With the holiday season approaching, the state of Illinois launched a new awareness campaign promoting the COVID-19 vaccine as the “greatest gift” you can give this year. Kids age 5 and up are now eligible for the life-saving vaccine, and doses are widely available across the state – from first doses to pediatric vaccines to booster shots.
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President Biden Signs Bipartisan Infrastructure Bill, Issues Executive Order for Implementation
NNPA NEWSWIRE — “When we invest in middle class America, when we invest in people who have to go to work every day, America does better,” stated Rep. Val Demings (D-Fla.). “Our communities need this funding now. Democratic and Republican mayors who are clear-eyed know that investing in our supply chain infrastructure can’t wait, jobs can’t wait, repairs can’t wait, fighting climate change can’t wait, and protecting our health and safety can’t wait.”
JJC president delivers 6th annual State of College address
Joliet Junior College President Judy Mitchell delivered her annual State of the College on Nov. 9, highlighting accomplishments over the past academic year and new initiatives ahead.
Pritzker pledges $250 million for communities hardest hit by gun violence
Joined by legislators, stakeholders, and community leaders, Gov. JB Pritzker on Monday declared gun violence a public health crisis and announced support for a $250 million state investment over the next three years to implement the Reimagine Public Safety plan, a data-driven and community-based violence prevention initiative.
OP-ED: Black America Supports Biden’s Build Back Better and Infrastructure Bills
NNPA NEWSWIRE — Now is the time for the Congress of the United States to act and to vote to pass President Joe Biden’s bold and consequential legislations: Build Back Better Framework and Infrastructure bills. Surveying across African American communities throughout the nation reveals overwhelming support for President Joe Biden’s legislative initiatives.
Nursing shortage hits area hospitals
Across the country and in every state, including Illinois, there is a shortage of nurses. Hospitals are doing everything they can to fill nursing jobs to care for patients.
COVID-19’s latest surge exacerbates long-standing forces driving nursing shortfalls, prompting an all-hands-on-deck scramble to maintain patient care, according to an article posted on the Association of American Medical College’s website.
The article outlines how at a hospital system in Dallas, Texas, doctors were performing duties normally done by nurses and medical assistants, such as turning and bathing patients.
Will County Clerk honored for ‘Excellence in County Government’
The Illinois State Crime Commission announces that Will County Clerk Lauren Staley Ferry has been chosen to receive its honor for Excellence in County Government at its upcoming dinner reception at Barraco’s in Orland Park on Nov. 4.
Will County Take Back the Night to commemorate 25 years in calling for the end of violence against women with October 25 "Virtual Rally"
Will County Take Back the Night will host a “virtual rally” and panel discussion October 25 on Facebook Live addressing progress over the last 25 years in how society addresses sexual assault and domestic violence. Panelists will include Guardian Angel Community Services CEO Ines Kutlesa, Illinois Coalition Against Domestic Violence President CEO Vickie Smith, and Will County State’s Attorney James Glasgow.
Gov. JB Pritzker announces the $1.2 billion plan to overhaul Interstate 80 in 2019, surrounded by local state officials
State officials visited Will County on Monday to recommit to a six-year plan aimed at a complete overhaul of the Interstate 80 corridor. Gov. JB Pritzker and the Illinois Department of Transportation joined by local officials introduced the six-year plan to rebuild Interstate 80 in Will County. Made possible by the Governor’s, bipartisan Rebuild Illinois capital program, the $1.2 billion project will replace more than 50-year-old infrastructure on a condensed timeframe and create thousands of construction and permanent jobs while positioning the region for long-term economic opportunity. “We were excited to see Governor Pritzker, Lt. Governor Stratton, and IDOT Secretary Osman visit Will County to emphasize the critical need for completion of the I-80 project. Getting to the finish line on a project of this scale requires consistent leadership from state and local officials, and we are fortunate to have that support,” said Doug Pryor, vice president of economic development for the Will County Center for Economic Development.
Some Experts Say Lawmakers Should Abolish RICO Act
NNPA NEWSWIRE — “When there is public pressure to prosecute high profile individuals or groups; federal, state, and local politicians have traditionally used their law enforcement agencies to score political points,” said Attorney Chris Parker of Hendry & Parker in Dunedin, Florida. “It would be naïve to believe that RICO’s significant breadth has not been utilized as an instrument to advance political agendas, and minority and other disfavored groups often bear the brunt of heavy-handed prosecutions.”

