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Tuesday, March 19, 2024

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SD public defense duties shift from counties to state; SCOTUS appears skeptical of restricting government communications with social media companies; Trump lawyers say he can't make bond; new scholarships aim to connect class of 2024 to high-demand jobs.

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The SCOTUS weighs government influence on social media, and who groups like the NRA can do business with. Biden signs an executive order to advance women's health research and the White House tells Israel it's responsible for the Gaza humanitarian crisis.

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Midwest regenerative farmers are rethinking chicken production, Medicare Advantage is squeezing the finances of rural hospitals and California's extreme swing from floods to drought has some thinking it's time to turn rural farm parcels into floodplains.

IL: Census

In 2020, the U.S. population's median age was 38.8, an increase of more than 10 years over the past five decades. (N Lawrenson/peopleimages.com)
Illinois Senior Centers: Not Just for Aged

Some Illinois senior centers aren't just focusing on the 65+ demographic but are beginning to include people aged 50+. The U.S. Census indicates the …

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Illinois state agencies will be required to use the Middle Eastern or North African classification for reporting workforce or hiring data as of July 1, 2025. (Marko/Adobe Stock)
Middle Eastern, North African Race Checkbox Added to IL state forms

Illinois is making history as the first state to collect Middle Eastern and North African representation data on all state forms and surveys…

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Gov. J.B. Pritzker, who backed a nonpartisan redistricting process on the campaign trail, last June signed into law new House and Senate maps drafted by lawmakers. (Adobe Stock)
Advocate: Fair Redistricting Process in IL Could Curb Power Brokering

Former Illinois House Speaker Michael Madigan is facing 22 charges of bribery and racketeering. The Chicago Democrat led the chamber for decades…

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Illinois is one of many states where lawsuits are either happening or expected around the redistricting process. (dark_blade/Adobe Stock)
Groups Challenge IL Legislative Maps, Cite Voting Rights Act

CHICAGO -- Court hearings in legal challenges to Illinois' proposed legislative maps are underway. Groups are challenging the maps, citing the Voting …

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Between 2020 and 2021, the number of LGBTQ elected officials serving across the U.S. increased by 17%. (michaklootwijk/Adobe Stock)
Census Lacks Key Data on LGBTQ Communities for Redistricting

CHICAGO -- Counties, towns and school districts across the state, and the Illinois Legislature, are drawing new voting district maps, with help from …

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In 2018, 82% of races for Illinois legislative seats were either uncontested or had challengers whose campaigns were not competitive. (pabrady63/Adobe Stock)
IL Groups: Key to Redistricting is Keeping Communities Together

SPRINGFIELD, Ill. - The long-awaited, detailed demographic census data is set to be released Thursday, and in Illinois, good-government groups are …

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The pandemic delayed operations at the U.S. Census Bureau, as it developed and prepared COVID-19 safety precautions for census takers. (2020census.gov)
Census Delays Throw Wrench into Illinois Redistricting Process

SPRINGFIELD, Ill. -- Illinois has one of the earliest deadlines for redistricting, the process of redrawing lines for voting districts, which happens …

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The U.S. Census Bureau held off making home visits because of the pandemic, but says it will start contacting Illinoisans who haven't responded for the 2020 Census in the next several weeks. (Adobe Stock)
Census Workers Ready for Door-to-Door Interviews in Illinois

CHICAGO - Census workers will soon be pounding the pavement, reaching out to Illinois households that have not yet responded to the 2020 Census…

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Kids age 5 and younger are the age group most likely to be missed in the 2020 census. (Adobe Stock)
It's Census Day: Are You Counting Your Kids?

SPRINGFIELD, Ill. -- Today is Census Day and the coronavirus crisis isn't stopping the once-a-decade count of Americans. Millions of federal dollars …

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The U.S. Census Bureau estimates that 16% of Illinois' current population lives in neighborhoods considered hard to count. (census.gov)
Census Launches Hiring Blitz for 2020 Count Workers

SPRINGFIELD, Ill. – With less than half a year to go until the 2020 Census, efforts are ramping up in Illinois and other states to ensure an …

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A new report shows Illinois has done well in providing access to Pre-K programs. (@darby/Twenty20)
Report: Illinois Kids are Counting on Accurate Census

SPRINGFIELD, Ill. – Illinois is doing better at improving the lives of children than in past years, according to the new 2018 KIDS COUNT Data …

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child poverty graphic  Courtesy of: Voices for Illinois Children
New Numbers: IL Child Poverty Rises But Most Kids Have Health Care

CHICAGO - New Census Bureau numbers have shown the number of Illinois children living in poverty in 2011 to be higher than expected. The Bureau's …

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