As state economies reap some of the benefits of lower energy costs, the Illinois economy grew more than its neighboring states and remains the top performer in the region, according to new 2014 data released by the U.S. Department of Commerce’s Bureau of Economic Analysis.

If you’ve ever driven across Illinois, you know that the state is packed with farms. Though much of Illinois’ land is covered in corn and soybeans, it also produces an abundance of fresh fruits and vegetables – primarily sold at farmers’ markets, and there may be one close to you.

Illinois has the third largest concentration of farmers’ markets in the United States. As an agricultural powerhouse, our state provides many opportunities for those in large- and small-scale agriculture to sell their goods and help provide consumers with the choices they demand.

Creating new road signs in Illinois means making sure to reuse old ones as part of an ongoing sustainability program.

The Illinois Department of Transportation’s Highway Sign Shop in Springfield recycles 45,000 to 50,000 highway signs each year, conserving about 427,500 pounds of aluminum annually. The process has saved the state about $600,000 a year since 2001.

State tax revenues and personal income continued to grow in April, according to the latest data available in an ongoing University of Illinois study.

Parents: Maybe don't worry so much.

A new study by research firm WalletHub ranked the safety of teen drivers by state in 2014. Illinois ranked third behind Hawaii and New York, and tied with New York for the most comprehensive licensing laws for teens just getting behind the wheel.