(SPRINGFIELD) Thousands of Illinois youth will be able to pursue careers operating heavy machinery under a new federal grant program announced this week which is aimed to address a workforce shortage. Affiliated with SkillsUSA Illinois and the Associated Equipment Distributors at Lincoln Land Community College in Springfield, the Youth Workforce Development Foundation will spend nearly $8 million for the program. The groups will work to help schools provide necessary heavy equipment training programs.
(CHICAGO) The Chicago Firefighters Union has been denied a permit for a protest near the United Center during the upcoming Democratic National Convention. The firefighters in Cook County have gone without a new or updated contract now for three years. They are asking for pay raises, more ambulances, more paramedics, and new updated equipement. The union says the Democratic-controlled city is ignoring a much-needed contract.
(CHICAGO) Former Republican Congressman Rodney Davis has been hired as Head of Governmental Affairs for the U.S. Chamber of Commerce. Davis was elected to Congress in 2012 representing a district that included parts of central Illinois. Two years ago, he lost a GOP primary race in the newly drawn 15th District to now Congresswoman Mary Miller.
(SPRINGFIELD/DU QUOIN) The box offices for the Illinois State Fair and the Du Quoin State Fair are still both open each weekday for in-person ticket sales from 8:00 to 5:00 each day, Monday through Friday, plus available online at ticketmaster.com. Tickets are available for all the special events, including the huge tractor & truck pulls, harness racing, the monster truck race, the popular rodeos, and much more, along with all the grandstand concerts available at both fairs. For more information, go to the Illinois State Fair website at statefair.illinois.gov or to the Du Quoin State Fair website at dsf.illinois.gov. While the Illinois State Fair in Springfield starts next Thursday, August 8th, and runs through August 18th, the Du Quoin State Fair is scheduled for August 23rd through September 2nd.