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...

Chicago is getting a $650 million soccer stadium in South Loop
Great news, Chicago soccer fans: A brand-new 22,000-seat stadium is expected to be ready before the 2028 MLS season. Owner and chairman of the Chicago Fire Football Club since 2018, Joe Mansueto built his business, family and life in the Windy...

Construction on broadband projects accelerates
By Carmen Ensinger The Greene County Economic Development Group (GCEDG) met last week with Frontier Communications and Ervin Cable Company to get an update on the projects for Greene County and discuss the timeline and permitting for the fiber...

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...
Governor Pritzker Announces Silesia to Open Second Flavor Innovation and Production Facility in Illinois
German flavor company will invest $40 million and create 41 new jobs in Huntley HUNTLEY— Governor JB Pritzker, the Illinois Department of Commerce and Economic Opportunity (DCEO), and Intersect Illinois today announced Silesia will open its second...

Rare-Earth Shortage Highlights Risk of China Stranglehold on U.S. Manufacturing
The deepening shortage of rare-earth magnets is exposing a critical vulnerability in the U.S. supply chain—and highlighting the extent of China’s grip over a resource essential to modern industry. Automakers across the U.S., Europe, and Asia are...

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...

Health alert issued for ground beef sold in Illinois and at Whole Foods nationwide
A public health alert was issued for ground beef sold in Illinois and Whole Foods markets across the country over concerns the meat may be contaminated with E. coli. The U.S. Department of Agriculture's Food Safety and Inspection Service issued...

DAVID BLACKMON: Trump Keeps Focus On America’s Energy Dominance
America’s energy landscape continues to shift under President Trump’s second term, and developments of just the past few days underscore a pragmatic pivot in U.S. energy policy. From Alaska’s oil fields to Illinois’ nuclear reactors, the focus is...

Five Illinois baseball players receive academic all-district honors
Shari Clapp Assistant Director of Academic Services, Academic Operations | University of Illinois Division of Intercollegiate AthleticsShari Clapp Assistant Director of Academic Services, Academic Operations | University of Illinois Division of...
State of Illinois Highlights Historic $500 Million Investment in Site Readiness Following Balanced Budget Passage
"Surplus to Success" Program and Expanded DCEO Initiatives Set to Unlock Billions in Private Investment, Revitalize Communities SPRINGFIELD, IL - Following the passage of Governor JB Pritzker's seventh consecutive balanced budget, the State 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...