(SPRINGFIELD) With most of it coming from Cook County and Chicago, more than 463,000 vote-by-mail ballots could be in the mix for the Nov. 8 election in Illinois, which could delay election results by up to two weeks. Along with early voting that began yesterday, local election officials are sending out the requested vote-by-mail ballots. Election data shows that in 2018, about 9% of all votes cast used absentee or mail-in ballots statewide; increased to 33%. The November 8 election is not only for US Senator, Governor, Attorney General, Comptroller, Secretary of State and Treasurer, but also for local offices in the county, state house and Congress. Voters will also consider a statewide constitutional amendment on whether to codify collection bargaining in the Constitution.
(CHICAGO) Construction has begun on a casino in Rockford, in the far north of Illinois, near the Wisconsin border. A grand opening was held just off I-90 last Wednesday at the 180,000-square-foot Hard Rock Casino. Officials say the casino will generate up to 1,000 construction jobs and create up to 800 full-time jobs. There are currently ten operating casinos in Illinois, including those in Alton, Aurora, Des Plaines, East Peoria, East St. Louis, Elgin, Joliet, Metropolis and Rock Island. An eleventh casino is under construction in Danville.
(SPRINGFIELD) Now that the federal government has included billions of tax dollars in the Infrastructure Investments and Jobs Act to improve Internet access in more areas, the task of mapping broadband in Illinois is underway. In fact, the effort makes it a priority to reach hard-to-reach areas, making the best use of all available federal broadband funds. The Federal Communications Commission authorized $800 million for six providers to expand broadband in 19 states, including Illinois, which received the most at $212 million.
(SPRINGFIELD) A public reminder from the State Department of Natural Resources that the 2022 bow deer hunting season begins tomorrow morning, October 1, and runs daily through the second weekend of January 2023, although it is closed during firearm deer hunting seasons. Also starting tomorrow, October 1, is Fall Archery Turkey Hunting Season. Also, next weekend and Columbus Day, is the three-day junior deer season. Meanwhile, the two-month Squirrel Hunting Season and the one-month Pigeon Hunting Season continue. For more information, visit the dnr.illinois.gov website.