(Springfield-jm) – With the implementation of the mandated gas pump sticker announcing a delay in a gas tax increase looming, a pending lawsuit argues the legislative intent is political. Part of the state budget that begins July 1 is a delay in the annual gas tax increase, an estimated two cents a gallon. The delay is for six months with the expected increase taking effect at the pump January 1 with another scheduled increase July 1, 2023. The law also requires gas stations to post a sticker on each gas pump stating the gas tax increase has been delayed. The Illinois Fuel and Retail Association, which represents gas stations and convenience stores across the state, filed a lawsuit against the sticker mandate.
(Paxton-) A large number of communities honored those who have died protecting our country at ceremonies for Memorial Day. In Paxton at Glenn Cemetery,on Monday morning, Paxton Buckley Loda Teacher- American Legion spokesperson-and veteran Tim Hess said the day is about honoring those who gave all…
P-B-L teacher, American Legion spokesperson and veteran Tim Hess.
(Champaign-jm) – A two-story brick house in southwest Champaign has been torn down after an overnight fire last week. That was the only way investigators could search the remains for a man who is still unaccounted for. Police are now treating this as a missing person’s case. They are looking for 50-year-old Jose Javier Andrade. Firefighters took the house apart piece by piece searching for him for nearly five hours. Investigators don’t believe he was inside while it burned, but they are still trying to track him down. He was last seen at the house around 6:30 p.m. on Wednesday, which was about seven hours before the fire started. The fire department spokesperson says investigators are not aware of anything suspicious that may have happened. They are still trying to figure out how it started.
(Springfield-jm) – Marc Smith, the director of the Department of Children and Family Services has been held in contempt 11 times since the start of the year. That has led to calls for change in leadership from House Republicans including Representative Deanne Mazzochi…
State Representative Deanne Mazzochi.
(Champaign-jm) – A Champaign church is raising money to give to those struggling with medical debt. The Community United Church of Christ is raising money for RIP Medical Debt, a non profit organization that helps pay off medical debts.
(Urbana-jm) – The Dads Association at the University of Illinois Urbana-Champaign will host a groundbreaking ceremony for the Illini Dads Centennial Plaza on June 11. The ceremony will be held at 10 a.m. at the corner of Illinois Street and Lincoln Avenue, just west of the Hallene Gateway. Officials said the ceremony marks the start of the construction that is set to begin this summer and to be finished by Illini Dads Weekend on November 4.
(Washington-jm) – Agricultural imports as well as exports increased in USDA's latest quarterly ag trade forecasts, but why? Rod Bain reports…
(Springfield-jm) – A new report is highly critical of how Chicago and other large cities present their financial reports. Truth in Accounting says to truly understand a city’s financial condition, taxpayers have to play an impossible game of hide and seek. The government watchdog's analysis of the 10 most populous U.S. cities included underlying government units for which city taxpayers are responsible for, such as schools and transit, details Chicago leaves out of its financial report. When the unfunded debt of these underlying government units is combined with the county, municipal and state debt, city taxpayers are on the hook for much more than they think. In Chicago, each taxpayer is burdened $135,700.
(Cissna Park–jc) In Cissna Park Monday morning, a large crowd gathered in the park for the annual Memorial Day ceremony. The address was provided by Calvary Lutheran Pastor Aaron Uphoff of Watseka. Uphoff told those in attendance that those who died represent all of us…
Calvary Lutheran of Watseka pastor Aaron Uphoff.
A large number of area towns and cities provided similar programs to honor all those who gave their life to our county.
(Gilman -tr) – The Iroquois West School District will be upgrading the elementary school building with some new playground equipment. Iroquois West Superintendent Angelo Lekkas says that in a year or two, the playground should be complete…
IW Superintendent Angelo Lekkas
(Champaign-jm) – If you have a security camera, Champaign Police are hoping you'll register it with their new program. Through the new program, police hope the public can help them better catch crime near their home or business. If you have a security camera, video doorbell, or a similar system you can let the police department know about it through the Security Camera Registration Program. This way, if a crime happens in the area police know who they can reach out to in order to see if the crime was caught on camera.
(Springfield-jm) – Illinois Department of Children and Family Services Director Marc Smith has been found in contempt of court 11 times since January. State Representative Steve Reick puts the blame on the Pritzker Administration…
State Representative Steve Reick. Governor Pritzker has blamed the Rauner Administration’s budget impasse for the issues at DCFS.
(Champaign-jm) – The City of Champaign is asking for the public’s feedback on how to spend $2.97 million the city received through the U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development’s HOME Program. The HOME Program is meant to assist individuals or households who are homeless, at risk of homelessness, and other vulnerable populations, by providing housing, rental assistance, supportive services, and non-congregate shelter. The funds the city received were allocated by the American Rescue Plan.
(Paxton-jm) – The Save the Paxton Pool committee has received a significant donation. The local chapter of 100 Plus Women Who Care Alliance recently gave the group a check of nearly $5,000. The committee has been working with the park district to get the pool ready to open this summer.
(Washington-jm) – USDA's second quarter agricultural trade forecasts notes a significant increase in exports from the previous report, and another potential export record. Rod Bain reports…
