SPRINGFIELD, Ill. (AP) — An audit released Wednesday found that a plan to save $500 million a year on state employee health insurance was  ill-conceived and poorly executed that it's costing taxpayers $10 million extra annually without delivering the service promised. Auditor General Frank Mautino says that former Gov. Bruce Rauner's administration, which originally proposed a private health insurance exchange, switched gears to an online custom-benefit portal that officials said could have been created in house. It replaced a paper-based health care program for 450,000 workers and retirees, but the promised cost-saving marketplace still isn't in place.

 

CHICAGO (AP) — A team of architects led by Jeanne Gang has been chosen to design a $2.2 billion global terminal at Chicago's O'Hare International Airport. Studio ORD, which includes Gang's Studio Gang and other firms, will be in charge of designing the 2.2 million-square-foot facility. The terminal will be the centerpiece of an $8.5 billion airport expansion and modernization. The project is to be completed by 2028.

 

ROCKFORD, Ill. (AP) — An Illinois man facing federal murder charges in the killing a sheriff's deputy now faces state charges, as well. Winnebago County State's Attorney Marilyn Hite Ross said Wednesday that a grand jury indicted 39-year-old Floyd E. Brown, of Springfield, on 75 counts, including 60 counts of first-degree murder. Brown has already pleaded not guilty to the federal first-degree murder and weapons charges in the March 7 fatal shooting of 35-year-old McHenry County Sheriff's Deputy Jacob Keltner.

 

(Paxton--jc)  -- Bids for a roof project at a Ford County Maintenance shed are expected to be opened in May. The local Ford County Sheriff’s department learned that the project will receive a grant of around 39 thousand dollars to help pay a new roof.Specs for the project and will be available soon and the hope of the local department is the grant will cover most of the roof costs.

 

 

(Paxton--jc)  A fire at a building at Vermilion and Holmes  in Paxton saw the building completely destroyed and around a dozen classic  and antique vehicles destroyed. Paxton Fire Department Fire Chief Denny Kingren says the building and most of the contents were destroyed...…

 

 

Paxton Fire Department Fire Chief Denny Kingren.

The State  Fire Marshal’s office was on the scene Wednesday morning to try and figure out what caused the blaze. Our thoughts go out to the Baier Family who lost not only prized possessions, but a lot of Paxton area History.

 

 

(Gibson City--jc)  Funeral arrangements for a Gibson City police officer who passed away after a long battle with cancer has been set. The funeral for Tony Dow of Gibson City will take place on Saturday morning at 10 at the Rosenbaum Funeral Home in Gibson City.  Dow’s visitation takes place on Friday from 5-30 until 8 at the funeral home. Gibson City police officials are inviting other police officers from area agencies to participate in a walk through during the visitation on Friday at 6pm.

 

 

(Springfield--jc)  -- Illinois Senate Republicans are pushing an amendment that would make it harder to raise taxes in Illinois. The measure says that taxes and fees can only be raised through legislation that is passed by two thirds of both the House and Senate. Republican State Senator Dan McConchie of Hawthorn says with all the recent tax hikes..this is important…

 

 

Republican State Senator Dan McConchie of Hawthorn.

 

 

(Watseka--jc)  -- Iroquois County Policy and Procedure committee members will look at requests certification of compliance for Motor Fuel Tax  and Bridge program funds when they meet this morning in Watseka. The group is also expected to approve an E-M-A Social Media Policy and get an update on Flood Matters in Iroquois County. The committee meeting begins this morning at 9 in Watseka.

 

(Gifford--jc)  -- When voters go to the polls on Tuesday they will elect village and city council members to library boards and school board members. In the Gifford School district 4 candidates are running for three positions on the local board. They are Candy Franzen, Traci Harris, Michael Schluter and Alyson Suits. The polls open at 6  Tuesday morning.

 

 

(Hoopeston--jc)  Want to hear Johnny Cash? Those at the Lorraine Theatre in Hoopeston are hosting Doug Allen Nasch in a Johnny Cash tribute concert tomorrow night at the theatre in Hoopeston. Tickets are 28 dollars in advance and 30 dollars at the door. More information is found by contacting the theatre. There is also a free will dinner starting at 5-30 Friday afternoon at the Hoopeston United Methodist Church. On  the menu, several of Cash’s favorite foods, Chili, cornbread and peanut butter cookies. The concert begins at 7 Friday night.

 

(Springfield--jc)  Thousands of gun owners showed up in Springfield on Wednesday to oppose a growing list of bills that they worry will infringe on their constitutional rights.The annual Illinois Gun Owner Lobby Day brought crowds to the capitol. Rhonda Ezell, president and co-founder of Chicago Guns Matter, sued the city of Chicago over a ban on gun ranges and won. She said it’s not about guns. It’s about the rights of people to protect themselves from tyranny.

 

(Bloomington--jc)  - Some Republican leaders in the state capitol are working to get a change to the State Constitution concerning more taxes. A measure passed that would require a supermajority vote to pass new taxes. 53rd District State Senator Jason Barickman believes that a supermajority, not just a simple majority of legislators needs to be the number to pass more taxes on Illinoisans…

 

 

53rd District State Senator Jason Barickman, Republican,  of Bloomington

 

(Springfield--jc)  -- The American Soybean Association released a statement today says they are not pleased with recent comments from President Trump that he could leave tariffs in place under an agreement with China. A-S-A has always considered the lifting of the Section 301 tariffs by the U.S. in exchange for China removing its retaliatory 25 percent tariff on U.S. soybean imports as essential to any initial agreement between the two countries. A-S-A President  Davie Stephens, of Clinton Kentucky says the President’s statement that the tariffs should remain in place to ensure China’s compliance with the terms of a deal, rather than being rescinded as a part of that deal, is confounding

 

(Rantoul--jc)  -- On Wednesday, , the Rantoul Exchange Club honored the men and women of the Rantoul Police Department at the Police Officer of the Year Banquet. This year 3 officers received nominations from their fellow officer. Officer Jerry King, Officer Jim Barnett and Detective Jim Schmidt received nominations. Members of the Exchange Club interviewed the 3 finalists and selected Officer Jerry King as Police Officer of the Year. King is a 2003 graduate of Paxton Buckley Loda High School and has been with the Rantoul Police Department since 20-13.

 

(Springfield--jc)  --Illinois lawmakers are considering a five percent tax on streaming online services and satellite television.The legislation is, sponsored by Democrat Deputy Majority Leader Art Turner of Chicago. It , would tax the providers of streaming services like Roku and satellite services like DirecTV on 5 percent of their gross profits. It would also tax the subscribers one percent “for the privilege to witness, view, or otherwise enjoy the entertainment. 50 percent of the proposed tax would go local municipalities

 

 

(Springfield--jc) --Illinois Secretary of State Jesse White says Illinoisans can now apply for the Real I-D Card. The card is a federal requirement, needed for domestic air travel and to enter federal buildings starting in October of next year. Secretary White says you can also just keep your regular driver’s license and use your passport to fly…

 

 

Illinois Secretary of State Jesse White.

Documents needed include birth certificate, social security number, address and signature.

(Rantoul--jc)  -- If you see some University of Illinois Students in the village of Rantoul on Saturday, there is a good reason. A  group of U of I students will be conducting a Village of Rantoul transportation survey on Saturday. The students will knock on doors in neighborhoods throughout the Village of Rantoul. For professionalism and safety, each student will be wearing a Village of Rantoul ID badge. The survey runs from 10am until 3pm on Saturday

 

 

Forecasters are calling for widespread and unusually severe flooding this spring. If you live near rivers or streams, an expert says you might want to think about doing some things ahead of time, just in case. Gary Crawford reports…

 

 

 

(Arrowsmith--jc)  Fire destroyed a vacant home and garage in Arrowsmith on Wednesday. The Pantagraph reports that firefighters were called to the one story home on East street around 6 last night. No one was injured. Firefighters from the Saybrook-Arrowsmith Fire Protection District had the blaze controlled in less than an hour. Several other neighboring fire districts helped in the incident. No word on the amount of damage to the home was provided.

 

 

(Gibson City--jc)  One Ford County Relay for Life team is hosting a Euchre party fundraiser in April. The Chic Meredith’s team invites area card players to the event on Friday April 12 starting at 630pm at the Moyer District Library. Entry fee is 10 dollars. Those interested are asked to call 217-784-5267. Money raised goes to help raise funds for a cure for cancer and also raise awareness of the disease.