October 21, 2025/

Illinois quick hits: Harvey furloughs some employees; lead poisoning prevention continues

Spread the love

By Jim Talamonti | The Center Square
The Center Square

Harvey furloughs some employees

The Chicago suburb of Harvey has furloughed 69 employees, including police and fire, after the city council voted to designate the city as financially distressed.

The Harvey Fire Department told NBC Chicago Monday night that at least one of its three fire stations will close temporarily as part of the furloughs.

City officials said 98 workers would continue working to maintain core operations.

Lead poisoning prevention continues

The Illinois Department of Public Health is reminding parents and those who care for young children to be aware of risk factors for lead poisoning.

The agency says lead exposure is most commonly associated with paint in homes built before 1978, but lead may also be found in soil around some homes, as well as in lead pipes, or in certain toys or consumer products imported from overseas.

IDPH has expanded the state’s testing regimen for children as Illinois moves toward universal lead testing in 2026.

Youth alcohol awareness summit Wednesday

The Illinois Liquor Control Commission’s 2025 Virtual Youth Alcohol Awareness Summit is scheduled Wednesday, Oct. 22 from 10:00 a.m. to 2:00 p.m.

The ICC says the goal is to provide valuable information and education to everyone, especially minors and young adults, about the risks associated with alcohol consumption.

Leave a Comment





Latest News Stories

Montana governor to Washington companies: We want your business

Montana governor to Washington companies: We want your business

By Carleen JohnsonThe Center Square The Governor of Montana tells The Center Square he hopes to lure more out of state business expansion into his state, following this week’s announcement...
WATCH: Civil rights curriculum aims to shape future leaders

WATCH: Civil rights curriculum aims to shape future leaders

By Esther WickhamThe Center Square It was the winter of 1962. Demonstrators in Birmingham, Alabama, came to see Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. for his support in organizing a protest...
Illinois officials say Bears still may stay despite team's Indiana statement

Illinois officials say Bears still may stay despite team’s Indiana statement

By Jim Talamonti | The Center SquareThe Center Square (The Center Square) – Although the Chicago Bears say the team’s board of directors moved to advance plans for a stadium...
More than 60% of Minnesota high-risk Medicaid providers fail review

More than 60% of Minnesota high-risk Medicaid providers fail review

By Elyse ApelThe Center Square Nearly two-thirds of Minnesota's high-risk Medicaid providers have had taxpayer funding paused following a federally-mandated review process that state officials say was necessary to protect...
Senate sends $70B bill funding ICE, border patrol to vacant House

Senate sends $70B bill funding ICE, border patrol to vacant House

By Thérèse BoudreauxThe Center Square U.S. Senate Republicans finally passed their roughly $70 billion immigration enforcement funding bill after an 18-hour vote-a-rama that ended early Friday morning. The 52-47 final...
Chicago Bears to advance stadium project in Indiana

Chicago Bears to advance stadium project in Indiana

By Jim Talamonti | The Center SquareThe Center Square (The Center Square) – The Chicago Bears are moving forward with plans to build a stadium in Northwest Indiana. Bears Chairman...
Greer, Carr commended for seeking fairness in EU treatment of US tech firms

Greer, Carr commended for seeking fairness in EU treatment of US tech firms

By Tate RosentreterThe Center Square Public Policy Solutions sent a letter Friday to United States Trade Representative Ambassador Jamieson Greer and Federal Communications Commission chairman Brendan Carr commending both men...
Illinois quick hits: Pritzker pauses data center tax credits

Illinois quick hits: Pritzker pauses data center tax credits

By Jim Talamonti | The Center SquareThe Center Square Pritzker pauses data center tax credits Gov. J.B. Pritzker has ordered the Illinois Department of Commerce and Economic Opportunity to pause...
U.S. adds 172k jobs in 'strong' May report, unemployment remains at 4.3%

U.S. adds 172k jobs in ‘strong’ May report, unemployment remains at 4.3%

By Andrew RiceThe Center Square The U.S. economy added 172,000 jobs in May's better-than-expected report while the unemployment rate remained at 4.3%, according to data released Friday by the U.S....
Researchers put a number on how much debt U.S. can carry

Researchers put a number on how much debt U.S. can carry

By Brett RowlandThe Center Square The United States has about 20 years to change course on its national debt before it reaches the estimated limits of its debt capacity, according...
Colorado governor vetoes legislation allowing ICE to be sued

Colorado governor vetoes legislation allowing ICE to be sued

By Liam HibbertThe Center Square Colorado Gov. Jared Polis vetoed a Democrat-backed bill on Wednesday that would have allowed citizens to sue immigration enforcement officers for civil rights violations. The...
Ballots processed slowly as Californians await 36-day count

Ballots processed slowly as Californians await 36-day count

By Chris WoodwardThe Center Square It will be more than a month before Californians see the official results from Tuesday's primary. That is especially the case in the races for...

WATCH: WA mayor stands by pro-ICE, anti-Antifa proclamations

By Carleen JohnsonThe Center Square The city of Battle Ground has been getting more attention this week than the small southwest Washington community typically receives, due to national coverage of...
U.S. House narrowly passes bill to fund USDA, FDA in 2027

U.S. House narrowly passes bill to fund USDA, FDA in 2027

By Thérèse BoudreauxThe Center Square Less than four months before fiscal year 2027 begins, the U.S. House passed the second of the 12 annual appropriations bills that will fund the...
Ruling: Illinois Supreme Court likely overstepped in ousting of Cook County judge

Ruling: Illinois Supreme Court likely overstepped in ousting of Cook County judge

By Jonathan Bilyk | Legal NewslineThe Center Square A federal judge says he believes a Cook County judge has leveled serious accusations against the Illinois Supreme Court for trampling his...