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Some Democrats are Unhappy with J.B. Pritzker's Plan to Short the State's Teacher Pension Fund

(Springfield--jc)  --Some Democrats are unhappy with Gov. J.B Pritzker’s plan to short the state’s teacher pension fund for several years.On the campaign trail, Pritzker said the state should pay more into pensions, likening it to paying down a credit card debt earlier. But in his first budget proposal, he said the state should restructure payments and pay less than what’s required in the coming years. The state would pay more after voters approve his proposed graduated income tax structure, which would hike rates for those making more than $250,000 a year.Speaking on "Chicago Tonight," Deputy Senate Majority Leader Kimberly Lightford, D-Maywood, said not all Democrats are on board with that idea.

 

CHAMPAIGN, Ill. (AP) — A Champaign-area bus company sued last year for an ad that the state's top law enforcement official said harassed and discriminated against Chinese students at the University of Illinois will be allowed to keep operating. The consent decree approved by a federal judge to settle former Illinois Attorney General Lisa Madigan's lawsuit calls for Suburban Express to make a six-figure payment for customer refunds, implement anti-discrimination training for employees, and be closely monitored by the attorney general's office for three years. In adding to the story, the News Gazette reports that Suburban Express may have violated the consent decree. The Attorney General’s office is seeking a 10 thousand dollar fine. A hearing on that issue is set for next week.

 

(Undated--jc)  -- The American Alliance of Museums recently re-accredited the Illinois State Museum, giving the facility one of the highest distinctions available to museums.There are an estimated 33,000 museums in the U.S. About 1,070 museums nationwide qualify for accreditation from the American Alliance of Museums.Robert Sill, interim director of the Illinois State Museum, said the museum had to go through a rigorous process to get its accreditation.

 

 

(Gibson City--jc)  Two bills that that were stopped in committee during the first part of the Spring session in Springfield dealt with gun laws. 106th District State Representative Tom Bennett of Gibson City says the 2nd amendment would have come into play with the measures…

 

 

106th District State Representative Tom Bennett of Gibson city

 

(Paxton--jc)  -- The Paxton Buckley Loda School board has set its reorganizational meeting. The local board will meet on Wednesday April 24th at 6pm. At that time, two new board members will be sworn in and board officers will be appointed for a two year period.

 

 

(Springfield--jc)  -- The Illinois Emergency Management Agency is urging the public to be prepared for strong spring storms. After a recent April snowstorm, the forecast calls for severe storms and  code red warning today. I-EMA Spokesperson Rebecca Clark says its important to be prepared…

 

 

I-EMA Spokesperson Rebecca Clark

 

(Washington--jc) Are you hunting eggs this year? We hear from Gary Crawford…

 

 

(Saybrook--jc) One local American Legion Post has a new way to welcome legion members and guests. The Saybrook  American Legion Post has placed a new sign at the David Humphrey Daniel Legion Post 427.

 

(Rantoul--jc)  The Rantoul Recreation Department has announced a special sale for pool passes at the Hap Parker Aquatic Center. The sale will run from May 1st through May 8th. One special is a family of 4 season pass is 250 dollars. During the special sale dates, the family season pass is 200 dollars. Other deals are also available. More is found by contacting the Rantoul Recreation Department.

 

(Springfield--jc)  When it comes to fatal crashes on Illinois roads, the top reason is distracted driving. Kim Howard reports…

 

 

SPRINGFIELD, Ill. (AP) — The Illinois Department of Agriculture plans to honor former state agriculture director and former U.S. Agriculture Secretary John Rusling Block. The agency said Wednesday that it plans to dedicate a plaque with Block's likeness on Monday morning at the Illinois Department of Agriculture building in Springfield. Block served at U.S. agriculture secretary under President Ronald Reagan from 1981 to 1986.

 

(Gibson City--jc)  -- Gibson City Melvin Sibley School board members will meet on Monday for its reorganizational meeting. The new board will elect a board chairman and other officers. The board will also look at donations for the Gibson City Melvin Sibley Boosters Club. The reorganizational meeting comes to order at 6-15 on Monday night at the meeting room at the high school.

 

CHAMPAIGN — The Parkland College Foundation has announced its selection of David J. Downey, founder and president of The Downey Group, as the 2019 Entrepreneur of the Year. Mr. Downey will receive the V. Dale Cozad Entrepreneur of the Year Award during Parkland College's 10th annual Entrepreneur of the Year Banquet, presented by SUPERVALU, Inc. An annual fundraiser for the Parkland College Entrepreneurial Program, the banquet will be held Wednesday, June 12, at the I Hotel and Conference Center in Champaign.  

 

(Gifford--jc)  A work conflict is the reason the Gifford Grade school board has changed its meeting date. The date for this month’s meeting is 6pm on April 24th at the school board meeting room.


 

(Washington--jc)  -- It will cost the Easter Bunny considerably less to bring us those eggs this year. Gary Crawford reports…

 

 

 

(Paxton--jc)  -- Ford County Public Health Department is now offering Shingrix vaccine to adults 55 years of age and older. Shingrix helps protect against shingles, a painful rash that is caused by the same virus that causes chickenpox.  According to the Centers for Disease Control , two doses of Shingrix is more than 90 percent effective at preventing shingles. About one in every three people in the United States will get shingles. The risk of shingles increases as you get older.  The Ford County Health Department has set a charge of 160 dollars per per dose. Staff members at the Paxton office can help you determine whether your insurance company will cover any of that cost. Contact office at 217-379-9281 to schedule an appointment.

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(Chicago--jc)0 A pro-progressive tax group has released more commercials that will run statewide to convince Illinoisans and their lawmakers to support a graduated income tax.Think Big Illinois announced three new ads  that are set to run on radio and television in markets across the state.The ads say a progressive tax that takes higher percentages of a wealthier person's income is fairer than the flat tax the state currently has.

 

In case you were on the fence about what type of candy to hand out to the kids this Easter, go with the Reece's.Retail research site retailmenot.com says Illinoisans' favorite Easter candy remains Reece's Peanut Butter Chocolate Eggs.Twenty-eight other states also had the non-cupped peanut butter chocolate treats as their top confection for the holiday.  

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