(Springfield-jm) – A group of state legislators is joining forces with the Illinois Manufacturers' Association to address educational issues involving one of the state's largest industries. Lawmakers from the Illinois Manufacturing Caucus, which will highlight the role manufacturing plays in the state's economy, discussed proposed legislation that would provide students better access to a career in manufacturing. Other components of their 2024 agenda include changing high school graduation requirements, a daycare pilot program for businesses, a workforce ecosystem and a scholarship program.

 

(Springfield-jm) – A bill at the Illinois statehouse would increase the distance solar farms could be placed from homes. Currently, commercial solar energy facilities can be located within 50 feet of a home and 150 feet from a multi-family residence, but proposed legislation would increase that to 500 feet. State Rep. Anthony DeLuca of Chicago Heights, sponsored House Bill 4135 and said many residents in his district don’t want to live next door to a solar farm as well as saying they don’t know what the health concerns might be of a solar farm, we don’t like the way they look, we’re concerned about how it might impact property values. During a House Energy and Environment Committee hearing this week, Michael Morthland with the group American Clean Power Association said changing current Illinois law would set the state back in its clean energy goals. Governor J.B. Pritzker last year signed into law a measure that strips local control from county governments regarding zoning matters on wind and solar energy. The law provides counties with “guardrails” for siting wind and solar farms, and creates a commission that oversees and approves wind turbines everywhere but Chicago.

 

(Springfield-jm) – Farm families could see some help under a proposal sponsored by 53rd District State Senator Tom Bennett of Gibson City. Senator Bennett explains…

 

53rd District State Senator Tom Bennett of Gibson City.

 

(Iroquois County-jm) – The Chicago office of the National Weather Service, in cooperation with Iroquois County Emergency Management Agency, will be conducting a SKYWARN spotter training Thursday, February 15th, 2024 at the “Hub” in Watseka, 114 N 3rd Street, Watseka, IL 60970. The training will begin at 6:30pm and last about two hours. A special program by Danny Neal will follow immediately thereafter. Danny boasts over 350,000 followers on his Illinois Storm Chasers Facebook Page.

 

(Washington-jm) – The USDA's first farm income forecast for 2024 shows a significant drop in farm sector profits. Gary Crawford reports…

 

(Gibson City-jm) – Hundreds of people attended a meeting in Gibson City regarding a proposed CO2 pipeline. The Coalition to Stop CO2 Pipelines called the meeting to discuss One Earth Sequestration's proposal to build a pipeline to store carbon dioxide in central Illinois. The company said the pipeline would be able to transport 4.5 million metric tons of CO2, leaving space for other ethanol-producing facilities to reduce their carbon footprints.

 

(Paxton–jc)  –  It’s tax filing season. For those who have filed their income taxes, you have an option to track your return. Shaffter Tax and Accounting of Paxton Owner Jeff Shaffer says you can follow your return…

Shaffer Tax and Accounting of Paxton Owner Jeff Shaffer.

 

(Champaign-jm) – State Senator Paul Faraci is leading a measure to give veterans and first responders access to mental health providers of their choice. The legislation is in response to a situation in Champaign where several firefighters were unable to engage the mental health counselor of their choice based on a non-compete clause in the counselor’s contract. Faraci’s legislation would allow every trained mental health professional to provide these much-needed services to any first responder or veteran, regardless of whether they have a non-compete clause in their employment contract.

 

(Springfield-jm) – State legislators are laying out more measures that could impact Illinois taxpayers with families and those paying property taxes. House Bill 4866 would lower property taxes in the state by increasing state funding for local pensions. Senate Bill 3329 and in House Bill 4917 would provide $300 for Illinois families who earn less than the median income. A separate measure would provide up to $700 in a child tax credit.

 

(Chicago-jm) – A group of demonstrators will be allowed outside the Democratic National Convention in Chicago this summer, despite opposition from Democratic officials. The Chicago Sun-Times reports the city failed to respond to a permit application within its own 10-day deadline and now must allow a group called the Poor People’s Army to protest at the DNC in August.

 

(Washington-jm) – Congress is working on a bipartisan approach to fix the migrant crisis. U-S Senator Dick Durbin of Illinois says there needs to be a fix to the broken immigration system…

 

U-S Senator Dick Durbin of Illinois.

 

(Kankakee-jm) – Gotion, Inc. plans to host another job fair to recruit workers for the electric vehicle battery manufacturing plant to be located in Manteno. The job fair is Saturday, February 10 from 10:30 am to 2:30 pm.  The fair will be in the Iroquois Room, Room D152, at Kankakee Community College's Riverfront Campus. Representatives will accept resumes, and briefly talk with each candidate. Additionally, those in attendance will be asked to fill out an information sheet so the recruiting team can reach out to qualified candidates for full interviews at a later date.

 

(Washington-jm) – How will the farm economy bear up under a projected major cut in farm income this year? Gary Crawford reports…

 

(Champaign-jm) – Champaign-Urbana Public Health District is announcing a significant step forward in its commitment to environmental stewardship. The health department has recently completed the installation of state-of-the-art photovoltaic panels atop the 99,000 square foot building. The panels, installed by StraightUp Solar in Champaign, are estimated to produce 412,800 kWh of energy in the first 12 months of operation, and produce 60% of the overall grid energy usage. Financial incentives provided to CUPHD will reduce the cost of the system by roughly 60% as well.

 

(Paxton–jc)  Impact Life is hosting another blood drive in the city of Paxton later this month. Blood Drive Coordinator Kevin Hanson says winter weather causes shortages of needed blood…

Impact Life Blood Drive Coordinator Kevin Hanson.

The blood drive is set for Saturday February 24th at the First Lutheran Church in Paxton from 10am to 1-30pm

 

(Champaign-jm) – The city of Champaign has decided to settle a wrongful death lawsuit for $2 million. In March 2022, 20-year-old Ross Booker was cleaning debris from a car crash when he was hit and killed by a car. The teen driver was later found guilty for failure to reduce speed to avoid an accident. Booker’s family sued the city, alleging that police officers should not have allowed Booker to walk into an intersection to clear debris.