(Undated--jc)  --As Illinois looks to expand gambling to include sports betting, a new Wallet-Hub report found the state is the ninth most gambling addicted in the country. Among the metrics reviewed, Illinois ranked No. 1 for gambling-related arrests. And even though it’s not yet legal, Illinois ranked No. 1 for sports gambling, according to the report. Nevada was the most gambling-addicted state, the report found.

 

(Springfield--jc)  -- Illinois’ budget imposed by lawmakers over former Governor Bruce Rauner’s veto and hiking income taxes by 40 percent was given a largely failing grade by one nonprofit. The nonprofit Volcker Alliance gave Illinois mostly “D” grades and a “D-” in its state-by-state assessment of 2018 fiscal year’s governmental performance. The “D-” was for legacy costs. It’s the lowest mark the nonprofit uses. The alliance criticized the state for again including the sale of the James R. Thompson Center in its budget and for again failing to sell the building. Pritzker notably didn't include that gimmick in his budget proposal. Illinois remains one of the lowest-rated states.

 

(Paxton--jc)  -- When the Paxton Buckley Loda School board holds its reorganizational meeting tonight, two new school board members will be sworn in along with incumbent board member Steve Pacey of Paxton. Elected earlier this month are Dana Bergandine and Jason Dirks. Both are from Paxton. The P-B-L school board will also look to elect a President The meeting comes to order at 6 tonight at the meeting room at the unit office area in Paxton.

 

The Department on Aging requested $1.2 billion for the coming fiscal year, an increase of more than $100 million from the current fiscal year.Darby Anderson of Addus HomeCare opposes the department’s request saying there’s not enough funding to address the recently mandated minimum wage increase to $15 an hour by 2025.

 

 

(Rantoul--jc)  Rantoul Clean up Day is set for May 18th. Rantoul Mayor Chuck Smith says its a way to keep the village looking clean. Smith says the clean up day has been a part of village activities for several years…

 

 

Rantoul Mayor Chuck Smith

 

 

(Washington--jc)  What are the best ways to bring high speed internet access to rural areas? U-S-D-A is now accepting funding applications for pilot project proposals to find out the best ways. Gary Crawford reports…

 

 

 

(Paxton--jc)  With the final Saturday in April, the Ford County Water Tower Museum will be opening from 11a.m. until 2 p.m There is no charge for admission. More information about the museum is found by calling the museum at 379-4111.

 

 

(Springfield--jc)  A state audit shows that more than half of Illinois' 656 local police and firefighter pension funds haven't been examined as frequently as state law requires. The Auditor General’s office found the Illinois Department of Insurance didn’t perform required examinations of the local funds once every three years. More than half of the funds had only been audited once since 2004. Many local public safety pensions are underfunded.

 

 

(Rantoul--jc) With over 160 schools applying for a “Safe Routes to Schools” grant several school systems in East Central Illinois will receive some help the the Department of Transportation. Rantouls Northview school has received a 200 thousand dollar grant for the program. Road improvements, anda better bike path are part of the project. Rantoul Village officials will be looking at ways to use the grant dollars for the betterment of the village. Illinois Governor JB Pritzker handed out the grants on Tuesday…

 

Illinois Governor JB Pritzker

Blue Ridge Schools in Farmer City and a school in Kankakee were also winners of grant money

 

(GIbson City--jc) Gibson City Water Department officials say they will be doing hydrant flushing starting on Sunday. City workers will start on the northwest side of town going northeast and also southeast going southwest. Hydrant flushing should take about one week.

 

(Springfield--jc)  --Lawmakers are pushing Gov. J.B. Pritzker and other legislators to pass legislation setting gender and race requirement for public corporations.The bill would require all publicly-traded companies headquartered in Illinois to have at least one African American and one person who identifies as a woman on their boards or face hundreds of thousands of dollars in fines for each day they’re out of compliance.State Rep. Chris Welch, D-Hillside, called the legislation a step toward parity for African-Americans and women.

 

(Springfield--jc)  -- As lawmakers prepare to reveal and possibly pass a measure to legalize marijuana for recreational use, some want to slow the effort down.Earlier this month, Senate Bill 7 to legalize pot for recreational use without any substantive policy changes passed out of committee, setting up lawmakers for a quick gut and replace. That could happen as early as next week when they return from Spring Break. Luke Niforatos from Smart Approaches to Marijuana has been lobbying lawmakers to slow the process down.

 

(Washington--jc)  --  Food waste is a huge problem, and USDA wants more young people to be aware of it. Stephanie Ho has the information…

 

 

 

Pesotum, Il. (04/22/19) – The Illinois State Police , assisted by the Champaign Police Department, conducted an Alcohol Countermeasure Enforcement or Ace patrol over the weekend in Champaign. The purpose of the ACE program is to reduce/deter underage drinking in Illinois. The goal of this program is to prevent, deter and take enforcement action in response to violations of laws associated with impaired driving, the sale of alcohol to a minor, the illegal consumption or possession of alcohol or drugs by minors, and increase police presence in the campus area. As a result of the ACE detail, citations were issued  to Brothers Bar and Grill, Red Lion and 51 Main.

 

(Kankakee County--jc)  A Kansas City Missouri man was fatally injured in a two vehicle accident along Illinois Route 17 in Kankakee County on Tuesday afternoon. Police say 70 year old Larry Dollinger of Kansas City lost control of his pickup going east. His vehicle struck a grain truck, head on. Dollinger was pronounced dead at the scene by the Kankakee County Coroner.

 

(Springfield--jc)  Illinois Attorney General Kwame Raoul is urging lawmakers to protect consumers from deceptive alternative retail energy suppliers. Kim Howard reports…

 

 

(Gibson City--jc)  -- Gibson City Pool Committee members are taking a close look at the local pool on Monday night when they meet at 6-30. The members are assessing the pool for the current year and making determinations about the local pool for next year. The committee is set to make recommendations to the Gibson City Council on any repairs or upgrades needed for this Spring and Summer at the pool.

 

(Undated--jc)  -- The Illinois State Police is offering the do’s and don’ts of reporting a reckless or drunk drivers on the highways. The public is always encouraged to help out and call 9-1-1 if they see someone driving dangerously down the highways.  State Trooper Mindy Carroll says key details are needed…

 

 

State Trooper Mindy Carroll

 

 

 

(Rantoul--jc)   Rantoul Rec Department officials say one week remains to enrolled area kids in the Adventure Camp or swim lessons. On-line registration is available or call the office at  893-5700. May first is the deadline to participate.