(SPRINGFIELD) After six months supporting U.S. Special Operations Command Africa, the Illinois Army National Guard’s 634th Brigade Support Battalion returned home this past Sunday. The more than a dozen soldiers who are a part of the Sullivan, Illinois-based unit were split in their deployment between operations in both Africa and Germany.
(SPRINGFIELD) The Illinois Department of Transportation is now accepting applications for the Safe Routes to School program. Administered by IDOT, using federal taxpayer funds, the program advances projects to improve safety and reduce traffic in areas around schools. The new grant cycle will distribute $12 million with a maximum award of $250,000.
(SPRINGFIELD) The Illinois Law Enforcement Training & Standards Board says it is starting the implementation of new training standards set to take effect in 2026. Signed into law last week by Governor Pritzker, the move will improve the requirements for trauma-informed training for statewide law enforcement officers to help victims of sexual assault and abuse.
(SPRINGFIELD) Average gasoline prices in Illinois increased by 7.4 cents per gallon over the past week, reaching an average of $3.42 per gallon, according to the most recent GasBuddy survey across nearly 4,400 gas stations across the state. This marks a 2.6 cent hike from a month ago, although prices remain 53.2 cents lower than a year ago. The range between the cheapest gas ($2.78) and the most expensive gas ($4.59) is $1.81 per gallon. Meanwhile, the national average price of diesel is down less than a cent per gallon, currently at $3.71.