URBANA, Ill. (AP) — The University of Illinois is planning to name its Micro and Nanotechnology Lab after an engineering visionary who made the first practical LED. Professor Emeritus Nick Holonyak Jr. found a new alloy in 1962 that would emit light in the red part of the visible spectrum.  U-I trustees will vote this week on whether to name the Micro and Nanotechnology Laboratory after Holonyak. Energy-saving LEDs are universal, used in everything from flashlights to spacecraft.

 

(Springfield--jc) A 1 point 6 Billion dollar surplus in revenues provided for April has some in Springfield saying the state does not need more taxes from its businesses and citizens. Republican House Leader Jim Durkin of Western Springs says a balanced budget can be reached without a tax increase…

 

 

Republican House Leader Jim Durkin of Western Springs.

 

(Paxton--jc)  -- The former Paxton hospital is set to be demolished, starting later this month. The property owners say the process could take about a month to complete. Carle Hospital officials do not have immediate plans for the property along Route 9 in the city.

 

 

PORTER, Ind. (AP) — Indiana Dunes National Park says visitors can reserve campsites, beginning Wednesday. In past years, all 66 sites at Dunewood campground were distributed on a first-come, first-served, basis. Under the new system, 34 sites can be reserved up to six months in advance. The remaining 32 sites will remain first-come, first-served. The price is $25 per night. The campground is open April through October.

(Watseka--jc)  the 20-19 Iroquois County Relay for Life is set for Friday June 7 in Watseka. The annual event kicks off at 5 in the afternoon. Teams that have been fundraising for the year will bring their dollars in to donate to the American Cancer Society. Teams will walk the track a Watseka High School. A lumineria ceremony and family activities are planned. This year’s event also includes money raised from Ford County teams.

 

(Undated--jc)  -- The U.S. Department of Agriculture recently released results of its 2018 census of every farm in the country. That includes the more than 72 thousand farms in Illinois, which generated 17 billion dollars in revenue that year, a 3 billion dollar increase from 2012, the last time the once-every-five-years census was conducted.That report concludes that the agricultural sector is the most lucrative industry in the state. Acting Agriculture Director John Sullivan points to a variety of factors that contribute to the success: Illinois is the Number  1 producer of soybeans and Number 2 producer of corn in the country. In addition, the report includes processing that goes on in the state, including turning soy and corn into livestock feed, and growing and processing the livestock in Illinois, as well as keeping production of ethanol in Illinois.

 

(Springfield--ba)-- Several groups visited the state capitol to express their opposition to legalizing recreational marijuana. Opponents like Representative Marty Moylan of Des Plaines cite several reasons that smoking pot for fun should not be allowed...

 

 

State Representative Marty Moylan of Des Plaines

 

 

(Bloomington--jc)  -- No tuition increases for incoming freshmen at Illinois State University for the 20-19- to 20-20 academic year. One increase will be a 10 dollar fee per credit hour. The decision was made  by the I-S-U board of trustees on Friday.

 

CHICAGO (AP) — The Chicago Urban League says Illinois should spend $33 million to spread the word about the 2020 census. The Chicago Tribune reports that Illinois could lose billions of dollars in federal funding and one or two congressional seats if there's an undercount next year. An undercount happens when the census counts a smaller number of people or homes in a population than shown by an independent estimate. At least $34 billion in federal subsidies for Illinois is tied to census data.

 

SPRINGFIELD, Ill. (AP) — Illinois lawmakers and Gov. J.B. Pritzker have learned that the state's take from income taxes in April was 60% higher than anticipated. Now there's disagreement on how to use that unexpected $1.5 billion windfall. House Republican Leader Jim Durkin says it is reason enough to call off the Democratic governor's revenue-raising plans. But Pritzker and Democratic legislators say it's far from a solution to Illinois' shaky financial position. Reaction from 104th District State Representative Mike Marron, Republican from Fithian…

 

 

104th District State Representative Mike Marron -Republican from Fithian

 

ARTHUR, Ill. (AP) — Volunteers are planning to add a marker at the grave of a Douglas County woman that recognizes her relationship to a Revolutionary War veteran. The ceremony Sunday comes more than 100 years after Arthur housewife Florinda Wood Martin died. The  Tuscola chapter of the Daughters of the American Revolution will add the marker at Martin's grave in Arthur Cemetery on Mother's Day. The group says Martin's father, Alexander Wood, fought in the American Revolution.

 

 

CHAMPAIGN, Ill. (AP) — Authorities say a 14-year-old boy was fatally shot inside a Champaign home where an older teenager suffered a gunshot wound. The Champaign County coroner says Elijha James Booker of Champaign died soon after he was shot about 1:30 a.m. Saturday at a home he was visiting. Police say a 17-year-old boy was also shot but was treated and released from a local hospital. Police are investigating what happened. Police are looking to the public for information in the case. Anyone with information is asked to call Champaign County authorities or crime stoppers.

 

(Paxton--jc) City of Paxton leaders are set to meet tomorrow night and hear some figures for the proposed “Paxton Streetscape” program.  Local leaders will also hear a report on the Paxton “Grand old Flag” at Tuesday night’s meeting. Dealing with some raises, hiring summer help and a donation to the Show Bus also are agenda items. The Paxton City Council meets at 7 Tuesday night on the second floor of City hall.

 

CAIRO, Ill. (AP) — The former director of a southern Illinois housing authority is unlikely to face federal criminal charges for wrongly using agency money on personal expenses. Federal prosecutors have spent several months reviewing the case against James Wilson while he led the housing agency in the city of Cairo. A federal prosecutor says he believes a $500,000 civil settlement Wilson reached last year is "a just resolution to the serious allegations."

 

 

(Washington--ba) What is the latest on pastures, rangelands and conditions.

USDA meteorologist, Brad Rippey, has the details...

 

 

 

SPRINGFIELD, Ill. (AP) — The Illinois State Fair karaoke contest is returning this summer, and the winner will get to perform on the fair's biggest stage.

Organizers said Tuesday that nine regional county fairs will host qualifying rounds of State Fair Karaoke this summer. The top two winners from the regional contests will compete at the finale at the Illinois State Fair in Springfield on Aug. 11. The overall winner will be chosen that day. Fair Manager Kevin Gordon says it's a great opportunity for local talent to perform on the grandstand stage. It's also another type of free entertainment for people attending the fair.

 

(Gibson City-jc) --  Gibson City Street and Alley committee members along with the Water and Sewer committee will talk about a proposed storm sewer project at Gibson Area Hospital when they meet tomorrow night. The group will also hear about the cities water plant filters. The two committee meeting comes to order at 7 Tuesday night in the Gibson City Council Chamber office.