Latest news with #Illinois
CBS News
21 minutes ago
- Business
- CBS News
Chicago Public Schools lays off 161 employees, cuts 209 vacant positions amid $734 budget shortfall
Chicago Public Schools officials on Friday announced more than 160 layoffs, and the elimination of more than 200 vacant positions, mostly among workers in its central office and citywide staff, as the district faces a $734 million budget gap for next year. A CPS spokesperson said 67 central office and network office workers were laid off, along with seven Chicago Teachers Union positions, and 87 employees represented by SEIU Local 73 – nearly all of whom were crossing guards. CPS officials also eliminated 166 vacant central office positions, 19 vacant CTU positions, and 24 vacant crossing guard positions. None of the layoffs or position reductions involved staff assigned to schools, according to CPS. "Chicago Public Schools remains committed to using every available dollar to support student learning and school communities, despite the District's ongoing and well-documented funding challenges. In continuing preparation of the Fiscal Year 2026 budget, CPS is taking a careful and strategic approach to reduce spending while minimizing the impact on classrooms," CPS spokesman Evan Moore said in a statement. Earlier this week, at her first school board meeting, interim Chicago Public Schools CEO announced the district's budget shortfall for the 2025-26 school year had grown from $529 million to $734 million. CPS normally releases a budget plan for the school district in June, but has yet to finalize a spending plan for the upcoming school year. Chicago Teachers Union President Stacy Davis Gates recently called on the district to take out a loan to address the shortfall and avoid cuts. She also said the district needs to do more to persuade Illinois lawmakers to provide CPS more money in the annual budget, arguing the state's education funding formula calls for the district to receive $1.2 billion more each year.
Yahoo
42 minutes ago
- Business
- Yahoo
Flower Expo Returns to Michigan and Illinois This Summer Following Blockbuster Northeast Event
Two-day cannabis trade events will connect brands, dispensaries, and budtenders for networking, product showcases, and business growth. Attendees engage in networking and enjoy interactive experiences at a Flower Expo event. LOS ANGELES, June 27, 2025 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- Flower Expo, a fast-growing B2B cannabis trade show series in the United States, is expanding its 2025 event schedule with the return of Flower Expo Michigan and a new two-day format for Flower Expo Illinois. Following a successful 2025 kickoff in Illinois on March 25 and its third annual event in Massachusetts on June 4-5 featuring over 100 exhibiting brands and 300 attending dispensaries—Flower Expo is building on its momentum with two Midwest events aimed at fostering industry growth and connection. Flower Expo Michigan will take place August 27-28, 2025, at the Allegan County Fairgrounds. Flower Expo Illinois is scheduled for September 23–24, 2025, at The Geraghty in Chicago. Each event will feature two distinct days: Day One focuses on connecting brands with dispensary buyers in a business-oriented environment, while Day Two is designed to engage budtenders through product education, networking, and immersive experiences. 'These upcoming events reflect our continued commitment to providing high-value opportunities for industry stakeholders,' said Jason Bello, CEO of Flower Expo. 'Both venues offer increased capacity, and we look forward to deepening relationships across these two influential markets.' Participating companies will include a mix of national and regional cannabis brands. Notable exhibitors will include STIIIZY, Kiva, MariMed, Wyld, Realeaf Botanicals, Kai Cannabis Co., Grön, and Fernway marking Fernway's debut in the Illinois market. Attendees can also expect panel discussions as part of the event's SESHES speaker series, which highlights thought leaders and emerging voices from across the cannabis supply chain. In addition to networking and deal-making, each event will feature food vendors, branded activations, and shaded outdoor consumption lounges, creating an atmosphere that blends business with community engagement. Exhibiting brands, like Cresco and Garden Society, showcase their products and connect with industry buyers at Flower Expo. The Midwest remains a vital region for the cannabis economy. According to publicly available state data, Michigan and Illinois generated an estimated $3.2 billion and $1.6 billion in legal cannabis sales, respectively, in 2024. Michigan continues to serve as one of the most mature and active cannabis markets in the U.S., while Illinois is among the fastest-growing. Exhibitor booths and sponsorship opportunities are available for licensed operators and ancillary service providers. Applications are now open for qualified dispensary buyers, budtenders, media professionals, and prospective SESHES speakers. General admission passes are available for non-exhibiting industry attendees. For full details on registration, programming, and participation, visit and About Flower ExpoFlower Expo is a leading business-to-business trade show series dedicated to advancing the cannabis industry through curated events, meaningful partnerships, and professional engagement. With a focus on innovation, access, and relationship-building, Flower Expo provides a streamlined platform for brands, buyers, and professionals to connect and grow. Media ContactFlower Expoops@ 524-4888https:// Photos accompanying this announcement are available at in retrieving data Sign in to access your portfolio Error in retrieving data Error in retrieving data Error in retrieving data Error in retrieving data
Yahoo
an hour ago
- Business
- Yahoo
Mega Millions winning numbers for June 27: Jackpot rises to $348 million
The Mega Millions jackpot rose to $348 million for the drawing on Friday, June 27 after no one matched all the winning numbers in the drawing on Tuesday, June 24. If someone matches all six numbers on Friday, they will have the option of a one-time cash payment of $155.5 million. There have been three Mega Millions winners this year, with the most recent being the April 18 win in Ohio of a $112 million jackpot. Before then, a lucky lottery ticket holder in Illinois took home a $344 million jackpot on March 25, while another lucky person hit the Mega Millions jackpot on Jan. 17 for $113 million. Here are the winning numbers from the Mega Millions drawing on Friday, June 27, 2025. The winning numbers for Friday, June 27 will be posted here once drawn. Winning lottery numbers are sponsored by Jackpocket, the official digital lottery courier of the USA TODAY Network. Any Mega Millions winners will be posted here once announced by lottery officials. To view the list of past winners, visit the Mega Millions website. To play the Mega Millions, you have to buy a ticket. You can do this at a variety of locations, including your local convenience store, gas station or even grocery store. In some states, Mega Millions tickets can be bought online. Once you have your ticket, you need to pick six numbers. Five of them will be white balls with numbers from 1 to 70. The gold Mega Ball ranges from 1 to 24. If you're feeling especially unlucky or don't want to go through the hassle of picking, you can ask for a "Quick Pick" or an "Easy Pick.' These options let the computer randomly generate numbers for you. Mega Millions tickets now include a built-in multiplier, which increases non-jackpot prizes by two, three, four, five, or 10 times. Before, players had to pay an extra dollar to add the "Megaplier.' Tickets can be purchased in person at gas stations, convenience stores and grocery stores. Some airport terminals may also sell lottery tickets. You can also order tickets online through Jackpocket, the official digital lottery courier of the USA TODAY Network, in these U.S. states and territories: Arizona, Arkansas, Colorado, Idaho, Maine, Massachusetts, Minnesota, Montana, Nebraska, New Hampshire, New Jersey, New York, Ohio, Oregon, Puerto Rico, Washington, D.C., and West Virginia. The Jackpocket app allows you to pick your lottery game and numbers, place your order, see your ticket and collect your winnings all using your phone or home computer. Jackpocket is the official digital lottery courier of the USA TODAY Network. Gannett may earn revenue for audience referrals to Jackpocket services. Must be 18+, 21+ in AZ and 19+ in NE. Not affiliated with any State Lottery. Gambling Problem? Call 1-877-8-HOPE-NY or text HOPENY (467369) (NY); 1-800-327-5050 (MA); 1-877-MYLIMIT (OR); 1-800-981-0023 (PR); 1-800-GAMBLER (all others). Visit for full terms. Fernando Cervantes Jr. is a trending news reporter for USA TODAY. Reach him at and follow him on X @fern_cerv_. This article originally appeared on USA TODAY: Mega Millions winning numbers for 6/27/25: Jackpot at $348 million
Yahoo
an hour ago
- Yahoo
Suburban man charged in fatal stabbing aboard Blue Line train, police say
A Broadview man faces a murder charge in connection to a fatal stabbing earlier this week aboard a CTA Blue Line train, Chicago police announced Friday. Lawrence Strother, 66, faces a single count of first-degree murder tied to an attack that occurred on the Rosemont branch of the Blue Line aboard a train near the 5800 block of North River Road Wednesday evening, police said. Killed was Jason Rowinski, 42, according to the Cook County medical examiner's office. An autopsy performed on Thursday determined he died of a stab wound to the lower extremity and was ruled a homicide. Police arrested Strother in the 9500 block of Technology Boulevard in Rosemont several hours after the attack. Authorities didn't say what they believe sparked the fatal stabbing. Strother is expected to appear before a judge for a detention hearing on Saturday.
CBS News
2 hours ago
- CBS News
Chicago man charged with beating at least 4 people on the same day
A man has been charged with punching at least four people and knocking them to the ground on the same day earlier this week in the Loop, South Loop and Lakeview neighborhoods. Joshua Rowell, 36, is charged with two counts of aggravated battery in Cook County Circuit Court, and one count of forcible assault on a federal judicial employee in federal court in Chicago. According to a Chicago Police Department arrest report, Rowell was arrested shortly before 5 p.m. on Tuesday in the South Loop, after he attacked a 20-year-old woman on the street in the 900 block of South Wabash Avenue. Rowell allegedly punched the woman in the face, causing swelling and bruising, and fled the scene. Officers later spotted him near Roosevelt Road and Wabash, and took him into custody. Authorities later linked him to at least three other attacks on the same day. Cook County prosecutors said, around 8:45 a.m., a woman was walking her dog outside her home in the 600 block of West Waveland Avenue, when Rowell walked up and punched her in the head, causing her to drop her dog's leash and fall to the ground. Rowell then punched her several more times in the face and head while she was on a ground before running away. That victim suffered multiple injuries, including a broken nose, and a large cut under her eye that required multiple stitches. Prosecutors said he also attacked another victim outside the New York of Chicago high-rise apartment building in the 3600 block of North Lake Shore Drive as the victim was walking their dog the same day. Rowell was caught on video punching that victim at least nine times before running away. Further information on that attack, including the victim's age and gender, were not immediately available. Shortly before 4 p.m. the same day, Rowell allegedly walked up to a woman outside the Dirksen Federal Courthouse at 219 S. Dearborn St., and punched her from behind. The victim, a courthouse employee, told U.S. Marshals she was taking a coffee break and talking on the phone when someone punched her in the side of the head and knocked her to the ground. Surveillance video from the courthouse showed Rowell approach her from behind and punch her before fleeing the scene. The victim suffered a concussion from the attack. Rowell made his first appearance on the state charges in Cook County on Thursday, and was ordered held at Cook County Jail while he awaits trial. He is due back in court on those charges on July 18. His first court appearance on the federal charges for the attack outside the Dirksen courthouse has not yet been scheduled. Chicago police said he has multiple felony convictions for domestic battery.
