The Illinois Department of Public Health (IDPH) released a new report showing a decline in the state’s infant mortality rate, but also highlighting ongoing racial disparities in infant health outcomes. The 2021 data reveals a decrease in infant mortality to 5.6 deaths per 1,000 live births, down from 6.5 in 2018. Despite this progress, the…
The West Chicago Voice continues to endorse Hannah Billingsley in her campaign for Illinois state representative. Billingsley, a homeowner in West Chicago and member of the West Chicago Plan Commission/Zoning Board of Appeals has demonstrated a strong commitment to representing the district. Billingsley’s willingness to learn and listen to her potential constituents is a hallmark…
Illinois residents can now search for missing money and unclaimed property in Spanish at a new I-CASH website, Illinois State Treasurer Michael Frerichs announced recently. The website, es.icash.illinoistreasurer.gov/, works the same way as its English-language counterpart, icash.illinoistreasurer.gov. You can enter your name or business name, city, and ZIP code into the search box and if…
Illinois Congressional Republican challenger Niki Conforti has released internal polling data showing a competitive race against incumbent Democrat Sean Casten. The poll, conducted by Cor Strategies, indicates that Casten holds 44% of the vote to Conforti’s 35%, with 21% of voters still undecided. “This polling indicates what many have sensed for some time,” said Conforti….
local Don’t miss any local weather forecasts or alerts, subscribe to the West Chicago Voice for FREE by clicking here Detailed Forecast Monday June 3- Sunday June 9 Point Forecast: West Chicago IL 41.9°N 88.23°W Last Update: 1:12 pm CDT Jun 3, 2024 This Afternoon A 20 percent chance of showers and thunderstorms after 3pm….
WEST CHICAGO, Ill. (AP) — Members of the West Chicago Police Department (WCPD) participated in the annual Illinois Special Olympics Torch Run activities on May 17, engaging in a variety of initiatives to support this noble cause. One of the standout features of the day was the “Cop on a Rooftop” event held at all…
As Respiratory Virus Season Ebbs, Virus Levels Continue Downward Trend Across Illinois With the respiratory virus season continuing to wind down, Illinois’ overall respiratory virus level is now Minimal and all counties in the state are at Low level for COVID-19 hospitalizations, according to CDC data for the week ending April 20. The total number…
Illinois Department of Public Health (IDPH) Director Dr. Sameer Vohra has signed a standing order allowing trained personnel in Illinois schools to use “undesignated” asthma inhalers on hand to treat students who develop respiratory distress. Undesignated medications are those that are not prescribed for a specific student but can be used in an emergency to…
Clarified eligibility requirements will preserve coverage for eligible individuals with no alternative insurance options The Illinois Department of Healthcare and Family Services (HFS) will begin annual redeterminations, or eligibility verifications, for Health Benefits for Immigrant Adults (HBIA) and Health Benefits for Immigrant Seniors (HBIS) program enrollees. This process will mirror the redetermination process used in…
This story originally ran on September 14, 2023 . Due to popular demand, it is being republished in it’s entirety. Your local cicada forecast. Yep!, you read that right. This is your local cicada forecast. While no large or major periodical cicada emergences are expected in the remainder of 2023, 2024 is a whole different story….
The Serve Illinois Commission on Volunteerism and Community Service (Serve Illinois) today encouraged people across Illinois to take part in the Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. Day of Service on Monday, January 19, 2015. “Doctor King said that, ‘Life’s most persistent and urgent question is: ‘What are you doing for others?’” Serve Illinois Executive Director…
DCFS Scholarship Program applications accepted until March 31 The Illinois Department of Children and Family Services is currently accepting applications for the 2024 DCFS Scholarship Program. Through the program, a minimum of 53 academic scholarships will be awarded to current and former youth in care for the upcoming school year, with four awards reserved for…
Health Department Stresses Getting Up-to-date on Vaccines, Basic Safety Measures & Staying Home if Sick As Illinois’ overall respiratory illness level has increased from Moderate to High in the past week and more than half the counties in the state are at an elevated level for COVID-19 hospitalizations, the Illinois Department of Public Health (IDPH)…
A challenge has been filed with the Illinois State Board of Elections regarding former President Donald Trump’s eligibility for the 2024 presidential ballot. The challenge is based on Section 3 of the 14th Amendment of the U.S. Constitution, which prohibits individuals who have engaged in insurrection or rebellion from holding office. This challenge adds Illinois…
With the constant influx of migrants at our southern border, many states such as Arizona and Texas have begun transporting migrants to migrant-friendly states and cities such as Illinois and Chicago. As border states become overwhelmed, they have now begun sending groups of migrants to various bus stations, airports, and metra train stations to disperse…
Google has reached a $700 million settlement agreement following allegations of anticompetitive conduct relating to its Google Play Store. The settlement comes as a result of legal action taken by Illinois Attorney General Kwame Raoul and a bipartisan group of 52 attorneys general. According to the settlement, Google has agreed to pay $630 million in…
WHEATON, IL – In a harmonious celebration of the holiday season, an 80-person barbershop chorus will be enchanting audiences with their captivating performance of the Christmas Memories show. This breathtaking spectacle will take place at Barrow’s Auditorium in Wheaton and Baker Memorial United Methodist Church in St. Charles, showcasing the immense talent and passion of…
The rise of hate in our state and across the country is alarming. At the Illinois Commission on Discrimination and Hate Crimes (CDHC), we regularly hear about entire communities feeling unsafe, targeted, and afraid. Data bears out this dramatic and frightening increase in bias incidents and hate crimes. “Hate should never have a home here…
December is National Impaired Driving Prevention Month. With two major holidays and many people on the road traveling, December is a deadly month for drunk driving. The intention of National Impaired Driving Prevention Month is to raise awareness about the dangers of impaired driving. Impaired driving refers to operating a motor vehicle while under the…
Open Enrollment for the Affordable Care Act (ACA) Health Insurance Marketplace has begun (Nov. 1) , and Illinoisans will once again have an additional month to enroll in a health plan through January 15, 2024. The Illinois Department of Insurance also released health insurance rates for the 2024 Plan Year, announcing that there are now…
If you’re making a pumpkin pie for the holidays, there’s an overwhelming chance that the pumpkins inside that can be grown and processed right here in Illinois, that’s because 85-90-% of the entire nation’s pie pumpkins are Illinois born and bred. Illinois takes the lead amongst all states in pumpkin cultivation, boasting the top rank…
It is said being a caregiver is one of the most rewarding and challenging jobs you’ll ever have in life. Today, more than one in five Americans (21.3 percent) are caregivers, having provided care to an adult or child with special needs at some time in the past 12 months. This totals an estimated 53.0…
Gov. Signs EO to Initiate Transition, Education Expert Ann Whalen to Lead Effort Today, Governor Pritzker was joined by Lieutenant Governor Juliana Stratton, Deputy Governor Grace Hou, Deputy Governor Martin Torres, elected officials, and state agency directors at the Carole Robertson Center for Learning to announce a proposal to create a new state agency to…
E-Bikes And The Illinois Prairie Path A recent local debate began with an individual bringing attention to an incident where her neighbor and her horse were riding on the prairie path when a motorized vehicle whizzed by and spooked the horse. She was very concerned for the horse and rider and was worried they could…
