(SPRINGFIELD) New Illinois Gaming Board administrative rules now require all casinos statewide to conduct mandatory human trafficking recognition training, plus additional training to develop and document human trafficking, along with posting human trafficking awareness notices. All casino employees must complete this training with their initial job training within the first three months from the start of their employment. The training will include information on what makes an individual susceptible to human trafficking.
(SPRINGFIELD) Based on new data, researchers have pegged Illinois as home to the 15th largest share of roads in poor conditions in America, with the share of major roadways in that category at 16.4 percent, while another 32.6 percent were rated as just being in fair condition. The data suggests Illinois lawmakers would be wise to look at neighboring states to get a view of how smooth things could be running, such as in Minnesota and Indiana. With the number of daily vehicle-miles traveled per capita across Illinois at 22.5 miles, researchers say the share of major Illinois roadways in good condition is at 51 percent.
(CHICAGO) Copi, the consumer brand for invasive carp launched in 2022 by the Illinois Department of Natural Resources, was featured during the National Restaurant Association Show this past weekend in Chicago. The State DNR had led the rebranding of invasive carp to combat public misconceptions about the fish and increase consumer interest in this top-feeding protein source. Increased consumption will help prevent the newly named Copi from decimating the native fish populations in the Great Lakes & elsewhere in the Midwest.
(CARBONDALE) Illinois Department of Natural Resources and downstate officials gathered over the weekend to celebrate the opening of a new enclosed horse arena at Giant City Stables. The new enclosed facility, part of the downstate Giant City State Park, located south
of Carbondale, will offer year-round therapeutic horse-riding for youth, Veterans, and those with disabilities, as well as riding lessons and trail riders for the park’s visitors.