December unemployment reports from the Illinois Department of Employment Security show the number of jobless people seeking work is shrinking across the Land of Lincoln.
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Daily Herald: COVID-19 hospitalizations in Illinois the lowest in a month
COVID-19 hospitalizations hit their lowest point in a month, Illinois Department of Public Health data showed Thursday.
As of Wednesday night, there were 4,824 COVID-19 patients in Illinois hospitals after days in the 5,000, 6,000 and 7,000 ranges. Dec. 26, 2021, was the last time hospitalization levels were in the 4,000s, with 4,755 patients recorded.
The Center Square: Ruling on Illinois’ school mask mandate expected soon
It’s now been two years that COVID-19 has been in Illinois and for most of that, children have had to wear masks in schools, when they’ve been open. An expected ruling from a circuit court could change that.
The case of more than 700 parents suing more than 140 school districts over mask and exclusion mandates on children without due process is under advisement by Sangamon County Circuit Court Judge Raylene Grischow. She said earlier this month to not expect a ruling before Friday.
The Pantagraph: Illinois unemployment rate continues 9-month decline
A Thursday press release from IDES said the unemployment rate was reduced over the past year in all 14 of Illinois’ metropolitan areas for the ninth consecutive month, with the statewide average falling 3.6%, from 7.9% in December 2020 to 4.3% in December 2021. The findings are based on data provided by the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics and IDES.
The Center Square: New measure would make changes to Illinois prisoner review board
A Republican state lawmaker says it is time to start taking care of crime victims, not making things easier for criminals.
House Minority Leader Jim Durkin, R-Western Springs, plans to file legislation that would make changes to the Illinois prisoner review board.
Capitol News Illinois: Senate Republicans call for ‘common sense’ ethics reforms
Demanding what they call “common sense ethics reform,” Senate Republicans plan to take action in addressing unethical behavior by elected public officials.
Upon introducing the ethics reforms package, Senate Republicans called for the legislative inspector general position to be filled through an independent search committee. Republicans said Democrats need to end the “political games” and hire a legislative watchdog.
The Center Square: Pritzker not publicly signing accountability unit law a ‘disservice to veterans,’ senator says
A measure creating an accountability unit in the Illinois Department of Veterans’ Affairs is now law, but not because of the governor’s signature.
The bipartisan legislation that passed last fall sat on the governor’s desk for 60 days. Without a signature, or a veto, such legislation becomes law.
Capitol News Illinois: Sheriff responded to DCFS emergency shelter 161 times in one year
An emergency housing facility at the center of court case that led to the state’s Department of Children and Family Services director being held in contempt of court was the subject of 161 service calls to the Jefferson County Sheriff’s Department in 2021.
The 12-bed facility is the Southern Thirty Adolescent Center near Mount Vernon. It is run by Lutheran Children and Family Services, and has a $1.9 million contract to house children in DCFS custody aged 11 to 17.
Capitol News Illinois: Lawmakers, governor returning to Capitol next week
Illinois lawmakers will return to the Statehouse next week for their first in-person sessions since Jan. 4.
House Speaker Emanuel “Chris” Welch, D-Hillside, said Thursday that the recent decline in COVID-19 cases makes returning to the Capitol possible.