(Springfield-jm) – A package of bills introduced by Illinois Republicans aims to give parents more access to what is taught in their child's classroom. States across the nation are making similar efforts, but critics say it's an attempt to halt lessons on subject matter like gender, race, and sexuality. Republican lawmakers say this is all to increase transparency, but some feel there are other issues at play.
(Springfield-jm) – Governor J-B Pritzker says he’s committed to eliminating the scourge of corruption in Illinois government. The Governor calls the conduct alleged in the indictment against Mike Madigan deplorable and says the former House Speaker should be held accountable to the full extent of the law. He also has this message…
Illinois Governor J-B Pritzker. Governor Pritzker says although some ethics reforms were passed last year, more must be done.
(Undated-jm) – Eligible Catholic schools will have their Invest in Kids Act Tax Credit Scholarship Program doubled. Empower Illinois shared two generous donors on February 28 who are sponsoring a scholarship donation match for eligible Catholic schools in central and southern Illinois. Among the schools eligible include St. Malachy in Rantoul, Holy Cross School, St. Matthews School and St. Thomas More in Champaign.
(Urbana-jm) – This weekend is “Unofficial” in Campustown. The event was once known for drawing thousands to Champaign-Urbana to take part in excessive partying, but the popularity of the event has gone down. Unofficial has been dangerous before. Three students have died in the past.
(Springfield-jm) – There is about a month left in the Spring legislative session. 106th District State Representative Tom Bennett of Gibson City discusses some of the bills he is sponsoring…
106th District State Representative Tom Bennett of Gibson City.
(Rantoul-jm) – Police arrested a 16-year-old Rantoul Township High School student, after found armed with a loaded handgun at school. According to authorities, the Rantoul Police Department responded to a report of a firearm being inside a school building at approximately 9:15 a.m. on Thursday. Police say the School Resource Officer at Rantoul Township High School was notified by school staff that a student there was possibly in possession of a gun. The officer and staff immediately responded and detained a sixteen-year-old male juvenile without incident. Upon searching the juveniles coat, officers located a loaded handgun. Officials report the handgun was discovered to be stolen from Douglas County in 2020, but are unaware of any specific details pertaining to that case. The juvenile was transported to the Champaign County Juvenile Detention Center on preliminary charges of Unlawful Use/Possession of Weapon and Possession of a Stolen Firearm.
(Urbana-jm) – Urbana Police arrested one suspect as a result of an investigation on the murder of 17-year-old Jordan Atwater-Lewis. Officers said the suspect’s name is currently not being released due to his status as a juvenile at the time of the crime. The suspect is currently being held in the Champaign County Satellite Jail pending future court proceedings. The investigation of this incident is ongoing.
(Washington-jm) – U.S. Dairy Exports broke records in 2021, but what are the export prospects for this year? Gary Crawford reports…
(Springfield-jm) – An Illinois lawmaker is seeking to have Michael Madigan's name and likeness taken down from the Illinois state Capitol building. House Bill 5718 would require Madigan's name and likeness to be removed from all state properties. This would include the Capitol.
(Champaign–jc) Champaign Fire Department officials respond to a residence fire at 804 Centennial Drive just past 8 last night. Fire crews quickly extinguished the fire in this single-family home. Once on the scene, fire crews reported heavy fire and smoke coming from the attached two-car garage. The cause of this fire is undetermined
(Springfield-jm) – The Illinois House passed legislation Thursday to increase the number of substitute teachers in the state. The bill is sponsored by Representative Anne Stava-Murray of Downers Grove, who says it makes college education major with at least 90 credit hours eligible for a substitute teaching license. She explains why it’s needed…
State Representative Anne Stava-Murray of Downers Grove. The bill now heads to the Senate.
(Urbana-jm) – A pair of 21-year-olds from Champaign County were charged in federal court with gun offenses. Kevin Beasley of Rantoul was charged for allegedly possessing a firearm as a previously convicted felon while Ahzhnae Vassar of Champaign was charged for allegedly making a false statement to a licensed gun dealer while buying a gun. The indictment alleges that Vassar unlawfully purchased a Glock 17 pistol by falsely stating that she was the true buyer of the gun. Beasley was arrested on February 16 while Vassar was issued a notice to appear in court on March 17. If convicted, Beasley and Vassar are facing a maximum of 10 years in prison, followed by three years of parole and a $250,000 fine.
(Vermilion County-jm) – Vermilion County has been issued a final property assessment equalization factor of 1.0000, according to the Illinois Department of Revenue. The property assessment equalization factor, often called the “multiplier”, is the method used to achieve uniform property assessments among counties, as required by law. Assessments in Vermilion County are at 33.45 percent of market value, based on sales of properties in 2018, 2019, and 2020. The equalization factor currently being assigned is for 2021 taxes, payable in 2022. Last year’s equalization factor for the county was 1.0000.
(Paxton–jc) A blood-drive is set for Paxton on Saturday. The venue is the First Lutheran Church. Blood drive coordinator Kevin Hanson says some time slots remain available…
Paxton Blood drive Coordinator Kevin Hanson. More information is found on line at blood-center-dot-org
(Urbana-jm) – A judge entered an order in U.S. District Court in Urbana accepting Emily Claire Hari’s recent plea of guilty to four federal charges in connection with acts of domestic terrorism in Illinois and Indiana. In his order, U.S. District Judge Michael Mihm said he was adopting the “report and recommendation” filed by U.S. Magistrate Judge Eric Long concerning Hari’s February 9 plea and, with no written objections having been filed, was accepting the plea. As part of a plea agreement, Hari, formerly known as Michael B. Hari, pleaded guilty to conspiracy to interfere with commerce by threats and violence, attempted arson, unlawful possession of a machine gun and unlawful possession of a firearm by a felon. In return, the 50-year-old transgender Hari, the former ringleader of a homegrown militia group based in the Ford County community of Clarence, will receive a 14-year prison sentence, to be served concurrently with the 53-year prison term she received last September for masterminding the firebombing of a Minnesota mosque. Sentencing remains set for 1 p.m. June 13, before Mihm.
(Undated-jm) – The Ford-Iroquois 4-H Foundation has Senior Scholarships available for 4-H students in Ford and Iroquois County. Ford and Iroquois 4-H seniors are being emailed the scholarship application and guidelines from the Extension Office. High school counselors also have the info or students can reach out to fordiroquois4hfoundation@gmail.com. Also, The Iroquois County Republican Women's Club plans to award an Iroquois County graduating high school female senior its $500 scholarship. Qualifications include the applicant being at least a 3-year current resident of the county, be registered to vote IF you'll be 18 by November 8, 2022 and proof of U.S. citizenship. High school counselors have the application info or email iroquoisgopwomen@gmail.com Applications are due by April 15th.
(Washington-jm) – USDA is urging farmers to enroll in the Agriculture Risk Coverage and Price Loss Coverage programs, even though commodity prices are very high. Gary Crawford reports…
