Illinois residents are set to enjoy a variety of free museum days across the state in February 2025. The Art Institute of Chicago, Adler Planetarium, Chicago Botanic Garden, Chicago History Museum, Chicago Children's Museum at Navy Pier, DuSable Black History Museum and Education Center, Field Museum, and Griffin Museum of Science and Industry are among those offering free admission days for Illinois residents[1].

In government and politics, Governor JB Pritzker and fellow Democrats in the state's General Assembly are preparing for Project 2025, a checklist of potential legislative actions to address concerns such as tariffs, mass deportations, and crypto corruption[2].

On the business front, Illinois is poised to increase the state minimum wage to $15 per hour in 2025, which could further pressure job creators. The state saw several notable business closures and layoffs in 2024, including TrueValue's bankruptcy and Amazon's closure of a facility[3].

In environmental news, NOAA's 2024/2025 Early Winter Forecast predicts a return of La Niña, which could bring wetter and colder conditions to the northern parts of the country and warmer, drier weather to the southern areas. Illinois is expected to experience a mix of above average and below average temperatures and above average precipitation[4].

Looking Ahead:
- Upcoming free museum days in February and March 2025 offer Illinois residents a chance to explore various cultural and educational institutions.
- The state's minimum wage increase to $15 per hour in 2025 is expected to have significant impacts on businesses and job creators.
- The ongoing Project 2025 legislative preparations will be crucial in addressing various policy concerns.
- The evolving winter weather forecast will continue to be refined and updated by NOAA, providing critical information for residents and businesses alike.

This content was created in partnership and with the help of Artificial Intelligence AI