(Springfield-jm) – The president of the Illinois Fraternal Order of Police State Lodge is speaking out against legislation that would limit what offenses police could pull over people for, calling the bill “unhinged.” The bill would prohibit law enforcement from pulling motorists over for speeding, improper lane usage and other offenses. The original sponsor of the legislation said it was meant to start a dialogue about policing.

 

(Decatur-jm) – Caterpillar officials say the company achieved the best year in its 98-year history in 2023. Caterpillar released its 2023 and fourth quarter numbers. In a statement, the company said sales and revenue increased by three percent to $17.1 billion last year. CAT attributes the gains to higher financial product segment revenues and favorable currency impacts, primarily tied to the euro.  

 

(Springfield-jm) – A solution to address the high costs of dealing with immigrants in the state is receiving pushback. Republican lawmakers pushed the Pritzker Administration to come up with a plan to help reduce the cost the state is paying for taking care of immigrants being bused to the state from Texas. 53rd District State Senator Tom Bennett of Gibson City says the Administration came up with a plan but there’s a catch…

 

53rd District State Senator Tom Bennett of Gibson City.

 

(Champaign-jm) – On Tuesday night, the City of Champaign unanimously voted to authorize a $2 million settlement in his Ross Booker family’s wrongful death lawsuit. In March 2022, Booker was cleaning debris from a car accident when he was hit and killed by a 16-year-old driver. The teen driver was later found guilty for failure to reduce speed to avoid an accident.

(Springfield-jm) – Governor J-B Pritzker is touting the state’s investment in early childhood education. The Governor announced the state exceeded their goal of creating more 5,000 pre-k spots through the Smart Start program. The program is also helping younger kids. There is also assistance for childcare providers…

 

 

Illinois Governor J-B Pritzker.

 

 

(Champaign County-jm) – The housing market in Champaign County has experienced a turbulent year in 2023, marked by the dual challenges of inflation and rising mortgage rates. Despite these hurdles, the area saw an increase in both median and average home sales prices, as reported by the Champaign County Association of REALTORS. According to year-end data, the total number of home sales in 2023 was 2,578 units, a decline of 14.1 percent from the 3,002 units sold in 2022. This downturn is attributed to a combination of higher mortgage rates and reduced inventory levels. However, the median home sale price in the area rose to $197,000, up 6.3 percent from the previous year’s $185,000. The average sale price also saw an increase, rising by 4.4 percent to $232,513. December 2023 brought some positive changes, with 180 homes sold, a 3 percent increase from December 2022. The median sale price for December soared to $196,500, marking a significant 19 percent increase from the previous year. The average sale price followed suit, reaching $232,726, an 11 percent rise from December 2022.

 

(Urbana-jm) – Women in Urbana will soon have increased access to obstetrics care through a collaboration on select services between OSF HealthCare and Advanced Women’s Healthcare in Bloomington. At OSF HealthCare Heart of Mary Medical Center in Urbana, a team of OB/GYNs and certified nurse midwives from Advanced Women’s Healthcare will see patients for well-woman, prenatal and postpartum care at the medical office building on the OSF Heart of Mary campus.

 

(Springfield-jm) – A new report shows that Illinois is on the hook for a tremendous amount of post-employment benefit liabilities. The American Legislative Exchange Council released its “Other Post-Employment Benefit Liability” report, which ranked Illinois 46th in the country. It shows that Illinois has about $103 billion in unfunded post-employment liabilities. That is on top of around $140 billion in unfunded pension liabilities.

 

(Springfield-jm) – After human remains were mishandled by a Macoupin County funeral home, Illinois state lawmakers have filed legislation that would increase the penalties of such actions. Legislation filed at the Illinois Statehouse is in response to a funeral home in Carlinville that cremated an individual, but the remains were given to the wrong family by the funeral director. If approved and passed into law, the measure would make the new punishment for any misuse of human remains a Class 4 felony.

 

(Washington-jm) – Congress is working to address the migrant crisis at the southern border. U-S Senator Dick Durbin of Illinois says Texas’s approach is dangerous…

 

 

U-S Senator Dick Durbin of Illinois.

 

(Urbana-jm) – A Champaign man was arrested after a University of Illinois Police officer stopped a vehicle for an expired registration and found two loaded handguns. Jamario Cook, 31 was arrested for unlawful possession of a weapon, aggravated unlawful possession of a weapon, possession of a stolen firearm, armed violence, resisting police, obstructing justice, driving with a revoked license, illegal possession of cannabis in a motor vehicle and on a Champaign County warrant.

 

(Roberts-dm)- The Living Word Church is having a craft and vender show later this month in Roberts. Event Spokesperson  Melanie Bauer invites all to help with the fundraiser at the Roberts Gym….

 

 

Living Word Church Summer Camp Fundraiser Spokesperson Melanie Bauer.  There will be concessions and lots of vendors at the show.  For more information you can call Melanie Bauer at 217-379-7852.

 

(Springfield-jm) – Jordan Davis will be performing at the Illinois State Fair this year. Davis with special guests Ashley Cooke and King Calaway will perform at the Illinois State Fair Grandstand on Tuesday, August 13. Davis recently earned his sixth career #1 with his two-time platinum hit, “Next Thing You Know.”

 

WEST LAFAYETTE, Ind. — The most recent findings from the Purdue University/CME Group Ag Economy Barometer reveal a downturn in farmer sentiment at the start of 2024. The January barometer fell to a reading of 106, 8 points lower than in December. Producers expressed a more pessimistic perspective about their farms’ current situation and future prospects. The Current Conditions Index fell 9 points, and the Future Expectations Index dropped by 7, both compared to December. The anticipation of weaker farm income in 2024 contributed to the overall decline, reflected in the Farm Financial Performance Index at 85, a 12-point decrease from the previous month. This month’s Ag Economy Barometer survey was conducted from Jan. 15-19. There was an increase in the proportion of producers anticipating a decline in financial performance for the upcoming year, with the figure rising from 20% in December to 31% in January. Concurrently, the percentage of those expecting income levels to remain stable decreased from 63% to 53%.