Illinois
Upgrade Illinois' power lines to keep lights on as energy demands rise
Illinois is facing a looming energy crisis. As the state strives for a cleaner, more reliable electric grid in the face of rising demand and a growing economy, we can choose to meet the moment with the homegrown clean power we know we need, or we can fail to invest in the infrastructure to support our communities.
The men and women of the Laborers’ International Union of North America Midwest Region are the best-trained workers in the industry, and they are ready to build our clean energy future. Critical to that success is interregional high-voltage direct current transmission infrastructure.
Direct current, long-distance power lines — designed to efficiently deliver clean energy where it’s needed when it’s needed — are key to fixing the problem. These interregional power superhighways do not just help meet climate goals. They’re about creating high-quality jobs, bolstering energy reliability and lowering energy bills for Illinoisians.
Speaking as a proud representative of the union workforce that builds and maintains our nation’s critical infrastructure, I know that interregional high-voltage direct current projects have the potential to be a win for our economy, a win for our residents, environment and workers. It’s time we take these wins and build a better future for Illinois.
Constructing hundreds of miles of these transmission lines is no small feat. These projects demand a skilled workforce capable of handling intricate installations, often in challenging conditions. Unions, particularly my union are the best, and often only, resource for that workforce.
Modernizing and upgrading America’s electric transmission system could create an additional 150,000 to 200,000 good-paying, family-supporting jobs every year over the next two decades and make energy delivery more efficient and reliable.
Strengthening grid reliability
Safety is the top priority for LIUNA. Through our quality work, our members make Illinois safer every day by improving vital infrastructure. Many of us take for granted the safety provided by our power grid, assuming it will always be working or quickly returned to order. However, as extreme weather events become more frequent, our energy system must be strengthened. Interregional high-voltage direct current transmission lines are a critical solution for delivering high-capacity clean power to Illinois during times of peak demand.
Let’s say Illinois is facing a historic winter storm that threatens the ability to provide reliable and affordable energy to communities: these transmission lines can transfer surplus electricity from other parts of the country where energy generation is not impacted by the same dramatic weather. This capability doesn’t just prevent blackouts — it ensures that essential services like hospitals, schools and emergency responders have the power they need when they need it.
LIUNA members, like many Illinois residents, are grappling with the very real and present-day challenge of rising energy costs. Just as road investment reduces wasted gas money and time, transmission infrastructure will help save money for consumers too. A recent study by the Department of Energy found that $1.60 is saved for every $1 spent on transmission, with the greatest cost-savings from HVDC lines. Similar analysis has shown that interregional transmission between the two organizations that manage the power grid in Illinois (PJM and MISO) could provide $1 billion in savings each year.
HVDC transmission is the cost-effective solution Illinois needs as it considers its energy future.
In this moment of continued division and polarization, interregional high-voltage direct current transmission offers a rare unifying opportunity. It’s a chance to bring together labor, business and government to build a cleaner, more resilient energy system—one that works for everyone.
For union workers, these projects mean jobs that pay well and provide benefits. For communities, they mean a more stable power supply and lower energy bills. And for Illinois and the country, they mean a modernized grid capable of meeting the demands of the 21st century.
It’s time for policymakers to prioritize interregional HVDC transmission as the cornerstone of America’s energy future. By building these energy highways, we can create jobs for today, power a cleaner tomorrow, and ensure a stronger, more reliable grid for generations to come.
David A. Frye is a vice president and Midwest regional manager for the Laborers’ International Union of North America (LIUNA), representing over 50,000 families throughout 10 states, including Illinois, Indiana, Missouri and Kansas.
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SYCAMORE, Ill. – A Sycamore mother said she is still waiting for justice more than two years after her teenage son was stabbed to death.
The case is back in court this week, where a judge will consider a key request that could change how the case moves forward.
What we know:
A mother said her son’s life was cut short during a confrontation that turned deadly.
Heather Gerken said her 17-year-old son, Kaleb McCall, was stabbed during an incident in September 2023. She said Kaleb agreed to meet another teen for what he believed would be a fist fight while sticking up for a friend.
According to Gerken, the other teen, who was 15 at the time, pulled a knife and stabbed Kaleb in the chest. Kaleb later died from his injuries.
Gerken said a jury later found that teen guilty of second-degree murder after the defense argued he acted in self-defense.
Dig deeper:
The case is not over.
Gerken says the defendant’s attorneys are now trying to move the case out of adult court and into juvenile court. That decision could impact how the teen is ultimately sentenced.
What they’re saying:
Gerken said the legal process has been long and frustrating.
She said the case has stretched on for more than two and a half years and that ongoing court proceedings have made it difficult for her to grieve her son.
“He was everybody’s big brother,” Gerken said. “He had the biggest smile and the sweetest personality. He enjoyed fishing and being outside, and he was the best gift giver. He always got me flowers for every little holiday. Just a very thoughtful boy.”
Gerken also said the possibility of the case moving to juvenile court is especially upsetting, as she continues to push for what she believes is justice for her son.
“I don’t want anybody else’s child to die the way that my son died,” Gerken said. “Caleb is my whole world. I gave birth to him at 17 and he changed my life completely. He made me a better person. He taught me what real love truly is…And I just miss him so much more every day. And just knowing that he died the way he did. It makes me sick.”
What’s next:
The case returns to court Thursday morning.
A judge is expected to determine whether the case remains in adult court or is moved to juvenile court, a decision that could shape what happens next in the case.
The Source: The information in this article was reported by FOX Chicago’s Lauren Scafidi.
Millions of asylum seekers have been impacted as caseloads have grown
A general crackdown on immigration courts the administration sees as liberal has led to the firing of dozens of immigration judges.
Recent polls show President Donald Trump’s approval ratings continue to dip as the war in Iran endures and national gas prices float above $4.
One such poll conducted by CNN/SSRS illustrates widespread upset among Americans with regards to Trump’s handling of the economy and inflation. Here’s how Trump’s approval ratings look nationally and within Illinois, as of April 20.
Donald Trump approval rating: CNN
Only 31% of Americans approve of how Trump is handling the economy, compared to 39% in January 2026, according to the poll.
The decline in approval on the issue is even higher among Republicans, especially Republicans under 45 years old, according to CNN.
In the poll, President Donald Trump received his worst approval rating yet in either of his two terms on the economy.
CNN findings show about two-thirds of Americans say Trump’s policies have worsened economic conditions, and 27% say they approve of Trump’s handling of inflation.
CNN also reported 63% of Americans say the prices at the pump have caused financial hardship in their household, including 15% calling it “severe.”
The poll, conducted March 26-30 among 1,201 U.S. adults, found 35% approve of Trump’s job performance overall. The poll’s margin of error is plus or minus 3.2 percentage points.
One poll respondent told CNN and the pollster about the most important issue facing the country: “Prices! Everything is so expensive. Makes it very difficult to do anything other than work and go home. Trips to the grocery store are ridiculous! Between gas and grocery prices, we are poor!”
Trump addressed the concerns about gas prices in his address to the nation on April 1, saying the Strait of Hormuz would reopen when the conflict was over and the prices would fall again.
Trump reaffirmed his promise about the strait on April 18, saying his administration had “very good conversations going on” with Iran after the country said the strait would not be reopened.
Donald Trump approval rating in Illinois: Civiqs
Trump’s job approval rating in Illinois, as of April 18, according to data from online survey platform Civiqs, is as follows:
- Approve — 32%.
- Disapprove — 65%.
- Neither — 4%.
Donald Trump national approval rating: Civiqs
Trump’s national approval rating as of April 13, according to data from Civiqs, is as follows:
- Approve — 39%.
- Disapprove — 57%.
- Neither — 4%.
Donald Trump approval rating in Illinois: The Economist
Trump has a -36% net approval rating in Illinois as of April 20, according to data from The Economist.
Donald Trump national approval rating: The Economist
Trump’s national approval rating as of April 20, according to data from The Economist, is as follows:
- Approve — 38%.
- Disapprove — 56%.
- Don’t know — 7%.
Trump, Iran War approval rating: Pew Research Center
A Pew Research study conducted in mid-March found that about six-in-ten Americans (61%) approve of Trump’s handling of the conflict in Iran, with 39% approving.
A report released in early April found that the largest concern for most Americans as a result of the conflict is higher gas prices, with 69% saying they are “extremely” or “very” concerned about the issue.
Other Trump approval rating polls as of April 20
Here is a look at some other polling aggregators to understand how CNN/SSRS’s poll compares to the average Trump approval numbers as of April 20:
RealClearPolitics Poll Average: 41.2% approve, 56.6% disapprove.
The New York Times: 40% approve, 56% disapprove.
Silver Bulletin: 39.7% approve, 56.4% disapprove.
Which president has the lowest approval rating ever?
Although Trump has dropped to a historic low in approval rating polls this term so far, he hit a 34% low in the first term and other recent presidents such as Joe Biden hit a 36% low, Barack Obama hit a 40% low, George W. Bush hit a 25% low and Bill Clinton hit a 37% low, according to the Gallup polls, whose recorded lowest rating was Harry Truman with 22%.
As for the highest presidential approval ratings, George W. Bush holds the highest approval rating ever recorded at 90%, while his father, George H. Bush holds the second highest at 89%.
Trump is the only president that has not reached a 50% or higher approval to date in the Gallup polls’ history.
CENTRALIA, Ill. – An investigation is underway after multiple people were shot Sunday in Centralia, Illinois, according to a report from WFCN News in southern Illinois.
FOX 2 has confirmed the Illinois State Police is investigating a shooting and taking over the investigation, but ISP could not confirm many further details as of 9 p.m. Sunday.
“The investigation is in its infancy and to protect the integrity of the investigation, no additional details will be released at this time,” ISP said in a statement to FOX 2.
According to WFCN News, the shooting happened around 5 p.m. near the 900 block of East Kell Street in Centralia. Multiple law enforcement agencies have since responded to scene and multiple victims are hospitalized, according to the report.
It’s unclear how many people may have been injured and what led up to the shooting.
Centralia, Illinois is about 70 miles, or just over an hour, east of St. Louis.
This is a developing story. FOX 2 will update as more information becomes available.
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