(Springfield-jm) -- Governor J-B Pritzker’s office says he will propose a budget with no tax increases for the upcoming fiscal year, and the deficit is now projected at about $2.5 billion less than previously thought. In a brief, 250-word outline of the upcoming fiscal year 2022 budget proposal, the governor’s office said the state will keep spending flat from a year ago while closing “corporate tax loopholes” worth $900 million. The outline did not identify any specific loopholes. Pritzker’s office said the FY22 budget will continue to include $700 million in state government spending cuts his administration initiated this year. Pritzker is scheduled to give his budget address next Wednesday.

 

 

(Undated-jm) -- The Illinois Department of Public Health reported 2,082 new Coronavirus cases Tuesday and 20 additional deaths bringing the state’s total number of cases to 1 million 150 thousand 170 and deaths to 19,686. Locally, Champaign County reported 57 new cases bringing their total to 17,064. Ford County reported 4 new cases bringing their total to 1,489. Iroquois County reported 6 new cases bringing their total to 2,725.

 

 

(Springfield-jm) -- State lawmakers and advocates are renewing efforts to pass a Clean Jobs Act in Illinois. This latest version aims to combat climate change, create equitable jobs and hold utilities accountable, says bill sponsor, Representative Ann Williams of Chicago…

 

 

State Representative Ann Williams of Chicago. Supporters say the goal is to move to 100 percent clean energy by 2050 by increasing energy efficiencies, moving towards electric public transportation fleets, setting up charging stations in all communities, giving more households access to solar energy and other initiatives.

 

 

(Urbana-jm) -- The University of Illinois Police Department received the highest level of accreditation any Illinois police department can receive. The police department received Tier Two accreditation from the Illinois Law Enforcement Accreditation Program. This is the third time U of I Police have received this ranking since 2012.

 

 

(Champaign-jm) -- Hundreds of businesses in the Champaign Urbana area are pledging to keep their employees and customers safe during the ongoing COVID-19 pandemic. Champaign Mayor Deb Feinen says over 300 have signed up…

 

 

Champaign Mayor Deb Feinen. 

 

 

(Paxton-jm) -- The Paxton Buckley Loda School board will meet tonight at 6. School board members will discuss summer maintenance projects and release bids for the replacement of the all weather track. Again the meeting for the PBL school board is at 6.

 

 

(Rantoul-jm) -- Also tonight starting at 6, you can catch the Rantoul candidate forum here on WPXN. The forum is sponsored by the group Rantoul Residents for Representation and will feature candidates for mayor and village trustees. 

 

 

(Springfield-jm) -- The Illinois House returns to Springfield today for one day only. 106th District State Representative Tom Bennett discusses what to expect…

 

 

106th District State Representative Tom Bennett of Gibson City.

 

 

(Urbana-jm) -- A Rantoul man is facing up to 30 years in prison after he was found with guns and drugs. Lawrence Lillard was arrested after police executed a search warrant at an apartment in Urbana. When he was arrested, police found a small amount of heroin on him. Inside the apartment, they found 48 grams of crystal meth, 10 grams of heroin, 6 grams of cocaine, 4 scales and 2 guns. Lillard was charged with being an armed habitual criminal, delivery of methamphetamine, manufacture or delivery of heroin, manufacture or delivery of cocaine and unlawful possession of a firearm by a felon.

 

 

(Washington-jm) -- USDA's February reports indicate another increase in the season ending average price for both corn and wheat. Rod Bain reports…

 

 

 

(Undated-jm) --  President Biden's administration is getting ready to remove all Senate-confirmed U.S. attorneys that were appointed during the era of former President Donald Trump. In the removals President Biden will order, U.S. attorneys John Lausch of the Northern District of Illinois. Lausch is involved in the ComEd bribery scandal investigation, which implicated Madigan and led to the indictments of four other people.

 

 

(Undated-jm) -- The Illinois Department of Public Health reported 2,082 new Coronavirus cases Tuesday and 20 additional deaths bringing the state’s total number of cases to 1 million 150 thousand 170 and deaths to 19,686. As for local active and recovered cases, Champaign County reported 16,239 have recovered, 713 are in isolation and 28 are hospitalized. Iroquois County reported 2,636 have been released from isolation, 31 remain in isolation and 1 is hospitalized.

 

 

(Springfield-jm) -- This is National Burn Awareness Week, with a focus this year on electrical burns. The theme is electrical safety, from amps to zaps says Illinois State Fire Marshal Spokesperson J-C Fultz...

 

 

Illinois State Fire Marshal Spokesperson J-C Fultz. Fultz says it’s a good idea to assess your home for other potential hazards such as space heaters, stovetops and grills. According to the National Fire Protection Association, the top causes for burns include contact with a flame, scalding, contact with a hot object, electrical and chemicals.

 

 

(Urbana-jm) -- Champaign County residents in need of rental assistance can get help through a local program. The Champaign County Regional Planning Commission is offering an Emergency Rent Assistance Program to help residents in the county with past due rent, water, power, and sewer bills. Individuals can begin the screening process by calling the Emergency Rent Assistance Program call center at 877-548-4205. The call center is open from noon to 7 p.m. on Tuesdays, Thursdays, and Saturdays.

 

 

(Champaign-jm) -- The Coronavirus pandemic has shown both an ugly side with the number of cases and deaths rising daily, the long lines at food banks and the unemployment lines but it has also shown a better side, a side of compassion, care and sacrificing for others. 52nd District State Senator Scott Bennett of Champaign…

 

 

52nd District State Senator Scott Bennett of Champaign.

 

 

(Loda-jm) -- Loda village leaders are expected to hear about a couple of construction projects at tonights village board meeting. Village leaders will hear an update on the water tower project and hear a presentation on the Build Illinois grants for storm sewer lines. The Loda village board meeting gets underway at 7pm.

 

 

(Springfield-jm) -- An area state lawmaker is speaking out against an attempt to decouple Illinois’ tax code. An attempt was made during the legislature's lame duck session back in January. 104th District State Representative Mike Marron of Fithian called out those who support the idea especially when many of them supported the Black Caucus’ four pillars…

 

 

104th District State Representative Mike Marron of Fithian.

 

 

(Urbana-jm) -- Three alumni have been appointed by Governor J.B. Pritzker to the University of Illinois System Board of Trustees. The governor named finance executive Ramón Cepeda, banking executive Sarah Phalen and agricultural communicator Tami Craig Schilling to six-year terms on the board, pending approval of the Illinois Senate. This will be Cepeda’s second term as a trustee.

 

 

(Washington-jm) -- If you're wondering why it's become so cold, you can blame the La Nina weather pattern. Stephanie Ho reports…