(SPRINGFIELD) A new report ranks Illinois near the bottom in social mobility. The Archbridge Institute researchers found Illinois at number 38 in the nation for giving its residents the ability to better themselves and those around them, based on such factors as education, skills development, social capital, and personal growth. The data also points to the state’s ongoing struggles with economic growth, high regulations, and persistent corruption by elected officials as other reasons for its poor overall standing. The lowest ranking was on institutions and predatory state action.
(SPRINGFIELD) Illinois Governor J.B. Pritzker has renewed his call for a cell phone ban in statewide classrooms. While Senate Bill 2427 was assigned to the Illinois House Education Policy Committee last week, the Governor and many lawmakers are pushing for the bi-partisan legislation to require all school districts and charter schools to adopt a policy limiting the use of wireless communication devices on school grounds during the school day.
(SPRINGFIELD) Federal authorities are searching for a fugitive who is wanted in connection with a nationwide cattle fraud scheme. The FBI says Joshua Robert Link of Strafford, Missouri has ties to multiple states, including Illinois. Link and four others were indicted earlier this month for their roles in the alleged $220 million scheme involving purported cattle purchase contracts. Anyone with details about Link’s location is encouraged to submit a tip at tips.fbi.gov.
(CHICAGO) The Chicago Bears are one stop closer to leaving Illinois after an Indiana House Committee approved stadium legislation. Officials say Indiana’s Senate Bill 27, if approved, would include a bond issuance to help build a proposed stadium that would be repaid by admission fees at the facility, just as Indiana did with Lucas Oil Stadium in Indianapolis. The announcement last Thursday came a day after the Bears met with Governor J.B. Pritzker.