Latest News from SE Illinois News

6.74 percent of people in Grand Chain receive food stamps

By Local Labs News Service | Nov 17, 2016

6.74 percent of people in Grand Chain were receiving food stamps as of April 30, 2016, according to an analysis of the federal program by SE Illinois News.

9.28 percent of people in Mc Clure receive food stamps

By Local Labs News Service | Nov 17, 2016

9.28 percent of people in Mc Clure were receiving food stamps as of April 30, 2016, according to an analysis of the federal program by SE Illinois News.

7.14 percent of people in Pittsburg receive food stamps

By Local Labs News Service | Nov 17, 2016

7.14 percent of people in Pittsburg were receiving food stamps as of April 30, 2016, according to an analysis of the federal program by SE Illinois News.

12.93 percent of people in Thebes receive food stamps

By Local Labs News Service | Nov 17, 2016

12.93 percent of people in Thebes were receiving food stamps as of April 30, 2016, according to an analysis of the federal program by SE Illinois News.

Uplift High basketball star in Chicago signs with SIU

By Brent Zell | Nov 16, 2016

Demarius Jacobs, who earned all-state recognition last season at Uplift High School in Chicago, has signed with the Southern Illinois men's basketball program, according to siusalukis.com.

Kasiar says Phelps must be more bipartisan after incumbent's narrow victory in District 118

By SE Illinois News | Nov 16, 2016

With a difference of fewer than 8,000 votes, Southern Illinois voters re-elected incumbent state Rep. Brandon Phelps (D-Harrisburg) to represent District 118 in the Illinois Legislature.

Critics say teacher pension pickups oppress taxpayers

By SE Illinois News | Nov 16, 2016

One of the biggest wins for the Chicago Teachers Union (CTU) when it scored a victory through a new four-year contract is that pension pickups were preserved; but what is good for teachers is not always what is good for everyone else as the plan stands to cost taxpayers a fortune.

Report says SNAP unequally benefits Illinois families of illegal immigrants

By SE Illinois News | Nov 16, 2016

In the overwhelming majority of states, the Supplemental Nutritional Assistance Program (SNAP) provides benefits to families with an illegal immigrant wage earner in it while denying benefits to an identical family of American citizens having the same income, according to a report from the Center for Immigration Studies (CIS).

Analyst: Illinois must create less-hostile tax climate to retain residents, businesses

By SE Illinois News | Nov 16, 2016

Illinois needs to diversify its tax base and make changes to become more competitive if it wants to stem the tide of people leaving the state, an analyst for an independent policy organization said during a recent radio show interview.

Munger loses bid to retain comptroller post

By SE Illinois News | Nov 16, 2016

Republican state Comptroller Leslie Munger of Lincolnshire, who was seeking to retain the post she held for nearly two years, conceded to Democrat Susana Mendoza, Chicago's city clerk, and congratulated her on her win.

Despite criticism, Illinois voters overwhelmingly approve Safe Roads Amendment

By SE Illinois News | Nov 16, 2016

Illinois' Constitution will be amended to include the so-called "Safe Roads Amendment," meant to allocate billions for transportation projects; but opponents say it will cause financial strain in an already financially strained state, after voters passed the measure during Tuesday's general election.

Butler praises Rauner’s plan for state's Bicentennial celebration in 2018

By SE Illinois News | Nov 16, 2016

State Rep. Tim Butler (R-Springfield), a Peoria native who has long been active in local civic life, recently lauded Gov. Bruce Rauner’s approach to Illinois’ Bicentennial Celebration, set for 2018, commending his initiative in establishing a Bicentennial Commission.