(SPRINGFIELD) Governor J.B. Pritzker and local downstate leaders broke ground yesterday on a new 550,000 square-foot retail, entertainment, and hospitality development down in Marion. It’s the state’s first project using Illinois funds through the state’s Sales Tax and Revenue Bond program. The bonds are available statewide and are intended to support municipalities with financing options to invest in capital projects and new job growth.
(SPRINGFIELD) Pharmacy giant Walgreens has announced the closing of dozens of sites in 17 states, including Illinois. Company officials say if a local Walgreens has closed and has plans to close soon, the drugstore chain is prepared to transfer prescriptions to another Walgreens’ location. The only store scheduled to close in Illinois is in Chicago.
(SPRINGFIELD) The Illinois Department of Agriculture is hosting the 18th season of the Illinois Product Farmers Market at “The Shed” on the State Fairgrounds in Springfield. Those attending can expect a family-friendly environment packed with diverse vendors, a rotating selection of food trucks, cooking demonstrations, live entertainment, and more. The Illinois Product Farmers Market will be held every Thursday now through September 25th, excluding June 19th and the two Thursdays during the Illinois State Fair in August.
(SPRINGFIELD) The Illinois Supreme Court and the Board of Admissions to the Bar have announced that law school graduates will take a new bar examination starting February 2028 to become licensed to practice law in Illinois. The NextGen Uniform Bar Examination will replace the current Uniform Bar Exam, which has been used in Illinois since 2019. As of yesterday, a total of 40 jurisdictions around the nation in switching to the NextGen Exam. Illinois will continue to administer the bar examinations twice a year, in February & July.