(Springfield-jm) – Governor J-B Pritzker gave his state of the state and budget address Wednesday. One of the Governor’s proposals is “Smart Start Illinois”...

 

 

The Governor says the program will help in areas where preschools are not available nearby…

 

 

Illinois Governor J-B Pritzker. Local reaction is coming in on the Governor’s address yesterday. One of those reacting, newly appointed 106th District State Representative Jason Bunting of Emington…

 

 

106th District State Representative Jason Bunting of Emington. Representative Chris Miller of Oakland also reacted to the Governor's address calling it more smoke and mirrors…

 

 

State Representative Chris Miller.

 

(Champaign-jm) – A Champaign man faces up to 40 years in prison after he pleaded guilty to attempted murder. Aaron Young was accused of being responsible for a drive-by shooting in March of 2022. Young agreed to a plea deal, pleading guilty to a single charge of attempted murder. Charges of aggravated discharge of a firearm were dropped in exchange. Young admitted to shooting a 31-year-old Champaign man on Interstate 74 on the morning of March 26, 2022.

 

(Urbana-jm) – The University of Illinois Urbana-Champaign will receive $1.25 million in federal grant funding from the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services. The funding comes through the Department’s National Institutes of Health and will support research related to addiction and drug misuse.

 

(Washington-jm) – Farmers, there's still time to respond to the Census of Agriculture. Gary Crawford reports…

 

 

(Urbana-jm) – The 170th Champaign County Fair in Urbana, Illinois, is happening July 21 – 29, 2023! This year’s headlining grandstand event is a group that, in 2022, brought home the ACM award for Vocal Group of the Year and a Grammy for Best Country Duo/Group Performance. Brothers Osborne will be at the Champaign County Fair on Friday, July 28, 2023! Opening for Brothers Osborne is a country music artist, Matt Stell, known for massive hits like “Prayed for You” and “Everywhere But On.” Tickets go on sale Friday.

 

(Paxton-jm) – A wind turbine near Paxton is at risk of falling. A picture on social media and other media outlets show the turbine on Paxton’s east side leaning. Crews are trying to determine what caused the tower to lean.

 

(Springfield-jm) – Governor J-B Pritzker gave his state of the state and budget address Wednesday. The Governor is calling for increased funding of k through 12 education…

 

 

Governor Pritzker is also calling for increased MAP grant funding to make college more affordable…

 

 

Illinois Governor J-B Pritzker. Local reaction is coming in on the Governor’s address including 53rd District State Senator Tom Bennett of Gibson City..

 

 

53rd District State Senator Tom Bennett of Gibson City. State Representative Mike Marron of Fithian also provided his response…

 

 

State Representative Mike Marron of Fithian.

 

(Ridge Farm-jm) – A Ridge Farm man was sentenced to the Illinois Department of Corrections for first-degree murder on Wednesday. Don Smith, 76, was sentenced to 45 years in the IDOC. Smith must serve 100% of the sentence, and his incarceration shall be followed by three years of Mandatory Supervised Release. During the sentencing hearing, Smith informed the Court that he murdered his wife because he believed she was stealing money from him to go on a trip with another individual.

 

(Normal-jm) – After less than two years on the job, the president of Illinois State University has resigned. Terry Goss Kinzy’s resignation was effective Tuesday and caught the campus by surprise. Kinzy will be paid an additional 20 weeks of salary and her unused vacation time, plus will be able to live in the university residence for up to four months. Kinzy took over in May 2021 from a retiring Larry Dietz, becoming ISU’s first female president. No reason was given for her departure.

 

(Washington-jm) – There's a bit of good news coming out of China, according to the U.S. Chief Agricultural Negotiator. Gary Crawford reports…

 

 

(Iroquois County-jm) – Zoning issues are becoming more of a challenge for county officials. Last month, Illinois Governor JB Pritzker signed a new law prohibiting county officials from banning or creating a moratorium on new wind or solar farms. Several local officials, including Iroquois County officials, point out zoning decisions are going away and giving the authority to people who have no ties to the local county. Several other lawmakers have also commented that public hearings just don’t matter and that’s not right. Provisions need to be adjusted locally so that compliance is met. County ordinance must be changed within 120 days to meet state compliance.