CHICAGO, Illinois, May 18 -- Barack Ferrazzano, a law firm, issued the following news release: The BFKN Financial Institutions Group served as legal counsel to Alerus Financial Corporation ("Alerus") (NASDAQ: ALRS) in its definitive Agreement and Plan of Merger with HMN Financial, Inc. ("HMNF") (NASDAQ: HMNF) pursuant to which Alerus will acquire, in an all-stock merger, HMNF, a savings and loan holding company headquartered in Rochester, Minnesota, and the parent company of Home Federal Saving more PR

CHICAGO, Illinois, May 18 -- Boeing, an aerospace company and a manufacturer of commercial jetliners and defense, space and security systems, issued the following news release: Boeing [NYSE: BA] is committing $200,000 from the Boeing Charitable Trust to assist with recovery and relief efforts following the recent flooding in Brazil. Funds will support the BrazilFoundation's Rio Grande do Sul Humanitarian Campaign to provide immediate humanitarian aid and ongoing efforts to rebuild in the region more PR

EVANSTON, Illinois, May 17 -- Northwestern University issued the following news release: When someone walks briskly past David Artz, 16, on the sidewalk, he immediately thinks they are trying to get away from him. This is how his young mind works. He has a chronic skin disease that makes his skin red, scaly and rough. He has alopecia and is bald. David has grown up feeling stigmatized and teased--someone to be avoided because he might be "contagious. "It makes me sad and tearful when I think more PR

CHICAGO, Illinois, May 18 -- RSM U.S., an independent audit, tax and consulting firm, issued the following news release on May 17, 2024: RSM US LLP ("RSM") - the leading provider of assurance, tax and consulting services for the middle market - is pleased to announce that Sean Indick was recently named one of Consulting magazine's 2024 Leaders in Technology. Indick, a consulting director, was recognized in the Excellence in Client Service category. According to Consulting magazine, the awards  more PR

MATTOON, Illinois, May 18 -- First Mid Bancshares issued the following news release: First Mid Bancshares, Inc. (First Mid), a leading financial institution known for its commitment to community, is proud to announce its Chairman and Chief Executive Officer, Joe Dively, has been awarded an honorary Doctorate of Public Service degree from Eastern Illinois University (EIU) in recognition of his service to EIU and other local and state community organizations. "I am humbled to receive this honor  more PR

EVANSTON, Illinois, May 16 -- Northwestern University issued the following news release: As cicadas begin to emerge throughout the South and Midwest in the United States, Northwestern University's Jorin Graham is available to discuss how these periodical broods synchronize their behaviors. Graham is a Ph.D. student in physics at Northwestern's Weinberg College of Arts and Sciences, where he studies complex networks and network science. He is advised by Adilson Motter, the Charles E. and Emma  more PR

SPRINGFIELD, Illinois, May 18 -- Gov. JB Pritzker, D-Illinois, issued the following news release: The Illinois Department of Healthcare and Family Services (HFS) and the Illinois Capital Development Board (CDB) are announcing an unprecedented Notice of Funding Opportunity (NOFO) as part of the Healthcare Transformation Capital Investment Grant program, which aims to provide funding to capital projects that will address health-related social needs and reduce disparities in healthcare in historic more PR

SPRINGFIELD, Illinois, May 18 -- The Illinois Senate Democrats issued the following news: State Senator Bill Cunningham moved two initiatives to expand family counseling services and disability benefits for first responders through the Illinois Senate. "We have to recognize that first responders deal with an enormous amount of stress on the job," said Cunningham, a Democrat who represents portions of Chicago and the Southwest Suburbs. "Sometimes that stress carries over to the family, so this  more PR

SPRINGFIELD, Illinois, May 18 -- The Illinois Senate Democrats issued the following news: State Senator Mary Edly-Allen passed a measure through the Senate to protect artists if their songs or likeness are stolen through the means of artificial intelligence (AI). "In the last few years, we have seen an explosion of AI tools and AI generated content, often created and distributed without authorization," said Edly-Allen (D-Libertyville). "While AI is a powerful tool with the potential to do much more PR

SPRINGFIELD, Illinois, May 18 -- The Illinois Senate Democrats issued the following news: State Senator Laura Fine passed a measure through the Senate that would require health insurance providers to cover prescribed at-home pregnancy tests. "Prescribed at-home pregnancy tests, like medications, should be covered by insurance for those who need them," said Fine (D-Glenview). "The purpose of this legislation is to reduce barriers to accessing necessary prescriptions and help patients obtain the more PR

SPRINGFIELD, Illinois, May 18 -- The Illinois Senate Democrats issued the following news: Homeowners across Illinois may have a new law on the books to increase transparency of insurance policy coverage, thanks to State Senator Napoleon B. Harris, III. "When residents select their homeowner insurance policy it is crucial that they have a full picture of what the policy covers," said Harris (D-Harvey). "This legislation will enable homeowners to make educated financial decisions about their ins more PR

SPRINGFIELD, Illinois, May 18 -- The Illinois Senate Democrats issued the following news on May 17, 2024: State Senator Linda Holmes' effort in the Senate to ensure insurance coverage for treating menopause symptoms without regard to whether the onset was natural or surgical. Holmes' measure, House Bill 5295, passed the Senate Thursday. Menopause occurs when an individual's estrogen and progesterone hormone levels start to fall. If it begins naturally, symptoms show up over time; if it is a re more PR

SPRINGFIELD, Illinois, May 18 -- The Illinois Senate Democrats issued the following news on May 17, 2024: State Senator Linda Holmes advanced a measure through the Senate on Thursday that would require insurers to cover care for mental and emotional recovery for individuals who have experienced a miscarriage or stillbirth. "So many who have experienced the loss of a child deal with the trauma for the rest of their lives; pregnancy loss in the case of stillbirth or a miscarriage is often an ove more PR

SPRINGFIELD, Illinois, May 18 -- The Illinois Senate Democrats issued the following news: In an effort to expand access to medication for hereditary bleeding disorders, State Senator Dave Koehler advanced a measure to cut red-tape practices used by insurance companies. "Prior authorization processes can delay vital medical care, putting patients' lives at risk," said Koehler (D-Peoria). "We need to ensure Illinoisans can access the medications they need without delays." House Bill 4055 would  more PR

SPRINGFIELD, Illinois, May 18 -- The Illinois Senate Democrats issued the following news on May 17, 2024: State Senator Robert Peters joined forces with labor unions on Thursday to celebrate a groundbreaking moment in the state's capital-- the first-ever Tradeswomen Take Over Springfield event. "It's often forgotten that our country has a long history of women in trades, particularly as it relates to the labor movement during World War II," said Peters (D-Chicago), chair of the Senate Labor Co more PR

SPRINGFIELD, Illinois, May 18 -- The Illinois Senate Democrats issued the following news: In an effort to recruit more nurses to work at Illinois medical facilities, State Senator Suzy Glowiak Hilton passed a measure to extend the time nurses can practice while waiting for the review of their license application. "Nurses should not lose out on work due to application waiting periods," said Glowiak Hilton (D-Western Springs). "This initiative helps address the state's nursing shortage, provides more PR

SPRINGFIELD, Illinois, May 18 -- The Illinois Senate Democrats issued the following news: Recording artists will soon have more protections from AI replicating their voice or work thanks to new legislation introduced by Senator Mary Edly-Allen. "Musicians often spend years of their lives perfecting their craft. It is unfair that their hard-earned talents can be stolen for other purposes in a matter of seconds without compensation," said Edly-Allen (D-Libertyville). "We need strong regulations  more PR

SPRINGFIELD, Illinois, May 18 -- The Illinois Senate Democrats issued the following news: State Senator Mike Simmons is leading a groundbreaking initiative aimed at empowering caregivers to provide culturally competent haircare for youth in care to promote healthy hair and self-confidence in our communities. "Hair plays a crucial role in young people's lives," said Simmons (D-Chicago). "This bill not only boosts their self-esteem but also fosters a sense of belonging and confidence that can po more PR

SPRINGFIELD, Illinois, May 18 -- The Illinois Senate Democrats issued the following news: State Senator Steve Stadelman recently held a subject matter hearing in the Senate Revenue Committee on a measure designed to uplift local journalism. "Local journalism is the backbone of our communities, providing essential news and information that keeps residents informed and engaged," said Stadelman (D-Rockford). "We must do what we can to preserve local journalism and, in turn, preserve democracy."  more PR

SPRINGFIELD, Illinois, May 18 -- The Illinois Senate Democrats issued the following news: To protect residents from losing access to their electric or gas services, State Senator Steve Stadelman led legislation through the Senate to prevent the disconnection of services for customers actively seeking energy payment assistance. "This is a significant step in ensuring that all Illinois residents have access to the energy they need, especially during difficult times," said Stadelman (D-Rockford). more PR

SPRINGFIELD, Illinois, May 18 -- The Illinois Senate Democrats issued the following news: State Senator Natalie Toro's legislation requiring officers to go through autism-informed responses in their training passed the Senate, making it one step closer to becoming law. "Law enforcement need to be aware of the unique communication challenges people with autism may have, especially in a more stressful situation like having an encounter with a police officer, and how that may make them appear non more PR

SPRINGFIELD, Illinois, May 18 -- The Illinois Senate Democrats issued the following news: State Senator Celina Villanueva passed a measure through the Senate to ensure those who plead guilty to a possession charge receive a second chance in exchange for diversion into a probation program. "Supportive measures like this allow first-time offenders of possession to reintegrate into society with the tools they need to succeed," said Villanueva (D-Chicago). "Harsh penalties only serve to solidify a more PR

SPRINGFIELD, Illinois, May 18 -- The Illinois Senate Democrats issued the following news: State Senator Ram Villivalam passed a measure through the Senate to extend dependent accident and health insurance benefits to parents. "When children are caring for parents or stepparents, it is not always seamless to provide quality and comprehensive coverage for their medical needs," said Villivalam (D-Chicago). "By expanding options for health care coverage, we are making sure that people have access  more PR

BLOOMINGTON, Illinois, May 18 (TNSres) -- Illinois Wesleyan University issued the following news release: A group of Illinois Wesleyan University students traveled to the University of California-Riverside in April for the National Science to Policy Symposium, where two of the Titans were the only undergraduate students selected to present research. Victoria Ballesteros-Gonzales '25, Joelle McMillan '25 and Valeria Suarez '26 attended the conference hosted by the National Science Policy Networ more PR

EVANSTON, Illinois, May 17 -- Northwestern University issued the following news release: A new Northwestern University study found that most justice-involved youth with a mental health disorder did not receive needed services during the 16 years after detention. The lack of services was greatest among persons who were Black, male, or had substance use or disruptive behavior disorders. The findings come from the Northwestern Juvenile Project, a longitudinal study of mental health needs and out more PR

EVANSTON, Illinois, May 17 -- Northwestern University issued the following news release: As Chicagoans await the emergence of the cicadas, parents of children on the autism spectrum and/or who have sensitivities to sound can take a few steps to prepare for what is expected to be a loud summer. "Some children on the spectrum can struggle with loud or unexpected noises, such as toilets that automatically flush, fireworks around the Fourth of July or the emergence of a large number of cicadas,"  more PR

CHICAGO, Illinois, May 18 (TNSres) -- The University of Chicago issued the following news: By Louise Lerner At the center of our galaxy, a supermassive black hole is blowing its top. Astronomers had previously seen a long chimney of superheated gas trailing away from the black hole. Now, using NASA's Chandra X-ray Observatory, they may have located the "exhaust vent." Scientists think these structures are created by eruptions from the supermassive black hole. The new findings are helping us  more PR

URBANA, Illinois, May 18 -- The University of Illinois System issued the following news: The University of Illinois System's Diverse Supplier Development Program celebrated the graduation of 29 companies in its second cohort on April 26. The program helps business owners from diverse backgrounds grow their companies and increase options for serving as public-sector vendors. "This is a win-win partnership," U of I System President Tim Killeen said at the graduation ceremony. "It's great for ou more PR

MACOMB, Illinois, May 18 -- Western Illinois University issued the following news release: Meet Eli Sadler, a Spring 2024 graduate of Museum Studies, with a Master of Arts degree, who recently accepted a position as assistant registrar at the prestigious Philadelphia Museum of Art. "I am excited for the opportunity," Sadler said. "In this role, I will be responsible for coordinating the transportation and shipping of objects between museums, along with diligently inputting pertinent informatio more PR