(Springfield-jm) – A new poll shows Illinoisans believe teachers and parents should have the biggest say in how schools are being run, more so than politicians and school administrators. The Illinois Education Association released its fourth annual State of Education report and includes a variety of topics. The poll also revealed more public awareness about staffing shortages in Illinois schools. Seventy-seven percent of people said they were worried about teacher shortages.

 

(Springfield-jm) – Illinois Attorney General Kwame Raoul has announced his office collected over $990 million in revenue through litigation and collection efforts in 2021. The AG’s office was able to bring in $331 million through collections litigation, including cases involving the collection of funds for damage to state property, child support enforcement, fines and penalties.

 

(Springfield-jm) – The Illinois State Police says the bipartisan infrastructure bill passed by Congress late last year will help reduce traffic fatalities. The Infrastructure Investment and Jobs Act will build and repair roads and bridges, but also features provisions that will help law enforcement keep people safe, says State Police Director Brendan Kelly. One requires anti-drunk driving technology…

 

 

Illinois State Police Director Brendan Kelly. There will also be new car bumper and hood standards to protect pedestrians and cyclists in case of an accident. Kelly says the act also includes money to study new strategies for educating the public about move over law.

 

(Undated-jm) – The Illinois House of Representatives recently passed a resolution honoring a woman who contributed a great deal of service to the state of Illinois during her life. Kay Clabaugh McGuire was involved in many different organizations throughout her life, including the Board of Directors at Paxton Community Hospital, Salt & Light Ministry and on committees with local Chambers of Commerce, Parkland College, the University of Illinois. She passed away on February 25th.

 

(Springfield-tr) – Property taxes continue to be a concern for all home and business building owners in the state. 53rd district State Senator Jason Barickman shares his concern for Illinois taxpayers when it comes to their high property taxes… 

 

 

53rd district State Senator Jason Barickman

 

(Vermilion County-jm) – A 79-year-old man whose body was recovered from Lake Vermilion water after he went under Tuesday has been identified. The Vermilion County Sheriff's Department said it was dispatched to a call at Lake Vermilion County Park about a male that went into the water to try and get to his boat, which had floated away from the dock. The man has been identified by the coroner as James F. Walker of Danville. 

 

(Washington-jm) – One grain trade analyst says predicting potential Ukrainian crop production and exports is almost impossible because there are too many unknowns involved.  Gary Crawford reports…

 

 

(Roberts–jc)  –  A banquet and auction is set for Saturday in Roberts to benefit Pheasants Forever. The local Illinois Pioneer Pheasants Forever Chapter in Ford County is hosting the event. Chapter President Dave Kaeding says tickets remain available for the event and auction…

 

 

Illinois Pheasants Forever Chapter 69 President Dave Kaeding.

 

The Paxton Emergency Response Service will hold their all you can eat chicken and noodle supper tonight from 5-7 pm at their building located at 134 W. State Street. Meal includes chicken and noodles, mashed potatoes, green beans, bread dessert and drink for $10.

 

(Springfield-jm) – A new report shows that Illinoisans are split on whether to ban critical race theory in schools, but experts say politics are heavily influencing the idea. Critical race theory is studied in higher education. It's the idea that racism and other inequities are ingrained into our social, economic, and legal systems. A bipartisan report from the Illinois Education Association shows, 46% strongly or somewhat favoring a ban and 50% somewhat opposing or strongly opposing a ban. Of the people surveyed who said they support banning Critical Race Theory, 82% favored education about slavery and 65% favored education about racism.

 

(Springfield-jm) – Illinois' sportsbooks started the year with a surge of betting with a monthly handle in January totalling nearly $870 million. Joe Boozell with PlayIllinois.com said with the extended NFL regular season and expanded playoffs, the sports calendar was favorable. On March 5, Illinois removed the in-person registration requirements and allowed sports bettors to register on their phones.

 

(Springfield-jm) – Illinois House Republicans say it’s time to do something about rising consumer prices. The GOP has proposed relief measures such as suspending the sales tax on gas when inflation hits a certain level. But Representative Patrick Windhorst of Metropolis says unfortunately, those bills haven’t gotten anywhere…

 

 

State Representative Patrick Windhorst of Metropolis. Governor J-B Pritzker has also offered some ideas such as removing the one percent sales tax on groceries for one year, but Republicans say they don’t go far enough to provide real relief.

(McLean County-jm) – The United States Department of Agriculture’s Animal and Plant Health Inspection Service has confirmed that bird flu was recently found in a non-commercial backyard flock of birds in McLean County. Anyone who owns birds or is involved with poultry production should be aware of this finding and is advised to take precautions to protect their flock. The Illinois Department of Agriculture quarantined the affected premises and the birds on that property will be depopulated to prevent the spread of the disease. Birds from these flocks will not enter the food system.

 

(Paxton-tr) – Those traveling in downtown Paxton are seeing the start of the city's “Streetscape” program. Paxton Mayor Bill Ingold says  the street lights and poles along with the sidewalks are the first part of the renovation project…. 

 

 

Paxton Mayor Bill Ingold

 

(Bourbonnais-tr) – On March 15, 2022, Illinois State Police (ISP) Division of Criminal Investigation (DCI) Zone 3 officials arrested Creighton R. Boswell, a 19-year-old male of Bourbonnais, IL, for Possession of Child Pornography (Class 2 Felony). Following an extensive investigation, ISP Investigators made contact with Boswell in the 100 block of N. Kinzie Avenue in Bradley, IL. Several child pornography files were located on an electronic device belonging to Boswell. Boswell is currently being held at the Jerome Combs Detention Center pending a bond hearing. The investigation remains open and on-going. No further information is available at this time. 

 

(Washington-jm) – The USDA's latest look at meat trade raises its forecast for U.S. beef exports. Stephanie Ho reports…