(SPRINGFIELD) U.S. Bureau of Labor statistics data shows Illinois’ unemployment rate increased to 4.9% during the month of May, tying for the third-worst in the nation. With the state adding just 43,900 jobs in May, compared to the year before, Illinois ranked #44 among all states for non-farm job growth at just seven-tenths of a percentage point (0.7%).
(SPRINGFIELD) Governor J.B. Pritzker signed legislation earlier this week that will require the state’s taxpayers to pay off the medical debt for up to 300,000 Illinois residents. To qualify, individuals must have a household income below 400% of the Federal Poverty Level or possess medical debt amounting to 5% or more of their household income. Opponents of the plan have said that taxpayer subsidies to a nonprofit to liquidate select medical debt is something the state cannot afford. The Governor also signed into law earlier this week a bill that makes medical debt ineligible to be included on a credit report.
(SPRINGFIELD) The Illinois Department of Public Health has announced an expanded list of high-risk ZIP codes, increasing mandatory testing for lead exposure of children who live within those areas. Representing parts of at least 60 Illinois counties, 148 new zip codes have been added to the list this year, bringing the total of high-risk ZIP codes up to almost 1,200. Under Illinois law, any child residing in a high-risk zip code is to be tested for lead automatically at the ages of 12, 24, and 36 months. On the list of newly-added ZIP codes are some from the area downstate counties of Richland, Crawford, Cumberland, Coles, Marion, Effingham, Shelby, Jefferson, and White. For more, go to the dph.illinois.gov website.
(SPRINGFIELD) The Illinois State Police and hundreds of local law enforcement agencies are out in extra force for the rest of this weekend looking for those driving impaired or not observing the rules of the road. With various roadside safety checks, saturation patrols, and more, the authorities are looking for those driving impaired by alcohol and/or drugs, plus those speeding, not wearing seat belts, and those that are texting while driving.