(Springfield-jm) -- Illinois’ congressional representatives are preparing to vote with the rest of the U.S. House on two articles of impeachment against President Donald Trump. Democrats claim Trump abused his power in asking Ukraine to investigate a political rival and obstructed Congress looking into it. U.S. Rep. Lauren Underwood waited until Tuesday to announce that she would vote in favor of impeachment. U.S. Rep. John Shimkus won’t be in DC this week as he is on a personal trip to visit his son in the Peace Corp in Tanzania, a trip he said has planned for six months. Regardless, he said he wants it to be known the impeachment articles are quote “pretty bogus”. The overall vote is expected to be mostly along party lines with some Democrats across the country joining Republicans to oppose impeachment, something Shimkus said shows it’s a partisan effort.
(Springfield-jm) -- A Capitol dome study conducted earlier this month revealed “some obvious flaws on the exterior of the dome,” a state employee said Tuesday. Inspectors also found cracks inside the structure and changes made over the years that have altered the Statehouse’s historical profile. The flagpole atop the Capitol needs to be replaced and the holiday lights will probably need to be hung in a different manner, Harl Ray, senior project manager for the secretary of state’s Department of Physical Services, said at a Capitol Architect board meeting. The firm’s final report, expected by mid-January, will include “a detailed and prioritized list of recommended corrections and repairs to guide future preservation efforts of the Illinois State Capitol Dome,” according to its website.
(Rantoul-jm) -- A Danville man has been arrested for allegedly breaking into a home in Rantoul. Police were called to the 1300 block of Juniper Drive for a report of a man breaking into a residence armed with a knife. Witnesses told police a man chased two kids into an apartment. The man confronted a resident of the home and a struggle ensued. The suspect was identified as 24-year-old Willie Barfield. When he was arrested an officer found him in possession of a controlled substance and he allegedly bit a correctional officer while being processed. He was arrested and charged with home invasion, possession of a controlled substance and resisting a police officer.
(Paxton-jm) -- The sale of the Paxton Airport is expected to be finalized in early 2020. The city council learned of the plans at their December meeting. A North Carolina man is looking to purchase the airport for his crop dusting business. The city agreed to sell the airport in February of 2017 for 100,000 cash and a bank note for 50,000.
(Gibson City-jm) -- A Gibson City golf course could close at the end of the year unless a group of can save it. A potential investor is seeking people to pool $225,000. That’s how much it costs to operate the course annually. If the group can’t come up with at least $200,000 by the end of the year, the course will close.
(Ford County-jm) -- The Ford County Clerk’s Office has held a lottery to determine placement on the March 17th primary ballot for a pair of contested races. For two 2 year terms in District 2, incumbent Tim Nuss of rural Roberts will appear first followed by newcomer Lesley King of Piper City and incumbent Robert Lindgren of rural Loda. For circuit clerk, Kammy Johnson Anderson will appear first followed by Suzie Shell both of Paxton.
(Springfield-jm) -- Gov. J.B. Pritzker said that House Speaker Michael Madigan knows how he feels about the cloud of corruption at the Illinois statehouse, although the governor said he hasn’t spoken directly about the issue with the leader of the state’s Democratic party. The latest in a series of a stream of corruption news included a report that a Madigan ally had tried to thwart the governor’s selection of a chief of staff. The Chicago Sun-Times this week reported former ComEd lobbyist Michael McClain sent messages to the governor’s office to try to block the governor’s choice.
(Springfield-jm) -- Democratic Gov. J.B. Pritzker said he fully supports allowing refugees to resettle in Illinois and he is expected to sign a letter to the Trump administration to that effect in the coming days. Such a letter of consent is now required from state and local officials under an executive order that President Donald Trump issued earlier this year. Under that order, state and local officials have until Dec. 25 to issue written statements of consent. Pritzker’s comments came after the humanitarian aid organization World Relief and 77 Illinois pastors who are part of the Evangelical Immigration Table sent letters to Pritzker and 14 other governors urging them to support refugee resettlement, even as the Trump administration sharply curtails the number of refugees allowed into the country.
(Springfield-jm) -- A group of shareholders filed suit against Illinois-based Exelon Corp. alleging corrupt lobbying practices under the dome in Springfield caused the company's stock prices to fall. The complaint, filed in the U.S. District Court for the Northern District of Illinois, said stockholders who bought between February 9 and November 1 watched Exelon shares plummet after news of the company received multiple subpoenas related to lobbying activities with the Illinois General Assembly. The suit claims the utility company’s stock dropped 2.83 percent during the time period due to news of its lobbying activities and reports of “kickbacks” to officials.
(Springfield-jm) -- About 700 hemp growers and processors are getting some of their questions answered about the new industry at a hemp summit in Springfield. This was the first year industrial hemp could be grown in Illinois and it’s proven to be a popular alternative crop option for producers. Illinois Department of Agriculture Director John Sullivan says the summit covered everything from market prices and pesticides to hemp testing for T-H-C…
Illinois Department of Agriculture Director John Sullivan. Sullivan says summits will likely be held at least once a year.
(Champaign County-jm) -- The Champaign County Housing Authority has been awarded a one point five million dollar grant. U-S Representative Rodney Davis announced the grant from the U-S Department of Labor. The grant money will be used to establish a new YouthBuild program to prepare 16 to 24 year olds for the workforce.
(Ludlow-jm) -- The Ludlow village board will be changing their meet times come 2020. The village board had held their monthly meetings on the first Monday. Now come January, the meeting will be held the second Tuesday at 7 pm. The change is to accommodate the village attorney and bookkeeper.
(Fisher-jm) -- The village of Fisher has approved an extension of their franchise agreement with Ameren Illinois for an additional 20 years. After that the agreement will be on a year to year basis. As part of the agreement, the village will receive an annual payment of $7,800.
(Ford County-jm) -- Ford County has set their tax levy for the upcoming fiscal year. The county hopes to collect about $3 point 615 million in property taxes.
(Springfield-jm) -- A new report from the Better Business Bureau warns virtually anyone in Illinois could be victimized by rental scammers. A new study by the organization shows the fraud is widespread and affecting every part of the country. A national survey found that 43 percent of people have encountered a fake listing online and about 5.2 million people have been ripped off by rental scams recently. The scam often involves copying the photo and description of a property already listed somewhere online and then changing the contact information. According to the report, more than five million consumers have lost money to such scams.
