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CHICAGO — The Illinois Department of Financial and Professional Regulation launched a new online licensing system this fall, the first phase in a plan to modernize the management and licensing process for service providers across the state. The system improvements are part of efforts to make doing business easier and more efficient for Illinois service providers, the department said. The Comprehensive Online Regulatory Environment, or CORE, opened on Oct. 30, nearly a year after the Illinois General Assembly passed House Bill 2394, a measure authorizing the IDFPR to upgrade its antiquated system that had led to long waiting periods for licensing and renewals. The new system will “eliminate the need for paper applications, give applicants more control over their application materials, and help prevent deficient applications from being submitted,” according to a statement from IDFPR. Treto The agency calls CORE the first part of a multiphase approach by IDFPR to, over the next two years, ensure applications for more than 300 license types and records for more than 1.2 million professionals are properly transitioned. The first professions to be licensed under the new system are clinical psychologists, music therapists and nail technicians. “Everyone wanting to earn a living in Illinois in the 21st century should have tools of the times available so they can be licensed and get to work as soon as possible,” IDFPR Secretary Mario Treto Jr., said in the statement. Music therapists On May 27, 2022, Gov. JB Pritzker signed Senate Bill 2243, which created a music therapy license for Illinois practitioners within the IDFPR. Music therapy is a form of treatment that incorporates “clinical & evidence-based use of music interventions to accomplish individualized goals within a therapeutic relationship” according to the American Music Therapy Association website. “We have been waiting for 2 1/2 years since our bill was passed for this new system to come,” said Mia Iliopoulos Krings, president of the Illinois Association for Music Therapy, in an interview. Instead of immediately allowing music therapists to apply for a license two years ago, Krings said that the department “didn't want to put us in the old system for us to just have to go into the new system.” Since the system’s launch, Krings praised how easy and efficient it was to complete the application process. “They have been working incredibly fast and efficiently in getting everything back to us. For example, I applied on Friday night on Nov. 1. I heard back by 8:30 a.m. Monday morning,” Krings said. She said her fellow music therapists posted their issued licenses on Facebook and shared similar experiences of a rapid response. Krings’ experience now is vastly different from what many Illinois professionals experienced in the past. Panache Perkins, director and an instructor of Your School of Beauty in Chicago’s Bronzeville neighborhood, said that before the digitization, the IDFPR was “still in 1997,” with “old school” public servants stacking “pieces of paper applications into a 75-year-old filing system.” “They (IDFPR) lose paperwork all the time, because they don’t have the right system,” she said. With new integrated software and technology services provided by Tyler Technologies, however, the department’s CORE system will “notify prospective licensees directly within the system when applications are received, reviewed, and licenses are issued by the department—eliminating the need for paper mail and email responses,” according to IDFPR’s statement. Financial barriers for business The IDFPR’s mission is “to protect the residents of Illinois” through licensing and regulating industries and professions that offer services to the public. But some say these licenses can serve as a financial barrier to doing business. The initial music therapy license is $400 and renewal costs $300. In preparation for hardships, the Illinois Association for Music Therapists held a benefit concert to raise funds to help pay for the licenses for members in need. Two years ago, state lawmakers created the Comprehensive Licensing Information to Minimize Barriers Task Force, or CLIMB, to “investigate how occupational licensing of low-to-moderate-income occupations relates to economic inequities in Illinois and to recommend reforms,” according to a statement from the task force. Last month, CLIMB released a study of their two-year findings, and recommended easing licensing burdens for specific professions. The study recommended that hair braiders, for example, should be exempt from having a license. CLIMB’s research found that “requiring a license to braid hair does not enhance public safety but does disproportionately impact individuals from minority communities,” according to the statement. Perkins said she disagrees with that recommendation. “People’s addiction to social media has changed the (standard) that licensing set. Now everyone thinks they can do it,” she said. She also said braiders may not know proper hair care, how to properly clean their tools or prevent traction alopecia – a type of hair loss caused by tension from tight hair styles. There are 33 states that do not require a license for hair braiders; an increase of 21 from 2016. This includes Indiana, Wisconsin, and Pennsylvania, according to the CLIMB. Perkins said she has been working in the beauty industry since she was 16 years old, noting, “my grandmother inspired me to go into cosmetology.” Perkins’s grandmother, Mildred Dixon, opened Your School of Beauty 66 years ago to train men and women to begin their careers in the beauty industry. Perkins said the beauty industry is among the most essential occupations and that it should be regulated accordingly. “Cosmetologists work closely with products that dermatologists prescribe and recommend. We were also essential during the pandemic,” Perkins said. However, she also acknowledged the state’s antiquated licensing system impacts how cosmetologists are regarded and can run their businesses. She said she doesn’t think licensing is a barrier. “If you can do enough ‘heads’ to pay taxes on your work, then you can pay the money to get your license,” she said, adding that this evokes a larger issue about how people see their futures. “If you’re not trying to get your license,” she said, “you’re also not thinking about your (long-term) future.” Gov. J.B. Pritzker on July 31 signs legislation that will make it illegal for companies hold mandatory meetings in which workers would be subjected to the employer’s views on religious or political matters, including unionization. Nicole Jeanine Johnson is a graduate student in journalism with Northwestern University’s Medill School of Journalism, Media, Integrated Marketing Communications, and a Fellow in its Medill Illinois News Bureau working in partnership with Capitol News Illinois. Capitol News Illinois is a nonprofit, nonpartisan news service that distributes state government coverage to hundreds of news outlets statewide. 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From massive screens to razor-thin frames and stunning resolutions, televisions have come a long way. For many Americans, flipping channels or streaming apps feels like second nature, as many can't remember a time when televisions weren't a household staple. Archive video above: The high cost of high-definition TVs Before 1947, only a few thousand Americans were fortunate enough to own a television set. After World War II, as salaries rose and televisions became more accessible, TV ownership in the United States increased to 12 million, according to the Digital Public Library of America . Now, there are roughly 125 million TV households in the United States, according to the Nielsen TV Universe estimate. TV has come a long way from the boxy black and white models of the 1930s, but when revolutionary new changes, like the remote control, were first introduced, how much did they cost, and how does that compare to today's prices after adjusting for inflation? To create an accurate timeline, Hearst Television consulted the National Capital Radio & Television Museum, the Early Television Foundation and Museum and national news archives. Experts at these institutions, along with news archives, confirmed the debut retail prices of these television models. Prices were then adjusted to today's dollars using the Bureau of Labor Statistics' Consumer Price Index (CPI) inflation calculator. The Bureau of Labor Statistics' CPI inflation calculator is an index used to adjust a sum of money from one time period to another, providing the inflation-adjusted cost of these television models starting from the 1930s to the 2010s. Can't see the graphics? Click here. Note: "Today's Adjusted Price" is based on what the toy would have cost in today's dollars according to the Bureau of Labor Statistic's Consumer Price Index inflation calculator. Graphics created by Susie Webb.
Former President Jimmy Carter has died at the age of 100. The 39th president of the United States was a Georgia peanut farmer who sought to restore trust in government when he assumed the presidency in 1977 and then built a reputation for tireless work as a humanitarian. He earned a Nobel Peace Prize in 2002. Carter died Sunday, more than a year after entering hospice care, at his home in Plains, Georgia. At age 52, Carter was sworn in as president on Jan. 20, 1977, after defeating President Gerald R. Ford in the 1976 general election. Carter left office on Jan. 20, 1981, following his 1980 general election loss to Ronald Reagan. Here's the latest: As reaction poured in from around the world, President Joe Biden mourned Carter’s death, saying the world lost an “extraordinary leader, statesman and humanitarian” and he lost a dear friend. Biden cited Carter’s compassion and moral clarity, his work to eradicate disease, forge peace, advance civil and human rights, promote free and fair elections, house the homeless and advocacy for the disadvantaged as an example for others. Biden said he is ordering a state funeral for Carter in Washington. Former House Speaker Nancy Pelosi is remembering Carter as a man steeped “in devotion to public service and peace.” The California Democrat said in a statement Sunday that Carter was committed to “honoring the spark of divinity within every person,” something she said manifested in “teaching Sunday school in his beloved Marantha Baptist Church, brokering the landmark Camp David Accords to pave the way to peace or building homes with Habitat for Humanity.” Pelosi also said Carter led “perhaps the most impactful post-presidency in history.” British Prime Minister Keir Starmer noted in a post on X the special contribution Carter made by brokering the Camp David Accords between Israel and Egypt and through his work with the Carter Center. “Motivated by his strong faith and values, President Carter redefined the post-presidency with a remarkable commitment to social justice and human rights at home and abroad,” Starmer said. To commemorate Carter’s death, officials with the Empire State Building said in a post on social media that the iconic New York City landmark would be lit in red, white and blue on Sunday night, “to honor the life and legacy” of the late former president. In a statement issued Sunday, former President Barack Obama and first lady Michelle Obama said Carter’s beloved Maranatha Baptist Church “will be a little quieter on Sunday,s” but added that the late former president “will never be far away -- buried alongside Rosalynn next to a willow tree down the road, his memory calling all of us to heed our better angels.” Noting the “hundreds of tourists from around the world crammed into the pews” to see the former president teach Sunday school, as he did “for most of his adult life,” the Obamas listed Carter’s accomplishments as president. But they made special note of the Sunday school lessons, saying they were catalysts for people making a pilgrimage to the church. “Many people in that church on Sunday morning were there, at least in part, because of something more fundamental: President Carter’s decency.” The longest-lived American president died Sunday, more than a year after entering hospice care , at his home in the small town of Plains, Georgia, where he and his wife, Rosalynn, who died at 96 in November 2023 , spent most of their lives. “Our founder, former U.S. President Jimmy Carter, passed away this afternoon in Plains, Georgia,” The Carter Center said in posting about his death on the social media platform X. It added in a statement that he died peacefully, surrounded by his family. In his 1975 book “Why Not The Best,” Carter said of himself: “I am a Southerner and an American, I am a farmer, an engineer, a father and husband, a Christian, a politician and former governor, a planner, a businessman, a nuclear physicist, a naval officer, a canoeist, and among other things a lover of Bob Dylan’s songs and Dylan Thomas’s poetry.” A moderate Democrat, Carter entered the 1976 presidential race as a little-known Georgia governor with a broad smile, outspoken Baptist mores and technocratic plans reflecting his education as an engineer. After he left office and returned home to his tiny hometown of Plains in southwest Georgia, Carter regularly taught Sunday School lessons at Maranatha Baptist Church until his mobility declined. Those sessions drew visitors from around the world. Former Vice President Al Gore praised Jimmy Carter for living “a life full of purpose, commitment and kindness” and for being a “lifelong role model for the entire environmental movement.” Carter, who left the White House in 1981 after a landslide defeat to Ronald Reagan. concentrated on conflict resolution, defending democracy and fighting disease in the developing world. Gore, who lost the 2000 presidential election to George W. Bush, remains a leading advocate for action to fight climate change. Both won Nobel Peace Prizes. Gore said that “it is a testament to his unyielding determination to help build a more just and peaceful world” that Carter is often “remembered equally for the work he did as President as he is for his leadership over the 42 years after he left office.” During Gore’s time in the White House, President Bill Clinton had an uneasy relationship with Carter. But Gore said he is “grateful” for “many years of friendship and collaboration” with Carter. Former President Bill Clinton and his wife, former Secretary of State Hillary Clinton, remember Carter as a man who lived to serve others. “Hillary and I mourn the passing of President Jimmy Carter and give thanks for his long, good life. Guided by his faith, President Carter lived to serve others — until the very end." The statement recalled Carter's many achievements and priorities, including efforts “to protect our natural resources in the Arctic National Wildlife Refuge, make energy conservation a national priority, return the Panama Canal to Panama, and secure peace between Egypt and Israel at Camp David." After he left office, the Clinton statement said, Carter continued efforts in "supporting honest elections, advancing peace, combating disease, and promoting democracy; to his and Rosalynn’s devotion and hard work at Habitat for Humanity — he worked tirelessly for a better, fairer world,” the statement said.Timeline: Jimmy Carter, 1924-2024
Pitt QB Eli Holstein carted off with leg injuryOpenAI is reportedly exploring the development of its own web browser, a move that aligns with its recently announced plans to launch a dedicated search engine. These steps mark a significant shift for the company, signaling its intent to challenge Google’s dominance in the search and browser markets. The potential browser, which could incorporate OpenAI’s ChatGPT, is said to have been shown in prototype or design form to companies such as Conde Nast, Redfin, Eventbrite, and Priceline, according to The Information. This development comes amid heightened scrutiny of Google’s dominance in the browser market. The U.S. Department of Justice (DOJ) has intensified its antitrust case against Google, suggesting that the tech giant sell its Chrome browser to curb its monopolistic hold on online search. Tekedia Mini-MBA edition 16 (Feb 10 – May 3, 2025 ) opens registrations; register today for early bird discounts. Tekedia AI in Business Masterclass opens registrations here. Join Tekedia Capital Syndicate and i nvest in Africa’s finest startups here . The DOJ’s arguments are part of a broader effort to dismantle barriers to competition in the tech industry. The emergence of OpenAI-backed browser and search services could provide the competition regulators have been seeking, particularly as OpenAI is strategically positioned as a disruptor. Backed by Microsoft, OpenAI has rapidly evolved from being a leader in generative AI to positioning itself as a comprehensive tech challenger. Microsoft’s deep integration of OpenAI technology into its own products, including Bing and Office, has already pushed it into direct competition with Google in the search and productivity software markets. OpenAI’s potential entry into the browser arena, powered by its advanced AI tools, could offer consumers a uniquely integrated experience—far beyond traditional browsing or searching functionalities. For years, Google has faced minimal competition in search and browsers. Rivals like Microsoft Explorer (Edge) and Firefox have struggled to capture significant market share, leaving Google virtually unchallenged. However, OpenAI’s plans, coupled with the financial and technical backing of Microsoft, could turn it into the competitor Google never had. This transformation could reshape the ecosystem, especially as OpenAI leverages AI-first capabilities, such as conversational search and personalized web interactions, to attract users. OpenAI’s ambitions are bolstered by its ongoing partnerships with major tech players. It is reportedly in talks to bring AI features to Samsung devices, a partnership that could disrupt Google’s reliance on Samsung as a key Android partner. Additionally, OpenAI’s collaboration with Apple, which powers “Apple Intelligence” features on iPhones, highlights its growing influence in consumer tech. Despite these advances, OpenAI’s browser plans remain in their infancy. According to The Information, the company is “not remotely close” to launching the product. However, with the DOJ pushing for the divestiture of Chrome and OpenAI’s accelerating moves in the search space, the stage is set for a potential shift in the digital landscape. OpenAI’s entry into the browser market could intensify competition at a time when Google is already under pressure to prove its relevance in an AI-driven future. Alphabet shares fell approximately 1% in after-hours trading following a 5% decline earlier, reflecting market concerns about increasing competition and regulatory pressures. This development aligns with OpenAI’s broader strategy to embed its technology across platforms, a move that could accelerate its influence beyond its chatbot origins.
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As the holidays approach, smartwatches and fitness trackers are popular gift ideas for health-conscious loved ones. These wearable devices continuously monitor metrics such as heart rate, oxygen levels and sleep patterns, offering insights into overall well-being. But are they merely novelties or truly beneficial health tools? Dr. Joshua Parker, a heart rhythm specialist, and Dr. Liuba Soldatova, an ear, nose and throat specialist, both employees at Cone Health, see potential benefits in wearable technologies. "There's value in wearing a monitoring device outside of the hospital," Parker said. "We only see patients for a short time. You may seem normal at the clinic but then experience issues like an irregular heartbeat at home that we'd miss without a wearable device." Soldatova highlights the Apple Watch as especially useful for tracking health data. "If your goal is insights into heart rate, oxygen levels during sleep and sleep patterns, the Apple Watch is probably the best wearable option," she said. "These devices have features for screening and monitoring certain data." Certain models from Fitbit and Garmin also track these same metrics. For patients with conditions like abnormal heart rhythms, the data can provide reassurance, Parker said. "Many of my patients feel empowered tracking their symptoms," he said. "Instead of guessing if something is wrong, they can see concrete data about what's happening." While not replacements for medical care, wearables as complementary tools, he said. "They supplement traditional care, giving patients more involvement in managing their health," Parker said. However, both doctors caution against becoming too fixated on the numbers. "Wearables are screening tools, not diagnostic devices," Soldatova said. "Don't overreact to normal variations." Ultimately, wearables offer new potential for preventative care, Parker said. "We can get continuous data year-round across different settings," he said. "That's valuable for developing personalized treatment plans." Soldatova said there are many wearable options for different lifestyles and goals. "Used responsibly, these technologies help people better understand their bodies and take a proactive role in personal wellbeing," she said.How to win at the Black Friday deals - top tips from our deals expertsPittsburgh quarterback Eli Holstein was carted off the field with 5:32 left in the first quarter with an apparent left ankle injury during Saturday's Atlantic Coast Conference game against host Louisville. The freshman was sacked at the Panthers' 49-yard line by Louisville's Ashton Gillotte, who rolled on the quarterback's ankle. Holstein was in a walking boot as he was helped to the cart. Holstein missed last week's game against Clemson after suffering a head injury in the loss to Virginia two weeks ago. Holstein was 3-for-5 passing for 51 yards and an interception before exiting. Nate Yarnell, who threw for 350 yards in the loss to Clemson, replaced Holstein. --Field Level Media
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Manchester City boss Pep Guardiola reiterated that “everyone is innocent until proven guilty” as he responded to comments from Jose Mourinho about winning “cleanly and fairly”. Towards the end of Sunday’s 2-0 loss at Liverpool, Guardiola was subjected to chants that he would be “sacked in the morning” from Reds fans and responded by holding up six fingers, to represent the number of Premier League titles he has won with City. Two days later, when was asked about former Chelsea boss Mourinho holding up three fingers before being axed by Manchester United in 2018, he said: “I hope not in my case. Maybe in the end we are quite similar, (and I’m) like Jose. But he won three, I won six.” Mourinho said he had won his titles “cleanly and fairly” (Mike Egerton/PA) City were charged with 115 alleged breaches of top-flight financial rules in February 2023, and with failing to co-operate with the subsequent investigation. The club have denied the charges and an outcome is expected next year. Asked about Mourinho’s remarks at his pre-match press conference ahead of Saturday’s trip to Crystal Palace, Guardiola said: “It was a joke. But he’s another one in the huge list that they want the team being in, I don’t know, League One or the Conference. “I would say to Jose the same – we are innocent until proven guilty, and after that we will see what happens. It is what it is. It was completely a joke. “I think both with our teams, him with Chelsea, myself with Man City, we can sit at the table with Sir Alex Ferguson and Arsene Wenger (who won 13 league titles with United and three with Arsenal respectively), right? For the many, many titles we won. “It is another one from the huge list in this country and more around the world that want us at the bottom. “It’s OK, it’s fine. I’ve said many times wait for the sentence and everyone, especially in democracy, is innocent until proven guilty. Right? So we’ll wait, and after we’ll see.” As well as the six league titles, City’s haul of silverware since Guardiola took charge in 2016 includes two FA Cups and four League Cups, and he has also overseen them winning the Champions League, Super Cup and Club World Cup. Guardiola was asked if he had ever envisaged it being as good as it has been when he arrived at the club, and the former Barcelona and Bayern Munich head coach said: “No. I remember many people say ‘he wins because it’s Barcelona with Leo Messi and the other ones’, I had to prove it in England. OK, we did it.” Full focus on Palace ? ⏳ #AsahiSuperDry pic.twitter.com/YZ2rOM2v2W — Manchester City (@ManCity) December 6, 2024 The result at Anfield was a sixth defeat in a seven-game winless run for City, and fourth league loss in a row – a sequence they then ended with Wednesday’s 3-0 home victory over Nottingham Forest. The champions currently lie fourth, nine points behind Arne Slot’s leaders Liverpool, and Guardiola said: “We broke that bad run. Always it’s not easy when you don’t win for a long time, and now you break it and we have to try to continue with the players, the spirit we show, and we’ll see what happens.” The last two matches have seen Stefan Ortega play in goal, with Ederson on the bench, and asked what the latter had to do to get back in the team, Guardiola said: “He needs the manager to select him. This is what he needs, it’s simple.”‘America’s wokest university’ ditches diversity hiring rules
Celta fight back to hold 10-man Barca to 2-2 draw