(SPRINGFIELD) Gasoline prices continue to fall in Illinois. As of yesterday, the average statewide price of a gallon of gas was at $3.43, which is 38 cents cheaper than a month ago and 52 cents a gallon lower than a year ago. According to AAA Illinois, the cheapest gas is in Effingham County at $2.89, while Cook County had the most expensive gas in the state, at $3.65 per gallon. The national average price of gasoline across America was at $3.20.
(SPRINGFIELD) The Illinois Department of Public Health is urging statewide residents to get educated about how to protect themselves from respiratory illnesses by listening online to a new edition of the IDPH’s “This is Public Health” podcast. The discussion features the state’s chief medical officer and the state epidemiologist discussing the outlook for the coming respiratory virus season, the effectiveness of vaccines, and preventative measures to be taken. Illinois’ overall respiratory illness level is listed by the CDC as “minimal.”
(CHAMPAIGN-URBANA) The contract offer for certain service workers at the University of Illinois in Champaign-Urbana has been rejected. Union officials announced yesterday that more than 760 food service and building service workers voted over the weekend against the latest contract proposal, saying they are still underpaid. The union and school have been negotiating for eight months. Workers could strike as early as this Sunday, the 22nd.
(SPRINGFIELD) Attendance totals for the 2024 Illinois State Fair were record-breaking as more than 773,000 people attended the 11-day-and-night event in Springfield, the highest number on record since industry standards were enacted. The recent fair attendance figure exceeded last year’s number by 66,000 people. Also, carnival revenue was up significantly over 2023. Planning is already underway for the 2025 Illinois State Fair, August 7th–17th.