The Southland Journal

Jan 20, 2025 | thesouthlandjournal.com | Greg Bishop

National carry reciprocity would force Illinois to recognize other states’ permits (via The Center Square) – With the U.S. Congress in Republican control and the new Trump administration in power, the possibility of a national concealed carry reciprocity law is increasing. Some are speculating how that will impact Illinois. Every state in the nation has some sort of concealed carry law. The requirements vary state by state. Some allow concealed carry without a permit.

Jan 12, 2025 | thesouthlandjournal.com | Jerry Nowicki

Voters can choose from 10 designs for a new flag, the current flag, the 1918 centennial flag or 1968 sesquicentennial flag. Individuals can vote for one flag once every 24 hours and may select the same or a different flag each day. To view the designs and vote, visit www.ilsos.gov/stateflag. The online vote will be non-binding but will inform a report that the Illinois Flag Commission is set to release to the General Assembly by April 1.

Dec 9, 2024 | thesouthlandjournal.com | Glenn Minnis

Johnson taps former inmate to lead growing Chicago’s Office of Re-entry (via The Center Square) – Insisting city officials have a “moral obligation” to aid those seeking to transition back into society after having been incarcerated, Chicago Mayor Brandon Johnson has tapped one-time inmate Joseph “JoJo” Mapp to lead the city’s growing Office of Re-entry.

Aug 7, 2024 | thesouthlandjournal.com | Erica Chiang

OSFM Announces $4 Million in Funding for the Small Equipment Grant Program (Springfield, IL) – The Office of the State Fire Marshal (OSFM) today announced the application period is open for the Small Equipment Grant Program. The OSFM will award $4 million to eligible fire departments and ambulance services for the purchase of small firefighting and ambulance equipment. All interested departments should send an application to OSFM electronically or postmarked no later than October 1, 2024.

Jul 8, 2024 | thesouthlandjournal.com | Erica Chiang

City of Chicago, Cook County and State of Illinois Partner to Support Community-Based Approaches to Safety (Chicago, IL) — The Government Alliance for Safe Communities (GASC) is an unprecedented partnership between the State of Illinois, Cook County and the City of Chicago to strengthen the community safety ecosystem in the greater Chicago region.