(SPRINGFIELD) Proposed legislation is causing a stir in Springfield that would prohibit carbon capture and seperation activities near a sole-source aquifer supplying drinking water to over 500,000 residents across 14 counties in central Illinois. Many downstate lawmakers against the action say that while federal protections exist for groundwater, concerns remain about the long-term safety of underground storage near the Mahomet Aquifer. It’s noted that if there would be an underground carbon leak, thousands of water customers would be out of luck. The plan is being held in committee until further notice.
(SPRINGFIELD) The State of Illinois’ Medical Debt Relief Pilot Program has relieved more than $72 million worth of medical debt for over 52,000 statewide residents. Officials say the debt abolishment is the first effort as part of the state’s commitment to erase roughly $1 billion in medical debt across Illinois. The average amount of debt abolished per person is $1,349 while the maximum debt erased for one individual was at just over $242,000.
(SPRINGFIELD) European food delivery giant JustEatTakeaway.com is selling Chicago-based Grubhub for $650 million, a fraction of the billions of dollars it spend to buy the U.S. platform four years ago. Wonder Group, a New York-based food ordering company, is set to be Grubhub’s new owner. In 2020, during the early days of the COVID-19 pandemic & during a surge in demand for takeout meals, Just Eat Takeaway bought Grubhub for $7.3 billion.
(SPRINGFIELD) The Illinois Department of Public Health is seeking to fill a number of positions at an upcoming “Job Fair” in Springfield. The event will take place next Tuesday, November 19th, from 11:00 to 3:00, at the State Ag Building on the Illinois State Fairgrounds. The IDPH has a variety of job openings, a number of which do not require prior public health experience. Among the positions available are environmental health specialist, health facilities surveillance nurse, office administrator, and office associate.