SPRINGFIELD, Ill. (AP) — Proposed plans for the legalization of recreational marijuana use in Illinois have shifted from "when" to "how."Democratic Gov.-elect J.B. Pritzker campaigned on the legalization issue and its corresponding tax revenue of as much as $1 billion a year. And Democratic Illinois House Speaker Michael Madigan is on board . Two key Democratic lawmakers, Sen. Heather Steans and Rep. Kelly Cassidy, have been meeting with interest groups ahead of the legislative session that begins in January. Both have worked on the issue for years.Marijuana has been federally outlawed since 1937, but its surrounding stigma has been eased in the past few decades. President Jimmy Carter called for its national decriminalization 40 years ago, and 10 states now allow the recreational use of marijuana after voters in Michigan approved such a measure last month.

 

ROCK FALLS, Ill. (AP) — Planning officials in a northwestern Illinois community are opposing a proposed community solar farm just outside its city limits. The Rock Falls Plan Commission recommended that the city object to the project, saying it is incompatible with comprehensive plans of the city and Whiteside County. The proposed project site is in an agricultural area. The city contends the site should continue to be used for farming until it can be developed for more traditional commercial purposes.The idea of solar farms has surfaced at several locations locally including Champaign and Fisher.

 

 

Most Illinois metro areas enjoyed an increase in jobs last month. Jobs were up in 12 of the 14 metro areas in November compared to year-ago levels. But state department of employment security spokesperson Bob Gough (goff) says the unemployment rate was also up in 11 metro areas.

 

 

Areas with the most job growth compared to November of last year include the Chicago area, Lake County, Elgin and Kankakee. Over the year job losses were seen in the Carbondale-Marion area and in Springfield.

 

 

59 new state police troopers are on the  roadways of Illinois. The group of cadets just graduated after completing 27 rigorous weeks at the academy in Springfield. State Police Director Leo Schmitz congratulated the new troopers and said this career is a calling.

 

 

The troopers begin Monday around the state and will be mentored by seasoned officers for the next 14 weeks.

 

DODGEVILLE, Wis. (AP) — Residents in a rural Wisconsin county are split over a Chicago developer's plan to work with two Wisconsin utilities to build a solar farm that would include more than 1 million solar panels. The Wisconsin State Journal reports that the Badger Hollow Solar Farm proposed by Invenergy would cover 2,700 acres in Iowa County and could power more than 70,000 homes. Some residents believe it's a good opportunity while others fear that it'll hurt the area.

SPRINGFIELD, Ill. (AP) — A private investigator wants Illinois Gov. Bruce Rauner to free a man serving life for a woman's 1989 slaying. The Springfield State Journal-Register reports that Investigating Innocence founder Bill Clutter asked Rauner in a Dec. 14 letter to grant executive clemency to 68-year-old Thomas McMillen. Jan. 14 is Rauner's last day as governor.

Melissa Koontz disappeared after leaving work in 1989. Her body later was found west of Springfield. McMillen was convicted of her murder. Clutter says two people never called to testify at McMillen's trial would have contradicted testimony that McMillen abducted and stabbed Koontz.

 

(Springfield--jc)  -- Among Illinois' 250 or so new laws for 2019 are a pair of hotly debated new gun laws. A shooting at a Waffle House in Tennessee in April drove one of Illinois' new gun laws for the new year. Travis Reinking is from Tazewell County, he had a history of mental illness, but got his guns back, and went and killed four people. Illinois lawmakers wasted little time in using his case to craft a new law that allows for a temporary order of protection to take away someone's guns. Gov. Bruce Rauner signed the law in July The other gun law that saw plenty of debate and headlines is a new law for 2019 that will require people to wait three days to buy any gun.  It used to be one day for rifles, and three days for pistols. But opponents, like state Rep. Allen Skillicorn, said the new law will only apply to legal gun buyers. And he said they already go through rigorous background checks.

 

 

(Paxton--jc)  -- The Ford County Fair Association has an organizational meeting set for Saturday. The meeting is set to elect a board and continue to plan for the 20-19 Ford County Fair. The Fair will be held in June and the organizational meeting is set for 8am on Saturday at the Arcade Restaurant in Paxton.

 

 

(Paxton--jc)  -- Fundraising continues for the Paxton Grand Ole Flag project. The efforts have been started by Paxton resident Denny Kingren and the city, PBL schools, Paxton Chamber, Paxton Pride, local businesses and WPXN have jumped on board for the idea. The group will meet on Monday for the first time to look at options to raise around 40 thousand dollars to get the project built on Paxton’s west side. Funds have already been given to the project. The group hopes to raise the money by Spring.

 

 

(Undated--jc)  In 20-18, 85 firefighters lost their lives battling blazes, trying to rescue people and in vehicle accidents. The local and area fire departments, local and area volunteer fire officials urge to the public to thank those first responders, fire fighters and rescue officials for what they do to keep the area safe. Those in the area put their personal lives on hold to respond to an accident along Interstates 57 and 74 to a field fire, or building fire. Sometime soon, thank a local fire department, first responder or rescue person for their continued service.

 

 

The State Department of Agriculture is releasing details and proposed rules for growing industrial hemp in Illinois. There’s a lot of excitement that industrial hemp production is now legal in Illinois and nationwide, but Medicinal Plant Bureau Chief Jeff Cox says producers won’t be able to start up right away.

 

 

Cox says they plan to have an online license application system. Prior to that though…the public will have 45 days to comment on the proposed rules, followed by a hearing for lawmakers to weigh in and approve the regulations.

 

 

Kiss, The Beatles and Aerosmith are expected to be represented when Rantoul Big Brothers Big Sisters hosts its Bowl for Kids’ Sake. At least the groups’ music will be.The event will be held in two sessions — from 5 to 7 p.m. and 7 to 9 p.m. March 9 at Country Tyme Lanes, in  Rantoul.The fundraiser will include t-shirts, prizes, food, drinks and, of course, rock music and bowling.For more information, 217-417-3860

 

 

CARBONDALE, Ill. (AP) — Southern Illinois University Carbondale is going to get some new flying classrooms.The (Carbondale) Southern Illinoisan reports that the university is about to spend more than $2 million to purchase five new Cessna 172 planes to teach students how to fly. The chair of the school's aviation programs, Mike Burgener, says the planes will replace eight decades-old aircraft that are becoming outdated and expensive to maintain

 

(Washington--jc)  Food shoppers may see a little bit more food price inflation in 2019. Gary Crawford has the numbers…

 

 

THEBES, Ill. (AP) — A historic southern Illinois courthouse once visited by Abraham Lincoln is getting an $83,000 renovation with help from a private donor. The Old Thebes Courthouse overlooking the Mississippi River was built in the 1840s and is listed on the National Register of Historic Places. Dred Scott, the slave whose fight for freedom became a landmark Supreme Court ruling, was held in its jail. The structure fell into disrepair after the county seat moved in 1860.

 

 

(Fisher--jc)   A January blood drive is set for tomorrow in Fisher. The event takes place from 4 to 8 p.m. at River Valley Church of Christ. Snacks will be available.