(Springfield--jc) Illinois spends more on public school administrators per student than any other state in the nation. A new analysis of public school spending by the Chicago-based Metropolitan Planning Council found Illinois spends $544 per student on administrative, non-teaching costs. That’s more than double the national average. Illinois was the only state that spent more than $1 billion in administrative costs in 2016. Illinois has 852 school districts. That's more than any other state.
(Chicago--jc) Will Governor. J.B. Pritzker have to stop pushing for his graduated tax plan if the constitutional amendment makes it to the ballot? Illinois state law bans the use of public funds to promote a ballot initiative as well as a constitutionally-elected officer from “campaigning for any elective office or for or against any referendum question The Daily Herald Editorial Board criticized Pritzker for traveling the state to promote what he calls a "fair tax" and for posting a calculator on Illinois’ public state website asking people to find out how their taxes would be different under his proposed rates should the income tax change the way he wants it to.
(Undated--jc) Metro areas in the state are losing population. WPXN’s Braedon Arnett has the numbers…
(Gibson CIty--jc) Gibson City leaders will hear a special use liquor permit for a local festival when they meet on Monday night. A live music festival is scheduled in the city on May 17th. The council will also hear an announcement concerning the “Friday Night Under the Lights In Downtown Gibson City”. An update on the Ed Day Skate Park and a look at the local ball diamonds is also on Monday night’s agenda. The Gibson City Council meeting comes to order at 7 on Monday at the meeting room on 8th street.
(Ludlow--jc) -- Ludlow village leaders want to hear from residents on a proposed water main and pump house replacement project. A public hearing is set for Tuesday April 23rd at 6pm, One proposal for the village is a 2 point 8 million dollar renovation project. Just under 70 percent would be paid for by the U S Department of Agriculture. The hearing is an informational meeting and public input is wanted.
(Bloomington--jc) As Illinoi Governor JB Pritzker continues to push a graduated tax through the House and Senate in Springfield, one local state senator has some concerns. 53rd District State Senator Jason Barickman of Bloomington says the issue needs more safeguards before a constitutional vote takes place…
53rd District State Senator Jason Barickman of Bloomington
The issue is expected to move forward when lawmakers return to Springfield after the Easter holiday
(Washington--ba)-Measuring portion size is one way to limit the candy and sugary treats in Easter baskets. USDA’s Rod Bain reports.
(Washington--ba)-Egg producers are seeing prices falling at a time when those prices would be expected to go up. UDSA’s Gary Crawford reports.
(Paxton--jc) At the Paxton IGA cookout on Saturday, its pork chops, chips and soda. The cookout runs from 10am until 2pm . Funds raised help the Paxton Peace Meal Program.
(Rantoul--jc) -- It’s Easter Egg hunting time on Saturday in Rantoul. The Rantoul CORE group is hosting the event at noon on Saturday at Wabash Park. Some prizes will be awarded and the Easter Bunny will also be in attendance. The event is open to all children
SPRINGFIELD, Ill. (AP) — Illinois education officials are considering whether the cost of teacher licensure tests may be contributing to the state's teacher shortage.The Illinois State Board of Education discussed how to solve the problem while still maintaining high quality in classrooms. Higher-education partners and teacher candidates have told board members that one basic skills test costs $113 and another test is $300. The board indefinitely has put on hold the Test of Academic Proficiency starting June 30 while it studies other ways to test teachers' basic skills. Three bills are pending in the Illinois General Assembly that would eliminate the test or refund the cost to certain teachers. A board lobbyist says it has taken a neutral position on bills eliminating the test.
(Washington--ba)-Since Easter lilies in the ground don't bloom until summer, how are they produced to be available for the Easter holiday? USDA’s Rod Bain reports.
(Paxton--jc) -- It’s Draggin’ Main in Paxton Saturday evening. WPXN’s Braedon Arnett has the details…
(Springfield--jc) The Illinois Department of Transportation is giving out 5 thousand trees to local school districts. Handing out seedlings to some schools has become a tradition in honor of Earth Day on April 22 says Illinois Department of Transportation Spokesperson Jessie Decker…
I-Dot Spokesperson Jessie Decker
CHICAGO (AP) — The year's Chicago Gospel Music Festival will include a tribute to the "Queen of Soul" Aretha Franklin. The 2019 festival runs May 31 to June 1 in Chicago's lakefront Millennium Park and the Chicago Cultural Center. City officials say the first night of the festival will feature artists honoring Franklin with a program called "Amazing Grace." Franklin died last summer at age 76.
(Springfield--jc) --Craft distillers in the state have received good news from the Illinois House.A measure recently approved would license them based on size, giving smaller distillers some advantages. The system is modeled on the way craft brewers and winemakers currently are treated in the state.State Representative Tom Demmer of Dixon, is the lead sponsor of the bill in the House. He said the industry is small, but growing in Illinois.
(Paxton--jc) -- One local company in Paxton is hosting an Easter Egg hunt on Saturday. Officials with Accolade Healthcare Paxton Senior Living Facility say the event is set for Saturday starting at 10am. The event is open to kids ages 1 through 10. The Easter Bunny will also be in attendance for pictures
