(Springfield--jc)  -- One local Republican lawmaker says some jobs reform measures moved through the state legislature before they adjourned on Sunday. 106th District State Representative Tom Bennett of Gibson City says it was a positive from the weekend..

 

 

106th District State Representative Tom Bennett, Republican of Gibson City

 

 

SPRINGFIELD, Ill. (AP) — Illinois lawmakers are in line for a $1,600-a-year pay hike after what was described as a paperwork mix-up that was never reversed. The House approved a $39.9 billion budget and adjourned Saturday night without taking action on a measure that would have prohibited a 2.4% cost-of-living increase in legislators' base $67,836 salary. It would be the first pay increase for legislators since 2008 and would take effect July 1 if Democratic Gov. J.B. Pritzker signs the budget agreement.

 

CHICAGO (AP) — A former University of Illinois graduate student is set to stand trial in the 2017 disappearance and suspected killing of a visiting scholar from China whose body hasn't been found. Jury selection starts Monday in the federal trial of Brendt Christensen, who could get the death penalty if he's convicted. Prosecutors allege that he abducted, tortured and killed 26-year-old Yingying Zhang. Her family has flown in from China for the trial.

 

(Springfield--jc)  -- Illinois Secretary of State has a public education campaign on Illinois’ move over law. When  you get your driver’s license and vehicle registration renewal notices, you will be asked a test question about slowing down and moving over says Illinois Secretary of State Jesse White…

 

 

Illinois Secretary of State Jesse White

 

 

(Springfield--jc)  --In an effort to attract more visitors, the Illinois State Fair has lowered this year’s admission prices. Illinois State Fair Manager Kevin Gordon said the adult admission prices for Sunday through Thursday was lowered from $10 to $5 for this year’s fair, which is set to open in August.When he started working with the Illinois State Fair, Gordon said he took five years of audited data for gate and parking and determined that higher prices lead to fewer visitors.Gordon said the lower admission prices allow visitors to pay for their tickets and still have money for other things inside the fair.

 

 

(Washington--ba) USDA’s Agriculture Secretary Perdue is urging China to live up to its commitments to buy U.S. soybeans.  Stephanie Ho reports.

 

 

BLOOMINGTON, Ill. (AP) — The president of Illinois Wesleyan University in Bloomington has stepped down. Eric Jensen announced Friday that he was retiring and resigning effective immediately. Jensen says he's about to turn 64 and the time was right to leave the job he's held since 2015.  A national search will be conducted in the hopes of having a new president in place by the fall of 2020.

 

(Gibson--ba) One local committee is getting together soon to discuss a upcoming presentation. The Gibson City pool Committee is gathering on June 6th at 7:00pm to begin working on a presentation in hope of bringing it forward to the Gibson City council.

 

 

(Rantou--jc)  -- One local police department is looking for officers with experience. The Rantoul Police Department posted the job offer. Officials say the starting salary is just over 60 thousand dollars, and for officers with 3 or more years of service the starting salary is over 73 thousand dollars. Additional incentives come with the job. More information is found on line at police-dot-my-rantoul-dot-com-forward slash-careers.

 

 

(Paxton--ba) -- The City of Paxton has will be misting for mosquitoes this summer. This process will start on Tuesday, June 4th in the evening and will continue on Tuesdays and Thursdays until no longer needed. It is advised that residents of Paxton plan and take necessary action during the times of the misting  process.

 

SPRINGFIELD, Ill. (AP) — Illinois lawmakers have wrapped up their spring session after a whirlwind week that produced a budget, a state construction plan and billions of dollars in tax increases to fund it, more gambling, legalized marijuana use and protections for abortion. The Senate took final action Sunday on a $39.9 billion budget and a $45 billion infrastructure improvement plan. It doubled the state's gasoline tax to 38 cents per gallon. Future increases would be tied to inflation but legislation ensures that the road fund where it's deposited can't be used for other purposes. Local state Representative Mike Marron, Republican of Fithian says his negative vote was due to the limited time to actually view the budget…

 

 

104th District State Representative Mike Marron of Fithian

 

(Springfield--jc) --  On your things to do this summer, the Abraham Lincoln Presidential Library and museum is hosting a new train exhibit. Its a possible summer destination.. The exhibit  is called, All-Aboard--America’s Love of Railroads. The exhibit is housed across the street from the museum in Springfield in Union Station says Abraham Lincoln Presidential Library and museum spokesperson Chris Wills…

 

 

Abraham Lincoln Presidential Library and museum spokesperson Chris Wills

The exhibit runs through the end of the year.

 

MACON, Ill. (AP) — Authorities in central Illinois say a Decatur man has died after his motorcycle collided with a deer. Macon County Coroner Michael Day said Saturday that 67-year-old George L. Hampsten died Friday on U.S. 51 in Macon, about 10 miles south of Decatur. The coroner says Hampsten was riding north when a deer ran across the roadway, striking the motorcycle.

 

 

KIRKLAND, Ill. (AP) — A northern Illinois couple who wanted their farmland turned back into prairie after they died will see it done while still living. The DeKalb County Forest Preserve District already is converting 57 acres  donated by Jim and Joretta Chambers of Kirkland into prairie. Over the next five years, the same will be done with another 236 acres purchased by the district earlier this year. Preserve district Superintendent Terry Hannan says the couple told him when they first came up with the idea -- about 20 years ago -- that they didn't think they'd live so long. The Chambers now are both 90 and want to go forward with the plan. The land is along the Kishwaukee River between Kingston and Genoa, northwest of Chicago.

 

(Paxton--ba)-Summer is here, and that also means it’s time to relax and swim in the pool. Scott Allen of Paxton Hardware and Rental has some advice for pool owners who are just setting up their pools or have kept them out through the winter.

 

 

Paxton Hardware and Rental owner Scott Allen

 

CHICAGO (AP) — Faculty and graduate student workers at Illinois universities are protesting as college unions seek improved wages, benefits and job security. This spring, employee strikes took place at the University of Illinois at Chicago, City Colleges of Chicago and Loyola University. At least three protests were planned at other campuses in the state during the school year but were stopped.

Another protest is now likely, as graduate students at the University of Chicago voted last week to allow a walkout in protest of the administration's unwillingness to recognize them as a union

 

 

SPRINGFIELD, Ill. (AP) — About 20 attorneys plan to volunteer this fall to help people expunge or seal their criminal records. The Sangamon County Expungement and Record Sealing Summit is scheduled for October 19th in Springfield.  The attorneys will assist with cases where a person was arrested but not convicted. Petitions are filed with the circuit clerk, state police, prosecutors and the arresting and booking agency. Only about 15% of petitions are denied.

 

 

(Paxton--jc)  The Paxton Chamber of Commerce has set the date and theme for this year’s golf outing. The event is set for Friday August 23rd at Lakeview Country Club in Loda. This year’s theme is “Back to the 80s.”  The money raised goes to the Community Improvement Fund. Register your foursome for 350 dollars. Hole sponsorships are also available by contacting the Paxton Area Chamber of Commerce