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The trial of an Illinois militia leader accused of being the ringleader in the 2017 bombing of a Minnesota mosque will be postponed until April

(Springfield-jm) -- Gov. J.B. Pritzker said the state's next budget will be balanced, but said if voters don’t approve a progressive income tax in November, he would have to reduce state spending across the board in future years. The governor is preparing to deliver his budget address later this month. He said that the progressive tax was needed to address “income inequality” and increase state spending on things like education. On Friday, Pritzker told Politico at a conference in Washington D.C. that we would present a balanced budget. However, if voters don’t approve the progressive income tax this November, the governor said 15 percent cuts in state spending would be needed across the board.

 

(Springfield-jm) -- More workers in Illinois whose employers don’t offer retirement savings plans are finding 5 percent of their pay automatically taken out of their checks and put into a retirement plan. Illinois Treasurer Michael Frerichs said the state’s Secure Choice Savings program will pay dividends in the future. The Illinois Secure Choice Savings program began in late 2018 with companies employing more than 500 employees that didn't offer a savings plan. Employers take 5 percent out of their employees' checks to put into individual retirement accounts. Employers don’t have to match that investment and employees can opt-out.

 

 

(Springfield-jm) -- Last year’s murder of a one and a half year old Illinois boy is prompting calls for a new legislative task force on domestic violence. Little Colton Michael Miller of Joliet was shot last September by his father. Colton’s mother was severly beaten by her estranged husband at the time as well. Now, Representative David Welter of Morris wants lawmakers to take action…

 

 

State Representative David Welter of Morris. Welter says the task force would look at existing laws and identify any gaps that need to be filled, as well as examine special conditions for bail and treatment options for victims and offenders.

 

 

(ST. PAUL, Minn. jm) — The trial of an Illinois militia leader accused of being the ringleader in the 2017 bombing of a Minnesota mosque will be postponed until April to give his defense team more time to prepare, a federal judge ruled Friday. Michael Hari was scheduled to go to trial on multiple counts this month. But U.S. District Judge Donovan Frank decided to push it back to April 27. Prosecutors allege Hari and two others drove from Clarence, Illinois, to bomb Dar al-Farooq Islamic Center in Bloomington, Minnesota. Hari’s co-defendants have pleaded guilty. Hari is also charged in a failed bombing of a women’s clinic in Illinois.

 

 

(Paxton-cf)- The Pillar Campaign was launched to get over the $250,000 dollar mark, the mark that had to be passed in order to distribute money to the PBL school district. PBL Education Foundation President Robin Niewold says a large donation was from an anonymous donor.. 

 

 

PBL Education Foundation President Robin Niewold.

 

(Rantoul-jm) -- Rantoul Township High School school board members are expected to approve an abatement project and a health life safety project at tonight’s school board meeting. In addition, school board members will hear a presentation on health care careers program and an update on the targeted school violence prevention program. The Rantoul Township High School school board meeting gets underway at 7 pm.

 

(Springfield-jm) -- A new proposal would put the Illinois State Police on the clock to make decisions a resident’s Firearm Owners Identification, or FOID card. In Illinois, a FOID card is required for a resident to own, buy or handle a gun and ammunition. If an applicant is denied a card by the Illinois State Police, which administers the card program, the resident to be able to appeal the denial, but there is currently no timetable for addressing appeals. Republican state Rep. Dan Caulkins’ legislation would require that process to happen in 60 business days.

 

 

(Springfield-jm) -- Although some say they are “full-time legislators,” Illinois state lawmakers are considered part-time, but there's growing debate about how outside employment should be handled. Should lawmakers be allowed to work as lobbyists to lobby local governments? What about working as a farmer, dentist, teacher or lawyer? Are there other conflicts of interest? Former Legislative Inspector General Julie Porter said it was valuable for the legislature to have diversity in professions and expertise, but there should be full disclosure of any potential conflicts, such as farmers voting on measures affecting farmland, for example.

 

 

(Springfield-jm) -- Several special events are planned this month at the Abraham Lincoln Presidential Library and Museum, including free admission on Lincoln’s birthday next week. Everyone gets in free on Wednesday as the nation celebrates Lincoln’s 211th birthday. Museum Spokesperson Chris Wills says many activities are planned as well…

 


 

Abraham Lincoln Presidential Library and Museum Spokesperson Chris Wills. On February 13th, visitors can check out “Tales from the Vault,” featuring Valentine’s cards and love letters from the facility’s collections. Check out all that’s going on this month at: president lincoln dot illinois dot gov.

 

 

(Rantoul-jm) -- Democratic candidates for the March 17 primary in Champaign County will hold a meet and greet in Rantoul. Candidates present and the offices for which they are running will be Erika C. Weaver, 15th Congressional District; Cindy Cunningham, 104th House District; Ramona Sullivan, Ruth Wyman, Troy Lozar and David Moore, circuit court judge; and Susan McGrath and Robert Burkhalter, circuit court clerk. The meet and greet will take place from 5:30-7:30 pm at the Rantoul Public Library on February 19th.

 

 

(Roberts-cf)- The Roberts Village Board has sent a letter to the I.E.P.A about paint chip clean up at the water tower in Roberts. Mayor Rick Flessner says the board still has not received a response.

 

 

Roberts Mayor Rick Flessner. 

 

(Gibson City-jm) -- Gibson City leaders have a light agenda for tonight’s city council meeting. On the agenda will be a presentation by the Ed Day Skateboard Committee and alderman will consider a  15 minute parking limit in front of the city’s pharmacies. The Gibson City city council meeting gets underway at 7 pm.

 

 

(Springfield-jm) -- One of Governor J-B Pritzker’s proposals for his second year as governor is reforming the state’s criminal justice system. Governor Pritzker says he wants to work with both sides of the legislature to create a fairer system…

 

 

Illinois Governor J-B Pritzker.

 

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