Tim Lloyd

Illinois’s ballooning pension costs coupled with dwindling revenue from professional fees are what’s behind a proposed $1.2 million funding cut for the School of Pharmacy at Southern Illinois University Edwardsville.

Gov. Pat Quinn proposed the cut for SIUE along with schools of pharmacy at Chicago State University and the University of Illinois at Rockford.

The so-called sequester is grounding some military aircraft from participating in air shows across the country.

The Navy plans to cancel performances by the Blue Angels at four events next month, and the U.S. Army parachute team and the Air Force Thunderbirds won't be able to participate in the Chicago Air and Water Show this summer.

But the Chair of Fair St. Louis, Bob Ciapciak, says it’s still too soon to know how $85 billion in federal budget cuts will impact local festivities.

On Tuesday night, the St. Louis County Council approved changes to its purchasing rules that prevent vendors from supplying it with garments made in so-called sweatshops.

Under the new rules sweatshop practices are defined in part as failing to comply with labor laws of the country where the garments were made and exposing workers to toxic chemicals.

Councilman Greg Quinn was the only member to vote against new procedures, saying the language of the ordinance is unclear, especially with regards to overtime pay.     

If you’re hopping on a bus Monday morning you might notice some small changes in your route.

Updates to more than 20 MetroBus routes are going into place on Monday morning.

Metro Spokeswoman Dianne Williams says the alterations are meant to improve services for riders and help buses stay on-time.  

“Metro consistently monitors traffic patterns, new businesses coming, old businesses leaving, and all of that impacts how we plan services for this community,” Williams says

Tax season is here again, and the non-profit Gateway EITC Community Coalition is ramping up its effort to help low and middle income residents file their returns.  

As April 15 approaches, volunteers will be available on Saturdays at 13 locations across the region to assist taxpayers with a household income of less than $51,000. 

The tax preparation help is free and no appointment is needed at the Saturday locations.