IL: Rural/Farming
New tool gauges economic effects of expanded broadband in rural IL
By Will Wright for The Daily Yonder.Broadcast version by Mark Richardson for Illinois News Connection reporting for The Daily Yonder-Public News Servi…
IL farm group wants improved safety measures for pipelines
A pipeline project to transport carbon dioxide captured from ethanol and fertilizer production to a permanent storage site in Illinois is raising conc…
IL environmental network creates plan for cleaner waterways
Illinois rivers, lakes and groundwater have become unsafe for humans and wildlife. One organization has started the New Year with a "Clean Water …
Farm Bill delays could affect food benefits for many Americans
The once-every-five-year Farm Bill will likely be extended to six years this time around, as Congress seems months away from finding a path forward…
Illinois Expands Farmers' Access to Mental-Health Services
Research shows that farmers die from suicide at a rate twice as high as the rest of the population, and Illinois officials are taking steps to help …
Illinois Environmental Group Seeks Ban on Pesticides Harmful to Bees
An Illinois group reported toxic pesticides are causing irreversible damage to young, developing bees, putting the bee population in decline and food …
Report: Government Program to Protect Farmworkers Failing
By Sky Chadde and Johnathan Heddinger for Investigate Midwest, with support from the Pulitzer Center on Crisis Reporting.Broadcast version by Mark …
Proposed USDA Rule Change Would Limit Use of 'Product of USA' Labels
A proposal by the U.S. Department of Agriculture would change the rules on what foods can be labeled "Product of USA." Current regulations allow …
IL Advocates Push for Greater Awareness of Soil Health
Illinois environmental advocates are pushing lawmakers in Springfield to recognize the importance of soil health. The General Assembly is …
IL Bill Could Impact Waters as Distant as Gulf of Mexico
Illinois lawmakers are considering a bill proponents say could benefit water quality not only locally, but in places as far-flung as the Gulf of …
Report: Farmers Need Broadband Access in Offices, Fields, Community
FILLMORE, Ill. - A new report says farmers in the United States need better broadband and in more places - their home offices, their fields and their …
Report: More Data Needed on Nitrates in Rural IL Wells
SPRINGFIELD, Ill. - A new report finds that thousands of drinking-water wells in Illinois are contaminated with high levels of nitrates. Clean-water …