ROCKFORD, Illinois, Jan. 23 -- The office of the U.S. Attorney for the Northern District of Illinois issued the following news release on Jan. 22, 2024: The former Chief Operating Officer of an Illinois hospital pleaded guilty today to a federal fraud charge for illegally pocketing more than $620,000 in hospital funds. ROBERT SPADONI was an attorney who worked as a Vice President and COO of the hospital. Spadoni admitted in a plea agreement that from 2013 to 2021, he orchestrated a scheme in w  more

WASHINGTON, Jan. 23 -- The U.S. Department of Agriculture's Agricultural Marketing Service issued the following news release on Jan. 22, 2024: The U.S. Department of Agriculture's (USDA) Agricultural Marketing Service (AMS) today announced it has a cooperative agreement with Illinois under the Resilient Food Systems Infrastructure Program (RFSI). Through this agreement, USDA and Illinois are working together to offer over $5 million in competitive grant funding for projects designed to build re  more

WASHINGTON, Jan. 22 -- The U.S. Department of Agriculture issued the following news release: Projects Funded by President Biden's Inflation Reduction Act Will Lower Costs and Create Revenue for Rural Business Owners and Farms WASHINGTON, Jan. 22, 2024 - U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) Secretary Tom Vilsack today announced that USDA is investing $207 million in renewable energy and domestic fertilizer projects to lower energy bills, generate new income, create jobs, and strengthen competi  more

DENVER, Colorado, Jan. 23 -- Gov. Jared Polis, D-Colorado, issued the following news release on Jan. 22, 2024: Today, Governor Polis and fellow Governors called upon Congressional Leaders and the Biden Administration to come together to reach a border security deal that will support states, like Colorado, seeing an influx of new arrivals. "We need Congress to take action to secure our border and pass comprehensive immigration reform. States can't do this alone. It's time to put politics aside   more

WASHINGTON, Jan. 19 -- The U.S. Department of Energy's Federal Energy Regulatory Commission issued the following statement by Commissioner Allison Clements on a decision (Docket No. ER24-462-000) involving PJM Interconnection LLC: * * * I concur with the Commission's order because I believe that Commission and court precedent dictate that PJM has met its burden under the Federal Power Act. Nevertheless, I write separately to register my concern with the approach that PJM has taken, which holds  more

SPRINGFIELD, Illinois, Jan. 23 -- The Illinois House Democrats issued the following news release: State Rep. Eva-Dina Delgado, D-Chicago, is fighting to strengthen the rights of workers by introducing legislation that brings greater transparency and efficiency to the work eligibility verification process known as E-Verify. "E-Verify can be an important tool for employers to make the decisions that affect their future, but it can also be misused to threaten the livelihoods of hardworking immigr  more

BELLEVILLE, Illinois, Jan. 23 -- The Illinois House Democrats issued the following news release: State Rep. Jay Hoffman, D-Swansea, is applauding the initial results of Smart Start, a comprehensive plan to build out Illinois' early childhood education system, expand access to affordable childcare and ensure children have the support they need to succeed. "Early childhood education helps children develop a more stable foundation before entering school," Hoffman said. "By prioritizing investment  more

SPRINGFIELD, Illinois, Jan. 23 -- The Illinois House Democrats issued the following news release: A measure passed by state Rep. Nabeela Syed, D-Palatine, which enforces serious financial penalties on big pharmaceutical corporations that jack up the costs of prescription drugs, is now in effect. "Many people in our community made it clear to me that high prices of prescription drugs were a serious source of stress," Syed said. "As of Jan. 1, pharmaceutical companies that rake in obscene profit  more

DECATUR, Illinois, Jan. 23 -- The Illinois House Democrats issued the following news release: State Rep. Sue, D-Decatur, is applauding Macon County's receipt of nearly $3.7 million dollars from the Illinois Department of Natural Resources (IDNR) to transform Scovill Golf Course Clubhouse and renovate the Macon County Conservation District. "I am so excited to see the good that will come out of our new senior center and updated conservation district," said Scherer. "Educating the public about t  more