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NCAA Board of Governors took steps toward allowing college student-athletes to profit from the use of their name or likeness

(Springfield-jm) -- On the same day a bill allowing college student-athletes to profit from the use of their name or likeness passed an Illinois House committee Tuesday, the governing body that oversees most collegiate athletics took steps toward allowing such activity at a national level. The vote by the NCAA Board of Governors came just hours after state Representative Chris Welch, passed his House Bill 3904 through the House Higher Education Appropriations Committee by a 9-6 vote on partisan lines.

 

 

(Springfield-jm) -- 55 percent of Illinois public education funding comes from local tax revenues according to new data from the National Education Association. Revenue per student in Illinois, based on average daily attendance figures, stood at $18,210 last year. Of the total revenues flowing to public education in the state, federal government funds made up 5.8 percent of the total and state funds amounted to 39.2 percent. 

 

 

(Springfield-jm) -- The Illinois State Police reminds that parents can check the state’s sex offender registry before their kids head out for trick-or-treating. You can easily search the registry by plugging in your zip code or city says the state police’s Tracie Newton. She suggests doing a quick check periodically, and before Halloween…

 

 

Illinois State Police’s Tracie Newton. The state also has a registry for criminals who commit violent acts against children. It’s against the law for convicted child sex offenders to hand out candy to kids on Halloween. Search the registries at: isp dot state dot il dot us. 

 

 

(Champaign-jm) -- Champaign police are looking for the suspect or suspects involved in the burglary of Best Buy. Police say the suspect or suspects cut into the north side of the building on October 21st and stole 50 Microsoft tablets and 50 Apple watches estimated at $70,000 value. Anyone with information is asked to call Champaign Police or Champaign County Crimestoppers.

 

 

(Washington-jm) -- Illinois still holds its pumpkin acreage title, but has slipped in terms of value. Stephanie Ho reports…

 

 

(Ford County-jm) -- The next round of discussion on wind farm regulations in Ford County will take place in early November. Ford County Board members will meet November 5th at 7 pm to continue discussions on issues such as setbacks and restrictions on shadow flicker and noise. The county’s zoning board has been meeting several times since a moratorium was put in place a year ago.

 

 

(Rantoul-jm) -- The village of Rantoul is gearing up to host the 2019 World Punkin Chunkin Championships November 2nd and 3rd on the former Chanute Air Force Base. Organizer Kevin Thompson talks about some of the punkin chunkin machines…

 

 

World Punkin Chunkin Championship Organizer Kevin Thompson. Tickets are $10 in advance or $15 at the gate the day of.

 

 

SPRINGFIELD, Ill. (AP) — The Illinois State Board of Education has suspended the licenses of nearly 50 educators across the state charged with sex crimes, violent felonies or certain drug offenses. The Daily Southtown reports that the board began suspending the licenses of eligible teachers earlier this month. Gov. J.B. Pritzker signed a measure into law in late August seeking to strengthen student safety protections. The school workers whose licenses were suspended under the law include teachers, coaches and administrators from about two-dozen urban, suburban and rural districts in Illinois. 

 

 

(Springfield-jm) -- “Get Covered Illinois” enrollment begins Friday and the Illinois Department of Insurance says rates are the same or lower than last year. Those needing health insurance can start exploring the plans that are available, with several options to choose from says Insurance Department Director Robert Muriel…

 

And Muriel says for the most part, rates are down this time around. The enrollment period begins November 1st and runs through December 15th. Visit the website: get covered dot illinois dot gov to start comparing plans.

 

SPRINGFIELD, Ill. (AP) — Leaders of the Illinois House launched an investigation Tuesday into a Democratic lawmaker who refused to resign despite a bribery charge, a move that could lead to his expulsion. House Speaker Michael Madigan filed paperwork to create a committee to investigate fellow Chicago Rep. Luis Arroyo for removal, after Arroyo failed to meet Madigan’s demand that he resign Monday. If 79 of the House’s 118 members vote to expel Arroyo, it would be the third expulsion since 1905 and the second in the last seven years.

 

 

(Springfield-jm) -- State lawmakers on the Illinois Property Tax Relief Task Force say they’re getting closer to offering up final recommendations to lower the state’s second-highest in the nation property tax burden. Stephanie Kifowit of Aurora said the issue isn’t just about the state’s high property taxes. It’s also about housing affordability. One area to find relief, according to state Rep. Jonathan Carroll of Buffalo Grove is consolidating some of the state’s thousands of local governments, including school districts. State Rep. Mike Murphy of Springfield said another cost that drives up property taxes is local police and firefighter pensions. But, Murphy said, he still hasn’t seen the governor’s proposed pensions consolidation measure in bill form.

 

 

(Springfield-jm) -- The Illinois Senate is voting to cap insulin costs. The bill limits the out-of-pocket cost for a 30 day supply of insulin to 100 dollars. It only applies to commercial insurance plans regulated by the state. Senator Andy Manar of Bunker Hill is sponsoring the measure, saying insulin prices have skyrocketed in recent years…

 

 

State Senator Andy Manar of Bunker Hill. According to the State Department of Public Health, about one point three million Illinoisans have diabetes. The bill now moves to the House. 

 

 

(Urbana-jm) -- University of Illinois police are investigating a sexual assault on campus over the weekend. Police say the incident happened in a residence hall. The victim told police they did not know the suspect.

 

 

(Cissna Park-jc) -- The Cissna Park FFA will hold their Fundraising Auction on Saturday November 2nd. Cissna Park FFA Advisor Jeff Clifton talks about how the event will play out...

 

 

Cissna Park FFA Advisor Jeff Clifton

 

 

(Gibson City-jm) -- Gibson City is banning commercial parking on a portion of West Street. The portion is from the 300 block West street to the intersection of 10th street on both sides. The ban comes after several residents complained of commercial vehicles parking and waiting to enter a nearby factory.

 

 

(Buckley-jm) -- Halloween is just around the corner but one area school wants to get you in the Christmas holiday spirit. Christ Lutheran High School in Buckley will once again hold their annual Deck the Halls craft and vendor fair says Executive Director Sandy Spitz…

 

 

CLHS Executive Director Sandy Spitz.

 

 

SPRINGFIELD – Amid an ongoing flurry of federal investigative activity pertaining to state government, a bipartisan group of lawmakers called for the creation of a task force to recommend greater ethical safeguards during a Statehouse news conference. State Representative Tony McCombie is sponsoring House Joint Resolution 87, which would create a bipartisan task force to examine state ethics laws and how to better improve and enforce them. The task force would consist of one member of the governor’s staff and two members of the Republican and Democratic caucuses in each chamber appointed by their legislative leaders. It would have 90 days from the day the resolution passes to report to the General Assembly and governor with its recommendations.

 

 

(Springfield-jm) -- Senate lawmakers are discussing a proposed ban on flavored tobacco and vaping products. Supporters say these products are dangerous, appealing to teens and easier to conceal from parents since they don’t smell like traditional nicotine. But Tony Abboud, Executive Director of the Vapor Technology Association argues the ban will hurt businesses…

 

 

Vapor Technology Association Executive Director Tony Abboud. A woman whose daughter nearly died from vaping urged lawmakers to include menthol and mint flavored products in the ban as well.

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