SPRINGFIELD, Ill. (AP) — An Illinois House committee has approved a plan to increase the minimum wage to $15 over six years. The Democratic-controlled Labor and Commerce Committee's 19-10 vote on Wednesday along party lines sets up a floor vote as early as Thursday. Democratic Gov. J.B. Pritzker campaigned on the issue and told lawmakers he wants to sign the law before his Feb. 20 budget address. A vote on the issue is expected today in Springfield
(Williamson County--jc) Even if lawmakers pass a bill that bans assault weapons in Illinois, a state's attorney in southern Illinois says he won't enforce it.Williamson County State’s Attorney Brandon Zanotti says State Senator Julie Morrison's bill to ban common firearms would turn law-abiding citizens in his county into felons. Zanotti says, currently, a large number of people in his county that have these weapons. They all would be felons under the proposal. Senate Bill 107, introduced last month, would prohibit a range of rifles, pistols and shotguns and require every such weapon in the state to be registered with the Illinois State Police. Owners would pay a $25 fee for that registration. A person found in possession of one of the prohibited weapons without registration coce a Class 3 felony, which carries a prison sentence of up to five years and a $25,000 fine.
(Champaign--jc) -- The numbers are in for the month of January. Just a little colder than normal was the result. It sure did not feel just a little cold for several days last month. Illinois State Water Survey Spokesperson Brian Kerscher has the data…
Illinois Water Survey of Champaign Spokesperson Brian Kerschner.
(Springfield--jc) -- Illinois Governor J.B. Pritzker isn't sharing his plans for balancing the state's budget ahead of an address next week, but lawmakers and his administration have given some clues about what taxpayers can expect. The new administration noted in a report last week that the upcoming budget is expected to be $3.2 billion out of balance. Pritzker is going to have to balance that with big asks from state employees wanting raises, billions in increased spending requested by K-12 schools and more than $300 million additional money public universities are requesting.A separate report from Pritzker’s Budget and Innovation Transition Committee mentioned service taxes and other possibilities for raising revenue.
JEFFERSON CITY, Mo. (AP) — Authorities say a 33-year-old woman is in critical condition after she and her 10-year-old daughter were abducted in Missouri and driven to Illinois before they managed to escape. Police in Illinois said in a news release that 39-year-old Leslie Austin kidnapped the woman and their child Tuesday night in Jefferson City, Missouri. The woman was shot multiple times during the abduction. Law enforcement pursued Austin into Illinois, when the woman and girl were able to escape.
(Washington--jc)-- The final look at 2018 U.S. corn production contributed to adjustments in U-S-D-A's latest domestic and global supply and demand estimates. Rod Bain has the story…
(Kankakee--jc) Kankakee County authorities are seeking the public’s help in finding a fugitive Kankakee County police are looking for 21 year old Robert Bray. He is described as 5 feet 6 inches tall weighing around 135 pounds. He is wanted for possession of a controlled substance among other charges. Anyone with information is asked to call Kankakee County Crimestoppers at 815-93-CRIME.
(Piper City--ab) -- Assistance is available next week in the Piper City area for those needing help with the completion of their Property Tax Exemption and Freeze forms. The Ford County Public Health Department workers will be at the Piper City Library from 2 until 3pm on February 19th. Those attending are asked to bring those forms and 2018 income information for assistance with the Property Exemption and Freeze application. If a resident is 65 years of age or older or are over 16 years of age and disabled, they may be eligible for the Benefit Access Program. If a citizens annual income is less than $27, 610 for a one-person household or $36,635 for a two person household.
The Bellflower Country Opry Show will have Rick Flessner as their Special Guest on Saturday February 16th. Doors open at 6pm with the show starting at 7pm. The Bellflower Lions Club will be serving an all you can eat Pancakes and Sausage dinner from 4:30-7pm.
(Iroquois County--jc) Two area hospitals have called off their merger. A statement from Iroquois Memorial Hospital in Watseka and Riverside Hospital in Kankakee on Wednesday stated the two entities entered into a diligence process in September of last year to explore the possibility of a merger. The statement said the merger has been call off by the two hospitals. Iroquois Memorial Hospital has been serving the area for more than a century. Riverside is based in Kankakee with offices in Watseka and Gilman.
(Champaign--jc) Champaign County authorities continue to investigate gunshots in the city last night. Channel 3 reports that the gunshots came in the area of John Street and Mattis Avenue around 7 last night. A crime scene unit was on the scene and police were investigating some apartments in the area late Wednesday evening.
No one was injured.
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(Springfield--jc) While business groups are seeking changes to a minimum wage proposal that passed the Illinois Senate last week, Illinois Governor JB Pritzker is urging the Illinois House to pass it as it is. The bill would raise the minimum wage to 15 dollars. The governor says its the product of many talks…
Illinois Governor JB Pritzker
(Washington--jc) It's not cold and stormy everywhere. Stephanie Ho talks with U-S-D-A Meteorologist Brad Rippey…
(Springfield--jc) Despite concerns from many business owners, the Illinois House is set to consider legislation today to raise the minimum wage. Democrat Will Guzzrdi of Chicago says the increase will be good the state’s economy…
State Representative Will Guzzardi of Chicago.
Karen Conn is C-E-O of Conn Hospitality. Conn says the minimum wage increase cause them to layoff employees and possibly close their doors…
Conn Hospitality Owner and C-E-O Karen Conn
A vote is expected today. The measure has passed the Illinois Senate and the governor says, if passed, he will sign the minimum wage act into law.
(Undated--jc) Those with SNAP benefits have some good news this morning. The Illinois Department of Human Services announced on Wednesday that March SNAP benefits will be available earlier. I-D-H-S Spokesperson Meghan Powers says the announcement will make the process better…
I-D-H-S Spokesperson Meghan Powers. The potential for a government shutdown was the reason for the decision from the JB Pritzker administration. Officials say the benefits will be loaded into SNAP recipients accounts on March First.
(Gibson City--jc) A fundraiser for the Gibson City Melvin Sibley High School Dance team is set for Saturday night at 6-30 at the high school. A free will donation soup supper takes place from 5 til 6 Saturday afternoon. Several community leaders will perform as dance partners in a ‘dancing with the stars’ competition. Three awards will be given. The G-C-M-S dance team will also perform.
MOLINE, Ill. (AP) — A boom being used at an interstate bridge over the Mississippi River near Moline, Illinois has fallen into the water. Iowa Department of Transportation officials said Wednesday the agency is working to remove the lattice boom of the crane working at the Interstate 74 bridge site. IDOT has not said what caused the boom to fall. Construction on the bridge began in July 2017 and is expected to be completed in 2020.
(Buckley--jc) --St. John’s Lutheran School of Buckley is hosting its annual chicken dinner, carnival and auction is set for 3:30 to 7 p.m.on Sunday The carnival and auction begin at 3:30 p.m., with the chicken dinner served from 4 to 7 p.m. Dinner tickets cost $10 and can be purchased in advance by calling the school. The event is the school’s main fundraiser each year.
