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Several lawmakers has gotten behind a proposal to repeal the state's new car trade-in tax and replace it with a different fee structure

(Springfield-jm) -- A bipartisan group of Illinois lawmakers has gotten behind a proposal to repeal the state’s new car trade-in tax and replace it with a different fee structure. As of Jan. 1, Illinois’ sales tax applies to any trade-in vehicle worth more than $10,000. That means trading in a $30,000 car for one worth $60,000 will cost the customer an extra $1,200 in additional sales taxes. It’s estimated to bring the state $60 million annually, affecting what state officials insisted was a small portion of Illinois residents. Legislation filed would repeal the application of sales tax to trade-in value over $10,000. In turn, it would charge a tax based on the selling price of the car if it’s worth more than $15,000 or how many years old it is if valued at less than $15,000. It would take effect 120 days after it’s enacted.

 

 

SPRINGFIELD, Ill. (AP) — Illinois residents must get approved smoke alarms in their homes ahead of a 2023 deadline, according to the Illinois Office of the State Fire Marshall. Among other things, a recent state law requires that all smoke alarms and detectors have a sealed 10-year battery by January 1, 2023, unless the alarms are hardwired into the residence. The idea is to improve safety because the batteries can’t be removed for other things and don’t need replacement as often.

 

(Springfield-jm) -- New legislation would give low income pet owners from housing options. The bill lets people living in state subsidized housing keep a cat or a dog, regardless of the animal’s size, weight or breed. Senator Linda Holmes of Aurora says too many families are having to give up their beloved pets when they move…

 

 

State Senator Linda Holmes of Aurora. Holmes says there is currently a shortage of pet friendly housing in Illinois and that studies show tenants with pets tend to stay longer and don’t have any more damage then those without dogs or cats.


 

 

(Rantoul-jm) -- A new superintendent has been named for the Rantoul City Schools District. J.W. Eater Junior High Principal Dr. Scott Woods will take over as superintendent January 1, 2022 after current superintendent Michelle Ramage retires. Ramage was named interim superintendent in 2011 and named superintendent in 2013. Heather Jacobs will take over as principal at Eater at the beginning of the 2021-2022 school year.

 

 

(Rantoul-jm) -- Police are investigating a crash near Rantoul over the weekend. First responders were called to the single vehicle rollover accident on county road 1300 east north of U-S 136 west of Rantoul. When they arrived no one was in the vehicle.

 

 

(Washington-jm) -- Corn and soybean producers will likely boost acreage this year. Gary Crawford reports…

 

 

Over 670,000 FFA students will be participating in FFA Week across the country. WPXN was able to talk with several students from area FFA Chapters. Clayton Powell from Cissna Park High School’s FFA Chapter talks about what is going on today.

 

 

We were also able to talk with Fisher FFA member Will Shook 

 

 

 

With FFA week being this week and we were able to talk with several students from area FFA Chapters. Chloe Smith from Rantoul Township High School’s FFA Chapter talks about what is going on today.

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We were also able to talk with PBL FFA member Autumn Bruens

 

 

 

(Springfield-jm) -- Illinois’ law enforcement groups said they face a training budget shortage that they said was caused by new laws allowing judges to waive certain fines for traffic violations. Much of Illinois’ law enforcement training is provided by the Illinois Law Enforcement Training and Standards Board. The board is funded by fees tacked on to traffic tickets. The Illinois Sheriffs’ Association and Illinois Association of Chiefs of Police said the board faces a $5 million shortfall that was taking a toll on local departments. The shortage doesn’t come from lawmakers sweeping any specific fund, rather laws they passed that allow judges to waive fee assessments on traffic convictions. The agencies said they had seen a 16 percent drop in revenue for the current fiscal year and the problem was getting worse.

 

 

(Springfield-jm) -- Illinois gun dealers told Illinois State Police officials about their concerns with the rules for the Firearm License Certification Act. During public comments in Springfield, about a dozen members of the public spoke about how the rules would affect them. Two people sought to beef up the rules, by increasing the video surveillance backup requirement from 90 days to 1 year. Gun store owners and advocates expressed their concerns.

 

(Springfield-jm) -- There are growing efforts to require the rest of the state of Illinois outside of Chicago and the collar counties to be considered when lawmakers pass bills, despite what the governor says. During his budget speech Wednesday Gov. J.B. Pritzker said some in the state think splitting Chicago from Illinois will solve the “economic challenges of downstate Illinois.” State Rep. Brad Halbrook, R-Shelbyville, last year filed the resolution to split Chicago from the rest of the state, saying in part the rest of the state shouldn't pay for Chicago’s debt, or take its mandates. House Bill 5030 to define downstate as anything outside of Cook and the so-called collar counties and to be given consideration in rule making after a law is passed. That has eleven co-sponsors.  House Bill 5029, has 13 cosponsors and allows lawmakers to request a downstate impact report for proposed laws. 

 

SPRINGFIELD, Ill. (AP) — State regulators are warning consumers about a telephone scam in which the caller claims to be from the Illinois Board of Dentistry. Officials with the Illinois Department of Financial and Professional Regulation say the scammer “spoofs” the phone number to look like it is from the state agency. The Iowa Dental Board earlier put out a warning about it and there has been one reported call in Illinois. Officials say the Board of Dentistry will never call anyone with demands for money or information. They say hang up immediately upon receipt of such a call.

 

(Springfield-jm) -- Illinois Senators are discussing the pros and cons of 5-G technology. Supporters say 5-G infrastructure will add jobs, attract businesses and drastically speed up data transfers. Beth Cooley with a group representing the wireless communications industries says studies have shown that 5-G can help save lives…

 

 

 

 

Spokesperson Beth Cooley. Opponents say 5-G radiation can cause cancer. There’s a push underway to further study the issue, and to let communities have a say about whether or not 5-G is set up in their areas.

 

 

(Ashkum-jm) -- A Chebanse man is dead after a crash in Iroquois County over the weekend. Illinois State Police say Gary Kleinert was traveling south on old Route 45 at 3000 north when his vehicle went off the road and overturned. Kleinert was pronounced dead at the scene by the Iroquois County Coroner. State police continue to investigate.

 

 

(Champaign-jm) -- A Champaign clothing store is closing. Gordmans has announced they are closing several of their stores including the one in Champaign near Marketplace Mall. No date has been given on when it will close.

 

 

(Springfield-jm) -- A group of Illinois Republican lawmakers are denouncing Governor J-B Pritzker’s decision to place passage of his graduated income tax proposal ahead of a commitment to fully fund education, health care and public safety in the FY21 budget. State Representative Avery Bourne of Morrisonville was one of those lawmakers that spoke out…

 

 

 

 

State Representative Avery Bourne of Morrisonville.


 

Over 670,000 FFA students will be participating in FFA Week across the country. WPXN was able to talk with several students from area FFA Chapters. Cheyenne Cade from Armstrong High School’s FFA Chapter talks about what is going on today.

 

 

 

 

We were also able to talk with Iroquois West FFA member  Rachel Ash

 

 

 

 

With FFA week being this week and we were able to talk with several students from area FFA Chapters. Brodie Landreth with St. Joe Ogden High School’s FFA Chapter talks about what is going on today.

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MOLINE, Ill. (AP) _ Deere & Co. reported fiscal first-quarter profit of $517 million. On a per-share basis, the Moline, Illinois-based company said it had profit of $1.63. The results beat Wall Street expectations. The average estimate of eight analysts surveyed by Zacks Investment Research was for earnings of $1.28 per share. The agricultural equipment manufacturer posted revenue of $7.63 billion in the period. Its adjusted revenue was $6.53 billion, which also topped Street forecasts. Four analysts surveyed by Zacks expected $6.2 billion.

 

 

(Springfield-jm) -- Illinois lawmakers advanced two measures to expand the state’s venture capital investment program. Senate Bill 2946 would expand the Illinois Technology Development Fund to allow the treasurer’s office to invest in more than just technology equipment as it currently does. Senate Bill 3028, if enacted, would allow the treasurer’s office to transfer up to five percent of its investment portfolio into an account devoted to spur economic growth in the state via infrastructure investments, rather than technological companies. The investments would go to venture capital firms that specialize in property procurement and development in the state. 

 

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