CHICAGO, Illinois, Aug. 2 -- Illinois Attorney General Kwame Raoul issued the following news release on Aug. 1, 2024: Attorney General Kwame Raoul today announced a settlement with Elite Staffing Inc. (Elite) that resolves allegations that Elite entered into no-poach agreements and engaged in wage fixing with two other staffing agencies. The settlement (https://ilag-dev.dotcms.cloud/dA/35ec0fe4-3973-4edd-af57-0501eabfde73/fileAsset/2024.08.01%20Order%20approving%20Elite%20Settlement%20Agreement  more

CHICAGO, Illinois, Aug. 2 -- Illinois Attorney General Kwame Raoul issued the following news release: Attorney General Kwame Raoul, with six other attorneys general, announced a settlement to resolve allegations of unfair labor practices at oil change and auto services company Valvoline LLC, Valvoline Instant Oil Change Franchising Inc. and VGP Holdings LLC (Valvoline). Raoul and the attorneys general allege Valvoline required its hourly employees to sign non-competition agreements that prohib  more

CHICAGO, Illinois, Aug. 1 (TNSres) -- The U.S. Department of Labor's Bureau of Labor Statistics - Midwest Regional Information Office issued the following report on July 31, 2024, entitled "Business Employment Dynamics in Iowa - Fourth Quarter 2023": * * * From September 2023 to December 2023, gross job gains from opening and expanding private-sector establishments were 78,723, while gross job losses from closing and contracting private-sector establishments in Iowa were 74,153, the U.S. Burea  more

CHICAGO, Illinois, Aug. 1 (TNSres) -- The U.S. Department of Labor's Bureau of Labor Statistics - Midwest Regional Information Office issued the following report on July 31, 2024, entitled "Business Employment Dynamics in South Dakota - Fourth Quarter 2023": * * * From September 2023 to December 2023, gross job gains from opening and expanding private-sector establishments were 25,195, while gross job losses from closing and contracting private-sector establishments in South Dakota were 22,395  more

CHICAGO, Illinois, Aug. 1 (TNSres) -- The U.S. Department of Labor's Bureau of Labor Statistics - Midwest Regional Information Office issued the following report on July 31, 2024, entitled "Illinois Job Openings and Labor Turnover - May 2024": * * * Illinois had 346,000 job openings in May 2024, compared to 320,000 openings in April, the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics reported today. (See table 1.) Regional Commissioner Jason Palmer noted that the job openings rate in Illinois was 5.3 percent  more

CHICAGO, Illinois, Aug. 1 (TNSres) -- The U.S. Department of Labor's Bureau of Labor Statistics - Midwest Regional Information Office issued the following report on July 31, 2024, entitled "Iowa Job Openings and Labor Turnover - May 2024": * * * Iowa had 75,000 job openings in May 2024, compared to 67,000 openings in April, the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics reported today. (See table 1.) Regional Commissioner Jason Palmer noted that the job openings rate in Iowa was 4.4 percent in May and 4.  more

CHICAGO, Illinois, Aug. 2 (TNSres) -- The U.S. Department of Labor's Bureau of Labor Statistics - Midwest Regional Information Office issued the following report on Aug. 1, 2024, entitled "Occupational Employment and Wages in Ann Arbor - May 2023": * * * Workers in the Ann Arbor, MI Metropolitan Statistical Area had an average (mean) hourly wage of $33.43 in May 2023, compared to the nationwide average of $31.48, the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics reported today. Regional Commissioner Jason P  more

CHICAGO, Illinois, Aug. 2 (TNSres) -- The U.S. Department of Labor's Bureau of Labor Statistics - Midwest Regional Information Office issued the following report on Aug. 1, 2024, entitled "Occupational Employment and Wages in Battle Creek - May 2023": * * * Workers in the Battle Creek, MI Metropolitan Statistical Area had an average (mean) hourly wage of $27.23 in May 2023, compared to the nationwide average of $31.48, the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics reported today. Regional Commissioner J  more

CHICAGO, Illinois, Aug. 2 (TNSres) -- The U.S. Department of Labor's Bureau of Labor Statistics - Midwest Regional Information Office issued the following report on Aug. 1, 2024, entitled "Occupational Employment and Wages in Bay City - May 2023": * * * Workers in the Bay City, MI Metropolitan Statistical Area had an average (mean) hourly wage of $25.28 in May 2023, compared to the nationwide average of $31.48, the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics reported today. Regional Commissioner Jason Pal  more

CHICAGO, Illinois, Aug. 2 (TNSres) -- The U.S. Department of Labor's Bureau of Labor Statistics - Midwest Regional Information Office issued the following report on Aug. 1, 2024, entitled "Occupational Employment and Wages in Detroit-Warren-Dearborn - May 2023": * * * Workers in the Detroit-Warren-Dearborn, MI Metropolitan Statistical Area had an average (mean) hourly wage of $30.94 in May 2023, compared to the nationwide average of $31.48, the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics reported today. R  more

CHICAGO, Illinois, Aug. 2 (TNSres) -- The U.S. Department of Labor's Bureau of Labor Statistics - Midwest Regional Information Office issued the following report on Aug. 1, 2024, entitled "Occupational Employment and Wages in Flint - May 2023": * * * Workers in the Flint, MI Metropolitan Statistical Area had an average (mean) hourly wage of $26.55 in May 2023, compared to the nationwide average of $31.48, the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics reported today. Regional Commissioner Jason Palmer no  more

CHICAGO, Illinois, Aug. 2 (TNSres) -- The U.S. Department of Labor's Bureau of Labor Statistics - Midwest Regional Information Office issued the following report on Aug. 1, 2024, entitled "Occupational Employment and Wages in Grand Rapids-Wyoming - May 2023": * * * Workers in the Grand Rapids-Wyoming, MI Metropolitan Statistical Area had an average (mean) hourly wage of $28.03 in May 2023, compared to the nationwide average of $31.48, the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics reported today. Regiona  more

CHICAGO, Illinois, Aug. 2 (TNSres) -- The U.S. Department of Labor's Bureau of Labor Statistics - Midwest Regional Information Office issued the following report on Aug. 1, 2024, entitled "Occupational Employment and Wages in Jackson, MI - May 2023": * * * Workers in the Jackson, MI Metropolitan Statistical Area had an average (mean) hourly wage of $27.20 in May 2023, compared to the nationwide average of $31.48, the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics reported today. Regional Commissioner Jason P  more

CHICAGO, Illinois, Aug. 2 (TNSres) -- The U.S. Department of Labor's Bureau of Labor Statistics - Midwest Regional Information Office issued the following report on Aug. 1, 2024, entitled "Occupational Employment and Wages in Kalamazoo-Portage - May 2023": * * * Workers in the Kalamazoo-Portage, MI Metropolitan Statistical Area had an average (mean) hourly wage of $27.69 in May 2023, compared to the nationwide average of $31.48, the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics reported today. Regional Comm  more

CHICAGO, Illinois, Aug. 2 (TNSres) -- The U.S. Department of Labor's Bureau of Labor Statistics - Midwest Regional Information Office issued the following report on Aug. 1, 2024, entitled "Occupational Employment and Wages in Lansing-East Lansing - May 2023": * * * Workers in the Lansing-East Lansing, MI Metropolitan Statistical Area had an average (mean) hourly wage of $29.69 in May 2023, compared to the nationwide average of $31.48, the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics reported today. Regiona  more

CHICAGO, Illinois, Aug. 2 (TNSres) -- The U.S. Department of Labor's Bureau of Labor Statistics - Midwest Regional Information Office issued the following report on Aug. 1, 2024, entitled "Occupational Employment and Wages in Midland, MI - May 2023": * * * Workers in the Midland, MI Metropolitan Statistical Area had an average (mean) hourly wage of $31.88 in May 2023, compared to the nationwide average of $31.48, the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics reported today. Regional Commissioner Jason P  more

CHICAGO, Illinois, Aug. 2 (TNSres) -- The U.S. Department of Labor's Bureau of Labor Statistics - Midwest Regional Information Office issued the following report on Aug. 1, 2024, entitled "Occupational Employment and Wages in Monroe, MI - May 2023": * * * Workers in the Monroe, MI Metropolitan Statistical Area had an average (mean) hourly wage of $27.12 in May 2023, compared to the nationwide average of $31.48, the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics reported today. Regional Commissioner Jason Pal  more

CHICAGO, Illinois, Aug. 2 (TNSres) -- The U.S. Department of Labor's Bureau of Labor Statistics - Midwest Regional Information Office issued the following report on Aug. 1, 2024, entitled "Occupational Employment and Wages in Muskegon - May 2023": * * * Workers in the Muskegon, MI Metropolitan Statistical Area had an average (mean) hourly wage of $24.73 in May 2023, compared to the nationwide average of $31.48, the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics reported today. Regional Commissioner Jason Pal  more

CHICAGO, Illinois, Aug. 2 (TNSres) -- The U.S. Department of Labor's Bureau of Labor Statistics - Midwest Regional Information Office issued the following report on Aug. 1, 2024, entitled "Occupational Employment and Wages in Niles-Benton Harbor - May 2023": * * * Workers in the Niles-Benton Harbor, MI Metropolitan Statistical Area had an average (mean) hourly wage of $25.84 in May 2023, compared to the nationwide average of $31.48, the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics reported today. Regional   more

CHICAGO, Illinois, Aug. 2 (TNSres) -- The U.S. Department of Labor's Bureau of Labor Statistics - Midwest Regional Information Office issued the following report on Aug. 1, 2024, entitled "Occupational Employment and Wages in Saginaw - May 2023": * * * Workers in the Saginaw, MI Metropolitan Statistical Area had an average (mean) hourly wage of $26.71 in May 2023, compared to the nationwide average of $31.48, the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics reported today. Regional Commissioner Jason Palme  more

CHICAGO, Illinois, Aug. 1 (TNSres) -- The U.S. Department of Labor's Bureau of Labor Statistics - Midwest Regional Information Office issued the following report on July 31, 2024, entitled "South Dakota Job Openings and Labor Turnover - May 2024": * * * South Dakota had 24,000 job openings in May 2024, compared to 22,000 openings in April, the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics reported today. (See table 1.) Regional Commissioner Jason Palmer noted that the job openings rate in South Dakota was 4  more

CHICAGO, Illinois, Aug. 1 (TNSres) -- The U.S. Department of Labor's Bureau of Labor Statistics - Midwest Regional Information Office issued the following report on July 31, 2024, entitled "Wisconsin Job Openings and Labor Turnover - May 2024": * * * Wisconsin had 158,000 job openings in May 2024, compared to 161,000 openings in April, the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics reported today. (See table 1.) Regional Commissioner Jason Palmer noted that the job openings rate in Wisconsin was 4.9 perc  more

WASHINGTON, Aug. 2 (TNSres) -- The U.S. Department of Justice's Office of Justice Programs' Bureau of Justice Statistics issued the following report (No. 308873) entitled "Justice Assistance Grant (JAG) Program, 2023": * * * Here are excerpts: Abstract This report describes the steps used to calculate the Edward Byrne Memorial Justice Assistance Grant (JAG) formula-based award amounts and presents summary results of the fiscal year 2023 calculations. The Consolidated Appropriations Act of   more

WASHINGTON, Aug. 1 -- The U.S. Department of Defense issued the following news release: NAVY Bechtel Plant Machinery Inc., Monroeville, Pennsylvania, is awarded a $447,000,000 cost-plus-fixed-fee modification to previously awarded contract N00024-24-C-2115 for naval nuclear propulsion components. Work will be performed in Monroeville, Pennsylvania, and is expected to be completed by September 2033. Fiscal 2024 National Sea-Based Deterrence Funds in the amount of $447,000,000 will be obligated   more

WASHINGTON, Aug. 1 -- The U.S. Department of Defense issued the following news release: ARMY Raytheon Missiles and Defense, Andover, Massachusetts, was awarded a $2,089,200,000 fixed-price-incentive contract for low-rate initial production of Lower Tier Air and Missile Defense System. Bids were solicited via the internet with one received. Work will be performed in Andover, Massachusetts, with an estimated completion date of Nov. 30, 2028. Fiscal 2024 Foreign Military Sales (Poland) and resear  more

WASHINGTON, Aug. 2 -- The Consumer Product Safety Commission issued the following recall alert on Aug. 1, 2024: * * * Name of Product: ECHO gas-powered backpack blowers Hazard: The fuel supply line can leak gas, posing a fire hazard. Remedy: Repair Recall Date: August 01, 2024 Units: About 3,900 Consumer Contact: ECHO at 800-432-3246 from 8 a.m. to 4:30 p.m. CT Monday through Friday, email at www.echo-usa.com/customer-support, or visit www.echo-usa.com/recall or go to www.echo-usa.com and  more

WASHINGTON, Aug. 1 -- The Environmental Protection Agency issued the following news release: Today, Aug. 1, as part of the federal government's response to tornadoes that caused the emergency shutdown of the ExxonMobil Refinery in Joliet, Illinois, U.S. Environmental Protection Agency Administrator Michael S. Regan issued an emergency fuel waiver to help alleviate fuel shortages in four states whose supply of gasoline has been impacted by the refinery shutdown. EPA has waived the federal regul  more

LANSING, Michigan, Aug. 2 -- Gov. Gretchen Whitmer, D-Michigan, issued the following news release on Aug. 1, 2024: * * * Waiver will help address supply challenges following refinery outage * * * Today, Governor Gretchen Whitmer secured approval from the federal government on an action to increase the supply of stable fuel for Michiganders, protecting residents from potential fuel and gas supply disruptions following the recent outage at an oil refinery in Illinois. The Environmental Protect  more

LANSING, Michigan, Aug. 2 -- Gov. Gretchen Whitmer, D-Michigan, issued the following news release on July 31, 2024: * * * Letter requests the federal government issue an emergency fuel waiver ahead of severe weather and potential supply disruptions. * * * Today, Governor Gretchen Whitmer took a proactive step to protect Michigan residents from potential fuel and gas supply disruptions, following the recent outage at an oil refinery in Illinois. As a precautionary measure, the governor sent a  more

SPRINGFIELD, Illinois, Aug. 1 -- The Illinois Auditor General issued the following financial audit on July 31, 2024, involving Regional Office of Education No. 45 covering Monroe and Randolph counties. Here are excerpts: * * * INTRODUCTION Our report covers the financial audit for the period ending June 30, 2023. * * * AUDITORS' OPINION Our auditors state the Regional Office of Education #45's financial statements as of June 30, 2023 are fairly presented in all material respects. This fi  more

SPRINGFIELD, Illinois, Aug. 2 -- The Illinois Auditor General issued the following financial audit on Aug. 1, 2024, involving the Department of Central Management Services, Community College Health Insurance Security Fund. Here are excerpts: * * * INTRODUCTION This digest covers the Financial Audit of the Schedule of Employer Allocations of the Community College Health Insurance Security Fund (Fund) as of and for the year ended June 30, 2023 and the related notes to the Schedule. In addition  more

SPRINGFIELD, Illinois, Aug. 2 -- The Illinois Auditor General issued the following compliance examination on Aug. 1, 2024, involving the Department of Central Management Services, State Employees Group Insurance Program. Here are excerpts: * * * INTRODUCTION This digest covers the Compliance Examination of the Schedule of Employer Allocations by Fund, the Schedule of University Special Funding Situations, the Schedule of Other Post Employment Benefit (OPEB) Amounts by Fund, and the Schedule   more

SPRINGFIELD, Illinois, Aug. 2 -- The Illinois Auditor General issued the following financial audit on Aug. 1, 2024, involving the Department of Central Management Services, Teacher Health Insurance Security Fund. Here are excerpts: * * * INTRODUCTION This digest covers the Financial Audit of the Schedule of Employer Allocations for the Teacher Health Insurance Security Fund (Fund) as of and for the year ended June 30, 2023 and the related notes to the Schedules. In addition, the digest also   more

SPRINGFIELD, Illinois, Aug. 2 -- The Illinois Auditor General issued the following compliance examination on Aug. 1, 2024, involving the Department of Public Health. Here are excerpts: * * * FINDINGS, CONCLUSIONS, AND RECOMMENDATIONS INADEQUATE CONTROLS OVER THE ADMINISTRATION OF STATE VEHICLES The Illinois Department of Public Health (Department) did not exercise adequate internal controls over State vehicles. The Department's fleet consisted of 109 vehicles at June 30, 2022 and 98 at Jun  more

SPRINGFIELD, Illinois, Aug. 2 -- The Illinois Auditor General issued the following financial audit on Aug. 1, 2024, involving the Illinois State Toll Highway Authority. Here are excerpts: * * * INTRODUCTION This digest covers the Illinois State Toll Highway Authority's (Tollway) Financial Audit as of and for the year ended December 31, 2023. * * * AUDITOR'S OPINION The auditors stated the financial statements of the Tollway as of and for the year ended December 31, 2023 is fairly stated i  more

SPRINGFIELD, Illinois, Aug. 1 -- The office of the U.S. Attorney for the Central District of Illinois issued the following news release: Isaiah Robinson, 40, of the 2100 block of East Monroe Street, was sentenced on July 29, 2024, to 135 months in prison for distribution of methamphetamine. At the sentencing hearing, the government presented evidence that Robinson sold methamphetamine, fentanyl, and cocaine to a confidential source. More specifically, he sold over 15 grams of fentanyl on June   more

WASHINGTON, Aug. 2 -- The Judicial Panel on Multidistrict Litigation issued the following order (MDL No. 3120) on Aug. 1, 2024: * * * In Re: Benzoyl Peroxide Marketing, Sales Practices and Products Liability Litigation ORDER DENYING TRANSFER Before the Panel: Plaintiffs in eleven actions move under 28 U.S.C. Sec. 1407 to centralize this litigation in the Northern District of California, the Central District of California, or the Eastern District of California. The litigation consists of 28 p  more

WASHINGTON, Aug. 2 -- The Judicial Panel on Multidistrict Litigation issued the following order (MDL No. 3121) on Aug. 1, 2024: * * * In Re: MultiPlan Health Insurance Provider Litigation TRANSFER ORDER Before the Panel:* Plaintiffs in three Northern District of Illinois actions move under 28 U.S.C. Sec. 1407 to centralize this litigation in that district. This litigation consists of six actions pending in three districts, as listed on Schedule A. In addition, the parties have informed the P  more

WASHINGTON, Aug. 1 -- The U.S. Department of Justice issued the following Civil Rights Division issued the following agency statement on July 31, 2024: * * * July is Disability Pride Month, and we take this opportunity to honor the many contributions of the disability community to the passage and advancement of the Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA) - which was signed into law 34 years ago this month. Disability rights activists fought hard for the passage of the ADA, organizing protests to  more

WASHINGTON, Aug. 1 (TNSres) -- The U.S. Department of Labor issued the following weekly report entitled "Unemployment Insurance Weekly Claims" for week ending July 27, 2024. Here are excerpts: * * * SEASONALLY ADJUSTED DATA In the week ending July 27, the advance figure for seasonally adjusted initial claimswas 249,000, an increase of 14,000 from the previous week's unrevised level of 235,000. The 4-week moving average was 238,000, an increase of 2,500 from the previous week's unrevised aver  more

BOSTON, Massachusetts, Aug. 2 -- Massachusetts Attorney General Andrea Joy Campbell issued the following news release: The Massachusetts Attorney General's Office (AGO), along with a multistate coalition of six attorneys general, has announced a settlement agreement to end unfair employment practices at Valvoline LLC, Valvoline Instant Oil Change Franchising Inc., and VGP Holdings LLC (Valvoline), a major nationwide oil change and auto services company. The coalition alleged that Valvoline req  more

SPRINGFIELD, Illinois, July 31 -- The Illinois House Democrats issued the following news on July 30, 2024: AURORA, Ill. - A new measure carried by state Rep. Barbara Hernandez, D-Aurora, will create new child labor protections to keep children safe and free from exploitation in the workplace, and was signed into law today. "Our children deserve robust protections if they take part in Illinois' workforce," Hernandez said. "Exploitation and abuse are the inevitable consequences if safeguards are  more