State of Illinois
-
SPRINGFIELD – Over-the-year, total nonfarm jobs increased in five metropolitan areas, decreased in six, and was unchanged or nearly unchanged in three for the year ending June 2024, according to data released today by the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS) and the Illinois Department of Employment Security (DES). Over-the-year, the unemployment rate increased in all fourteen metropolitan areas.
-
SPRINGFIELD – The Illinois Department of Natural Resources (IDNR) Office of Law Enforcement is seeking applicants for the position of conservation police officer trainee.
-
SPRINGFIELD – The Illinois Department of Natural Resources (IDNR) reminds residents that although sightings of black bears in the state are rare, the potential exists that animals from neighboring states may be observed in Illinois over the next few months.
-
SPRINGFIELD – The Illinois Department of Employment Security (IDES) announced today that the unemployment rate increased +0.1 percentage point to 5.0 percent, while nonfarm payrolls increased +10,400 in June, based on preliminary data provided by the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS), and released by IDES. The May revised unemployment rate was 4.9 percent, unchanged from the preliminary May unemployment rate. The May monthly change in payrolls was revised from the preliminary report, from +12,700 to +9,600 jobs. The June unemployment rate and payroll jobs estimate reflect activity for the week including the 12th.
-
SPRINGFIELD –Illinois EPA Interim Director James Jennings is announcing ten upcoming Household Hazardous Waste (HHW) one-day collection locations for the Fall of 2024. These collection events are co-sponsored by units of local government and provide residents the free opportunity to safely dispose of unused or leftover hazardous products commonly found in homes.
-
CHICAGO – The Illinois Department of Public Health (IDPH) today announced the first human case of 2024 in Illinois of West Nile virus (WNV), the mosquito-borne illness. While commercial testing and clinical symptoms indicate a case of WNV, IDPH routinely sends the first positive case to CDC for confirmatory testing, which is pending. The individual is in their 60’s and lives in suburban Cook County. The onset of WNV symptoms was in mid-June.
-
CHICAGO – Governor JB Pritzker announced today that Illinois reached $1 billion in cannabis retail sales on July 1, 2024. This includes more than $850 million in adult use cannabis sales and almost $150 million in medical cannabis sales. This milestone was achieved nearly two weeks faster in 2024 compared to 2023, when the $1 billion sales mark was not reached until July 10. Additionally, Fiscal Year 2024 saw total cannabis sales exceed $2 billion, which represents an increase from Fiscal Year 2023 ($1.9 billion) and Fiscal Year 2022 ($1.8 billion). A complete month-by-month breakdown on cannabis sales in Illinois may be found online here.
-
URBANA – The U.S. Economic Development Administration (EDA) announced that the state has secured approximately $51 million in federal funding for the Illinois Fermentation and Agriculture Biomanufacturing (iFAB) Tech Hub, leveraging the state’s leading production of raw agricultural materials to develop sustainable alternatives to fossil fuel-based products. This pivotal funding from EDA marks a significant milestone in advancing Illinois' leadership in the precision fermentation and biomanufacturing industry – propelling economic growth, business development opportunities, and the creation of good-paying jobs.
-
CHICAGO – As National Homeownership Month comes to a close, the Illinois Housing Development Authority (IHDA) wants to remind individuals that free assistance is available to overcome the financial barriers to owning a home. IHDA currently offers up to $10,000 to help individuals, families, veterans, and others realize that the dream of homeownership is achievable and more than within reach.
-
CHICAGO - Ahead of the Independence Day holiday, Illinois State Treasurer Michael Frerichs today returned a missing Purple Heart medal to the family of a late Army Air Corps veteran from Park Ridge.