(SPRINGFIELD) The federal government has awarded Illinois $193.4 million per year for five years to expand healthcare access in rural areas. The Illinois Department of Healthcare & Family Services outlined three key categories of initiatives for the federal taxpayer-funded Rural Healthcare Transformation Program money : for transforming rural healthcare delivery, for overcoming geographic barriers of care, and for building a resilient rural healthcare workforce.
(CHICAGO) The Federal Reserve Bank of Chicago’s National Financial Conditions Index (NFCI) dropped just over a half point (.57) in the week ending December 26th, suggesting looser financial conditions where credit is considered to be easier and cheaper for businesses and consumers. The index updates U.S. financial conditions in money markets, debt and equity markets, and traditional and “shadow” banking systems. The Chicago Fed’s district includes a good chunk of the Midwest – all of Iowa and most of Illinois, Indiana, Michigan, & Wisconsin.
(SPRINGFIELD) Former Illinois House Speaker Michael Madigan’s longtime associate has begun serving a two year prison sentence at a federal medical facility and minimum security camp in Lexington, Kentucky. Michael McClain, a former lobbyist and Illinois state lawmaker, was convicted of conspiracy, bribery, and falsifying records at the ComEd Four trial in 2023 and reported to the prison facility this past Monday. Meanwhile, Madigan, convicted on ten counts of corruption began serving his 7.5 year prison term at a facility in West Virginia on October 13th.
(SPRINGFIELD) The Illinois State Fair is transitioning to digital ticketing in this new year of 2026. After a trial run in 2025, fair officials say the modernized process will provide guests with more convenient, secure, and streamlined entry to the State Fair and it’s activities. The Illinois State Fair this year is scheduled from August 13th through August 23rd in Springfield.