CHICAGO, Illinois, March 7 -- The office of the U.S. Attorney for the Northern District of Illinois issued the following news release: A man has been sentenced to more than ten years in federal prison for trafficking cocaine in the Chicago area and obstructing justice by perjuring himself at trial. JORGE DIAZ conspired in 2016 with two individuals in Mexico to traffic multiple kilograms of cocaine. Diaz gave money to couriers to purchase the drugs in California and deliver them to Diaz. In a D  more

CHICAGO, Illinois, March 8 (TNSres) -- The U.S. Department of Labor's Bureau of Labor Statistics - Midwest Regional Information Office issued the following report on March 7, 2024, entitled "Fatal Work Injuries in Iowa - 2022": * * * Fatal work injuries totaled 56 in 2022 for Iowa, the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics reported today. Regional Commissioner Jason Palmer noted that the number of work-related fatalities in Iowa was up from the previous year. (See chart 1.) Fatal occupational injuri  more

CHICAGO, Illinois, March 8 (TNSres) -- The U.S. Department of Labor's Bureau of Labor Statistics - Midwest Regional Information Office issued the following report on March 7, 2024, entitled "Fatal Work Injuries in Nebraska - 2022": * * * Fatal work injuries totaled 57 in 2022 for Nebraska, the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics reported today. Regional Commissioner Jason Palmer noted that the number of work-related fatalities in Nebraska was up from the previous year. (See chart 1.) Fatal occupat  more

CHICAGO, Illinois, March 8 (TNSres) -- The U.S. Department of Labor's Bureau of Labor Statistics - Midwest Regional Information Office issued the following report on March 7, 2024, entitled "Fatal Work Injuries in Ohio - 2022": * * * Fatal work injuries totaled 153 in 2022 for Ohio, the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics reported today. Regional Commissioner Jason Palmer noted that the number of work-related fatalities in Ohio was down from the previous year. (See chart 1.) Fatal occupational inj  more

KEESLER AFB, Mississippi, March 8 -- The U.S. Air Force Reserve Command issued the following news: By SMSgt Jessica Kendziorek, 403rd Wing Public Affairs The 403rd Wing held its biannual commander's call at the Roberts Consolidated Aircraft Maintenance Facility auditorium March 3. Col. John Benson, 403rd Wing commander, recognized the wing's top performers and stressed the importance of training and readiness so Reserve Citizen Airmen are prepared to deploy at a moment's notice. He also spoke  more

SPRINGFIELD, Illinois, March 8 -- The Illinois Auditor General issued the following financial audit on March 7, 2024, involving Illinois Environmental Protection Agency - Water Revolving Fund. Here are excerpts: * * * FINDINGS, CONCLUSIONS, AND RECOMMENDATIONS INADEQUATE INTERNAL CONTROLS OVER CENSUS DATA The Agency did not take sufficient measures to ensure all census data submitted to its pension and other postemployment benefits (OPEB) plans was complete and accurate for the Water Revolv  more

ROCK ISLAND, Illinois, March 8 -- The Illinois Senate Democrats issued the following news: State Senator Mike Halpin advanced a measure to create a Community-Based Corrections Task Force that would research the benefits of specialty courts, like drug court and detention alternatives, and the creation of a community-based correctional facility. "In Springfield, there are many issues that need expert review and recommendations," said Halpin (D-Rock Island). "This task force brings on-the-ground   more

SPRINGFIELD, Illinois, March 8 -- The Illinois Senate Democrats issued the following news: Illinois municipal and county first responders are one step closer toward receiving free mental health insurance coverage, thanks to State Senator Michael E. Hastings. "Our first responders put their lives on the line every day keeping our communities safe," said Hastings (D-Frankfort). "By making care easily affordable we are removing financial barriers and chipping away at the stigma of prioritizing me  more

SPRINGFIELD, Illinois, March 8 -- The Illinois Senate Democrats issued the following news: A measure advanced by State Senator Adriane Johnson seeks to enhance existing Illinois Environmental Protection Agency tasks by requiring regular monitoring of water quality from nearshores, harbors and public water supply intakes in Lake Michigan. "It is imperative that we streamline the process to ensure the quality of water is being maintained," said Johnson (D-Buffalo Grove). "Preserving the integrit  more

SPRINGFIELD, Illinois, March 8 -- The Illinois Senate Democrats issued the following news: In an effort to bring more Illinois food to our shelves, State Senator Dave Koehler is leading an initiative to create the Local Food Infrastructure Grant Act. "This is an opportunity to not only support our farmers, but feed families and strengthen the state's economy as well," said Koehler (D-Peoria). "Providing farm-to-table food to grocers allows local businesses to flourish while supplying families   more

SPRINGFIELD, Illinois, March 8 -- The Illinois Senate Democrats issued the following news on March 7, 2024: Standing alongside advocates, university professionals and students, Senate Majority Leader Kimberly A. Lightford outlined the data-driven findings of the Commission on Equitable Public University Funding at a press conference Wednesday. "Equitable funding promotes diversity and inclusion within higher education. It enables institutions to implement programs and initiatives aimed at recr  more

SPRINGFIELD, Illinois, March 8 -- The Illinois Senate Democrats issued the following news: Access to gambling is on the rise and with it has come an increase in addictive gambling behaviors. State Senator Julie Morrison introduced legislation to provide prevention, treatment and recovery services for gambling disorders. "Like many drugs, gambling activates an addictive part of our brain," said Morrison (D-Lake Forest). "People who struggle with a gambling disorder deserve the same help and tre  more

SPRINGFIELD, Illinois, March 8 -- The Illinois Senate Democrats issued the following news: State Senator Steve Stadelman has advanced legislation that provides protections against the criminal act of hazing. "Hazing is a serious issue that undermines the safety and well-being of our students and communities," said Stadelman (D-Rockford). "No individual should ever feel pressured or coerced into participating in activities that jeopardize their physical or mental health." Under Senate Bill 293  more

SPRINGFIELD, Illinois, March 8 -- The Illinois Senate Democrats issued the following news: In an effort to address food deserts, State Senator Doris Turner is leading a measure that would provide grants for farmer-owned grocery stores or markets. "Rural communities across Illinois are often in food deserts," said Turner (D-Springfield). "Everyone deserves access to fresh, nutritious foods no matter where they live." Senate Bill 3219 would expand on the 2023 Illinois Grocery Initiative by allo  more

SPRINGFIELD, Illinois, March 8 -- The Illinois Senate Democrats issued the following news on March 7, 2024: State Senator Rachel Ventura, along with several mental health advocates and professionals, held a press conference Thursday to outline their support of legalizing psilocybin, commonly known as "magic mushrooms." "We're dedicated to eliminating obstacles to healing in Illinois," said Ventura (D-Joliet). "As additional options emerge for the public, my aspiration is for plant medicines to  more

SPRINGFIELD, Illinois, March 8 -- The Illinois Senate Democrats issued the following news: State Senator Rachel Ventura advanced a new measure that would create a grant for local governments to help mitigate the impact of climate change. "Encouraging local governments to plant native trees and grasses, which are proven to help mitigate climate change through carbon capture, is an essential step toward a cleaner environment," said Ventura (D-Joliet). "With the ongoing climate crisis impacting t  more

SPRINGFIELD, Illinois, March 7 -- Illinois State Treasurer Michael Frerichs issued the following news release: Small nonprofit organizations that provide people with food or housing assistance are encouraged to apply for funding through the Charitable Trust Stabilization Program, Illinois State Treasurer Michael Frerichs said today. Grant applications will be accepted through March 31. "Through the Charitable Trust program, small nonprofits have an opportunity to make an even greater impact on  more

BOSTON, Massachusetts, March 8 -- Massachusetts Attorney General Andrea Joy Campbell issued the following news release: Attorney General Andrea Joy Campbell has led a multistate coalition of 18 attorneys general in filing an amicus brief in the Colorado Supreme Court in support of a transgender woman who was denied service by a Colorado cakeshop after she informed the business that a pink and blue cake that she ordered was expressive of her gender identity. In the amicus brief, filed in the ca  more

BALTIMORE, Maryland, March 8 -- Maryland Attorney General Anthony G. Brown issued the following news release on March 7, 2024: Maryland Attorney General Anthony G. Brown joined a bipartisan coalition of 41 Attorneys General in sending a letter to Meta Platforms, Inc. (Meta) addressing the recent increase in Facebook and Instagram platform account takeovers by scammers. Account takeovers are when bad actors break into a user's account and change passwords, effectively hijacking the account and b  more

LANSING, Michigan, March 8 -- Michigan Attorney General Dana Nessel issued the following news release: Michigan Attorney General Dana Nessel has joined a bipartisan coalition of 41 attorneys general in sending a letter to Meta Platforms, Inc. (Meta) addressing the recent rise of Facebook and Instagram account takeovers by scammers and frauds. When bad actors break into a user's account and change passwords, effectively hijacking the account and blocking out the rightful owner, it is an account   more

WASHINGTON, March 8 -- The Nuclear Regulatory Commission issued the following event notification (No. 56999) involving INEOS, Joliet, Illinois: * * * Rep Org: Illinois Emergency Mgmt. Agency Licensee: INEOS Region: 3 City: Joliet State: IL License #: IL-01337-01 Agreement: Y NRC Notified By: Whitney Cox HQ OPS Officer: Ian Howard Notification Date: 02/29/2024 Notification Time: 13:22 [ET] Event Date: 02/28/2024 Event Time: 00:00 [CST] Last Update Date: 02/29/2024 Emergency Class:  more

WASHINGTON, March 7 -- President Biden issued the following State of the Union address: * * * State of the Union Address As Prepared for Delivery Good evening. Mr. Speaker. Madam Vice President. Members of Congress. My Fellow Americans. In January 1941, President Franklin Roosevelt came to this chamber to speak to the nation. He said, "I address you at a moment unprecedented in the history of the Union." Hitler was on the march. War was raging in Europe. President Roosevelt's purpos  more

WASHINGTON, March 7 -- President Biden and the members of the Competition Council issued the following remarks on March 5, 2024, announcing actions to lower costs by fighting corporate rip-offs: * * * MR. CHOPRA: Good afternoon. Whether it's a credit card bill, Internet bill, grocery bill, or anything else in a monthly budget, President Biden has been focused on promoting competition, lowering costs, and stopping profiteering. Today, we're taking action to stop excessive fees in the banking   more

ATLANTA, Georgia, March 8 -- The Small Business Administration issued the following news release on March 7, 2024: The U.S. Small Business Administration is reminding small businesses in affected by the severe storms on March 31, 2023, that the deadline is April 3 to apply for working capital disaster loans. Small businesses, small agricultural cooperatives, small businesses engaged in aquaculture, and private nonprofit organizations with economic losses from the incident should apply. The de  more

WASHINGTON, March 7 -- The office of the U.S. Attorney for the District of Columbia issued the following news release: An Illinois man has been arrested on felony and misdemeanor charges, including for assaulting law enforcement during the breach of the U.S. Capitol on Jan. 6, 2021. His actions and the actions of others disrupted a joint session of the U.S. Congress convened to ascertain and count the electoral votes related to the 2020 presidential election. Lance Michael Ligocki, 34, of Oakw  more

SALT LAKE CITY, Utah, March 8 -- Utah Attorney General Sean D. Reyes issued the following news: Attorney General Reyes joined a bipartisan coalition of 40 attorneys general in sending a letter to Meta Platforms, Inc. (Meta) addressing the recent rise of Facebook and Instagram platform account takeovers by scammers and fraudsters. Account takeovers are when bad actors break into a user's account and change passwords, effectively hijacking the account and blocking out the rightful owner. Attorney  more