The 2025 Du Quoin State Fair, also known as Illinois’ Second State Fair, starts up today and continues each day and night through Labor Day, Monday, September 1st. Officially beginning with the Annual Twilight Parade at 6:00 tonight, the fairgrounds are then open from 8:00 each morning to midnight each night, with a daily free admission for adults and children alike, however there is a fee to park. But it’s Free Parking on this Friday night with a Marching Band Contest at 6:00. Tomorrow will be Governor’s Day with various activities including MX Racing, Whippoorwill Rodeo, & David Lee Roth on the Grandstand stage. Sunday will be Veterans Day with more MX Racing, livestock shows, the firefighting waterball contest, more rodeo competition, Veterans’ activities, and the Little River Band on stage that night. Monday will be Agriculture Youth Day with harness racing, 4-H Food Challenge, and ITPA Tractor Pulling that night on the Half Mile Track. Plus all the great fair food concessions, live entertainment, & more. Check the dsf.illinois.gov website for more.