Stop child care scams act clears U.S. House
The U.S. House of Representatives has passed Illinois Congresswoman Mary Miller’s legislation aimed at strengthening federal oversight of the Child Care and Development Block Grant program. The Stop Child Care Scams Act requires the Department of Health and Human Services to withhold federal funds from states that repeatedly fail to address fraud, abuse and serious program violations. A statement from Miller’s office said the federal government loses an estimated $600 million annually to improper payments in child care programs.
Illinois U.S. Reps introduce immigrant due process bill
Illinois U.S. Reps Bill Foster and Delia Ramirez have introduced legislation that would require the U.S. attorney general to deploy legal orientation programs in detention centers and jails that house immigrants. A statement from Foster’s office said the Know Your Rights Act would address due process violations that occur in immigration detention facilities. The proposal requires the orientation and legal notice of rights to be available in English and the five most common languages of detainees held at each facility.
Man charged after fatal tollway crash
A Berwyn man is charged with aggravated driving under the influence after an tollway collision in Des Plaines that left one worker dead and two others injured. Police say an SUV driven by Paul Ong, 37, struck the workers on I-294 before 4:30 a.m. last Saturday.
Chicago Fed’s Beige Book reflects higher prices, tighter financial conditions
The Federal Reserve Bank of Chicago has released its latest Summary of Commentary on Current Economic Conditions, or Beige Book, showing economic activity in the Seventh District increased slightly in April and early May. According to the report, prices rose rapidly, wages were up modestly and financial conditions tightened slightly. The Chicago Fed’s National Financial Conditions Index increased to -0.49 in the week ending May 29, suggesting tighter financial conditions.