ILLINOIS VALLEY COMMUNITY

Mar 19 2026HEALTH

Stress, Faith and the Risk of Thoughts About Ending Life

Community workers in a Chinese city faced high pressure during the pandemic. Researchers followed them for a year, asking about how much stress they felt, their religious beliefs, and whether they had thoughts of suicide. They used three standard questionnaires to gather the data from 446 workers in

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Mar 18 2026POLITICS

A New Senate Hope: Illinois Votes for a Black Woman with Big Support

Illinois voters have chosen a new face for the Senate, electing a Black woman who has long worked under Governor JB Pritzker. The win shows how powerful state politics can be when a governor’s backing is combined with substantial outside money. The campaign began when the incumbent senator, Richard 

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Feb 17 2026CRIME

Neighbors Take Action: How a Small Community Thwarted Crime with Signs and Cameras

Valley Glen, a quiet part of the San Fernando Valley, has seen its residents step up to keep their streets safe. Facing a surge of break‑ins linked to gangs from South America, homeowners installed 22 warning signs and set up infrared license‑plate readers plus video cameras. The initiative reported

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Feb 15 2026EDUCATION

Students Gain Real‑World Skills Through School Business Club

Valley High’s business club, DECA, is turning ordinary classes into real‑world training. The club has grown fast in its third year, thanks to teacher Nick DeFrancesco’s guidance. Students meet after school and sometimes more often, practicing role‑plays and case studies that mimic real busines

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Feb 12 2026ENVIRONMENT

Data Centers: A Growing Concern for Illinois

Illinois is facing a big challenge with data centers. These huge facilities are popping up quickly, and they're causing some problems. They use a lot of water and electricity. This is making people's bills go up. Plus, they might be hurting the environment. A new law called the Power Act is being p

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Jan 11 2026POLITICS

Illinois Lawmakers Face Tough Choices with $2. 2 Billion Budget Gap

Illinois lawmakers are back at work, but this time, they're dealing with a $2. 2 billion budget gap. That's a lot of money, and it's not going to be easy to fix. The state is also dealing with some big changes in Washington, like fewer federal dollars coming in. This means lawmakers have to be extra

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Nov 03 2025EDUCATION

A College's Fight for Survival: Valley Forge's Controversial Move

Valley Forge Military College is in serious trouble. Money problems and a shrinking student body have left it struggling to stay open. Now, the school's leaders are considering a risky plan to join President Trump's conservative college initiative. This initiative, called the Compact for Academic E

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Nov 01 2025EDUCATION

A Military College's Bid for Federal Funds Amid Turmoil

Valley Forge Military College is in a tough spot. They're facing money problems and big changes. Now, they're thinking about joining President Donald Trump's plan for colleges that support conservative values. This plan, called the Compact for Academic Excellence in Higher Education, offers federal

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Oct 25 2025POLITICS

Illinois Stands Strong: Protecting Reproductive Rights Amidst National Challenges

Illinois has become a key player in the fight for reproductive rights, especially after the Supreme Court's decision to overturn Roe v. Wade. Governor JB Pritzker has been at the forefront of this battle, ensuring that Illinois remains a safe haven for those seeking abortion care. Pritzker recently

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May 29 2025HEALTH

How Zanzibar's Health Workers Got a Digital Payday

Community health workers (CHWs) are the backbone of achieving universal health coverage. They play a crucial role in reaching the Sustainable Development Goals. To keep them motivated and effective, paying them fairly is key. The World Health Organization and groups like the Community Health Impact

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