(SPRINGFIELD) As students across Illinois are back at school, the Illinois Department of Revenue is reminding parents and educators to take advantage of tax benefits available on their 2025 state income tax returns. The Illinois K-12 Education Expense Credit allows parents or legal guardians of full-time students to claim a 25% tax credit on qualified education expenses over $250. Teachers and other school workers can claim up to $500 in tax credits for out-of-pocket spending on classroom and other school materials.
(SPRINGFIELD) The Illinois Secretary of State’s Office has ordered a company which operates automated licensed reader systems to shut off the U.S. Customs and Border Protection’s access to license plate camera data. State officials say the company, Flock Safety, violated state law by allowing the federal agency to access cameras, although the information was used to track down criminals and those who are in Illinois illegally.
(SPRINGFIELD) Illinois ranks 42nd in the nation in a report ranking the Hardest Working States in America. This is according to the survey company WalletHub, which compared the 50 states across ten key metrics, including average workweek hours, share of workers with multiple jobs, and annual volunteer hours. While North Dakota randed first with the country’s hardest working residents, Michigan was worse than Illinois and was last.
(DU QUOIN) The 2025 Du Quoin State Fair is continuing down in Perry County, running now through next Monday night, with the hours each day from 8:00 to midnight and free admission for adults and children, but there is a fee to park. Today is Republican Day on the fairgrounds with the Sunshine Picnic, more harness racing, Chris Owens in concert in the Free Entertainment Tent, and more ITPA Truck & Tractor Pulling tonight. Tomorrow is Senior Citizens Day with the annual Senior Prom, more harness racing, and other activities, followed by Sponsor Appreciation Day on Thursday featuring Kids Day at the Fair, plus the One Man Circus, various contests, and on the Grandstand stage at 7:30 is Tesla. Then Friday is Illinois Tourism Day featuring the Made in Illinois Expo, the Ponytail & Pigtail Contest, the Smile Contest, and country musician Jake Owens on stage at 7:30. Not to mention all the great fair food concessions, other live entertainment, various shows, carnival rides, games, and much more for all ages. Check it all out on the dsf.illinois.gov website online.