(SPRINGFIELD) Among the nearly 300 new laws set to take effect January 1st in Illinois is one impacting potential sales of local media outlets. Senate Bill 3592 passed back in April, amid opposition, now requires local medial outlets looking to sell to an out-of-state buyer to provide a 120-day notice to the state and all their staff. The law also creates a journalism student scholarship program to encourage more students to pursue a career in journalism. While many downstate lawmakers were in favor of the scholarship program, most all of them believe the notification requirement will backfire on the state to promote sales.
(SPRINGFIELD) Meanwhile, starting January 1st, 2025, employers in Illinois will be required to provide pay stubs to employees each pay period, plus the pay stubs must include details on hours worked, pay rates, overtime pay, and deductions from wages. Also as part of the new law, employers must keep a copy of an employee’s pay stub for a period of three years from the payment date, even if a worker remains employed at the business or not.
(CARBONDALE) Two far southern Illinois counties were issued a disaster declaration after excessive rain and wind from Hurrican Helene earlier this year. USDA Secretary Tom Vilsack issued the declaration yesterday for both Alexander and Union Counties, noting the disaster declaration was mostly for damages to homes on September 28th and 29th.
(SPRINGFIELD) A southern Illinois lawmaker is applauding news that a downstate power plant will remain operational longer than expected. The Baldwin Power Plant in Randolph County, originally scheduled to close by the end of next year, 2025, will now continue to operate through the end of 2027. State Senator Terri Bryant says this brings much-needed relief to the hundreds of workers & families who depend on the plant for their livelihoods.