(Springfield-jm) – While Illinois' primary elections are still months away, some are lining up to toss their hats in the ring for Republican districts. In Illinois, Democrats hold a supermajority in the Illinois House and Senate. Democrats also hold all statewide state constitutional officers and the two U.S. Senate seats. All but three of Illinois’ 17 districts in the U.S. House are held by Democrats. In one of the three Republican U.S. House districts in Illinois, former Republican gubernatorial candidate Darren Bailey is eyeing the seat held by Congressman Mike Bost. In Decatur, incumbent state Representative Dan Caulkins, announced he won’t be seeking another term, adhering to self-imposed term limits. He endorsed Reagan Deering for the district. Deering lost to U.S. Representative Nikki Budzinski, in the 2022 election for that newly drawn U.S. House seat.

 

(Springfield-jm) – Governor J-B Pritzker says he’s heartened by the line of questioning during the latest court hearing on Illinois’ assault weapons ban. A challenge to the law was heard in a federal appeals court last week. Plaintiffs argued that the government can’t ban weapons that are commonly used, but the Governor says he’s hopeful the law will be upheld after hearing some of the questions from judges…

 

 

Illinois Governor J-B Pritzker Governor Pritzker says that argument is ridiculous. No word yet on when the court will issue a ruling.

 

Paxton-jm) – We now know the cause of a house fire in Paxton yesterday morning. In updating our story from Wednesday, officials believe a cell phone overheated catching a bed on fire. There was no structural damage to the home and no injuries were reported.

 

(Champaign-jm) – State Senator Paul Faraci and the Illinois Housing Development Authority announced that families, seniors and people with disabilities in Champaign and Urbana will see new and renovated affordable housing options thanks to funding from federal Low-Income Housing Tax Credits. The tax credits will generate an estimated $235 million in private capital to finance the creation and preservation of 1,159 affordable units for low- to moderate-income families, seniors and people with disabilities. Of the 18 affordable housing developments receiving funding, Parker Glen II in Champaign and Steer Place Apartments in Urbana are among the recipients. Thanks to the tax credits, Parker Glen II will construct a new housing development complex and Steer Place Apartments will rehabilitate and modernize the existing 108-unit apartment complex for seniors 55 and older.

 

(Springfield-jm) – It’ll cost you more to go to the grocery store. The state’s one percent sales tax on groceries resumed on July 1st after a six month pause. 53rd District State Senator Tom Bennett of Gibson says he tried to sponsor legislation that would do away with the tax…

 

 

53rd District State Senator Tom Bennett of Gibson City.

 

(Iroquois County-jm) – Effective immediately the “Temporary Burn Ban” in Iroquois County has been lifted. With the much-needed rainfall over the last week, the ground cover has taken some time to rebound to somewhat green, and with the high humidity, conditions have improved greatly.

 

(Washington-jm) – The condition of the soybean crop is down slightly from a week ago. Gary Crawford reports…

 

 

(Springfield-jm) – A new Illinois law extends the statute of limitation for state officials to go after fraud in COVID-19-related programs.  Earlier this year, state Representative Adam Niemerg, of Dieterich, asked Kristen Richards, the former head of the Illinois Department of Employment Security, how much money was stolen, to which she did not have an answer. Of the known fraud estimated during the COVID-19 pandemic, the taxpayer cost in IDES unemployment fraud is over $2 billion, but the full scope is unclear. During a separate committee hearing earlier this year, IDES Acting Director Ray Marchiori said the state was unprepared for the pandemic. Governor J.B. Pritzker signed House Bill 3304. The measure allows prosecution of any fraudulent activity connected to COVID-19-related programs.

 

(Springfield-jm) – Governor J-B Pritzker says he’s pleased to have a tentative contract agreement with the state’s largest employee union, AFSCME. Details of the contract won’t be released until AFSCME members review and ratify the deal. Governor Pritzker says it was important to find a balance between what’s good for state workers and Illinois taxpayers…

 

 

Illinois Governor J-B Pritzker. AFSCME told members via email in June that one of the main sticking points was proposed increases in healthcare costs.

 

(Pesotum-jm) – Illinois State Police K9 Loki will be receiving a bullet and stab protective vest as part of the Vested Interest in K9s program. Loki’s vest was sponsored by Don and Misty Fike of Galesburg. The program was established in 2009 as a way to provide protective vests to dogs of law enforcement. Vested Interest in K9s has provided over 4,000 vests in all 50 states at a value of nearly $7 million, made possible by both private and corporate donations. Loki served the Illinois State Police Pesotum district.

 

(Urbana-jm) – The University of Illinois Police arrested a driver and a passenger after officers found a loaded handgun and cocaine in their vehicle on Wednesday. Police say the incident started at 12:04 a.m. Wednesday when an officer clocked a vehicle traveling 51 mph in a 35 mph zone in the 300 block of East University Avenue, Champaign. Police stopped the vehicle near University and Coler Avenues, Urbana. Upon approaching the vehicle, the officer noticed an open bottle of liquor on the floor of the car. During the search, police found a loaded handgun in the center console and cocaine in a purse. The cocaine was packaged in a way that suggests its owner was offering it for sale. The driver, Kalvin White and the passenger, Donya Brown both of Urbana, were arrested for armed violence and for delivery of a controlled substance.

 

(Springfield-jm) – One of the last issues lawmakers tackled was the new state budget that went into effect July 1st. 52nd District State Senator Paul Faraci talks about the budget…

 

 

52nd District State Senator Paul Faraci of Champaign.

 

(Springfield-jm) – The Illinois State Fair announced today that American rock band The Doobie Brothers will headline the Illinois State Fair Grandstand Saturday, August 12. Ticket sales for The Doobie Brothers go on sale Friday, July 7 at 10 a.m. at the Illinois State Fair Box Office or on Ticketmaster.

 

(Crescent City–jc)  –  The 2023 Iroquois CountyFair talent show is set for July 18th. WPXN’s Joel Cluver has the details…

 

 

(Washington-jm) – This past week the corn crop did something it has not done since the growing season began. Gary Crawford reports…