(Springfield--ab) Illinois lawmakers are voting to bring back the possibility of parole for youth offenders. Illinois hasn’t had the option of parole since 1978…but a bill approved by the house and senate lets those who were under the age of 21 when they committed a crime seek parole from the state prisoner review board. representative Barbara Flynn Currie of Chicago says this is not a get out of jail free card.
State Representative Barbara Flynn Currie of Chicago
Young offenders could seek parole after 10 or 20 years behind bars, depending on the crime. cop killers and similar criminals would never be eligible for parole. the bill needs to be signed into law by the governor to take effect.
Springfield--ab) Illinois Supreme Court Justice Rita B. Garman announced Thursday the formation of a judicial screening committee for the Eleventh Judicial Circuit. The screening committee was formed for the purpose of assessing the qualifications of those persons who have applied for appointment to the Office of Judge of the Circuit Court for the Eleventh Judicial Circuit created by the election of Justice Thomas M. Harris to the Fourth District Appellate Court.
Leaders of the House and Senate Agriculture Committees said on Thursday they’ve reached an “agreement in principle” on the 2018 Farm Bill.In a joint statement, lawmakers said they still have more work to do to finalize the bill before it heads to President Donald Trump’s desk to be signed into law, but they are “committed to delivering a new farm bill to America as quickly as possible.”
With the 116th Congress preparing to adjourn for the year, possibly as early as Dec. 7 if funding to keep the federal government operating in FY-2019 can be agreed to, pressure has increased on leaders of both the Agriculture Committees and the House and Senate to finish the legislation to allow time to write the legislative text and prepare the bill for final passage. O
Parkland College Business Training and Community Education is debuting a new name and a fresh, new look in its brochure of spring 2019 classes.The department's new name, "Community Education," encapsulates its overarching goal to provide high-value personal and professional development opportunities to all residents, from career-enhancing workshops and certification programs to educational travel, personal enrichment, classes for kids, and more. Programs are designed to work around busy schedules, with many online options.
SPRINGFIELD – Gov. Bruce Rauner Thursday asked the Illinois Investment Policy Board to investigate the listing practices of home-sharing company Airb-n-b to determine if there is a violation of Illinois state law prohibiting investment in companies engaged in boycott, divestment or sanction (BDS) against the Jewish state. Airb-n-b , the San Francisco-based online marketplace that its members use to list properties for lodging or other tourism experiences, recently decided to remove all listings in Jewish settlements in the West Bank, a development that Rauner called “abhorrent and discriminatory.”
(Buckley--jc) -- Wanted, licensed emergency medical technicians for the Buckley Ambulance service. The answer is a call to the public for those in the Buckley area to participate in E-M-T classes that start in January. O-S-F Healthcare will provide the instructors for the classes that will run from January 15th through May 7th at Christ Lutheran High School. The cost for the classes is 700 dollars. Those that want to learn to be an E-M-T and will join the Buckley Ambulance Service, the 700 dollar class will be free. Those interested may call Ron Lennington at 217-249-4888.
(Rantoul--jc) The lighted Christmas parade returns to the village of Rantoul tonight at 6. The parade will start along Twin Lakes Drive and move west making the turn onto Sangamon Avenue and into the downtown area. The Chamber of Commerce office will serve as a Santa’s workshop complete with visits with Santa. WPXN will be broadcasting live from the parade from Santa’s workshop starting around 5-45 this afternoon.
(Paxton--ba)-The city of Paxton is seeing the growth of several new businesses. Paxton Chamber of Commerce director Ashley Tolley says it’s good to see local business activity grow....
Paxton Chamber of Commerce director Ashley Tolley
(Undated--jc) -- Illinois is celebrating its 200th anniversary as a state. Here is today’s Bicentennial Minute…
(Springfield--jc) -- Illinois Governor Bruce Rauner says he is disappointed in some of the action taken during the fall veto session. The governor says some of the vetoes lawmakers overturned will end up being costly to Illinois taxpayers, which includes the huge raise in the amount of damages someone suing the state can receive…
Illinois Governor Bruce Rauner.
The cap of settlements went from 100 thousand dollars to 2 million dollars.
(Chicago--jc) -- Attorney General Lisa Madigan Thursday issued a statement regarding her ongoing investigation into the Catholic Church that has prompted Illinois dioceses to disclose additional names of priests with credible allegations of sexual abuse against minors. In response to Madigan’s investigation, her office has been given access to Church files for review in each of Illinois’ six dioceses. So far, the Archdiocese of Chicago has disclosed 10 additional names, the Diocese of Peoria has disclosed three additional names, and the Diocese of Rockford has disclosed 11 additional names. The investigation continues.
(Springfield--jc) -- The Illinois House and Senate closed out the fall veto session yesterday. During the session state lawmakers considered over 130 bills and resolutions. In the final hour of action, members took time to salute members who will not be returning in January. Republican Norine Hammond of Macomb talked about the positive service of 104th District State Representative Chad Hays…
State Representative Norine Hammond of Macomb.
State lawmakers return to Springfield on January 7 for a 2 day lame duck session before the new session begins.
(Washington--jc) -- Check your Christmas tree before you take it inside your home. That is the advise from Pennsylvania Plant Industry and Consumer Protection Agency’s Fred Sthrathmeyer…
Pennsyvania Plant Industry and Consumer Protection Agency’s Fred Sthrathmeyer.
(Gibson City--jc) Handel’s Messiah will be performed on Sunday in Gibson City. This is the 75 anniversary of the performance in the Ford County town. The event is set for 3pm Sunday afternoon at the Gibson City Bible Church along Route 47 in Gibson City. The event is free to attend. A free will offering will be used to cover expenses.
(Rantoul--jc) -- The Rantoul Rudolf Retail Rally is underway. As part of Holiday marketing in the village of Rantoul, the local chamber has teamed up with some businesses on a seek, find and win contest. 10 businesses have a hidden rudolf in their stores. The public is invited to stop by the stores, find rudolf, and then return the card to the chamber office in downtown for a chance to win a 500 dollar prize. Rantoul VIllage Administrator Scott Eisenhower says the hope of the contest is to create more traffic for Rantoul businesses…
Rantoul Village Administrator Scott Eisenhower
Businesses where you can find Rudolph are: Jill's Creative Expressions, Willow Pond Golf Course,Furniture World, Hardy's Reindeer Ranch, The Whistle Stop Resale Shop, Shield's Auto Group, Seek and Find Thrift Store, Rantoul Ace Hardware, A House of Flowers by Paula, and Butcher Boys Burgers.
(Rantoul--jc) The annual lighted parade is set for tonight at 6 in Rantoul. Rantoul Area Chamber of Commerce Executive Director Belynda Allen says Santa will be at the chamber office after the parade…
Rantoul Area Chamber of Commerce Executive Director Belynda Allen.
WPXN will be broadcasting live from the Chamber office in downtown Rantoul today starting around 5-45.
(Fisher-dg)-There will be a Holiday Vendor Expo at the Fisher Community Building on Saturday from 10am-3pm. Over 20 vendors will be there with amazing goods for sale. The 9th Annual Fisher Christmas Parade will also be Saturday at 5pm. Line up starts at 4pm at the Fairgrounds. The Fisher National Bank will hold an event after the parade at the Fisher Community center.
