Several new laws are set to take effect in Illinois with the start of the new year on January 1st. Also taking effect is a rise in the minimum wage for workers in Illinois to $12 per hour. The minimum wage increase is the result of a 2019 law that phases in a state minimum wage to $15 an hour by 2025. Another law taking effect January 1st will allow tenants in affordable housing units to keep pets. It provides that tenants of multifamily housing units that are acquired, built or renovated with money from the Illinois Affordable Housing Trust Fund can keep up to two cats or one dog weighing less than 50 pounds.
Warm weather for late December is expected to continue in the southern Illinois region into the new year. Most areas of southern Illinois had temperatures at or over 70 degrees Saturday, which is more than 20 degrees above the normal high for this time of year. Although somewhat cooler temperatures are expected this week, both high and low temperatures should remain above normal until around Thursday. Several chances of rain are also in the current forecast for the area, with rain likely on Tuesday. Currently no severe weather is expected.
A blood drive is set for Tuesday from noon to 4 p.m. at the Clay County Hospital in Flora. Donors will get their choice of a long sleeve t-shirt or a gift card. All blood types are needed, and appointments can be made by calling 1-800-RED CROSS, on the Red Cross Blood Donor app, or by visiting redcrossblood.org Red Cross officials...
Medicare and Medicaid provide health care coverage to millions of Americans and are aggressively protected by federal and state authorities. The Department of Health and Human Services Office of In...