(SPRINGFIELD) Illinois Governor J.B. Pritzker has signed an amended version of House Bill 5142, which mandates that health insurance policies in the state pay for pregnancy and postpartum coverage. Officials say the law ensures competitive Medicaid reimbursement rates for consultants, home visitors, and other community-based providers. Insurance policies in Illinois are also required to cover abortions and pregnancy-ending medications.
(SPRINGFIELD) The countdown is on for the start of the Illinois State Fair, which is nearly one week away. It was yesterday that fair officials offered a preview of the newly renovated grounds in Springfield, including over $50 million in upgrades to The Coliseum, including new seating, two new elevators, new restrooms, improved ADA accessibility, and more. The Arena received an $8.6 million facelift with repaired sidewalks, walls, steps, and electrical systems, plus various road improvements as well. The annual Twilight Parade will kick things off a week from this Thursday with the fair running August 8th through the 18th.
(SPRINGFIELD) Gasoline prices in Illinois have been on the rise and now have surpassed a statewide average price of $4.00 a gallon. According to Triple-A Illinois, as of late yesterday afternoon, the average price of gas in the state is now $4.05 a gallon with the most recent low price check in Effingham County at $3.41 a gallon and the most expensive gas up in Cook County at $4.45 a gallon. The latest update shows the national average price at $3.50.
(ROCKFORD) An Illinois Lottery player became a millionaire over the weekend after buying a $1 million-winning Mega Millions ticket in Rockford. The winning ticket matched all five numbers in the July 26th drawing with the store where the ticket was sold, a Casey’s General gas station, set to receive a selling bonus of one percent, or $10,000. Two other players won prizes of $1 million each in the drawing, located in New Jersey and California.