(NORMAL) More than 300 Illinois State University employees are back on the job after ratifying a new five-year contract and ending a strike that began last month on April 8th. The AFSCME Local 1110 members will receive an immediate 3.5% pay increase and $1,500 signing bonus, plus additional 3% raises on each July 1st from 2026 through 2029. ISU administration and union members came to an agreement after a sixth meeting with a federal mediator Monday.
(SPRINGFIELD) In honor and remembrance of all the Illinois State Police officers who died in the line of duty, the ISP and its Heritage Foundation held the First Annual Memorial Park Ceremony yesterday in Springfield. Completed eight years ago in 2018, the Memorial Park honors the lives and memories of the fallen heroes of the Illinois State Police, with the names of every officer who gave their lives in service are inscribed on the wall. The three Troopers noted yesterday included Lory Lee Price, George D. Craggs, and Todd Anthony Hanneken.
(SPRINGFIELD) Illinois Public Interest Research Group and the Citizens Utility Board say the Illinois Commerce Commission should cut $137 million from a proposed $200 million rate hike proposed by Peoples Gas. The consumer groups cited bonuses for corporate executives, inflated profit margins, and wasteful spending on a pipe retirement program as main problems. At a news conference yesterday, PIRG and CUB said the Illinois Attorney General’s Office is calling for the elimination of the rate hike entirely and giving Peoples Gas customers a $4 million rate cut.
(SPRINGFIELD) The Illinois Product Farmers Market is scheduled to open for its 19th season today from 3:30 to 7:00 at The Shed on the Illinois State Fairgrounds in Springfield. The State Agriculture Department says it will match every dollar spent in Link cash assistance and food benefit cards at the market. The Market will be held every Thursday now through September 24th, excluding three Thursdays in August. Go to the agr.illinois.gov website for more.