News

Northern Illinois farms are gearing up for the apple and berry-picking season.

Woodstock tops the state with six orchards; city council member Maureen Larson says there are many reasons why the groves are so concentrated there.

“It’s a long term investment [for farmers]," she said. "You don’t plan an apple tree and turn around and start making profit right away. These are people who are invested in our county and our community."

The groves bear more than 20 different apple types. Larson says that's more than what's available at local grocery stores. 

An Illinois program that has helped preserve historic buildings and enhance local economies in three northern Illinois communities is now extended through Dec. 31, 2021.

The River Edge Redevelopment Zone program provides up to 25 percent income-tax credit for developers who rehabilitate historical buildings and put them to productive use.

Illinois Gov. Bruce Rauner has approved regulations that require pharmacists to counsel customers who seek to fill prescriptions for new medications or need changes to longtime prescriptions.

The higher counseling standard comes after a Chicago Tribune investigation in December revealed pharmacies frequently failed to warn customers about severe drug interactions. Pharmacies have been required only to offer to counsel customers.

United Way of the Rock River Valley is bringing fresh produce and meats to two food-disadvantaged Rockford neighborhoods Saturday.

The charity is teaming up with Chicago-based Top Box, which purchases the foods wholesale, and Strong Neighborhood houses, where police live among the community. United Way Vice President Linda Sandquist said the two neighborhoods in question, Midtown and Rural Oaks, are considered food deserts.

The Chicago Board of Elections is investigating a data breach that exposed the personal information of every registered voter in the city.

The voter rolls contain information for more than 1.8 million people, including their names, dates of birth, state ID numbers, and the last four digits of their Social Security numbers.They don't include voting histories.