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101st General Assembly to be Inaugurated Today

(Chicago--ab) Nearly one-in-three American households experiences a dramatic change in income each year, and new research reveals this volatility could have a serious impact on health. Researchers collected data over a 15-year period from nearly four thousand people living in four diverse U-S cities, including Chicago. Study author Tali Elfassy says they found a connection between unpredictable variations in personal income during young adulthood and an increased risk of heart disease, or dying from any cause.

 

 

Study author Tali Elfassy

The research was published Monday in the American Heart Association's journal Circulation.

 

(Springfield--jc)  -- While no legislation has been filed, Gov. Bruce Rauner and some politicians have said that lame duck lawmakers could spring a gas tax hike at the last minute, but that idea seems to be fizzling out. However, a motor fuel tax increase could dominate the next legislature that’s seated Wednesday. Rauner's former Transportation Secretary, Randy Blankenhorn, recently said that raising the gas tax would raise money needed to maintain and modernize the state's infrastructure. Outgoing Chicago Mayor Rahm Emanuel also recently called for a 20 to 30 cent per gallon gas tax increase to pay for roads. Midwest Truckers Association Executive Vice President Don Schaefer said it’s not a matter of if, but when, the gas tax hike debate is coming. But he said it needs to be addressed fairly.

 

 

(Springfield--ab) House lawmakers are approving two bills requested by Governor-elect J-b Pritzker. The first would boost the salaries of 49 state agency directors and assistant directors by 15 percent. Representative Christian Mitchell of Chicago is sponsoring the legislation.

 

 

Representative Christian Mitchell of Chicago

The second bill removes current Illinois tollway board members so the new governor can appoint replacements. Both measures now need senate approval.


 

(China--ab)  -- Trade relations with China is really souring US Soybean farmers. WPXN News reporter Austin Burklund has the details.

 

 

 

(Watseka--jc)  -- There are two tests that can help prevent cervical cancer or find it early. The Pap test looks for precancerous cells, which are cell changes on the cervix that might become cervical cancer if they are not treated appropriately. The H-P-V test looks for the virus that can cause these cell changes. Women should begin having regular cervical cancer screenings at age 21. In addition to these screenings, the Centers for Disease Control & Prevention  recommends that pre-teens should get the HPV vaccine at age 11 or 12. This vaccine can prevent HPV and therefore provides protection against cervical cancer. Women up to age 26 and men up to age 21 can get the vaccine. More information is found by calling your county public health department.


 

(Springfield--jc)  Illinois Governor Bruce Rauner is reflecting on his accomplishments and is offering  some advice for the new assembly that meets today in Springfield. He submitted an end of term report to the legislature on Tuesday. In the report, the governor hi-lighted strides made in education, government red tape and moving the state into the digital age…

 

 

Illinois Governor Bruce Rauner

The governor says he would like to see lawmakers pass term limits and work to reduce property taxes in the state.

 

(Decatur--jc)  --The Occupational Safety and Health Administration (OSHA) has confirmed that it has launched two separate investigations into explosions at ADM corn processing plants in Iowa and Illinois over the weekend.One firefighter was killed and one other was injured Saturday in a fire and explosion at the ADM facility in Clinton, Iowa. Hours earlier, an explosion occurred at another ADM corn plant in Decatur, Illinois. No one was hurt.The explosion at the Illinois plant comes just two months after another fire and explosion in the grain elevator that serves the company's corn and soybean plants at the Decatur complex.

 

 

(Clifton--jc)  Iroquois County Fair will be looking for a new president this year. Longtime Iroquois County Fair President Marvin Perzee is stepping down from the position he has held since 1972. He has served the fair since 1966. Under his guidance, the fair has grown  and draws thousands of exhibitors and thousands of spectators to the annual event at the fairgrounds north of Crescent City along Route 49.

 

 

(Roberts--ab)  -- The Village of Roberts board meeting had a town vs. county showdown on Monday night. The issue is whether Ford county will ever enact the resolution brought by the village of Roberts regarding a windmill ordinance. Village Mayor Richard Flessner has the details on the encounter.

 

 

Roberts Village Mayor Richard Flessner

 

SPRINGFIELD, Ill. (AP) — Illinois House Speaker Michael Madigan has concluded the legislative session by thanking lawmakers for persevering through an "epic struggle" over the budget with Republican Gov. Bruce Rauner. The House finished its two-year term Tuesday. The 101st General Assembly will be inaugurated today. Rauner will be replaced Monday by Democratic Gov.-elect J.B. Pritzker. Democrat Madigan credited Republican as well as Democratic members for bucking Rauner in July 2017 to adopt a tax hike and approve a budget.

 

 

NEW YORK (AP) — Sears received another possible lifeline Tuesday when the company's chairman and largest shareholder promised to line up the necessary financing to keep the struggling department store chain afloat. The reprieve came after what Sears lawyers described to a bankruptcy judge in New York as "round-the-clock" negotiations following the company board's initial rejection of Eddie Lampert's proposal, which sought to preserve 425 stores and 50,000 workers. According to lawyers close to the matter, one of the main sticking points was that the bid didn't include cash. The revised version now requires Lampert to deposit $120 million by 4 p.m. Wednesday through his ESL hedge fund.

 

 

 

(Champaign-jc)  - You may see some mobile trailers in Champaign awaiting firefighters this morning. 4 mobile trailers have been  delivered to the Illinois Fire Service Institute in Champaign. The trailers and items inside will be used for training purposes. Many fire departments throughout the WPXN listening area will get the chance to use the trailers for fire protection training. A ribbon cutting ceremony is set for 10 this morning at the Illinois Fire Service Institute in Champaign. The 4 trailers and contents were purchased for 175 thousand dollars  of state funds. Fire Marshal Matt Perez was instrumental in lobbying for and getting the funds. The equipment will be shipped to various parts of Illinois for training purposes. They will be made available to local fire departments at no cost.

 

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