(SPRINGFIELD) Illinois is still seeing an uptick in respiratory viruses with a notable hike in hospital admissions for flu. According to the Illinois Department of Public Health, hospital visits through the end of last month show that the flu is circulating more widely than the other respiratory illnesses. Health officials report five pediatric deaths have been recorded in Illinois from the flu, along with three deaths from COVID-19, and one death from RSV.
(CHICAGO) As an immigration crackdown continues across the country, some statewide businesses closed this past Monday to protest the action. The closings were part of a national “Day Without Immigrants” recognition, a protest that spread on social media. Immigrants and members of their communities were encouraged to stay home from work and school to protest the nation’s largest deportation operation is U.S. history. However, those in favor of the action remind everyone that the deportation process across the nation is for those who are in America illegally and especially for those who are criminals.
(SPRINGFIELD) Archer Daniels Midland has announced hundreds of layoffs, between 600 and 700 jobs will be cut globally this year, all part of a plan to achieve up to $750 million in cost savings over the next three to five years. At this time, it’s not known how many jobs will be affected at the ADM facility in Decatur. The move, which follows job cuts at larger rival Cargill Incorporated, comes after a second straight year of profit declines as a rebound in grain inventories and mounting biofuel policy uncertainty weighed on global prices.
(SPRINGFEILD) There is once again a push in Springfield to make daylight saving time permanent in Illinois. Two downstate lawmakers have introduced legislation that would make daylight saving time the year-round standard time for the entire state. The measure aims to eliminate the two yearly clock changes, which occur in March and November.