New pouches make it harder to detect kids using nicotine products

Youth vaping among young people is at its lowest level in nearly a decade, but experts say other nicotine products are creating new challenges for parents and educators.

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Photo: Zhine Pics/PEXELS

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by Judith Ruiz-Branch
Public News Service

CHICAGO - Young people in Illinois are navigating more than just vaping when it comes to nicotine and experts said the changing landscape can make use harder to detect.

Youth vaping is at its lowest level in nearly a decade but more than 1.4 million middle and high school students nationwide still vape.

Kristen Tertzakian, vice president of development and partnerships for the nonprofit public health organization Truth Initiative, said illegal flavored disposable vapes remain popular, while discreet, high-nicotine pouches are gaining ground.

"Students could be vaping in the classroom, take a puff, the teacher doesn't see it," Terzakian explained. "They may be using products in the bathroom, and certainly with oral nicotine pouches, they may be using them, and a parent and educator would have no idea."

Terzakian pointed out using multiple products can increase nicotine exposure and addiction risk and affect developing brains, including effects on attention span, learning, mood and impulse control. She encouraged parents to have open and ongoing conversations about nicotine and its risks.

Illinois has recently expanded its tobacco tax to cover nicotine pouches and settled a case involving Posh, a best-selling disposable vape brand. Cook County also launched a youth vaping campaign this summer to bring vaping-prevention education into schools and communities.

Terzakian stressed while schools should have and follow tobacco and nicotine policies, she urged educators to recognize how addictive nicotine is and how much the products are marketed to young people.

"We don't necessarily want to punish students, we want to help them quit and give them the resources to quit in a very judgment-free way," Terzakian emphasized.

Truth Initiative offers free digital resources including Vaping: Know the Truth for students and educators and its confidential EX Program for quitting, developed with Mayo Clinic for people age 13 and older. It supports quitting through personalized plans, text messages and an online support community. Students can enroll by texting NIC-BREAK to 88709.

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TAGGED: Illinois youth vaping concerns, nicotine pouches and young people, youth nicotine use in Illinois, vaping prevention for students, nicotine addiction among teens

The 'chilling effect' of ICE activity near farms may eventually hurt American consumers

Farmers around the country are worried that ICE enforcement may keep employees from showing up and ultimately seeing harvest rot in fields due to resulting understaffing. It could mean even higher prices in the grocery store.

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Photo: Mark Stebnicki/PEXELS

An estimated 15,000–20,000 seasonal agricultural workers go to Minnesota during the peak harvesting season, according to the National institutes of Health. Farm operations could suffer because of ICE enforcement efforts.

by Mike Moen
Public News Service

CHICAGO - With the fall harvest here, farmers who hire immigrant workers might still be worried about ICE enforcement deterring their employees from showing up. A farm law expert in Minnesota said even if the risk is low, the threat of enforcement can have far-reaching implications.

During last winter's federal immigration crackdown, state agriculture officials noted a small amount of anecdotal evidence of enforcement near farms. Minnesota does not have a large number of migrant farmworkers compared to states like California.

Rachel Armstrong, founder and executive director of the nonprofit legal support group Farm Commons, said the fear is enough to prevent vulnerable workers from reporting to their jobs.

"The consequences are enormous, especially for the person who is detained, whether or not they have legal authorization. The consequences are enormous for the farm that loses its labor force. Crops don't wait. Cows don't wait to be milked," Armstrong pointed out.

The Trump administration and some congressional Republicans want to expand a visa program for seasonal agricultural workers to address staffing shortages on farms. But Armstrong, who is a licensed attorney, countered it would open the door to problems like human trafficking and worker exploitation. Her group is educating farms on how to prepare and to ensure at-risk workers know their rights.

Armstrong explained even if a farmer takes the proper steps and builds trust, a migrant worker can sometimes feel exposed if they have to drive 30 miles to their job. They might also worry about being targeted by ICE when out shopping and forgo buying boots and other proper gear. She added collectively, such examples add pressure to a food production system already grappling with other market forces.

"Americans are already experiencing what it means right now to pay more for our food and I'm not sure there's that much willingness to accept even higher prices," Armstrong observed.

Since President Donald Trump's return to office, the White House has sent mixed signals about whether to allow ramped-up immigration enforcement to intersect with agriculture.

A July Investigate Midwest report, based on U.S. Department of Agriculture data, identified 453 farming counties nationwide. Last year, 145 of them recorded at least one ICE arrest, the highest number since 2018. The report found total ICE arrests in farming counties increased in 2025.

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At-risk workers should know their rights, ICE enforcement efforts will affect harvest operations, migrant workers worry about ICE, will Americans want to pay more for food, ICE arrest have increase in rural farm communities

Small towns can cash in on renewable energy agreements and possible revenue cash flow

Illinois communities should look beyond whether they can stop a project and consider what they can gain through what he called a community benefit agreement.

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by Judith Ruiz-Branch
Public News Service

CHICAGO - Illinois is seeing a major expansion of renewable energy, alongside a power struggle over who gets to call the shots. Now, communities are being asked to consider how to make the growth work for them.

Photo: Petim latifi/Unsplash

Illinois has more than 13,000 megawatts of installed wind and solar capacity. A Ford County wind project has provided roughly $40,000 a year to the Paxton Fire Department for about a decade.

The state has more than 13,000 megawatts of installed wind and solar capacity combined and this summer, regulators approved another 1,500 megawatts of new renewable projects.

Jeff Risley, executive director of the advocacy group Renewable Energy Farmers of America, said skeptical communities should look beyond whether they can stop a project and consider what they can gain through what he called a community benefit agreement.

"Which is essentially a contract between the community and the developer to deliver benefits beyond just the taxes that they're paying," Risley explained.

Risley pointed to Illinois projects where developers have helped pay for local needs. He said a wind farm in Tazewell County contributed about $1 million for road improvements, while a Ford County wind project has provided roughly $40,000 a year to the Paxton Fire Department for about a decade.

Renewable development faces scrutiny in some communities, particularly over farmland and local control. Illinois law gives counties some say over where projects go but limits how much they can restrict ones meeting state standards, a point now being tested in court.

While he believes renewable projects can be incredibly beneficial for communities, Risley noted not every project is a good fit.

"You've got all these different dynamics at play. We're not saying projects work everywhere for every landowner and every community. They often don't. But the exploration is what's necessary to decide if it will or not," Risley emphasized.

Risley added communities can raise legitimate concerns about land use and community character but rural leaders should focus on making sure early on, locals are benefiting from renewable projects.

He stressed more and more towns are enacting local ordinances to protect their land, environment and residents without shutting the door on renewable development.

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Union approval hits high as Illinois strike leader reflects on solidarity

A new Gallup poll shows more than 70% of Americans approve of unions, with nearly half saying labor should have more influence than it does today. In Bloomington, Illinois, union leader Chuck Carver says a recent 28-day strike shows why that support is growing.

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Photo: This Viktọ/PEXELS

Gallup finds over 70% of Americans approve of unions; nearly half want more union influence, the highest share seen in 25 years.

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by Judith Ruiz-Branch
Public News Service

CHICAGO - As the nation takes a step back to appreciate labor history on Sept. 7, Americans are giving unions a vote of confidence, with new polling showing more than 70% approve of unions.

The new Gallup poll also found nearly half of Americans think unions should have more influence, the highest level measured in 25 years.

Chuck Carver, a building service worker at Illinois State University, is one of them. A longtime member of the American Federation of State, County and Municipal Employees Council 31 Local 1110 in Bloomington, Carver led the union through a historic 28-day strike this year. Carver said the effort built strong solidarity and bolstered broad local support.

"We showed solidarity every day, picketing on the line," Carver asserted. "Then when hundreds of students stood up with us and staged a walkout, the faculty unions, the alumni, the elected officials, all the other unions throughout their community made us one day stronger, one day longer."

Carver added the strike ultimately preserved bargaining rights and delivered what he considers fair pay, dignity and respect. He noted the experience also gave students a firsthand look at how much students depend on campus workers, building interest from some students to organize unions themselves. Carver will be honored at the Bloomington Labor Day parade on Monday and was chosen to lead the procession.

Unions still have critics. Opponents said organized labor can drive up costs for employers, limit workplace flexibility and give union members advantages over nonunion workers. Carver countered the recent experience demonstrates a growing momentum for supporting collective bargaining.

"Our biggest obstacle right now is making sure that we all stand up for what we believe in because there's way too many higher powers trying to attempt to take it away from us," Carver contended. "I can tell you, as being a union person, we will not allow that to happen."

Despite growing public support, Gallup said Americans are skeptical unions will grow stronger, with 39% expecting union influence to weaken, compared with 27% who expect unions to grow.

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TAGS: Gallup poll union approval 2026, AFSCME Council 31 Local 1110 strike, Illinois State University building service workers, Chuck Carver Bloomington Labor Day parade, why union approval is rising in America

Illinois union urges lawmakers to use Meta settlement to address education funding gaps

The Illinois Federation of Teachers is urging state lawmakers to consider using money from Illinois' $768 million Meta settlement to help address the state's growing K-12 education funding shortfalls.

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Photo: ‪Salah Darwish/Unsplash

The IFT says Meta settlement funds could help Illinois schools address underfunding, larger classes and special education gaps.

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by Judith Ruiz-Branch
Public News Service

One of Illinois’ largest and most influential public-sector unions wants lawmakers to use the state’s recent $768 million Meta settlement to help fill statewide education gaps.

The majority of public school students across the state attend class in an underfunded district, according to the Illinois State Board of Education.

Kurt Hilgendorf, chief of staff for the Illinois Federation of Teachers, said some schools are operating with just 75 cents for every dollar needed.

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The reality around Illinois is that there is a lot of pain in schools right now.

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"If we're in a situation where students aren't getting their needs met and we've got a windfall from a company that's made billions of dollars to help make sure that a student can go to the chess club, then that seems like a pretty easy answer for us," Hilgendorf explained.

Illinois is set to receive funds from a multistate settlement with Meta over a 10-year period. The money is supposed to go toward youth mental health and online safety programs. The federation is calling on state lawmakers to consider using the money toward filling the K-12 education budget deficit even if it will not solve the entire problem.

Hilgendorf stressed shortages from underfunding are hitting communities from Rockford to Belleville, with larger classes and gaps in special education services, leaving students with fewer opportunities. He pointed to state data showing Illinois’ education funding gap is now nearly $7 billion. The deficit grew by more than $1 billion in just the last year.

"The reality around Illinois is that there is a lot of pain in schools right now," Hilgendorf emphasized. "More than a million students aren't getting the experience that they need, and we think that this should be the highest priority for the state government and state legislature (and) the governor to address, starting as soon as the veto session."

The state recently reached the compliance deadline for its evidence-based funding model for public schools, which was passed in 2017.

Hilgendorf argued the standard $350 million annual increase to the funding formula is too slow. At such a pace, he added, children entering kindergarten today will graduate from high schools which remain underfunded. Proponents of the model said it has been a lifeline for schools and has made strides in helping to address the state’s chronically underfunded public education system.

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TAGS: Illinois Meta settlement education funding K-12 schools, Illinois Federation of Teachers school funding deficit, Illinois public schools underfunded education funding gap, Illinois evidence-based school funding formula deficit, Meta settlement money Illinois education funding proposal

How healthy Illinois farmland could help cool the climate and restore rainfall

A new Illinois project is examining how healthier soils, trees and diverse plant life could help strengthen local water cycles, capture rainfall and cool the climate.

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Photo: Steven Weeks/Unsplash

by Judith Ruiz-Branch
Public News Service

A new venture in Illinois is highlighting how healthy farmland can help to address climate change and restore local rainfall.

The Nature Cools project, led by the Climate Land Leaders initiative, is studying how healthy soils, trees and diverse plant life work together to strengthen local water cycles.

Katie Ross, a scientist and researcher for Nature Cools, said regenerating land brings back diversity both above and below the ground. Then, living landscapes can release natural particles helping clouds form and bring rain back to the places where water first evaporated.

"In addition to carbon sequestration, restoring that local rain cycle includes several powerful processes, which is nature's way of cooling the climate," Ross explained.

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Photo: Graddes/Unsplash

Central Illinois farms are helping researchers examine whether regenerative practices and healthier soils can improve water absorption and contribute to natural climate cooling. Researchers found that central Illinois farms with restored prairie and long-term regenerative practices absorbed rainwater much faster than conventionally cropped land.

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Research shows by 2050, Illinois is projected to have at least 26 more days above 95 degrees and more frequent and rapid-onset droughts. With increasing incidents of wildfires and flooding, Ross stressed the project serves to remind farmers of how much agency they can have in the face of natural disasters.

Along with carbon emissions, Ross noted practices killing the microbial community in soils have stunted nature’s natural cooling processes.

This summer, Ross visited three central Illinois farms that are part of the project to measure soil temperature and test how quickly rainwater soaks into the ground. Farms with restored prairie and long-term regenerative practices absorbed water far more quickly than land with a long history of conventional row cropping.

The findings suggest healthier soils are better able to capture rainfall instead of letting it run off.

"What these farmers are doing is incredibly important," Ross emphasized. "That's part of the joy and purpose of this project, is to say you guys actually are superheroes more than is recognized."

The results revealed how difficult land recovery can be

Leslie Cooperband, co-owner of Prairie Oasis Farm near Champaign, said researchers found compacted soils with very little organic matter, even in areas covered by perennial vegetation for decades. Cooperband called it a reminder rebuilding soil damaged over generations takes time.

"It's like a paradigm shift. I will say though, it's a long-term proposition," Cooperband observed. "It's not like plant a bunch of trees and next year you're going to have rain clouds over your farm. The damage is so profound that it is going to take years to bring that soil life back."

Cooperband added with so many farmers feeling squeezed to maximize productivity, it can be hard for farmers to commit to sparing farmland for alternative uses. Still, Cooperband stressed as farmers crave greater climate predictability, the project's findings can help expand efforts beyond farmers already open to adopting regenerative practices.

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TAGS: Nature Cools project Illinois regenerative agriculture, healthy Illinois farmland and local rainfall, regenerative farming and soil health in Central Illinois, how healthy soil can help address climate change, Illinois farms using regenerative practices to capture rainfall

New Illinois law expands restitution for wrongful convictions, including juvenile cases

People wrongfully imprisoned in Illinois could receive larger compensation under a newly signed law that raises the state's payment cap and expands eligibility to people wrongfully convicted in juvenile court. The law also eliminates the previous $300,000 overall limit on compensation.

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by Judith Ruiz-Branch
Public News Service

People who were wrongfully imprisoned in Illinois could see larger payouts under a newly signed law which raises the compensation cap.

Illinois has the most exonerations of any state, according to the Registry of Exonerations. A new provision also makes children who were wrongfully convicted in juvenile court eligible to receive reparation.

Josh Tepfer, an attorney and executive director of the Exoneration Project, said youth were previously excluded by a technical gap in the prior statute.

"There's just loads and loads of examples of individuals in Illinois who spent literally decades, up to 40 years in prison, for crimes that they were innocent of," Tepfer explained. "This just gets Illinois consistent with states in providing some sort of adequate compensation for these horrific injustices."

The new law raises the cap to $50,000 per year of wrongful imprisonment and eliminates the overall $300,000 limit, including time in jail or juvenile detention before a false conviction.

Experts said the state’s compensation rate has lagged far behind the national average. The typical payout for a wrongful conviction in Illinois was about $11,000 for each year of wrongful imprisonment.

Tepfer noted while the government provides reentry support and resources for people who were rightfully convicted and serve their time, there is a critical gap for those who are exonerated.

"There is literally nothing that the government does to help those individuals," Tepfer emphasized. "They're put on a bus and say 'go home' once the system says, 'Sorry, we got it wrong.' So what this does, at least in theory, is give people some sort of real resources where they can patch their life together."

Tepfer added historically, it has been even worse for juveniles. Tepfer pointed to the Ronald Watts police corruption scandal, which saw hundreds of people wrongfully convicted over nearly a decade. Those who were juveniles at the time never qualified for compensation under the law.

"The only distinguishing feature for them not getting compensation from the state was that they were 16 years or younger, and that's just awful," Tepfer underscored. "The fact that this legislation passed gives some hope to those clients who now can petition to get their certificates of innocence that they've always deserved."

Exonerees must have received a certificate of innocence or have been pardoned by the governor and have never received a previous payout to qualify.

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TAGS: Illinois compensation for wrongful imprisonment 2026, new Illinois law wrongful conviction compensation, juvenile wrongful conviction restitution Illinois, Illinois exoneration compensation $50,000 per year, certificate of innocence compensation Illinois

New Illinois movement grows as rural counties push for state separation

The movement to create a new, independent state from parts of Illinois is gaining momentum, with organizers pointing to growing support across rural counties. Supporters say the effort is about representation rather than partisan politics.

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by Judith Ruiz-Branch
Public News Service

Organizers pushing for a new, independent state within Illinois said they are prepared to play the long game to conquer the urban-rural divide.

The movement of counties wanting to break off into a new territory is growing.

G. H. Merritt, chairman of the board of the nonprofit New Illinois, said it is fundamentally about representation in government, not partisan politics. Merritt pointed out rural communities often feel forgotten and it is a phenomenon transcending party affiliation.

"The government is passing things that may be in the best interest of Chicago, which is fine. The problem is nobody cares about what's in the best interest of rural, small town and suburban areas," Merritt explained.

Merritt argued Gov. J.B. Pritzker has done a poor job of living up to his commitment to represent all parts of the state. Pritzker has consistently dismissed the movement as a partisan idea that will not work. Pritzker's administration maintains the effort is not legally or financially feasible.

Merritt noted the push to form a separate state has been going on for nearly a century in different pockets of Illinois. Today, two separate organizations are taking ground. One is Merritt's group, which works to educate residents about their constitutional right to pursue forming a new state. Another organization called Illinois Separation Referendum focuses on placing advisory referendums on county ballots.

Merritt added the current movement is different because it has grown to be widespread and organized. The Separation Referendum started its efforts downstate.

"New Illinois began in northern Illinois and so it's worked its way down. They've worked their way up," Merritt observed. "About 70 of Illinois's 101 counties have an active state split movement going on there, so that tells you what the breadth of it is."

Under the U.S. Constitution, creating a new state from an existing one requires the consent of both the Illinois General Assembly and Congress. Critics believe neither is a realistic path.

But Merritt countered referendums have been approved in 33 counties already, with more expected to have measures on their ballots come November.

"Things like this, people think they're crazy. They laugh at you," Merritt acknowledged. "The fact is, if you end up with a massive majority of the geographic area of your state and the population there that wants this, they are going to have to listen."

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TAGS: New Illinois state separation movement, Illinois counties seeking state separation, rural Illinois push for new state, Illinois county state split referendums, urban-rural divide in Illinois politics

Despite education challenges, Illiniois ranks among the top states for child well-being

Photo: RDNE Stock project/PEXELS

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Illinois ranks among the nation’s stronger states for child well-being, according to the 2026 Kids Count Data Book, but declines in literacy, math achievement and youth health indicators remain a concern.

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by Judith Ruiz-Branch
Public News Service

Illinois is doing better than most states in supporting youth well-being, according to a new report, but local leaders said declines in education and health outcomes still demand attention.

The 2026 Kids Count Data Book from the Annie E. Casey Foundation looked at how children and families are faring across four areas. Illinois’ strongest rankings are in education and health but academic outcomes remain worse than pre-pandemic levels.

Loukisha Pennix, chief youth and family potential officer for YWCA Metropolitan Chicago, said the state has seen a sharp decline in fourth grade reading levels, with 70% not proficient in reading.

“Our children need us making sure that we're reading to them,” Pennix urged. “Screen time is hurting our children, and we need to support them more in the area of literacy.”

Illinois saw improvements in factors related to economic well-being, family and community but child and teen death rates are increasing across the state, which Pennix said has become a major public health concern. Overall, the state fared worse on this year’s report compared with last year.

More young children ages 3 and 4 are not in school in Illinois, and the number of eighth graders proficient in math has also decreased.

A new scoring system this year shows whether policies and public investment are actually improving children’s lives. Pennix stressed investments in programs such as SNAP, Medicaid and Head Start are critical and have ripple effects on children’s health, education and economic security.

“When we provide for the community at large, the ones that are the youngest among us benefit the most,” Pennix emphasized. “Access to care and education, to health and nutritional services, it helps to ensure that our communities are thriving and not just surviving.”

As the federal government implements new eligibility restrictions for safety net programs, funds for people affected by SNAP cuts were included in the recently passed state budget. Under a new program, eligible residents would receive a one-time $400 payment. It is scheduled to last one year.

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TAGS: Illinois child well-being, Kids Count report, youth education, literacy rates, child health outcomes

Communities divided over AI Data Centers in Illinois, lawmakers eye regulations

A proposed $500 million data center in Sangamon County is drawing mixed reactions from residents and officials. Supporters point to economic growth, job creation and investment. Critics raise concerns about environmental impact, water use and rising energy costs.

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I must say, the more I learn about them, the more concerned I am...

by Judith Ruiz-Branch
Public News Service

CHICAGO - Rural Illinois is another area where tech companies are looking to build massive artificial-intelligence data centers. Communities are split on whether they should welcome them.

A proposed $500 million data center by CyrusOne in Sangamon County that would utilize about 280 acres of farmland has sparked debate among residents, officials and lawmakers. Supporters highlight economic benefits such as construction jobs, permanent employment and local investment. Critics counter that there would be a limited number of local jobs, and also raise concern about environmental impacts, rising electricity costs and water usage.

Local activist Lori McKiernan with the Coalition for Springfield’s Utility Future called for more scrutiny.

"I’m not against data centers, but I must say, the more I learn about them, the more concerned I am," she said. "And I want our county board to do their due diligence to address all of these concerns and make sure they’re not impacting their constituents."

The Sangamon County Board voted to postpone a final vote on the proposed project after hours of public opposition. The decision delays the approval of what would be the county’s first major data center.

Meanwhile, Illinois lawmakers are considering new regulations, including the Power Act, which would require data centers to use clean energy, cover infrastructure costs, and disclose water and environmental impacts.

Scott Allen, a policy analyst for the Citizens Utility Board, said this comes amid broader concern that large data centers could shift utility costs onto residents.

"This legislative session that’s currently underway is going to be the data center legislative session," he said. "Especially at the legislative level, we’re not going to get anything done until this data center thing is figured out."

Sangamon County is just the latest community in Illinois to put a pause on data center projects. Neighboring towns and cities have passed moratoriums on data center applications and have turned projects down.

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TAGS: Sangamon County data center proposal Illinois debate, AI data centers rural Illinois environmental concerns, Illinois Power Act data center regulations explained, impact of data centers on electricity costs Illinois, community response to data center projects Illinois