(Springfield-jm) – Illinois legislators return to the state capitol today to continue the spring session. Top of mind is the state budget for the fiscal year that begins July 1. Illinois taxpayers will hear more about how Gov. J.B. Pritzker plans to spend their tax dollars during his budget and State of the State address Wednesday, February 21. He’s indicated there will be a lot of priorities legislators will have to balance.

 

(Springfield-jm) – The Illinois Department of Public Health announced that the latest data continues to show the spread of respiratory viruses is declining across the state. The state’s overall respiratory illness level decreased from low to minimal in the most recent available CDC data and the state is also now at a low level for COVID-19 hospitalizations as of Jan. 27. No Illinois counties were at high level for COVID-19 hospitalizations in the last week.

 

(Springfield-jm) – 5 year old AJ Freund (friend) suffered abuse and torture throughout his short life. The boy was killed in 2019 at the hands of his parents at their home in Crystal Lake and was buried by his father in a shallow grave in a field near Woodstock. McHenry County prosecutors maintained that the Department of Children and Family Service case workers should have stepped in months earlier and could have saved his life. Representative Tom Weber of Lake Villa talks about how the state failed AJ…

 

 

State Representative Tom Weber of Lake Villa. Legislation has been introduced in Springfield to make sure this never happens again.

 

(Urbana-jm) – The University of Illinois Urbana-Champaign has been awarded more than $4.2 million in federal grant funding. The funds will be awarded through a series of six grants from the National Science Foundation and the Environmental Protection Agency to help fund research projects related to energy and transportation innovation.

 

(Danville-jm) – Nine months after a future reproductive health clinic in Danville was vandalized, the culprit has been sentenced to five years in federal prison. Philip Buyno, 73 of Prophetstown, was sentenced in Urbana by U.S. District Judge Colin Bruce on Monday. He was charged with attempted arson to damage a building used in interstate commerce and pleaded guilty in September. Five years was the minimum prison sentence in this case. The maximum was 20 years.

 

 

(Washington-jm) – USDA's Outlook Board experts are getting ready to release their new forecasts for crop supplies, exports and prices.  Gary Crawford reports…

 

 

(Gibson City-jm) – Voters next month in Gibson City will decide whether to fund a new pool by raising their taxes. A referendum will be on the ballot for the March primary election. The referendum includes a 1% increase to the sales tax for 20 years. The tax would fund the city’s new swimming pool, as well as other infrastructure projects.

 

(Springfield-jm) – Illinois lawmakers return to the state capitol today with several issues at the forefront. One measure impacting taxpayers would decrease the estate tax burden for family farms valued between certain amounts. Other issues include how to deal with the ongoing costs of the migrant issue. Gov. J.B. Pritzker has indicated there are also talks about addressing how buses of migrants can be dealt with around the state. The Illinois Sheriffs’ Association will be looking for how to handle continued concerns with the end of cash bail. With various breaks scheduled, session is expected to adjourn May 24. Contingency days are scheduled through May 31. Gov. J.B. Pritzker plans to spend their tax dollars during his budget and State of the State address Wednesday, February 21.

 

(Springfield-jm) – The Illinois Department of Employment Security has announced that tax forms are now available for claimants who received unemployment insurance benefits in 2023. Claimants who collected benefits last year need the 1099-G tax form to complete their state and federal tax returns. Claimants who opted not to receive their 1099-G tax form electronically will receive a hard copy paper form via regular mail at the address on file.

 

(Washington-jm) – Congress is working to address the migrant crisis at the southern border. U-S Senator Dick Durbin of Illinois says order must be restored…

 

 

U-S Senator Dick Durbin of Illinois.

(Champaign-jm) – Parkland College is bringing back a program that will help out school districts and teachers. The Substitute Teacher Training Series will give people a head-start on how to become a sub. They’ll focus on skills like curriculum and classroom management, school safety protocols, how to apply for your substitute licenses and many others. The course will be held on Saturday mornings starting February 17.

 

(Rantoul-jm) – Champaign County Crime Stoppers is seeking assistance from the public regarding a missing person. Police are seeking assistance in locating information related to the disappearance of Montel Aker, a male who went missing on August 13th, 2011. Montel had been staying with family friends in the 800 block of Division Avenue in Urbana, but August 13th, 2011 was the last time family or friends had contact with him. He had told his family he was going to Rantoul to visit friends in the area of “Falcon Way” or “Pheasant Ridge.” Throughout the investigation, officers learned on the day Montel went missing he had planned to get a tattoo at a home tattoo parlor in the 1200 block of Fairlawn Drive in Rantoul. Montel previously lived in Terre Haute, IN, and he told friends he was considering going to Indianapolis, IN, but the family said it’s very unusual for Montel to not have contact with his family for even a short period of time. Officers advised there has been no activity on Montel’s social media or financial accounts.

 

(Washington-jm) – How much beef will the U.S. produce this year? What price are producers likely to get for their steers,on average? USDA is about to issue its answer to those questions. Gary Crawford reports…

 

(Champaign County-jm) – In a significant move to address the needs of the aging population, Advocates for Aging Care and the Champaign-Urbana Public Health District are set to launch a comprehensive survey titled, “Your Voice Matters: A Survey of Older Adults and Family Caregivers in Champaign County.” The initiative aims to deeply understand the requirements and experiences of individuals aged 60 and above, as well as the challenges faced by family caregivers in Champaign County. The survey is a response to the critical need for enhanced care facilities for the elderly. It will probe into the accessibility, interest, and usage of various services, including rehabilitation, long-term, and nursing home care in the county. The move comes in the wake of a concerning revelation by AAC in May 2023, highlighting a shortfall of 300 nursing home beds in Champaign County, as calculated by the Illinois Department of Public Health.