Read the latest news from regional and global sources, presenting different voices and perspectives.

Chicago minimum wage set to increase July 1 along with changes for paid time off
CHICAGO (WLS) -- Chicago workers making minimum wage are set to get a raise starting next month. Starting July 1, the city's minimum wage will be $16.60 and the minimum wage for subsidized youth employment programs, the minimum wage will be...

Chicago Fire Muscle In On White Sox’s Dream Of South Loop Stadium
CHICAGO, ILLINOIS - OCTOBER 17: New coach Gregg Berhalter of the Chicago Fire poses for a photo with ... More owner Joe Mansueto during a press conference at Waldorf Astoria Chicago on October 17, 2024 in Chicago, Illinois. (Photo by Michael...

Illinois urged to boost funding for vocational training over traditional colleges
Austin Berg, Vice President of Marketing | https://www.illinoispolicy.org/our-story/?team-filter=staff#teamAustin Berg, Vice President of Marketing | https://www.illinoispolicy.org/our-story/?team-filter=staff#team The Center for Poverty Solutions...

Illinois quick hits: Johnsonville facility closing in Momence
Johnsonville facility closing in Momence Nearly 300 people are out of work after Johnsonville Foods announced the sudden closure of its Momence facility. The sausage manufacturer notified its workers this week that it was closing immediately....

Alstom opens $75m manufacturing plant in Hornell, New York
French rolling stock manufacturer Alstom has unveiled a new Plant 4 manufacturing facility in Hornell, New York, US. Alstom has invested $75m in the new facility, which will produce stainless steel car body shells for passenger rail vehicles....

On High Alert: These States Lead The Charge Against The Manufacturing Crisis
Ranked: The states paying the closest attention to America’s manufacturing crisis Over the past 90 days, nearly 59% of U.S. states (30 out of 51) have shown concern about the rising cost of manufacturing, according to Google search data. Interest...

In ‘White With Fear, Chicago-Born Filmmaker Tackles Links Between White Supremacy And The Right
CHICAGO — On June 3, a new video-on-demand documentary arrived that explores the decades-long effort by conservative politicians and media platforms to bolster Republican support by stoking white grievance. “White With Fear” comes courtesy of...
Ameren Illinois Rider EE Filed May 29, 2025
PUBLIC NOTICE Notice of Proposed Tariff Changes Electric Service Schedule Ill. C. C. No. 1 To the Electric Patrons of Ameren Illinois Company d/b/a Ameren Illinois: Ameren Illinois (or the Company) hereby gives notice to the public that on May 29,...

Beef Tallow Nationwide Recall as Warning Issued to Consumers
A nationwide recall of beef tallow and pork lard products has been announced by the U.S. Department of Agriculture's Food Safety and Inspection Service (FSIS). Sulu Organics LLC, a food distributor in Illinois, has recalled about 6,166 pounds of...

RIA-JMTC achieves aerospace industry milestone with AS9100 certification
ROCK ISLAND ARSENAL, ILLINOIS, UNITED STATES 06.03.2025 ROCK ISLAND ARSENAL, Ill. — The Rock Island Arsenal-Joint Manufacturing and Technology Center has achieved AS9100 certification, a globally recognized quality management system standard for...

U of I: Economic growth continues in Illinois
URBANA, Ill. (CAPITOL CITY NOW) – The economy is said to be growing in Illinois, but not as much as it has been. That’s according to the University of Illinois’ monthly Flasx Index, which is at 102 for the month of May. Any number over 100 is...

2 of America’s Top 3 Drive-In Movie Theaters Are in Illinois
I knew we loved movies in Illinois, but I had no idea we loved the drive-in as much, too. According to the 2025 USA Today 10Best Reader's Choice Awards, two of the top three drive-in movie theaters in America are right here in Illinois. Harvest...
Nick Libert Leads Agents Through a Changing Industry as a Broker and Coach
A broker, coach and investor, Nick Libert earned a spot among RISMedia’s 2025 Real Estate Newsmakers through his experience in all three roles. He saw an industry going through changes throughout 2024 and wanted to be a positive force for that...

The TRiiBE Opens West Side Newsroom, Studio To Tell More Stories About Black Chicago
GARFIELD PARK — A media outlet aimed at reshaping the narrative of Black Chicago has moved to the West Side, where it is opening a production studio this summer. The TRiiBE, an award-winning digital media outlet, last week opened its newsroom and...

Best AI Cryptos to Buy as Meta Turns to Nuclear Energy for AI Innovations
Meta has signed a 20-year deal to power its AI with nuclear energy from Illinois, locking in 1.1 gigawatts for clearer, more reliable infrastructure. Meanwhile, former Microsoft engineers Karim Jouini and Jihed Othmani are back in the AI scene...

Mirsad Pekovic of Chicago on the Impact of Poor Plumbing on...
Mirsad Pekovic of Chicago has long emphasized the crucial role plumbing plays in maintaining not just property value and functionality, but in safeguarding public health—particularly indoor air quality and respiratory wellness. As a highly...

"Meta Strikes 20-Year Nuclear Power Deal With Constellation Energy"
"It’s the latest Big Tech company to secure electricity from nuclear as power demand grows." "Facebook’s parent company Meta locked in 20 years of nuclear power on Tuesday from Constellation Energy to help meet the tech giant’s surging energy...

Rare Illinois dust storm shows how far climate shifts are reaching
What a difference you’d make – for as little as $5/month. Investigative journalism doesn’t just happen behind a desk. It happens in the field, where our reporters uncover the stories that matter most. Your $5/month makes a real impact — supporting...

Book review: A boosterish case for atomic energy
Safety concerns demand more space and consideration in this otherwise excellent work of popular science There is something biblical about the fraternal relationship between the atomic bomb and the nuclear reactor. Both involve bombarding...

Eye On Illinois: Government regulating tobacco and gambling is older than America itself
More than 400 years ago, in July 1619, the first elected legislative body in what then was known as the New World convened in the church in Jamestown. Called the Virginia House of Burgesses, the session included Gov. George Yeardley, who’d arrived...