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State lawmakers react to Governor J.B. Pritzker's Budget address

(Springfield-jm) -- Illinois lawmakers moved forward with legislation that would require high-voltage outlets to be installed in most new construction, renovations, and a significant portion of all parking garages to allow for electric car charging. House Bill 4284 is similar to a mandate in California. It requires any new residential construction to have a dedicated circuit that runs to the garage or all parking spaces to make it “electric vehicle ready.”  Any new residential property with six or fewer parking spaces would have to have a dedicated outlet for each spot under the terms of the bill.

 

 

(Springfield-jm) -- A group of Illinois lawmakers declined to block the Illinois State Police from implementing new administrative rules governing firearms dealers. Those rules were adopted on an emergency basis in January, nearly one year after Democratic Gov. J.B. Pritzker signed the Firearms Dealer License Certification Act into law. It requires that anyone holding a federal firearms license who engages in the business of selling or transferring firearms also obtain a state certificate and subject themselves to state regulation.

 

(Springfield-jm) -- Governor J-B Pritzker gave his annual budget address before both chambers of the Illinois legislature Wednesday. One of the issues the Governor hopes to accomplish is the passage of his graduated income tax proposal…

 

 

Illinois Governor J-B Pritzker. 

 

Reaction is starting to come in from area state representatives. State Representative Dan Brady of Bloomington…

 

 

State Representative Dan Brady of Bloomington.

 

 

(Urbana--jc)  An apparent glitch in the computer system on Monday has caused some charges on some Busey Bank customers. Those affected used a debit card and Pin Number on Monday. Busey Bank officials say the accounts should be corrected today. 

 

 

(Gifford-cf)-- The Gifford Community Grade School held their monthly board meeting on Feb. 19. A few items that were on the agenda were the approval of Superintendent Mr. Smith to work on the budget for the upcoming school year, the approval of the school calendar of the upcoming year, and the approved hiring of a special education teacher. That teacher has not been named yet and we will update this story as it allows. 

 

 

(Washington-jm) -- Illinois Senators Tammy Duckworth and Dick Durbin have announced over $21 million in public housing funding from the U-S Department of Housing and Urban Development. Among the location organizations receiving funding includes the Ford County Housing Authority receiving $130,000. The Champaign County Housing Authority will receive $71,000. The Vermilion County Housing Authority will receive just under $400,000.

 

 

(Washington-jm) -- How is the coronavirus pandemic in China currently impacting U.S. ag exports into that market? Rod Bain reports…

 

 

 

(Undated-jm) -- Speed limits on certain roads in Illinois could be going up. Senate Bill 2565 would increase the max speed on interstates from 70 to 75 mph in rural areas of the state. Another bill, Senate Bill 2564 would increase the non interstate highway speed from 55 to 60. Triple A has come out against the increases.


 

 

(Paxton--jc)  -- The Paxton Buckley Loda Education Foundation has awarded several grants to teachers in the district. WPXN’s Joel Cluver has the story…

 

 

 

(Undated-jm) -- Have you filed your taxes but are still waiting to get their return? Here is when you can expect to see your return. If you filed by paper and are requesting a paper check you could be waiting six or more weeks for your return. If you filed electronically but are requesting a paper check you could be waiting four or more weeks. If you e filed and are requesting your refund be direct deposited it could take about 10 business days to receive your refund. The IRS says 90 percent of tax filings are processed within 21 days.

 

(Springfield-jm) -- A bipartisan group of lawmakers is proposing strict new limits on health insurance policies that require patients to receive “prior authorization” from the company before they can receive certain treatments, tests or prescription drugs. It’s a common practice under most health plans, one originally intended to hold down costs while making sure patients receive the appropriate care. But it’s one that many critics say has gotten out of control.

 

 

(Springfield-jm) -- First, there were cordless phones and text messages. Then, internet access and video calls. Now, wireless’s fifth generation will drive mobile phone speeds even faster and allow for advances in telemedicine and management of traffic signals, for example, according to the Federal Communications Commission. But two lawmakers, Western Springs Democratic Sen. Suzy Glowiak Hilton and Elmhurst Republican Rep. Deanne Mazzochi, want to give residents, legislators and industry experts a chance to weigh in on the network upgrade. 

 

 

(Springfield-jm) -- Governor J-B Pritzker gave his annual budget address before both chambers of the Illinois legislature Wednesday. The Governor addressed the state’s pension issue…

 

 

Illinois Governor J-B Pritzker. 

 

Area lawmakers are responding to the Governor’s annual budget address. State Representative Mike Marron of Fithian…

 

 

State Representative Mike Marron of Fithian.

 

 

(Ludlow-jm) -- The village of Ludlow is forming an ordinance committee. The committee, consisting of three members of the village board, will meet before each month's meeting. They hope to keep up on the current ordinances and meet the needs of the community.

 

 

(Rantoul-jm) -- The Champaign County Clerks office has released early voting hours in Rantoul. Early voting will take place at the Rantoul United Methodist Church beginning March 9th through the 13th from 10 am to 6 pm, March 14th from 10 am to 1 pm, March 15th from 1 to 4 pm and March 16th from 10 am to 6 pm.

 

 

(IW-cf)-- The Iroquois West FFA Alumni Auction will be this Saturday. There will be a free porkchop dinner at 4pm, and the auction will get underway at 5pm. IW FFA Advisor Bill Bretzman gives details about what will be auctioned off…

 

 

Iroquois West FFA Advisor Bill Bretzman.

 

 

(Undated-jm) -- Kids hospitalized with the flu continue to rise as 14 more have died from the virus. 92 kids have died so far this flu season, the second highest since the 2017-2018 flu season when 187 died. The CDC says the flu shot isn’t an exact match to the strain that is going around. So far in the U-S, 26 million people have gotten the flu resulting in 250,000 hospitalizations and 14,000 have died. Symptoms of the flu include fever, sore throat, aches, chills, sweats and fatigue.


 

(Springfield-jm) -- A proposed bill in the Illinois House would define what part of the state is considered downstate Illinois. Representative Avery Bournes legislation would name any part of the state outside of Cook, Dupage, Kane, Kendall, Lake, McHenry and Will Counties as downstate.

 

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