Author: Dani Tietz

Federal

Governors Action Alliance Launches to Support State Leaders in Protecting Fundamental Freedoms

A coalition of 15 Democratic governors representing more than one-third of the United States population unveiled the Governors Public Health Alliance on October 15. The independent state-level platform will coordinate public health policy as federal health agencies face unprecedented budget cuts, staff reductions, and controversial policy changes under the Trump […]

Federal

Trump Hosts White House Dinner for Major Donors Behind $250 Million Ballroom Project

President Donald Trump welcomed approximately 130 wealthy donors, corporate executives, and political allies to a candlelit “Legacy Dinner” in the White House East Room on October 15, thanking them for their financial support of his ambitious $250 million ballroom construction project. This dinner occurred during an active government shutdown that […]

Federal

Layoffs Decimate Offices Enforcing Special Education Law, Threatening Services for 7.5 Million Students

Nearly all staff from the Office of Special Education Programs (OSEP) and the Office of Special Education and Rehabilitative Services (OSERS) were dismissed during reduction-in-force actions that began Oct. 10, as part of broader government shutdown layoffs. The cuts represent a devastating blow to federal oversight of the Individuals with […]

Local

Justice in Focus: Champaign-Urbana Hosts Community Event on Health Equity and Social Change

The Independent Media Center in Urbana will host an impactful event focused on health equity and social justice this Saturday, October 11, as the Justice Coalition presents a screening of the PBS documentary “Discovered Truth: A Health Care Journey.” The “Justice in Focus” event, organized by the Champaign-Urbana Public Health […]

Federal

Federal Judge Blocks Trump’s National Guard Deployment to Illinois

U.S. District Judge April Perry granted a temporary restraining order Thursday evening blocking the Trump administration from federalizing and deploying National Guard troops within Illinois. Judge Perry found that the Trump administration failed to meet the legal requirements for deploying federal troops. The order prevents defendants from “ordering the federalization […]

Federal

White House Memo Challenges Federal Worker Backpay Rights as Government Shutdown Enters Second Week

The Trump administration is now challenging a 2019 law that guarantees backpay to furloughed federal workers. In a reversal from established precedent, the Office of Management and Budget has quietly removed references to the Government Employee Fair Treatment Act of 2019 from its shutdown guidance documents. This law, signed by […]