After years of wrangling on the issue, auto companies, regulators and policymakers have finally come to terms on increased Corporate Average Fuel Economy (CAFE) standards for vehicles traveling American roads. According to the plan, automakers will double the average, unadjusted fuel-economy rating of their car and light truck vehicle fleets to 54.5 miles per gallon [...]

Americans carry more than $2 trillion in consumer debt, and 30 percent of consumers report having no extra cash, making it impossible to escape the burden of living paycheck to paycheck. Because too many Americans are insufficiently educated about their personal finances, April is devoted to helping everyone get a fresh start on taking control [...]

The members of Prairie Power, Inc. (PPI), a generation and transmission cooperative serving 10 central Illinois distribution cooperatives, held their Annual Meeting, Feb. 8 in Springfield. President and CEO Jay Bartlett said the generation and transmission cooperative (G&T), serving 10 Illinois distribution co-ops, is working hard to improve system reliability and manage rates, while building fiber [...]

The Office of the State Fire Marshal warns everyone to pay special attention to the distinct signals sent by carbon monoxide alarms when their life has expired. Frequently, people may believe that a beep coming out of their CO alarm means it’s time for a battery change, when in fact it means that the device [...]

Some 60 percent of our household indoor water usage happens in the bathroom. As such, updating old leaky fixtures and changing a few basic habits could go a long way toward saving fresh water, energy and money. Undoubtedly, the toilet is the biggest water hog in the bathroom. Those made before 1993 use up to [...]

Earlier this year the Illinois Department of Commerce and Economic Opportunity (DCEO) announced that capital funding will be given to 10 organizations who will train nearly 700 weatherization specialists across the state. This is the first phase of a multiple-year green jobs initiative. For more information about this program please visit www.ildceo.net.

Ten teachers in rural parts of the U.S. will be the recipient of $500 to be used during the 2012-2013 school year for student-based projects, offered through the Mini-Grant Program, sponsored by the National Rural Electric Cooperative Association. Any rural teacher K-12 whose school or community is served by a rural electric cooperative, or whose [...]

Illinois is increasing markets for local foods. By creating “food hubs,” or processing and distribution centers where independent, local farmers can market their products to larger entities (schools, government agencies), making locally-grown food more widely available. To help meet food demand, the Department of Commerce and Economic Opportunity (DCEO) has partnered with the Illinois Department [...]

First-term Republican U.S. Sen. Mark Kirk met with the Association of Illinois Electric Cooperatives’ Board of Directors on Jan. 19, asking members to share input on ways to “spend less, borrow less and tax less to help the economy recover.” In the approximate 30-minute visit, Kirk was direct in his endorsement of public-private partnerships to [...]

The Military Service Tax Preparation Project will once again offer free personal income tax return filing assistance to members of the U.S. Armed Forces who have recently returned or are still serving on active duty in a combat zone or qualified hazardous duty area. The Illinois CPA Society, in partnership with the Internal Revenue Service [...]