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Illinois American Water Highlights Investments During Drinking Water Week

Illinois American Water Highlights Investments During Drinking Water Week

Illinois American Water is marking Drinking Water Week by emphasizing its commitment to providing safe and reliable water services. The company has invested $280 million in water and wastewater infrastructure across Illinois in 2025. These investments include upgrading treatment facilities, replacing aging infrastructure, and implementing new technologies to enhance water quality and reliability. The company serves approximately 1.3 million people in Illinois and is focused on maintaining strong systems to support public health and economic growth. The observance of Drinking Water Week, led by the American Water Works Association, underscores the importance of high-quality drinking water in sustaining everyday life.
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Alton's CEJA Workforce Training Hub Awards Certificates to Clean Energy Trainees

Alton's CEJA Workforce Training Hub Awards Certificates to Clean Energy Trainees

Alton's Workforce Training Hub, part of Lewis and Clark Community College, has awarded certificates to 62 students who completed clean-energy training under Illinois' Climate and Equitable Jobs Act (CEJA). The program equips participants with skills for entry-level positions in solar energy, efficient HVAC systems, and sustainable construction. It aims to create equitable access to high-demand careers while supporting the state's transition to clean energy. The training includes hands-on instruction and coursework on workplace readiness, safety standards, and emerging green technologies.
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Michael J. Gleason, Former Alderman and U.S. Marine Corps Veteran, Passes Away at 79

Michael J. Gleason, Former Alderman and U.S. Marine Corps Veteran, Passes Away at 79

Michael J. Gleason, a respected figure in Country Club Hills, Illinois, has passed away at the age of 79. Gleason, a U.S. Marine Corps veteran, was known for his long-standing service to the community, including his roles as an Alderman and Treasurer for Country Club Hills. He was a graduate of St. Sabina, Leo High School, and St. Joseph College, and worked for the Archdiocese of Chicago for 24 years. Gleason is survived by his wife Margaret, to whom he was married for 56 years, and his children and grandchildren. His funeral services are scheduled to take place at Curley Funeral Home, followed by a Mass at St. Rita of Cascia Shrine Chapel, with interment at Holy Sepulchre Cemetery.
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Chicago Mayor Brandon Johnson Advocates for Increased State Funding

Chicago Mayor Brandon Johnson Advocates for Increased State Funding

Chicago Mayor Brandon Johnson, along with other local leaders, is lobbying Illinois lawmakers to increase the share of income tax revenue allocated to local governments. This initiative aims to secure more funding for essential services and infrastructure projects in Chicago and other municipalities. The push for increased funding comes as local governments face financial pressures and seek to address community needs effectively.
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Sara Harper Appointed Head of Marketing at Kohler Co., Leading Strategic Growth Initiatives

Sara Harper Appointed Head of Marketing at Kohler Co., Leading Strategic Growth Initiatives

Sara Harper Appointed Head of Marketing at Kohler Co., Leading Strategic Growth Initiatives
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Iowa American Water Highlights Infrastructure Investments During Drinking Water Week

Iowa American Water Highlights Infrastructure Investments During Drinking Water Week

Iowa American Water is celebrating Drinking Water Week by emphasizing its commitment to providing safe and reliable water services. The company has invested over $55 million in 2025 to upgrade water and wastewater infrastructure across Iowa. Key projects include replacing lead and galvanized service lines, renovating treatment facilities, and constructing new storage tanks. These efforts are part of a broader initiative to meet U.S. Environmental Protection Agency mandates and ensure long-term water quality and reliability. The company serves approximately 225,000 people and is focused on modernizing its systems to support community health and economic growth.
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Illinois Maintains High Childhood Vaccination Rates Amid National Vaccine Controversy

Illinois Maintains High Childhood Vaccination Rates Amid National Vaccine Controversy

Illinois has reported that over 95% of children have received the 10 school-required vaccines, including those for measles, chickenpox, and polio, according to the state health department. This comes despite national debates over vaccine efficacy. The only vaccine with less than 95% coverage is the meningococcal vaccine, with a 94.4% rate. Chicago shows slightly lower rates for some vaccines, with 92.7% coverage for diphtheria, tetanus, and whooping cough. The state aims for a 95% vaccination rate to prevent disease spread. Governor JB Pritzker praised the efforts of health officials and families in maintaining high vaccination rates. The data follows a year of federal changes in vaccine recommendations, which Illinois has chosen to diverge from by adopting guidelines from the American Academy of Pediatrics.
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Chicago Gas Prices Exceed $6 Per Gallon, Surpassing National Average

Chicago Gas Prices Exceed $6 Per Gallon, Surpassing National Average

Gas prices in Chicago have surged past $6 per gallon for regular gasoline in certain neighborhoods. This increase places Illinois nearly 50 cents above the national average for fuel costs. The rise in prices is affecting consumers across the city, with some areas experiencing even higher rates. This development is part of a broader trend of increasing fuel costs that have been observed in various parts of the United States.
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Community Mourns Loss of Man in Joliet Shooting

Community Mourns Loss of Man in Joliet Shooting

In Joliet, Illinois, the community is mourning the loss of 31-year-old Aaron Lee Vidales Jr., who was shot and killed in a parking lot. The incident has been reported by CBS News, with the Will County Coroner's Office confirming the victim's identity. Friends and family are remembering Vidales for his impact on their lives, as the community grapples with the tragedy. The circumstances surrounding the shooting are under investigation, as authorities seek to understand the events leading up to the incident.
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Illinois Governor Proposes Reduction in Local Government Distributive Fund, Sparking Concerns

Illinois Governor Proposes Reduction in Local Government Distributive Fund, Sparking Concerns

Governor JB Pritzker of Illinois has proposed a reduction in the Local Government Distributive Fund (LGDF) from 6.47% to 6.23% of state income tax revenue. The LGDF is a crucial mechanism that allocates a portion of state income tax collections to local governments, which use these funds for essential services such as road repairs, public safety, and mental health services. The proposed reduction is estimated to result in a $60 million loss for local governments. This proposal comes at a time when the cost of local government operations is rising due to inflation, and newer revenue sources like the adult use cannabis tax are declining. Local government leaders, including mayors from various Illinois cities, have expressed concerns about the potential impact on their ability to provide critical services and have called for the state to reverse the trend and increase LGDF funding.
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USPS unveils Route 66 centennial stamps, born from a photographer’s 42 trips

USPS unveils Route 66 centennial stamps, born from a photographer’s 42 trips

The U.S. Postal Service is releasing a new series of stamps to honor Route 66’s centennial
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Illinois Advocates Push for Rent Control Amid Rising Chicago Rents

Illinois Advocates Push for Rent Control Amid Rising Chicago Rents

In Chicago, rising rent prices are causing frustration among both tenants and landlords. Many advocacy groups are urging Illinois to revise a nearly 30-year-old law to implement rent control measures. The goal is to prevent residents from being displaced from their apartments and neighborhoods due to unaffordable rent increases. This call for legislative change comes as the city experiences significant rent hikes, which are impacting the affordability of housing for many residents.