ILLINOIS STATE NEWS BRIEF (12/17/2024)

(SPRINGFIELD) The Illinois Department of Labor is reminding job seekers and employers that effective January 1st, 2025, all job postings made by employers with 15 or more workers will need to include pay scale and benefit information. Employers will also be required to extend transparency in opportunities by informing current employees about all job postings, plus anyone may file a complaint with the State Department of Labor if they become aware of a job posting that lacks the required salary and benefit information.

(WASHINGTON, D.C.) Illinois U.S. Senator Dick Durbin has reintroduced a constitutional amendment to do away with the nation’s Electoral College that picks the president of the United States. The Illinois Democrat says it is time to end the “18th century invention” that he says “disenfranchises millions of Americans.” Supporters of the process however, says the Electoral College ensures that large populated states do not overpower smaller states. Illinois’ electors are set to officially cast their votes this morning in Springfield.

(SPRINGFIELD) The Illinois Department of Natural Resources is asking the public to report any signs of avian influenza across the state. An incident was recently reported that involved several dozen waterbirds dying of suspected bird flu at Baldwin Lake State Fish & Wildlife Area in Randolph County. The public is encouraged to report any concentration of five or more dead birds found at a single location to the State DNR as soon as possible.

(CHICAGO) Although women’s sports teams generate a fraction of the revenue that men’s teams bring in, there is legislation in Springfield that would level the playing field when it comes to publicly funded stadiums. While the Bears unveiled a proposal where the team would pitch in $2 billion of the $4.7 billion needed to build a new lakefront stadium in Chicago, both the White Sox & Chicago Red Stars women’s soccer team have also expressed plans for new stadiums. Governor J.B. Pritzker and numerous lawmakers have repeatedly said that taxpayer funds would not be used to build stadiums for any private corporation.