(SPRINGFIELD) As Illinois continues to allow transgender athletes to compete in girls sports, many downstate lawmakers are making an effort to change the rules. Critics of the policy say it is unfair to girls to allow biological male athetes to compete against them just because they identify as female. The Illinois High School Association recently announced that it will not comply with President Donald Trump’s executive order to keep transgender athletes out of girls sports. State Representative Blaine Wilhour, of the 110th Legislative District, is calling the IHSA’s decision to ignore the ban total nonsense and that it’s lack of moral courage is shameful and that it owes young women and their parents an explanation.
(SPRINGFIELD) The Illinois Department of Public Health has confirmed the first case of measles in the state as the diagnosis involves a southern Illinois adult and was confirmed through laboratory testing. The IDPH says it is working to identify potential locations for exposure to see whether anyone else was exposed. Measles symptoms may take from seven to twenty-one days to emerge and include rash, high fever, and red and watery eyes.
(SPRINGFIELD) Operation Lifesaver, along with the Federal Railroad Administration, has announced more than $219,000 in competitive rail safety awareness grants to programs in 11 states, including Illinois. The grants will fund a variety of crossing safety and trespass prevention public education projects aimed at growing awareness and encouraging safe behaviors around railroad and transit tracks throughout Illinois and the other 10 states.
(SPRINGFIELD) The State Treasurer’s Office has unveiled a new option to borrow money for in-state higher education costs. The new Funding U Illinois No-Cosigner Loan is part of the Student Empowerment Fund. Plans are to provide private college loans at lower rates than private competitors to help bridge the gap with federal financial aid, only in Illinois.