UAW and Ford come to terms
After 41 days, the United Auto Workers and the Ford Company, which has an assembly plant in Illinois, have reached a tentative agreement.
About 20,000 Ford workers at the Chicago Assembly Plant, Kentucky Truck Plant and Fort Wayne Assembly Plant will return to work while the agreement goes through the ratification process.
The agreement grants 25% in base wage increases through April 2028 and will cumulatively raise the top wage by more than 30% to more than $40 an hour.
Board approves casino licenses
The Illinois Gaming Board licensed new casinos in Danville, Carterville and Chicago and renewed the existing license for the Argosy Casino Alton during Thursday’s October meeting.
At the meeting, the board issued new casino owners’ licenses to the Golden Nugget Danville, Walker’s Bluff Casino Resort, and Bally’s Chicago. In addition to licensing Bally’s Chicago, the board also approved a request from Bally’s to operate its temporary casino at Medinah Temple for an additional 12 months, for a total of 36 months, while its permanent facility is constructed in Chicago.
Drug take back events
The Illinois Department of Public Health is encouraging Illinoisans to take advantage of National Prescription Drug Take-Back Day taking place on Saturday, Oct. 28th.
The U.S. Drug Enforcement Administration and various local organizations are hosting events around the state to collect tablets, capsules, patches and other forms of prescription medication that may be outdated or are no longer needed. Collection sites will not accept syringes, sharps and illicit drugs.