News

It’s Memorial Day weekend, and people are hitting the road. Drivers are paying more for gas. The Lundberg Survey says the price of a gallon of gasoline in the United States rose sharply in the last two weeks because of outages at Midwest and West Coast refineries. Gas prices in Chicago are often higher than New York, Los Angeles -- even Hawaii. Why does this happen when we aren’t far from oil-rich Canada and we have a huge refinery right next door. Illinois Public Radio’s Michael Puente reports.

A measure that would allow Illinois residents to carry concealed firearms is heading to the House floor after lawmakers approved it in committee Thursday. The legislation prohibits concealed-carry in many public places, like public transit, sports arenas, schools, and street festivals. Some of these have been sticking points for gun-rights advocates, who would prefer universal carry.

The Illinois Senate took a key step Thursday toward implementing the Affordable Care Act, also known as "Obamacare." Senators approved the creation of a "health insurance exchange." But as IPR’S Brian Mackey reports, it's still a long way from becoming law. 

A health insurance exchange is at the heart of the Affordable Care Act. It's a marketplace where people who don't otherwise have insurance, like through an employer, are supposed to be able to find it. 

A measure that would close three so-called “corporate tax loopholes” in Illinois is beginning to make its way through the House. Governor Pat Quinn’s office says Illinois could bring in as much as 445-million dollars by ending the tax breaks.

The Steamboat Classic turns 40 this year. The city’s largest solely running, walking and jogging event is expected to have more than 4,000 people cross the finish line June 15th. It’s said to be the world’s fastest four mile course, possibly the toughest 15-K and includes a 4-K fun run-walk. 

The Illinois Senate has voted to ban the use of cell phones while driving. But there are a few exceptions.  

More than 100 people marched in downtown Peoria as part of a bid to win an All-America City Award. The Young Professionals Organization of Greater Peoria announced last month the city is one of 20 finalists for the designation. The march was recorded as part of a video highlighting Peoria’s assets and people. Tim Cundiff is chair of the Peoria-area Young Professionals group. He says the City last won the All-America award in 1989: 

The number of people filing unemployment claims decreased one percent from March to April.  The Illinois Department of Employment Security reports the unemployment rate at 7.9 percent in the Peoria Metropolitan Statistical Area.  That’s up a half-a-percent from the same time last year.  2,600 fewer jobs were added last month compared to April last year.  That’s largely due to a temporary layoff in manufacturing jobs.  But more than 1,000 jobs were added in educational-health services compared to the same time last year. 

The effort to create a day-long destination in Glen Oak Park is moving closer to completion. Officials with the Power of Play campaign broke ground for the new Peoria Rotary Adventure Grove.