(Springfield-jm) – A state representative introduced a measure that would ban single-family-only zoning in Illinois cities. State Representative Kam Buckner, of Chicago, posted on X, formerly Twitter, that Chicago and many cities in Illinois have a self-inflicted housing crisis, something his House Bill 4795 aims to address. Buckner said on X his bill would ban single-family only zoning. He also said the bill only applies in cities with populations over 100,000, which he said is only eight cities in Illinois.
(Springfield-jm) – The U of I Flash Index for January fell to 102.5 from its 102.8 reading in December. That indicates a slowing, but still strong economy. An index reading above 100 denotes growth. Income, corporate and sales tax receipts for the month were down slightly compared to the same month last year. The Illinois unemployment rate ticked up to 4.8% compared to 4.6% a year ago.
(Washington-jm) – A new report says U.S. agricultural export values and import values both declined in Calendar Year 2023. Gary Crawford reports…
(Paxton-jm) – Paxton firefighters were called to a barn fire Saturday afternoon. Crews were called to the barn fire west of Paxton just after 1:30 pm. Minimal damage was reported.
(Undated-jm) – A low flying helicopter is flying over parts of the area to map the Mahomet Aquifer. The helicopter mapped parts of Champaign County a few years ago. They have spent the last few days mapping parts of Ford and Iroquois Counties.
(Iroquois County-jm) – A Beaverville man is awaiting extradition back to Iroquois County after he was arrested in Indiana on a warrant in connection to a shooting that left a person injured in December. John Brown was arrested by Jasper County Indiana police and U-S Marshals in connection to a December 29th shooting in northeast Iroquois County. Brown is charged with aggravated battery, unlawful possession of a weapon by a felon and aggravated discharge of a firearm.
(Undated–jm) –There are several meetings around the area tonight. In Rantoul, the Rantoul Township High School board will hear a school wellness presentation and consider a change order for the Main Gym/East Wing Expansion project. The Ford County Board will consider a non-sanctuary county ordinance tonight. In Gibson City, they will consider task orders for chip seal projects and the Railside subdivision storm drainage recommendation. In Gilman tonight, city leaders are expected to approve a $255,000 bid for the 3rd and Maple street improvements and also consider proposed water and sewer improvements.
(Iroquois County.--jc) The Spring Primary election is set for March 19th. In Iroquois County there is a school referendum question on the ballot for residents in the northeastern part of the county. Iroquois County Clerk Breein Suver says the question is about a grade school district…
Iroquois County Clerk Breein Suver
(Springfield-jm) – After a special counsel’s report on President Joe Biden’s handling of classified documents highlighted questions about the president’s mental capacity, Illinois Governor J.B. Pritzker said he “smells a rat.” Illinois U.S. Representative Mary Miller said in a statement that Pritzker "must ask Biden to resign from office,” and the governor “will disqualify himself from ever holding higher office if he stays silent.” Miller also urged Biden cabinet officials to invoke the 25th Amendment to remove the president. Asked about Americans who read the report and have concerns about the president's mental fitness, Pritzker said Biden is fit to be president.
(Springfield-jm) – At the Illinois Gaming Board’s first meeting of the year, it reported that the state and local governments earned more than $1.5 billion in tax revenue from Illinois’ 15 licensed casinos, more than 46,000 video gaming terminals and 13 sports wagering operators statewide in 2023. The total amount of money wagered in the Illinois sports wagering market for 2023 was $11.6 billion. Since sports wagering launched in 2020, Illinois has had one of the highest grossing sports wagering markets in the country.
(Washington-jm) – The USDA is forecasting a fourth year in a row of falling direct government payments to farmers. Gary Crawford reports…
(Champaign County-jm) – Following the resignation of Kyle Patterson from his position on the Champaign County Board, the Democratic Precinct Committeepersons from Patterson's district will convene this evening via Zoom to select his successor. Applicants were solicited via social media and email lists and word of mouth, and two candidates have put their names forth: Grant Chassy and Donald Owen.
(McLean County-jm) – A McLean County judge denied Barton McNeil's latest attempt to get a new trial on charges he killed his 3-year-old daughter in 1998 because he said the evidence likely wouldn’t be legally allowed. McNeil, who has maintained his innocence, is serving a 99-year prison sentence for the suffocation death of his daughter. McNeil claims his ex-girlfriend is responsible. She is in prison for killing her mother-in-law.
(Springfield-jm) – State Representative Jason Bunting of Emington says a bill filed by the chairman of the Judiciary – Criminal committee, got a lot of attention this week and the kick-back he received caused him to pull the bill, for the time being. House Bill 4603, sponsored by Chicago Democrat Justin Slaughter, would amend the Illinois Vehicle Code by prohibiting police officers from stopping a driver for minor speeding and improper lane use violations…
106th District State Representative Jason Bunting of Emington.
(Vermilion County-jm) – Learning more about cover crops and how farmers can use them to improve their soil and nutrient management will be the objective of an upcoming workshop hosted by Vermilion County Farm Bureau. The Cover Crops and Soil Management workshop will be held on Thursday, February 29, beginning at 9:00 am. The program will be held in the Vermilion County Farm Bureau Auditorium, 1905 U.S. Route 150 west of Danville. Presenters in the workshop will include Dan Schaefer, with the Illinois Fertilizer and Chemical Association; Lowell Gentry, a retired University of Illinois senior researcher; and Eric Beckett, Illini FS agronomist. The panel will discuss on-farm research that has utilized cover crops and soil management to help farmers discover practical applications for their farms.
There are several meetings around the area tonight. In Rantoul, the Rantoul Township High School board will hear a school wellness presentation and consider a change order for the Main Gym/East Wing Expansion project. The Ford County Board will consider a non-sanctuary county ordinance tonight. In Gibson City, they will consider task orders for chip seal projects and the Railside subdivision storm drainage recommendation. In Gilman tonight, city leaders are expected to approve a $255,000 bid for the 3rd and Maple street improvements and also consider proposed water and sewer improvements.
(Paxton–jc) It’s Girl Scout Cookie sales time. Paxton Girl Scout Troop Leader Kaye Harper says they are offering 9 kinds of cookies…
Paxton Girl Scout Troop 28-27 Leader Kaye Harper
