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Quick Hit
by Ashlee Rezin
7:11pm
Mon Jun 10

Congress Needs To 'Step Up' Funding For Rail Infrastructure Upgrades, Industry Panelists Say

Ongoing infrastructure upgrades to Illinois’ passenger and rail transportation systems face an uncertain future, as the public-private partnership CREATE program nears the 10-year mark and has less than half of the money needed for completion.

“CREATE has been moving forward, but there’s more work to do,” said U.S. Rep. Dan Lipinski (D, IL-3). “This is about safety, commerce and moving passengers more efficiently, but there is a need for more funding.”

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Quick Hit
by Ellyn Fortino
6:06pm
Mon Jun 10

Report: Future U.S. Economic Growth In Jeopardy Due To Youth Unemployment Crisis

More than 10 million Americans under the age of 25 are out of work or underemployed.

And a new recently-released report from the Center for American Progress warns that the youth unemployment crisis will deliver a significant and long-lasting blow to the country's future economic growth if lawmakers do not adequately address it soon.

"The labor market has failed these kids," said Jack Wuest, executive director of the Chicago-based Alternative Schools Network. "And the private sector doesn't want to deal with them."

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Quick Hit
by Ashlee Rezin
5:46pm
Mon Jun 10

State's Attorney Draws Criticism For Allowing Concealed Carry In Madison County

Although Gov. Pat Quinn has been granted a 30-day extension to consider a bill that would legalize concealed carry in the state, one state’s attorney has decided to no longer prosecute Illinoisans caught carrying a firearm in public, effective "immediately."

“It serves no just purpose to continue to deny responsible, law-abiding citizens their constitutional right to bear arms,” Madison County State’s Attorney Thomas Gibbons said in a statement.

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PI Original
by Aricka Flowers
4:43pm
Fri Jun 7

The PI Week In Review

The week that was in Illinois and national news and politics (June 3, 2013 - June 7, 2013).

Quick Hit
by Ellyn Fortino
4:38pm
Fri Jun 7

Half Of America’s Seniors Have Dangerously Low Incomes, New Report Shows

Nearly half of the country’s senior citizens are economically vulnerable, a new report from the Economic Policy Institute finds.

About 19.9 million, or 48 percent, of America’s seniors have incomes that are less than two times the supplemental poverty line, according to the report.

Jo Reed, director of the Elder Economic Security Initiative at Wider Opportunities for Women, said it is often poorly understood just how economically vulnerable older adults are, particularly women and people of color. Senior debt levels are also reaching record levels, she explained.

“We want to call attention to this reality, and based on this do everything we can to ensure that there are programs and policies in place that bolster the economic security for our elderly,” Reed said.

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