(Springfield-jm) – A new study confirms what most Illinoisans already know, the property taxes in the state are among the highest in the nation. The personal finance website WalletHub ranked Illinois 50th for real estate property taxes. Of the 50 states and the District of Columbia, only New Jersey ranked lower. The study shows the average American household spends $2,869 on property taxes for their homes each year, but researcher Cassandra Happe said it is much higher in Illinois. Happe said Illinois is one of only three states with an effective property tax rate over 2%.
(Springfield-jm) – Gov. J.B. Pritzker’s budget proposal includes going after Illinois retailers' earnings, something that is not sitting well with industry officials. Retailers receive a discount of 1.75% of the sales tax they collect from sales as reimbursement for collecting taxes for the state. Pritzker wants to cap the claim at $1,000 a month. His administration said the move would raise about $101 million for the state and $85 million for local governments. Proponents of the sales tax credit cap claim it will only affect large retail stores. But, the Illinois Retail Merchants Association says that is not true and would impact retailers of all sizes from an independent grocery to the corner hardware store. The Illinois Chamber of Commerce also is opposed to the sales tax credit cap.
(Washington-jm) – What's causing food price inflation to cool down? Gary Crawford reports…
(Champaign-jm) – The Champaign Fire Department responded to a fire in a single-family home in the 300 block of west Tremont Street Tuesday afternoon. Once on the scene, fire crews reported heavy smoke and fire coming from the residence. The cause is unknown at this time.
(Rantoul–jc) – The village of Rantoul is participating with other Champaign County municipalities to bring in additional flights and services to Willard Airport in Savoy. The University of Illinois has pledged 500 thousand dollars in the effort. Rantoul Mayor Chuck Smith says the project will help with tourism and more and also be beneficial to the village of Rantoul…
Rantoul Mayor Chuck Smith.
(Urbana-jm) – Coroner Stephen Thuney is releasing the name of an Urbana woman who has died of injuries sustained in a domestic incident in Urbana on February 25. Montoria Samuels, 26 years-old, of Urbana was pronounced dead at 1:50AM on February 27 at the Carle Foundation Hospital-Intensive Care Unit. An autopsy is scheduled for Wednesday. An inquest may be held at a later date. This death is being investigated by the Champaign County Coroner’s Office and the Urbana Police Department.
(Paxton–jc) The date is set for May. The annual Draggin Main event for the city of Paxton. Paxton Mainstreet Director Donna Pepper has the details…
Paxton Mainstreet Director Donna Pepper
(Springfield-jm) – A bill introduced in the Illinois House this month would update the state’s definition of “abused child” to include a minor who has been denied “gender-affirming services.” Democratic state Rep. Anne Stava-Murray proposed the measure as an amendment to the Abused and Neglected Child Reporting Act. Language in the bill does not define "gender-affirming" services. The bill would also amend the Consent by Minors to Health Care Services Act to allow a minor to consent to their own "gender-affirming services" while protecting health care professionals from punishments for providing them. Activist group Awake Illinois launched a campaign against the bill, describing it as “anti-parent” and “anti-child.”
(Springfield-jm) – It has been four years since marijuana was legalized in Illinois, and now, lawmakers are looking to legalize the adult use of psilocybin mushrooms.
If legalized, lawmakers believe the substance not only will help treat those suffering from mental health issues but will also bring money to the state. Illinois state senator Rachel Ventura introduced the bill. She says studies prove that psilocybin mushrooms have been beneficial in treating patients with PTSD, depression, and anxiety. Ventura said if the bill passes and adult use of psilocybin mushrooms becomes legal, it would only be intended for medicinal purposes and not recreational use.
(Washington-jm) – Farm Bill progress is being hampered by disagreements over nutrition assistance spending. Gary Crawford reports…
(Champaign-jm) – Sullivan-Parkhill Automotive, Inc. and Parkland College announce the launch of a nationally recognized apprentice program to train and develop collision repair technicians. The program will combine on-the-job training with an experienced Sullivan-Parkhill mentor along with Parkland's Associate in Applied Science degree instruction in Collision Repair Technology. After completing the program, graduates will receive a nationally recognized journey worker certificate from the U.S. Department of Labor and a degree from Parkland.
(Rantoul–jc) What to do with an aging ballistic missile site in Rantoul. That is the question for the Village appointed committee. They are set to meet this evening and discuss options of repair, upkeep and potential demolition of the site on the former air base. Rantoul Mayor Chuck Smith says all options are set to be discussed…
Rantoul Mayor Chuck Smith. The Intercontinental Ballistic Missile Sub Committee meets at 5-30 this afternoon at village hall on Tanner Street.
(Rantoul-jm) – The Rantoul Fire Department and other investigative agencies are looking into a pair of fires that broke out in the same trailer within 12 hours of each other. They are also looking into a possible connection to a fire next door three weeks earlier. The fires happened on Mahoning Drive in the northeast part of the city. 13 Mahoning caught fire on Feb. 8 and was destroyed, killing two cats and displacing the person living there. 14 Mahoning was damaged enough by the fire that the person living there was also displaced. On Monday, firefighters responded to 14 Mahoning for a fire in that trailer. Firefighters were dispatched at 9:41 p.m. and they found fire and smoke coming from a bedroom. Tuesday morning 14 Mahoning caught fire again this time in a different part of the trailer.
(Paxton–jc) It’s coming to an end soon…girl scout cookie sales. Paxton Troop 27-28 Troop leader Kaye Harper says one use of money from the sale of cookies is to help with member fees and also to give back to the community…
Paxton Girl Scout Troop 27-28 Troop Leader Kaye Harper
WPXN News Notes…
The Eastern Illinois Foodbank will have a food drive in northern Iroquois County today from 9-9:30 at the Danforth Community Building, 10-10:30 at the Ashkum Village Park, 10:45-11:30 at Clifton Village Hall, 12:30-1 at the parking lot south of the Beaverville Post Office and 1:30-2 at the Donovan Village Hall.
