CHICAGO, Illinois, Sept. 23 -- Gov. JB Pritzker, D-Illinois, issued the following news release on Sept. 22, 2023: The Pritzker administration today launched the application to apply to become a State-Designated Cultural District in Illinois. State-Designated Cultural Districts are communities, towns, or specific geographic areas that have a distinct shared historical and cultural identity that binds the community together. Once selected, the state plans to make $3 million available to State-Des  more

SPRINGFIELD, Illinois, Sept. 23 -- Gov. JB Pritzker, D-Illinois, issued the following news release on Sept. 21, 2023: The Illinois Arts Council Agency (IACA) is pleased to announce the opening of the fiscal year 2024 (FY24) Master/Apprentice Program. The application is open in the Illinois Arts Council's online Salesforce system and has a deadline of December 1, 2023, at 11:59 PM central time and the awards will be announced in the spring of 2024. The Ethnic and Folk Arts Master/Apprentice Pro  more

SPRINGFIELD, Illinois, Sept. 23 -- Gov. JB Pritzker, D-Illinois, issued the following news release on Sept. 22, 2023: Entering Year Five of Rebuild Illinois, the Illinois Department of Transportation announced multiple projects in the west Lake County area are planned or underway, highlighting an ongoing commitment made possible by Gov. JB Pritzker's historic, bipartisan capital program. Five major projects represent a total investment of more than $31 million, improving safety, mobility and qu  more

CHICAGO, Illinois, Sept. 23 -- The Illinois Senate Democrats issued the following news: As back-to-school season kicks off, State Senator Natalie Toro is reminding taxpayers that they may be able to claim school expenses for their K-12 students on their 2023 Illinois individual income tax returns. "As a former educator for nearly 10 years, I know how difficult it can be for parents and educators to afford necessary school supplies," said Toro (D-Chicago). "With the cost for these materials on   more

DECATUR, Illinois, Sept. 23 -- The Illinois Senate Democrats issued the following news: State Senator Doris Turner announced a new commercial manufacturing facility coming to Decatur, bringing more jobs to Central Illinois. "This new facility will bring good-paying jobs right to our community while boosting the local economy," said Turner (D-Springfield). "Rising Pharmaceuticals' move to Decatur exemplifies the city's prime location in Central Illinois and continues Illinois' commitment to bei  more

CHICAGO, Illinois, Sept. 23 -- The Illinois Senate Republicans issued the following news: Low-income Illinois families can soon begin to apply to receive financial assistance for natural gas, propane, and electricity bills through the Low-Income Home Energy Assistance Program (LIHEAP). The application period begins Monday, October 2, 2023, under a tiered system, allowing priority groups the first chance to receive available funds, including seniors (age 60 and older), disabled and families wit  more

CHICAGO, Illinois, Sept. 23 -- The Illinois Senate Republicans issued the following news: The Office of the Illinois State Fire Marshal announced the application period for the Small Equipment Grant Program is now open to eligible fire departments, fire protection districts, township fire departments, and not-for-profit ambulance services. In an effort to address the financial hardships many fire departments face, the Small Equipment Grant Program provides grants of up to $26,000 for the purch  more

LAKE FOREST, Illinois, Sept. 23 (TNSres) -- Lake Forest College issued the following news: The 2023 Summer Scholars are the latest Foresters to participate in this unique partnership between an undergraduate school and medical school, a partnership that began in 2009. The fifteenth cohort of Summer Scholars is comprised of eight juniors and 11 seniors who are planning for careers in biomedical research or the health professions. "This unique research partnership between a liberal arts colleg  more

CHICAGO, Illinois, Sept. 23 -- McDermott Will and Emery, a law firm, issued the following news release: McDermott Will & Emery represented Arthur J. Gallagher & Co. (Gallagher) in its acquisition of Eastern Insurance Group, LLC (Eastern Insurance), a subsidiary of Eastern Bank. Eastern Insurance offers comprehensive commercial property/casualty and personal lines products as well as employee benefits consulting to clients throughout the Northeast US. Gallagher is a global insurance brokerage,   more

CHICAGO, Illinois, Sept. 23 -- McDermott Will and Emery, a law firm, issued the following news release: International law firm McDermott Will & Emery represented Speyside Equity Fund I LP and Speyside Equity Opportunity Fund LP in a single-asset continuation vehicle transaction to support future growth initiatives at portfolio company Opta Group LLC. The transaction was led by Elliott Investment Management L.P. Opta is a leading global supplier of performance materials and solutions in the m  more

DES PLAINES, Illinois, Sept. 23 -- Oakton College issued the following news release: Over 50 community leaders, including local law enforcement professionals, industry partners, and Oakton College Educational Foundation supporters got an up-close look at how Oakton College is preparing students for careers in public services using modern techniques/technology, Sept. 21. Oakton College Educational Foundation hosted the "Spotlight On: Law Enforcement and Criminal Justice" event at the Des Plaines  more

CHICAGO, Illinois, Sept. 23 -- Roosevelt University issued the following news: Roosevelt University's mission has always been to create access to higher education, open gateways to the American Dream and remove barriers to earning a degree. Recognizing that affordability is a significant factor in a student's selection process, Roosevelt University has lowered full-time Doctor of Pharmacy tuition to $45,000 a year for new students in the 2024-2025 academic year. This represents a greater than 1  more

CHICAGO, Illinois, Sept. 23 (TNSres) -- Roosevelt University issued the following news: Assistant professor of psychology Matthew Skinta has been selected as the 2023-24 Frank Untermyer Excellence in Teaching Awardee and Lecturer. Dr. Yue Li, his nominator and colleague, says, "Dr. Skinta's professional trajectory is deeply in line with the global, human rights-oriented work that is part of Frank Untermyer's legacy. He carries these same values of anti-colonialism, equity and inclusion into his  more

CHICAGO, Illinois, Sept. 23 (TNSres) -- The University of Chicago issued the following news: New research from the University of Chicago Education Lab finds that restorative practices in schools can significantly reduce suspensions and student arrests for violent and non-violent offenses and increase student perceptions of belonging and school safety. The study, which evaluated the effect of restorative practices rolled out across Chicago public high schools beginning in the 2013-2014 academi  more

CHICAGO, Illinois, Sept. 23 (TNSres) -- The University of Chicago's Energy Policy Institute issued the following news: Electricity capacity markets are designed to make sure that there is enough electricity when needed, though recent winter storms have highlighted their vulnerability to extreme weather events. A new study finds updating regulations to include accurate accreditation, performance bonds and credit risk could be the answer to establishing reliability. Extreme weather, including he  more