(SPRINGFIELD) The Illinois State Police welcomed eight (8) new Troopers from Cadet Class 153 at a graduation ceremony at the Illinois State Police Academy in Springfield this past Friday. In fact, all eight of the new Troopers were already certified police officers who previously took part and graduated from an accredited law enforcement academy and had at least two years of experience as full-time officers with other agencies. Assigned to their respective Troops around Illinois, one Trooper reported to Troop 8 based in Collinsville and another reported to Troop 10 based in Du Quoin. Since 2019, a total of 721 Troopers have joined the Illinois State Police.
(SPRINGFIELD) The U.S. Small Business Administration has approved a disaster declaration for severe storms that impacted Kankakee and five other upstate Illinois counties on March 10th and 11th last month. The declaration allows homeowners, renters, businesses, & some nonprofits to apply for low-interest loans for damage repairs not covered by insurance, plus other expenses.
(SPRINGFIELD) According to the U.S. Chamber of Commerce Institute for Legal Reform, Illinois residents paid an estimated $21.3 billion in lawsuit costs in 2022, or $4,281 per household. That’s considerably more than most all surrounding Midwestern states. Tort costs in Wisconsin, Iowa, Indiana, and Kentucky all came in under $3,000 per household, while neighboring Missouri was a little higher at $3,387, but still far below Illinois’ average.
(EAST ST. LOUIS) Federal authorities say the city of East St. Louis has agreed to address the city’s unlawful discharges of untreated sewage in the Mississippi River as well as other sites. The Justice Department, the EPA, and the State of Illinois reached an interim agreement with the East St. Louis Clean Water Act violations, following a complaint filed in December 2024.