In September, Illinois lawmakers agreed to spend up to $694 million of taxpayer money over the next five years to keep several money-losing nuclear power plants open.

Nuclear energy produces no greenhouse gas emissions, meaning it can contribute to lowering carbon emissions. But today’s nuclear plants often can’t compete on price against cheaper existing sources of energy, particularly natural gas and government-subsidized renewables.

The Illinois unemployment rate fell two-tenths of a percentage point in October to 6 percent as employers added 40,900 jobs during the month, the Illinois Department of Employment Security and the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics said Thursday.

According to the preliminary data, the industry sectors with the biggest job gains during the month were professional and business services, which added 17,700 jobs; leisure and hospitality, which added 8,400 jobs; and trade, transportation and utilities, which gained 7,700 jobs.

A new report indicates that Illinois has a higher-than-average rate for new lung cancer cases when compared to other states.

The 2021 “State of Lung Cancer” report was compiled by the American Lung Association. It shows the national rate of new lung cancer cases at 57.7 per 100,000 people while Illinois’ rate stands at 63.4 per 100,000 people.

The bane of many public school teachers and students – standardized testing – could be in for an overhaul, if Illinois State Board of Education superintendent Carmen Ayala gets her way.

Her solution: more tests – shorter and more frequent. “A quick assessment result three times a year allows teachers and families to see students growth which is incredibly valuable for tailoring instruction,” Ayala told an Illinois House education committee hearing. Right now, most test results are not available until the following school year.