(Springfield-jm) – The Illinois Freedom Caucus is calling for an end to the consent calendar which enables the House leadership to pass hundreds of bills with a single roll call vote. The consent calendar is a list of bills bundled together and voted on in one roll call vote. The list of bills includes ceremonial legislation such as measures to change the name of roads to honor members of the community, but the list could also include substantive legislation. The group said substantive bills deserve individual roll calls so that members are completely aware of the full implication of their votes.

 

(Springfield-jm) – Governor J-B Pritzker is announcing a bipartisan deal to pay back pandemic unemployment insurance debt. The agreement makes good on the remaining one-point-four billion dollar unemployment loan that was needed to pay claims when so many lost their jobs. It will also ensure the fund is replenished for the future, says the Governor…

 

 

Illinois Governor J-B Pritzker. The state had the plan needs to be passed by the legislature to take effect.

 

(Mahomet-jm) – The Champaign County Sheriff’s Office is asking for help in solving multiple car burglaries in Mahomet Township and Lake of the Woods Forest Preserve. The Sheriff’s Office said on its Facebook page that victims reported a number of items being stolen from their cars, including credit cards. They said that some of these stolen cards were later used at stores in Champaign. Anyone who has information about this investigation is encouraged to contact the Champaign County Sheriff’s Office Investigations Division at 217-384-1213 or Champaign County Crime Stoppers at 217-384-8477.

 

(Paxton-jm) – Several businesses in Paxton are making it easier for children to mail their letters to Santa this holiday season. Nine businesses set up specialty Santa Mailboxes for children to drop their letters into. The businesses participating are: Monicals Pizza, The Pop Loft, Paxton IGA, Mom and Pop’s Kettle Korn Stop, Pueblo Lindo, Ruby Jewel, Hudson Drug and Hallmark Paxton Hardware and Rental and 720 North American Street. They are encouraged to include their first and last names on their letters along with a return address, as Santa will write them back.

 

(Cissna Park–jc)  The annual Cissna Park F F A auction is set for Friday at “The Barn” event center near Woodworth in Iroquois County. Items are now on facebook and the bidding has begun. Those attending the event on Friday will also have an opportunity to bid on everything from seed corn and beans to homemade desserts and gift cards. Cissna Park F F A Advisor Jeff Clifton says the money raised goes to scholarships and expenses…

 

 

Cissna Park F F A Advisor Jeff Clifton. To bid, join the group on facebook. The event  on Friday starts at 4pm with a meal and an auction set for 6pm

 

(Danville-jm) – The Vermilion County Board Property Committee has voted to officially rename the County Administration Building as the Joseph G. Cannon Building. Cannon is a former speaker of the house. It now goes to the full county board next week.

 

(Springfield-jm) – Harvesting is complete and winter wheat has been planted as we hear in the last weekly crop report of the season. This past week was slightly warmer and drier than normal and average statewide topsoil moisture is nearly unchanged at 12 percent very short, 16 percent short, 70 percent adequate and 2 percent surplus. Crop Statistician Mark Schleusener looks at winter wheat…

 

 

State Crop Statistician Mark Schleusener. Pasture conditions were rated as 39 percent in good to excellent condition. The weekly crop report will start back up again in April.

(Washington-jm) – Railroad workers from across the country are threatening a strike if their demands for higher wages are not met. Illinois lawmakers are picking sides.  Rail Workers United, a group supporting railroad workers in various unions from all across the country, said workers have not received pay raises in over three years. Now the union is threatening a strike. Governor J-B Pritzker is joining President Joe Biden in urging Congress to get involved. However, not all Democrats are on board with that. Representative  Michael Halpin, from Rock Island voiced his support for workers on the House floor Tuesday and voiced his frustration that Congress would get involved. If an agreement is not reached, a strike could happen as early as December 9.

 

(Springfield-jm) – Governor J-B Pritzker says he’s hopeful lawmakers will make some tweaks to the Safe-T Act during this week’s veto session. The fall veto session is scheduled to end on Thursday, but the Governor thinks a trailer bill can be passed by then, clarifying the law that ends cash bail on January 1st…

 

 

Illinois Governor J-B Pritzker. Governor Pritzker says lawmakers, prosecutors and others are working hard to reach an agreement this week.

 

(Champaign-jm) – A 17-year-old from Champaign is facing adult murder charges in connection to a shooting that left another teenager dead earlier this month. Keshawn Brown is charged with four counts of first-degree murder. Champaign Police officials said Brown was arrested Monday night in Normal on unrelated charges and was transported back to Champaign County. The charges accuse Brown of shooting 18-year-old Nizeri Carter multiple times the evening of November 4 in the area of Elm Street and Bradley Avenue. Carter arrived at an area hospital by personal vehicle shortly after officers arrived at the shooting location. She later died from her injuries at the hospital.

 

(Danville-jm) – The Vermilion County War Museum will collect Christmas greeting cards through December 21st for veterans. The card collection began just a few years ago. Prior to the Covid-19 pandemic, the museum collected over 900 cards. This year, they are hoping to collect even more. The main goal for the card drive is for veterans in Vermilion County to know that someone cares and that they aren't alone for the holidays.  People can drop cards off Tuesdays through Fridays from 12pm to 4pm and on Saturdays from 10am to 4pm.

 

(Paxton–jc)  –  The city of Paxton continues to move towards a goal of a strong shopping district while trying to become a “destination” for goods and services. The Paxton Area Chamber of Commerce is sponsoring a “Tis the Season, to Shop Paxton” event on Friday night from 5pm to 8pm. It’s part of a 4 day bag sale that features goods and services throughout the city. Paxton Area Chamber of Commerce Vice President Dawn Stack looks at a new trend to support local business in Paxton…

 

 

Paxton Area Chamber of Commerce Vice President Dawn Stack

 

(Champaign-jm) – Kids who are a part of the Boys and Girls Club in Champaign got to see their new facility for the first time. The new facility is located at the Champaign Parks District new Martens Center. The facility includes multiple classrooms and learning areas, a gym with several activities for the kids to participate in, and more. The Martens Center will be used specifically for elementary students in the program, and the Boys and Girls Club's old building will be transformed into a teen space for older kids.

(Springfield-jm) – Harvesting is complete and winter wheat has been planted as we hear in the last weekly crop report of the season. 84 percent of winter wheat has now emerged and the condition of the crop declined five percentage points to 30 percent in good to excellent condition. Crop Statistician Mark Schleusener on Illinois pastures…

 

 

State Crop Statistician Mark Schleusener. Average statewide topsoil moisture is nearly unchanged at 12 percent very short, 16 percent short, 70 percent adequate and 2 percent surplus.