Migrant spending tracker announced
The state of Illinois is making available the expenditures related to the influx of migrants in the state. Illinois Comptroller Susana Mendoza said a portal on the comptroller’s website will provide enhanced transparency into state spending.
On the portal site, users can see expenditures, with information including the vendor’s name, which agency paid the vendor, which state fund the money came from, contract information and the total amount paid.
Workplace education
The Illinois Department of Labor and the Illinois Coalition for Immigrant and Refugee Rights are partnering on an education and outreach program to raise awareness of workplace protections that apply to all workers in Illinois, with a particular focus on labor exploitation and child labor.
The program is designed to educate migrants who have recently arrived in Illinois of their rights under state labor laws. Officials said the effort is in response to national reporting of instances of migrant children working and being injured in hazardous facilities, including warehouses and food processing plants.
Trump endorses Bost over Bailey
Former President Donald Trump has revealed who he is backing in the Republican primary for the 12th Congressional District.
Saying he respects and likes former state Sen. Darren Bailey, Trump has endorsed Congressman Mike Bost. Bost is running for his sixth term in Congress and will face Bailey in the March 19 primary. Bailey has been endorsed by U.S. Rep. Mary Miller.