Illinois colleges among the Midwest’s top universities

Forbes released its 2015 rankings of the Midwest United States’ top 25 colleges, and Illinois schools are among the best.

Northwestern University in Evanston ranked second in the region and No. 16 in the entire country. The University of Chicago weighed in at No. 3 in the Midwest, climbing from a rank of 4th the previous year, and the University of Illinois ranked No. 11.

Read more …

Illinois seatbelt use up, state ranked among safest highway drivers in the country

Illinoisans seem to be growing ever more mindful of safety as they hit the road this summer.

A recent study by the Illinois Department of Transportation said the rate of front-seat seatbelt usage this year is at 95.2 percent, a 1.1 percent increase from last year’s previous high of 94.1 percent. Illinois has required drivers and front-seat passengers to fasten their safety belts since 1985.

Read more …

Supporting fallen officers' families on two wheels

As the Tour de France grinds on across the ocean, another group of equally dedicated cyclists pedals on right here in Illinois.

On Thursday afternoon, dozens of bikers clad in matching blue and gray kits rolled into Springfield and stopped at the Illinois Police Officers Memorial on the west side of the State Capitol. The riders were members of the Illinois chapter of COPS, which stands for Concerns of Police Survivors. The group is dedicated to helping survivors of law enforcement officers killed in the line of duty.

The charity ride began earlier Thursday at the Mississippi River in Alton The riders arrived at the Capitol at about 4 p.m. and stopped to rest and reflect at the Police Officers Memorial. After about 30 minutes, the group resumed their ride, heading north. They are due to arrive at Gold Star Families Park and Memorial in Chicago sometime Sunday.
The national COPS organization was founded in 1984, and the Illinois chapter was established in April 2005.

Illinois ranked one of the best places to earn a living in the United States

If you want to get the most out of your paycheck (and avoid any mishaps on the job), Illinois is one of the best states in the country to do so, according to a new study by MoneyRates.com.

Illinois ranked No. 5 in the nation based on factors like average wage, state tax rates, cost of living and occurrences of workplace injuries and fatalities. MoneyRates noted Illinois has relatively high wages while enjoying a relatively low tax rate and cost of living.

Read more …