ARLINGTON HEIGHTS, Ill. (AP) — The owner of Arlington International Racecourse has announced the company will not seek a license to add casino gambling at the track. Churchill Downs CEO Bill Carstanjen says state law requiring the track to dedicate a portion of casino earnings to racing purses makes placing casino games at the suburban Chicago track untenable. Carstanjen noted Arlington would enter the gambling market with a tax rate that would be approximately 17.5% to 20% higher than the existing Chicago-area casinos.

 

DECATUR, Ill. (AP) — U.S. Agriculture Secretary Sonny Perdue says President Donald Trump will take action to soften the effects of oil refinery exceptions for blending corn-based ethanol in motor fuel. Perdue spoke to farmers and agribusiness leaders Wednesday in Decatur. He says it was "disappointing" that Trump's Environmental Protection Agency granted the waivers. They came after Trump allowed for year-round sales of 15% ethanol blend in fuel.

 

 

(Springfield-jm) -- The Illinois Lottery is announcing a record contribution to state schools. More than 731 million dollars of lottery proceeds went to the common school fund this past fiscal year. Spokesperson Jason Schaumburg says that’s a nearly two percent increase over the previous year and a good reminder of where some of your gambling money goes…

 

 

Illinois Lottery Spokesperson Jason Schaumburg. During fiscal year 19, the lottery also paid 165 million dollars in commissions and selling bonuses to retailers and nearly two billion dollars in prize money to lucky winners. 

 

(Champaign-jm) -- Non-bargaining employees for Champaign County will see a pay increase. Following an 11 to 7 vote, the county board approved the 3.1 percent increase that will take effect January 1st. As part of the agreement, employees will have to pick up 14 percent of their health insurance.

 

 

(Pontiac-jm) -- The 71st annual Central States Thresherman’s Reunion gets underway today in Pontiac. The featured tractors at this year’s show include Oliver, Massey-Harris and Pre-1935 tractors. President Dave Herz talks about the weekends activities…

 

 

Central States Thresherman’s Reunion President Dave Herz. The event runs through Labor Day Monday.

 

(Kankakee--jc)  -- Kankakee County authorities are warning the public about a scam.  Sheriff Mike Downey says area residents have received calls from someone identifying himself as Sheriff Downey and saying the resident owes fines to the I-R-S.  The phone number is a spoof number. The scammer threatens arrest and requests a payment for the fine with gift card numbers. Sheriff Downey says county sheriff offices do not threaten arrest, or ever ask for gift card numbers. Those receiving calls should inquire at the Kan-Comm Dispatch at 815-933-3324

 

 

(Rantoul-jm) -- Rantoul residents will be able to weigh in on whether or not the village should allow the sale of cannabis. The village board will allow the public to speak about the issue at their September 3rd study session. Illinois became the 11th state in the country to legalize cannabis, while becoming the 1st state to approve the commercial sale. Under the law, communities can ban the commercial sale.

 

(Springfield--jc)  --Illinois teachers have a new avenue to appeal an evaluation. Gov. J.B. Pritzker signed Senate Bill 12-13 this week. It sets up a bargaining process between the school district and a union representative when a teacher appeals an unsatisfactory rating.The governor’s office said in a statement that the measure allows for local district and union officials to determine the criteria for a successful appeal.

(Springfield-jm) -- It is now illegal to smoke in a vehicle with minors present. Governor J-B Pritzker recently signed House Bill 2276 into law making it a petty offense to smoke in a vehicle when a person under the age of 18 is present. The first offense is a $100 fine with subsequent offenses costing $250 each. Proponents of the measure say the new law is intended to reduce children’s exposure to secondhand smoke.

 

(Springfield-jm) -- Expect to see more police out on the roads this Labor Day Weekend, looking for drunk drivers and other violators. Extra patrols and roadside safety checks will be targeting drunk drivers this holiday weekend. Illinois Department of Transportation Spokesperson Guy Tridgell says there’s really no excuse for driving under the influence when there are so many options to get home safely…

 

 

I-DOT Spokesperson Guy Tridgell. Tridgell says you also need to be careful if you’re planning a Labor Day party, since you can be held liable if a guest is involved in a drunk driving crash.

 

(Springfield-jm) -- The Illinois Department of Natural Resources is warning the public about potential travel delays and closures at Starved Rock State Park over the Labor Day weekend. Starved Rock and nearby Matthiessen are some of the most popular parks in the state, so it’s going to be crowded says D-N-R Spokesperson Rachel Torbert…

 

 

Illinois Department of Natural Resources Spokesperson Rachel Torbert. The busiest times are usually between 11 and 3. Visitors are urged to check D-N-R’s facebook and twitter pages for updates.

 

 

(Urbana-jm) -- A Penfield man has been sentenced to four years probation and six months in jail after admitting to having sex with an underage female. 22-year-old Harrington Matherne the third received the sentence in Champaign County court after pleading guilty to a single count of aggravated criminal sexual abuse. Police say the teen was not of legal age to consent when the crime took place.

 

 

(Ludlow-jm) -- One area school district is seeing black when it comes to their budget. The Ludlow school district is expecting their budget to be over $161,000 in the black this school year. The district anticipates over one point one million in revenue while spending just over 967 thousand. The budget is expected to be approved at the September 12th school board meeting.

 

 

(Paxton-ba) -- The new sign is up and the Cox-Knapp Miller Funeral Home in Paxton has begun construction work on it’s new chapel. They are still operating as scheduled, owner Kendall Cox says there are several ways to get ahold of them.

 

 

Cox Knapp Funeral Home Owner Kendall Cox

 

(Thomasboro-jm) -- The Thomasboro school board is facing some tough decisions. The district received word from the Illinois State Board of Education that they can no longer continue to operate with a $100 thousand deficit in the education fund. That fund covers teachers salaries as well as supplies and materials. The State Board of Education made three recommendations: sell bonds, propose a referendum to voters or make cuts.

 

(Springfield-jm) -- A new law signed by Governor J-B Pritzker that would suspend the driver's license of a driver who violates right-of-way laws and injures pedestrians in a crosswalk is in response to the death of an Iroquois County man. Mason’s Law, co-sponsored by State Senator Jason Barickman of Bloomington and State Representative Lindsay Parkhurst of Kankakee and named after Clifton resident Mason Knorr, would require a one year suspension of an individual's drivers license if they commit a right-of-way violation at a crosswalk or a crosswalk in a school zone that results in bodily harm or death. Knorr was killed by a semi when it failed to stop at a stop sign.

 

(Paxton--jc)  - The Just an Angel organization hosted a benefit at Murdocks in Loda last weekend for a 7 year old girl with heart issues. The event was a success and organizer Dale Puls says thanks to all who helped with the benefit for Macie. Puls says anyone wishing to donate to help Macie can do so at the Paxton Busey Bank…

 

 

Just An Angel Spokesperson Dale Puls of Paxton

 

The state of Illinois has put out requests for proposals in an effort to get the Thompson Center in Chicago off of the taxpayer rolls. The sale of the state-owned building, which costs $17 million a year to operate, had been budgeted in previous state budgets, but was never sold.Gov. J.B. Pritzker said the requests for proposals announced Tuesday start the process of selling the facility. He said the proceeds would be used to pay the state's underfunded pension systems.

 

 

(Washington-jm) -- Cool weather is expected to continue hindering development of the nation's soy and corn crops. USDA’s Stephanie Ho has the details…