(Springfield-jm) – Illinois Senate Republicans are hoping to stave of any renewed attempts to pass a progressive income tax. In 2020, voters shot down an effort to move Illinois from a flat tax to a progressive tax where those earning more, pay more in taxes. There’s been talk of trying again but Senate GOP Leader John Curran says the people have spoken…

 

 

Senate GOP Leader John Curran. Governor J-B Pritzker was recently asked about the issue and he said pursuing a graduated income tax again was not on his radar.

 

(Undated-jm) – U.S. Customs and Border Protection officials in Illinois seized more than 8,100 pounds of illegal drugs and $23 million in counterfeit items. The data covered the time period between October 2021 through October 2022. 

Prescription drugs, such as Xanax and Tylenol with codeine were the most seized drugs, while handbags, watches and jewelry were the most seized counterfeit items.

 

(Springfield-jm) – Governor J-B Pritzker is announcing a nearly 114 million dollar investment in downstate transit projects. The money is going to 32 transit agencies to support 44 different projects, says Illinois Department of Transportation Secretary Omer Osman…

 

 

IDOT Secretary Omer Osman. This is the third round of transit funding through the state’s Rebuild Illinois Program.

 

(Urbana-jm) – A now former U of I employee was arrested on accusations she made personal purchases on her university-owned credit card last year, according to University Police. Rebecca  Nash of Milford, was taken into custody at the Illinois Human Resources office for theft. On January 11, a U of I employee reported that Nash had made six personal purchases on her university-owned credit card between July and November. When questioned by university staff, Nash repaid two of the charges and had a third reversed, but the remaining unpaid charges total $10,446, police said.

 

(Washington-jm) – Food shoppers this year may see prices rising more than had been projected previously. Gary Crawford reports…

 

 

(Champaign-jm) – The Champaign County area housing market cooled in 2022 from the record pace set in 2021, as rising interest rates, inflationary concerns and weakening inventory levels combined to trigger lower home sales.  Year-end 2022 total home sales of 3,002 units were reported in the Champaign County area, down 10.63 percent from 3,359 reported in 2021. Home prices continued on an upward pace through 2022 with the median home sale price for the area at $185,000, up 5.71 percent from $175,000 in 2021.  

 

(Gifford–jc)  –  The 28th annual Midwest Ag Expo continues for its second day today at Gordyville USA near Gifford. The show runs from 8am to 3pm today. Jerry Wallace of Wallace Land and Auction of Fisher says its a good time to talk farming and meet people…

 

 

Wallace Land and Auction of Fisher Owner Jerry Wallace

Abbe Insurance of Buckley is also at this year's Midwest Ag Expo. Larry Abbe says one topic from event goers is crop insurance…

 

 

Abbe Insurance of Buckley Agent Larry Abbe.

The Midwest Ag Expo runs from 8am to 3pm today. The show is free to attend, free parking too.

 

(Springfield-jm) – Secretary of State Alexi Giannoulias is announcing a settlement with online used-car retailer Carvana. Illinois was the first state in the nation to suspend Carvana’s license back in May, the result of a year-long investigation, says Secretary Giannoulias…

 

 

Illinois Secretary of State Alexi Giannoulias. Under the agreement, Carvana admitted wrongdoing and the state will be able to suspend or revoke the company’s dealership license if this happens again.

 

(Washington-jm) – Two U.S. House members from Illinois have been appointed to working committees. Republican Congresswoman Mary Miller will serve a second term on the House Agriculture Committee. In a statement, Miller said she looks forward to bringing her expertise and experience to the committee as it drafts a farm bill. Republican Congressman Darin LaHood was appointed by Speaker Kevin McCarthy to serve on the House Select Committee on China.

 

(Springfield-jm) – Illinois Comptroller Susana Mendoza is making good on a four and a half billion dollar federal loan used to help the state get through the pandemic. The last one point four billion dollar payment for funds borrowed to pay unemployment insurance claims has been made, saving 20 million dollars in interest payments says Comptroller Mendoza…

 

 

State Comptroller Susana Mendoza. The early repayment was part of an agreement between business and labor negotiators, the state and lawmakers. The deal will also put more money into the state’s unemployment insurance and rainy day funds.

 

(Urbana-jm) – An Urbana High School student on Wednesday learned her fate in court after she pleaded guilty last month to a charge of disorderly conduct connected to threats made to the high school. The 16-year-old girl was sentenced to 30 days of detention. She has already served 14 days. She was also ordered to 24 months probation, perform 50 hours of community service, and complete an educational program online.

 

(Washington-jm) – A long-time agricultural advisor notes some of the challenges involved in crafting Farm Bills, including one for approval sometime this year. Rod Bain reports…

 

 

(Champaign-jm) – Champaign County Crime Stoppers and the Champaign Police Department are asking for help in solving an identity theft that happened earlier this month. Officials said that on January 3, a man presented a fake ID card to the employees of the First Mid Bank & Trust, located at 114 West Church Street in Champaign. Using that ID card, the man withdrew $8,800 from another person’s bank account and then left. Champaign Police are asking for help in identifying the man, who was captured on video recorded by the bank’s security cameras. He appeared to be a White male with a receding hairline and was wearing a blue surgical mask, a blue jacket and light-colored pants.

 

(Gifford–jc)  –Today is day two of the 20-23 Midwest Ag Expo at Gordyville USA near Gifford. The event runs from 8am to 3pm  Farm Credit Services of Illinois Agent Jason Rust says its a time to talk crop insurance and meet new people…

 

 

Farm Credit Services of Illinois Agent Jason Rust

 

Double Y Sales and Service of Cissna Park owner Tom Yergler says even though the weather is not cooperating, today is a good day to get a deal on a lawn mower and they will deliver your new mower in the spring…

 

 

Double Y Sales and Service of Cissna Park owner Tom Yergler

 

The 20-23 Midwest Ag Expo features over 175 vendors in 144 thousand square feet of showroom at Gordyville USA. The show runs until 3 this afternoon.