Ben Szalinski

2 days ago | effinghamdailynews.com | Ben Szalinski

SPRINGFIELD – Illinois state parks saw more visitors in 2024 than any point in the past 15 years, according to new data from the Illinois Department of Natural Resources. Illinois’ 290 state parks and 56 historic sites recorded more than 41 million visitors last year, which was the most in 15 years, following several significant capital projects to upgrade and improve many of the parks. kAmx?E6C6DE :? DE2E6 A2C<D 92D 366? 8C@H:?8 D:?46 E96 A2?56>:4[ xs}# s:C64E@C }2E2=:6 !96=AD u:??:6 D2:5 :? 2?

4 days ago | shawlocal.com | Ben Szalinski

SPRINGFIELD – Illinois state parks saw more visitors in 2024 than any point in the past 15 years, according to new data from the Illinois Department of Natural Resources. Illinois’ 290 state parks and 56 historic sites recorded more than 41 million visitors last year, which was the most in 15 years, following several significant capital projects to upgrade and improve many of the parks.

6 days ago | wmbdradio.com | Ben Szalinski |Julia Bradley

SPRINGFIELD (Capitol News Illinois) – Illinois state parks saw more visitors in 2024 than any point in the past 15 years, according to new data from the Illinois Department of Natural Resources. Illinois’ 290 state parks and 56 historic sites recorded more than 41 million visitors last year, which was the most in 15 years, following several significant capital projects to upgrade and improve many of the parks.

6 days ago | southernillinoisnow.com | Austin Williams |Ben Szalinski |Jade Aubrey

SPRINGFIELD – Two hours in the state capital was enough for U.S. Department of Homeland Security Secretary Kristi Noem to criticize Illinois’ immigration laws and its governor while invoking the 2023 murder of a local progressive activist. Her short Wednesday visit largely served as an opportunity for an official from President Donald Trump’s cabinet to take photos highlighting immigration policies in a Democrat-run state.

1 week ago | illinoistimes.com | Ben Szalinski

Illinois Lt. Gov. Juliana Stratton has one priority if she is elected to the U.S. Senate in 2026: fighting back against President Donald Trump's policies. "What I'm just seeing is that the old playbook in Washington, D.C., isn't working," Stratton said April 30 in an interview with Capitol News Illinois. "People aren't – as I talk to working families across Illinois – they're not looking for people to just talk.