CHICAGO, Illinois, May 9 -- The office of the U.S. Attorney for the Northern District of Illinois issued the following news release: A man has been sentenced to 15 years in federal prison for illegally possessing a handgun and participating in the murder of a man in Chicago on Labor Day weekend in 2022. ANDREI TAYLOR illegally possessed the loaded firearm on the afternoon of Sept. 19, 2022, in the Tri-Taylor neighborhood on Chicago's Near West Side. Taylor was a passenger in a Kia Optima that   more

JOINT BASE SAN ANTONIO-LACKLAND, Texas, May 9 -- The U.S. Air Force Joint Base San Antonio-Lackland (16th Air Force) issued the following news: The first of two 2024 Installation and Mission Support Weapons and Tactics Conferences concluded May 8 at the Air Force Installation and Mission Support Center in San Antonio, when three teams presented solutions to advance agile combat support operations in an era of Great Power Competition. The I-WEPTAC 2024.1 Mission Area Working Groups briefed idea  more

JOINT BASE SAN ANTONIO-LACKLAND, Texas, May 10 -- The U.S. Air Force Installation and Mission Support Center issued the following news: By Craig Rodarte, AFIMSC Public Affairs The first of two 2024 Installation and Mission Support Weapons and Tactics Conferences concluded May 8 at the Air Force Installation and Mission Support Center when three teams presented solutions to advance agile combat support operations in an era of Great Power Competition. The I-WEPTAC 2024.1 Mission Area Working G  more

OAKLAND, California, May 10 (TNSres) -- California Attorney General Rob Bonta issued the following news release on May 9, 2024: California Attorney General Rob Bonta today, as part of a coalition of 21 attorneys general, joined an amicus brief in the U.S. Court of Appeals for the Tenth Circuit in support of Colorado's law requiring a three-day waiting period for firearm purchases. Attorney General Bonta joined the brief in Rocky Mountain Gun Owners v. Polis after the district court denied a pre  more

OAKLAND, California, May 10 -- California Attorney General Rob Bonta issued the following news release on May 8, 2024: California Attorney General Rob Bonta today led a multistate coalition of 15 attorneys general urging congressional leaders to remove preemption language in the current draft of the American Privacy Rights Act (APRA), a proposed federal data privacy bill. The preemption clause currently in the APRA would result in California's landmark privacy law being replaced with weaker pro  more

WASHINGTON, May 10 -- The U.S. Department of Homeland Security issued the following remarks on May 9, 2024, by Secretary Alejandro N. Mayorkas at a charter signing ceremony of the World Fire Congress: * * * The poet John Saxe once wrote that, if the mythical Greek figure Prometheus "was worthy of the wrath of heaven for kindling the first fire upon earth, then how all the gods must honor those who make it their professional business to put it out." The work you have done here at the Inaugura  more

TALLAHASSEE, Florida, May 9 -- Gov. Ron DeSantis, R-Florida, issued the following news release on May 8, 2024: Today, Governor Ron DeSantis announced the appointment of Nathan Hoffman to the Florida Scholars Academy Board of Trustees. Nathan Hoffman Hoffman is the Senior Director of State Policy and Advocacy at the Foundation for Excellence in Education. He currently serves as a member of the American Enterprise Institute Leadership Network and the Policy Innovators in Education Leadership In  more

CHICAGO, Illinois, May 10 -- Illinois Attorney General Kwame Raoul issued the following news release on May 9, 2024: Attorney General Kwame Raoul today announced his office filed a lawsuit against Southeast Energy Consultants LLC (SEC), alleging the third-party vendor working on behalf of several alternative retail electric suppliers (ARES) deceived customers into switching from their public utility companies to more expensive contracts with alternative energy suppliers. Raoul's lawsuit (https  more

SPRINGFIELD, Illinois, May 10 -- The Illinois Auditor General issued the following compliance examination on May 9, 2024, involving the Department of the Lottery. Here are excerpts: * * * INTRODUCTION This digest covers Department's State Compliance Examination for the two years ended June 30, 2023. A digest covering the Financial Audit of the Department's State Lottery Fund as of and for the year ended June 30, 2023, was previously released on February 6, 2024. In total this report contains  more

SPRINGFIELD, Illinois, May 10 -- The Illinois Auditor General issued the following compliance examination on May 9, 2024, involving Western Illinois University. Here are excerpts: * * * Introduction This digest covers Western Illinois University's (University) State compliance examination for the year ended June 30, 2023. Separate digests covering the University's Financial Audit as of and for the year ended June 30, 2023 and Single Audit for the year ended June 30, 2023 were previously rele  more

CHICAGO, Illinois, May 10 -- Gov. JB Pritzker, D-Illinois, issued the following news release on May 9, 2024: Today, Governor JB Pritzker, the Illinois Department of Commerce and Economic Opportunity (DCEO) and the Illinois Manufacturing Excellence Center (IMEC) awarded $1.7 million in grant funding to 40 small and mid-sized manufacturers across the state through the Made in Illinois Grant Program. The Made in Illinois program provides up to $50,000 in matching grant funding to local Illinois m  more

SPRINGFIELD, Illinois, May 10 -- The Illinois House Democrats issued the following news: Responding to the rise of "AI" and "deepfake" imagery, state Rep. Jehan Gordon-Booth, D-Peoria, supported a plan to update state laws and levy penalties on criminals who use such technology to create and distribute explicit images of minors. "As 'AI' becomes more mainstream and easier for anyone to use, we have to take steps to modernize our laws and protect children from bad actors," Gordon-Booth said. "C  more

AURORA, Illinois, May 10 -- The Illinois House Democrats issued the following news: Illinois State Representative Stephanie Kifowit (D-Oswego) has been awarded the prestigious "Friend of Law Enforcement Award" by the Polish American Police Association (P.A.P.A.) in recognition of her unwavering commitment to and staunch support of law enforcement and their families. The award was presented to Representative Kifowit, who is of proud Polish heritage, at a ceremony over the weekend. "I am deeply   more

ROMEOVILLE, Illinois, May 10 -- The Illinois House Democrats issued the following news: As part of her efforts to expand access to child care for caregivers, state Rep. Natalie Manley, D-Joliet, is encouraging child care providers in Will County to apply for the Elevate Will County - Child Care Provider Grant. "As any working parent knows, affordable child care is indispensable for balancing work responsibilities with family obligations," said Manley. "Whether it's enhancing the quality of exi  more

SPRINGFIELD, Illinois, May 9 -- The Illinois Senate Democrats issued the following news on May 7, 2024: In place of the traditional loafers, high heels and flats, the Illinois Senate Democrats arrived to the chamber floor on Tuesday in their sneakers, a jarringly causal look compared to their usual attire in the General Assembly. However, this wardrobe change wasn't because they wanted to be more comfortable during the longer session days - members of the caucus were participating in the Americ  more

SPRINGFIELD, Illinois, May 9 -- The Illinois Senate Democrats issued the following news on May 8, 2024: Members of the Illinois Legislative Latino Caucus were joined by advocates, Latino professionals, community groups and nonprofit organizations to celebrate the annual Latino Unity Day at the State Capitol Wednesday. "Today, not only do we foster inclusivity, promote social justice, and strengthen our place in society but we also celebrate our rich diversity, history, and achievements," said   more

SPRINGFIELD, Illinois, May 10 -- The Illinois Senate Democrats issued the following news: State Senator Mary Edly-Allen passed an initiative through the Senate Insurance Committee to fill gaps in current breast cancer screening coverage and ensure that all Illinoisans are able to receive screening that accurately detects cancer. "Standard mammograms aren't always effective on patients with dense breasts. Unfortunately, insurance companies may deny having additional tests that are needed to det  more

SPRINGFIELD, Illinois, May 9 -- The Illinois Senate Democrats issued the following news: At the start of the 2025-2026 school year, all students in grades six through 12 would be required to learn about the dangers of fentanyl under a measure sponsored by State Senator Laura Ellman. "Our youth represent our future, but also make up one of our most vulnerable populations," said Ellman (D-Naperville). "We need to educate students sooner rather than later on the prevalence of fentanyl in our comm  more

SPRINGFIELD, Illinois, May 10 -- The Illinois Senate Democrats issued the following news: State Senator Paul Faraci advanced legislation to extend the Energy Assistance Act, which provides low-income households with financial assistance on utility bills. "Every resident in our state should have access to essential services," said Faraci (D-Champaign). "The ability to heat or cool your home should be a fundamental right, not a privilege." Faraci's measure would eliminate the scheduled sunset d  more

SPRINGFIELD, Illinois, May 10 -- The Illinois Senate Democrats issued the following news: To increase awareness, sensitivity and compassion for those affected by tardive dyskinesia, State Senator Laura Fine led a resolution to designate May 5-11, 2024 as Tardive Dyskinesia Awareness Week in Illinois. "People seeking treatment for a mental health condition are already experiencing personal hardships and may not realize their potential for developing tardive dyskinesia, which could further impac  more

SPRINGFIELD, Illinois, May 9 -- The Illinois Senate Democrats issued the following news: In an effort to bring more nurses to Illinois medical facilities, State Senator Suzy Glowiak Hilton advanced a measure to extend the time nurses can practice while waiting for the review of their license application. "This measure would allow our nurses to continue to work and provide the care that many people need," said Glowiak Hilton (D-Western Springs). "By providing our nurses with the opportunity to   more

SPRINGFIELD, Illinois, May 9 -- The Illinois Senate Democrats issued the following news on May 8, 2024: In an effort to make medication more accessible to Illinoisans, State Senator Suzy Glowiak Hilton is leading an initiative to prohibit pharmacists from refusing to fill a written prescription. "If your doctor writes a prescription for medication you need, you should not be refused at your local pharmacy," said Glowiak Hilton (D-Western Springs). "All residents should be able to access their   more

SPRINGFIELD, Illinois, May 9 -- The Illinois Senate Democrats issued the following news on May 8, 2024: State Senator Napoleon Harris, III advanced a measure on Tuesday to increase transparency of homeowner insurance policy coverage. "When you choose a homeowner insurance policy you should have a full picture of what the policy covers," said Harris (D-Harvey). "This legislation empowers homeowners to make educated financial decisions about their homeowner insurance policies." House Bill 5357   more

SPRINGFIELD, Illinois, May 9 -- The Illinois Senate Democrats issued the following news on May 8, 2024: Building upon her work to establish a task force for missing and murdered Chicago women, State Senator Mattie Hunter advanced a bill Wednesday that would add two seats to the task force reserved for Chicago police officers. "Local police officers have firsthand experience with missing persons cases," said Hunter (D-Chicago). "It's been noted that the data collection processes surrounding the  more

SPRINGFIELD, Illinois, May 9 -- The Illinois Senate Democrats issued the following news on May 7, 2024: State Senator Adriane Johnson advanced a measure Tuesday to enhance student knowledge on climate control. "Our youth are already engaged on the topic of climate change and are eager to learn more about the real solutions and how it impacts all aspects of society," said Johnson (D- Buffalo Grove). "Learning opportunities should be available to students to further their understanding of potent  more

SPRINGFIELD, Illinois, May 9 -- The Illinois Senate Democrats issued the following news: State Senator Adriane Johnson advanced a measure to enhance air quality in schools - leading to better health outcomes for students. "Minority groups and under resourced communities are disproportionately impacted by asthma, pollution and viral illness," said Johnson (D- Buffalo Grove). "Schools should be a safe place - yet many are under-ventilated. It is necessary that we study the poor air quality in sc  more

SPRINGFIELD, Illinois, May 9 -- The Illinois Senate Democrats issued the following news on May 8, 2024: To help strengthen the creative arts economy in Illinois, State Senator Dave Koehler passed an initiative to form a Creative Economy Task Force to help the state attract and retain diverse businesses and talent. "Creative businesses employ thousands of Illinoisans from all backgrounds," said Koehler (D-Peoria). "In today's digital era, creative arts are a driving force for our economy. This   more

SPRINGFIELD, Illinois, May 10 -- The Illinois Senate Democrats issued the following news: Parents across the state continue to receive the call no one wants to receive: the call that their child has consumed delta-8 THC and is being transported to the hospital. Senate Majority Leader Kimberly A. Lightford is spearheading a measure to regulate these pervasive, unlicensed products. "We are working diligently to protect consumers of all ages, help our cannabis industry flourish, keep the promise   more

SPRINGFIELD, Illinois, May 10 -- The Illinois Senate Democrats issued the following news: Standing alongside advocates from various health care organizations, State Senator Julie Morrison outlined her plan to expand private insurance coverage for medically necessary glucose monitors and related supplies. "Increasing coverage of medically necessary services can greatly improve an individual's quality of life," said Morrison (D-Lake Forest). "As chair of the Senate Health and Human Services Comm  more

SPRINGFIELD, Illinois, May 9 -- The Illinois Senate Democrats issued the following news: Private drones flown over public parks, sports games and sensitive wildlife has created the need for regulation. State Senator Julie Morrison introduced a measure to give local governments the authority to adopt reasonable rules for the airspace over their public park property. "I am proud to represent a district with an abundance of parks and wildlife," said Morrison (D-Lake Forest). "This legislation, br  more

SPRINGFIELD, Illinois, May 9 -- The Illinois Senate Democrats issued the following news: Finding out your vehicle is totaled can be a difficult situation and the last thing you want to do is research the cost of each part of your car. State Senator Julie Morrison introduced a measure to require vehicle insurance companies to do that work for you. "I am committed to increasing transparency between insurance companies and consumers," said Morrison (D-Lake Forest). "This initiative will save peop  more

BURBANK, Illinois, May 9 -- The Illinois Senate Democrats issued the following news: Members of the National Guard and Reserve who are college or university students could soon be able to make up coursework they missed due to military obligations, thanks to a measure sponsored by State Senator Mike Porfirio. "It's vital we support our servicemen and women in all facets of their lives, including their educational pursuits," said Porfirio (D-Lyons Township), a member of the U.S. Navy Reserve. "T  more

SPRINGFIELD, Illinois, May 9 -- The Illinois Senate Democrats issued the following news on May 8, 2024: Emphasizing the critical need for improved access to colonoscopy screenings, State Senator Willie Preston joined State Representative Cyril Nichols at a press conference Wednesday to highlight a new measure, House Bill 2385, that would facilitate the early detection and prevention of colorectal cancer. "Discussing colonoscopies may not be the easiest conversation to have, but it's a vital on  more

SPRINGFIELD, Illinois, May 9 -- The Illinois Senate Democrats issued the following news on May 8, 2024: Senate Democrats joined together with advocates and community leaders at the Capitol Wednesday to support equality throughout Illinois. "We cannot let down our youth. We need to stand with them and hear them - especially when they are speaking so loudly," said State Senator Ram Villivalam (D-Chicago). In order to bolster support for continued efforts to achieve inclusivity and accessibility  more

SPRINGFIELD, Illinois, May 9 -- The Illinois Senate Democrats issued the following news on May 7, 2024: Senate Democrats joined forces with advocates and partners Tuesday at the Illinois State Capitol to bolster support for funding to save after-school programs. "As a father raising two sons, I'm constantly looking to create a nurturing and supportive environment that they can thrive in," said State Senator Ram Villivalam (D-Chicago). "This is precisely what after-school programs offer to the   more

SPRINGFIELD, Illinois, May 9 -- The Illinois Senate Democrats issued the following news: To streamline a fair and just pretrial process, State Senator Elgie R. Sims, Jr. is collaborating with the court system to enhance the Office of Statewide Pretrial Services. "The Office of Statewide Pretrial Services will serve as a beacon of fairness, equity and efficiency in this critical phase of the legal process," said Sims (D-Chicago). "By assessing risk rather than wealth, the office will ensure tha  more

ROCKFORD, Illinois, May 10 -- The Illinois Senate Democrats issued the following news: State Senator Steve Stadelman is pleased to announce that two businesses within the 34th District have been awarded grants through the Made in Illinois Grant Program. "The Made in Illinois Grant Program is a crucial tool in our commitment to enhancing the industrial base of Illinois," said Stadelman (D-Rockford). "Providing local manufacturers with the resources they need to thrive in a competitive global ma  more

SPRINGFIELD, Illinois, May 10 -- The Illinois Senate Democrats issued the following news: To reduce the risk of unnecessary violent confrontations between law enforcement and people with autism, State Senator Natalie Toro introduced legislation requiring officers to go through autism-informed responses in their training. "Having an encounter with law enforcement can be nerve-wracking for anyone, but for people with behavioral disabilities like autism, it can be even more confusing and anxiety-  more

SPRINGFIELD, Illinois, May 10 -- The Illinois Senate Democrats issued the following news: State Senator Rachel Ventura led a resolution through the Senate to declare a day in Illinois to recognize child care providers. "As a mother, I see the selfless dedication of child care providers and all they do to keep our children safe," said Ventura (D-Joliet). "It truly does take a village to help raise children, and for single parents, they can be a much needed lifeline." Senate Resolution 896 reco  more

SPRINGFIELD, Illinois, May 9 -- The Illinois Senate Democrats issued the following news on May 8, 2024: State Senator Rachel Ventura presented an initiative to assist local governments with the transition to zero emission vehicles by creating a grant program to the Senate Appropriations committee on Wednesday. "As we continue to work on the goals set forth for the Climate and Equitable Jobs Act, we need to provide financial avenues to assist local governments with the transition toward zero em  more

SPRINGFIELD, Illinois, May 9 -- The Illinois Senate Democrats issued the following news: State Senator Celina Villanueva advanced a measure to help people who plead guilty to a possession charge a second chance in exchange for diversion into a probation program. "First-time offenders of possession are typically young people who have made a misstep and by enrolling in a diversion program, they have shown their commitment to righting their wrongs," said Villanueva (D-Chicago). "Clarifying that a  more

SPRINGFIELD, Illinois, May 9 -- The Illinois Senate Democrats issued the following news: State Senator Celina Villanueva advanced a measure to ensure reproductive health care records are not being improperly disclosed. "Our fight for access to reproductive and gender-affirming care is far from over," said Villanueva (D-Chicago). "It is our duty as a safe haven state to preserve people's right to care while ensuring their livelihood won't be put in jeopardy by restrictive, overarching laws of o  more

SPRINGFIELD, Illinois, May 10 -- The Illinois Senate Democrats issued the following news on May 9, 2024: State Senator Ram Villivalam participated in a rally Thursday hosted by the Illinois Environment Council to continue advocating for a cleaner environment in Illinois. "Illinois' current transportation system has major implications for climate, health and equity. Roughly nine million Illinois residents live in areas that regularly experience air that the EPA has determined is unsafe to breat  more

WASHINGTON, May 10 (TNSres) -- The U.S. Department of Labor issued the following weekly report entitled "Unemployment Insurance Weekly Claims" for week ending May 8, 2024. Here are excerpts: * * * SEASONALLY ADJUSTED DATA In the week ending May 4, the advance figure for seasonally adjusted initial claims was 231,000, an increase of 22,000 from the previous week's revised level. The previous week's level was revised up by 1,000 from 208,000 to 209,000. The 4-week moving average was 215,000, a  more

BALTIMORE, Maryland, May 10 -- Maryland Attorney General Anthony G. Brown issued the following news release on May 9, 2024: Attorney General Anthony Brown today announced his office entered into settlements with AT&T Mobility, LLC, Cricket Wireless, LLC, T-Mobile USA, Inc., Cellco Partnership (d/b/a Verizon Wireless), and TracFone Wireless, Inc. (collectively, the "wireless carriers"), which resolve an investigation into the wireless carriers' advertising practices. The settlements were joined   more

NEW YORK, May 10 -- New York Attorney General Letitia James issued the following news release on May 9, 2024: New York Attorney General Letitia James and a multistate, bipartisan coalition of 50 attorneys general today secured more than $10.22 million from AT&T Mobility, LLC and its subsidiary Cricket Wireless, LLC (AT&T); T-Mobile USA, Inc. (T-Mobile); and Cellco Partnership d/b/a Verizon Wireless and its subsidiary TracFone Wireless, Inc. (Verizon), for deceptively marketing wireless service   more

WASHINGTON, May 9 -- The Nuclear Regulatory Commission issued the following event notification (No. 57098) involving Advocate Illinois, Chicago: * * * Rep Org: Illinois Emergency Mgmt. Agency Licensee: Advocate Illinois Region: 3 City: Chicago State: IL License #: IL01224-02 Agreement: Y NRC Notified By: Gary Forsee HQ OPS Officer: Eric Simpson Notification Date: 05/01/2024 Notification Time: 14:14 [ET] Event Date: 04/30/2024 Event Time: 00:00 [CDT] Last Update Date: 05/01/2024 E  more

WASHINGTON, May 9 -- The Nuclear Regulatory Commission issued the following event notification (No. 57097) involving Northwestern Memorial Hospital, Chicago, Illinois: * * * Rep Org: Illinois Emergency Mgmt. Agency Licensee: Northwestern Memorial Hospital Region: 3 City: Chicago State: IL License #: IL-01037-02 Agreement: Y NRC Notified By: Whitney Cox HQ OPS Officer: Eric Simpson Notification Date: 05/01/2024 Notification Time: 12:30 [ET] Event Date: 04/30/2024 Event Time: 00:00 [  more

WASHINGTON, May 10 -- The White House Office of Science and Technology Policy issued the following news release: Two years ago, in one of the first actions of the reignited Biden Cancer Moonshot, President Biden and First Lady Jill Biden announced a call to action on cancer screenings. Over the course of the pandemic, Americans collectively missed nearly 10 million recommended cancer screenings. The President and First Lady have made it a priority to increase awareness and utilization of critic  more

CHICAGO, Illinois, May 10 -- President Biden issued the following remarks on May 8, 2024, at a campaign reception at Palmer House: * * * THE PRESIDENT: Thank you, thank you, thank you, thank you. Bob and Jane, thank you very much for hosting us, and thank you for that introduction. And most of all, thanks for your friendship and partnership, and thank you for your support in this campaign and the convention. I understand there's going to be a convention in Chicago. We're excited to come bac  more

PEORIA, Illinois, May 9 -- The office of the U.S. Attorney for the Central District of Illinois issued the following news release: A Bloomington, Illinois husband and wife, Wesley Noonan, 50, and Christina Noonan, 44, of the 1900 block of East Taylor, were sentenced on May 8, 2024, to federal prison for conspiring to distribute, and possessing with intent to distribute, the fentanyl analogue, para-Fluorofentanyl. Christina Noonan was sentenced to 70 months' imprisonment to be followed by a thre  more

SALT LAKE CITY, Utah, May 10 -- The Utah Governor's Office of Economic Opportunity issued the following news on May 9, 2024: Today, the Utah Governor's Office of Economic Opportunity awarded Mountain Billy Gun Lab, a post-performance tax reduction for its expansion in Wasatch County. The corporate incentive is part of the state's Rural Economic Development Tax Increment Financing (REDTIF) program. As part of the agreement, Mountain Billy Gun Lab projects adding 25 new, high-paying jobs and inv  more

SEATTLE, Washington, May 10 -- Washington state Attorney General Bob Ferguson issued the following news release on May 9, 2024: Attorney General Bob Ferguson today announced his office is initiating legal action against the Seattle Archdiocese. The Archdiocese has refused to comply with Ferguson's investigation into whether the three Washington dioceses of the Catholic Church used charitable funds to cover up allegations of child sex abuse by clergy. The Attorney General's Office sent subpoena  more

WASHINGTON, May 10 -- The White House issued the following readout of a celebration of women's history on May 8, 2024: * * * Today, U.S. Secretary of the Interior Deb Haaland, Director of the Gender Policy Council Jennifer Klein, and Chair of the Council on Environmental Quality Brenda Mallory announced new actions to honor the legacy and contributions of a diverse range of women and girls to our country, and highlighted the Biden-Harris Administration's efforts to increase the representation   more