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Illinois' Largest Public Pension System Says the State Needs to Contribute 10 Percent More to its Fund Next Year

SPRINGFIELD, Ill. (AP) — Illinois' largest public pension system says the state needs to contribute 10 percent more to its fund next year, an increase of roughly $400 million over this year. The State Journal-Register reports the Teachers' Retirement System says the state needs to put more than $4.8 billion into the retirement fund for the budget year that begins July 1. Illinois' pension systems are more than $100 billion short of what's needed to pay promised benefits.

 

PORTAGE, Ind. (AP) — Indiana Dunes National Lakeshore says it has closed beach access at one of its most popular sites because recent storm waves eroded part of a sand dune and a trail. The park said this week the waves eroded the only designated trail to the beach at the Portage Lakefront and Riverwalk area. It says beach access will remain closed until a safe way to the beach can be re-established.

 

 

(Mahomet--jc) Mahomet Seymour school leaders are set to meet in monthly study session tonight. On the agenda is an updated of the instructional and behavioral coaches update. The board regular monthly meeting is set for 19th. Tonights study session gets underway at 7 tonight in the board conference room in Mahomet.

 

 

(Undated--jc)-- The busiest travel day of the year is coming later this month as we head toward the Thanksgiving Holiday weekend. Companies Hopper and Insure-My-Trip have some tips on what airports and flights to avoid. The busy travel days are Wednesday  November 21st and Sunday November 25th around Thanksgiving. Chicago O’hare airport will be busiest at 6pm on Wednesday the 21st and the 3rd busiest airports are L-A-X in Los Angeles and Atlanta. Those traveling over the upcoming holiday are asked to be prepared for long lines and long waits at all airport. Over a million travelers will be flying out of  the airport over the Thanksgiving holiday period.

 

 

(UNDATED--ab) November is winter weather preparedness month and the Illinois emergency management agency is urging families to get ready for the cold. Winter weather in Illinois can include everything from tornadoes and rain to ice storms and heavy snow. A good place to start preparing is your car says I-EMA spokesperson Rebecca Clark....

 

 

I-EMA spokesperson Rebecca Clark

Clark says a similar kit should be set up at home since a power outage can last several days. A battery-operated weather radio is also a good idea to keep up with the latest watches and warnings.

 

 

(Springfield--jc)  -- Mother Nature threw a little bit of everything at Illinois in October. State Climatologist Jim Angel says October started warm, saw a frost, and was an Illinois into fall month…

 

 

State Climatologist Jim Angel with the Illinois Water Survey in Champaign


 

 

(Washington--jc)    The surge in weeds that are resistant to herbicides is bringing more attention to the problem of weed seeds in U.S. soybean shipments. Gary Crawford has the details…

 

 

 

(Rankin--jc)  One local church is hosting a holiday bazaar this Saturday. The Rankin United Methodist Church says the “Angels Among Us” event takes place from 8am until 1pm. Featured at this year’s event are crafts, a country store to trash and treasures. Rolls are available for the morning and a lunch will also be served.

 

 

(Undated--jc)  -- Illinois is celebrating its 200th anniversary as a state. Here is today’s Bicentennial minute.

 

HUDSON, Ill. (AP) — A woman's body has been recovered from a car found submerged in a central Illinois lake. The Pantagraph reports that McLean County sheriff's police received a report Friday night of a car that traveled down a boat launch and into Evergreen Lake in rural Hudson. The McLean County Coroner's office said the woman was pronounced dead late Friday, but declined to release further details.

 

 

SPRINGFIELD, Ill. (AP) — Organizers say the Illinois State Fair relies on sponsorships to not only provide visitors with unique offerings and services but also to keep the event running. The State Journal-Register reports that organizers had more than a couple dozen sponsorship agreements for this year's state fair, which saw a decline in attendance by 8 percent from last year. The fair in Springfield attracted about 369,140 attendees this year.

 

 

(Gibson City--jc)--Rehearsals for this year’s performance of Handel-The Messiah start this evening at 7. The project is sponsored by the Gibson Area Music Foundation. Rehearsals are being held at the First Presbyterian Church in Gibson City. Dress rehearsal is December First and the 75th annual performance is set for Sunday December 2 at the Gibson City Bible Church.

 

 

(Springfield--jc)  -- An outbreak of E-H-D has claimed the lives of more than 400 deer in Illinois. The state department of Natural Resources is reporting 432 case of Epizootic Hemorrhagic disease. Illinois Department of Natural Resource spokesperson Doug Dufford says sick deer have been found in 49 Illinois counties…

 

 

Illinois Department of Natural Resources Spokesperson Doug Dufford.

 

 

CHICAGO (AP) — A Chicago television station has obtained a video of Illinois Comptroller Susana Mendoza, who's seeking re-election Tuesday, announcing she's running for Chicago mayor. Mendoza's campaign says the ad was made in preparation for a potential run and she is still considering her options.

 

 

(Fisher--jc)  Fire drills proved to be a safety measure for kids and day care workers at a home in Fisher on Friday morning. Fisher, Cornbelt and Rantoul firefighters were called to the blaze.  The home was used by its owner as a daycare for 8 children. The owner and day care operator practiced safety with fire drills on a regular basis. Fire department officials say around 100 thousand dollars in damages was done to the home.

 

 

(Washington--jc)  -- Thanksgiving is coming and consumption in one course in the traditional meal is on the rise. Rod Bain reports…

 

 

 

(Springfield--jc)  -- Chairman of the National Milk Producers Foundation recently requested more cash aid for dairy farmers across the country, who he said have missed out on more than $1 billion in profits since May. Tasha Bunting, president of the Illinois Milk Producers Association, said tariffs on exports to Canada can reach up to 270-percent. That’s forcing some farmers to make tough decisions.Bunting added that several dairies have closed in Illinois. Illinois had around  600 dairies and now the state has 560.

 

(Calumet--jc)  -- A school board has fired the state's highest-paid superintendent for allegedly falsifying his own pay and attendance records to get a $1.7 million end-of-career payout. The Calumet City School Board fired Superintendent Troy Paraday just days before he was set to retire. Paraday earned $430,000 a year. On top of that, he tried to cash in 885 unused personal, sick and vacation days worth more than $1.7 million, according to his calculations. After news coverage of the potential payout, the board investigated. The board said it found alleged misconduct regarding Paraday's pay and fired him.

 

 

(Chicago--jc)  When the state of Illinois officially celebrates its 200th anniversary as a state. They will honor 200 Illinois veterans. That honor goes to several in the WPXN listening area. They include Bradley Gould of Rantoul, Julius Hegler of Danville,  Bruce Voges of St Joseph, The state’s celebration will also contain music by REO Speedwagon and Styx, plus a sports commemoration and more. The event takes place at the United Center in Chicago.

 

 

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