Although Amtrak has provided a bus service in replacement for the Carl Sandburg and Illinois Zephyr trains, U.S. Sen. Dick Durbin said this will not be able to meet the transportation needs of West Central Illinois residents. Durbin is asking Amtrak to restore the train service quickly as it provides approximately 5,000 passengers rides on average per month.

Illinois’ new union amendment allows government unions to negotiate over virtually anything and override state law through their union contracts. That includes laws aimed at reforming police procedures.

Attorney General Kwame Raoul and an executive committee of 13 attorneys general led the settlement negotiations with Teva Pharmaceuticals and the Ireland-based Allergan.

This week, DuPage County Clerk Jean Kaczmarek appealed the ruling of DuPage County Judge James Orel to the Illinois Third District Appellate Court, amid her continuing dispute with State Rep. Deanne Mazzochi, who has accused the clerk of violating state election law in how her office is counting mail-in votes. Kaczmarek’s appeal came immediately after the Illinois Supreme Court rejected her request for a special supervisory order that would have tossed out Judge Orel’s ruling.

Industries that saw job growth in most areas included: Manufacturing and Leisure and Hospitality, Mining and Construction and Other Services, Education and Health Services, Wholesale Trade, Transportation, Warehousing and Utilities, and Professional and Business Services and Government.

Said Gov. JB Pritzker, “”In reflecting on 2022, I am incredibly thankful for the opportunity to serve the people of Illinois for another four years…We’ve all come a long way together since 2018, and it is my hope that all Illinoisans are healthy and able to spend time with loved ones near and far this holiday season.”