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Illinois House Republicans are calling for real ethics reforms to be passed this spring.

(Springfield-jm) – Governor J.B. Pritzker said that despite his million-dollar donations to two Illinois Supreme Court justices last year, they are independent and should not have to recuse themselves from two high-profile cases before them in which the governor is a defendant. Pritzker donated a total of $2 million from two separate accounts to then-Illinois Supreme Court candidates Mary O’Brien and Elizabeth Rochford. Those candidates are now justices on the bench of seven who will hear separate challenges to the state's no-cash bail provision next week and to the state's gun ban and registry in May. Responding to a question about the donations, Pritzker said it was "ridiculous" to suggest that anyone who received money from him should have to recuse themselves. 

 

(Springfield-jm) – If an Illinois lawmaker has her way, gas stoves sold in the state next year will be required to include labels warning the public about emissions. State Representative Anne Stava-Murray’s, of Downers Grove, House Bill 3572 would require all new gas stoves sold in the state starting in 2024 to have a warning label detailing the asthma risks associated with gas stove emissions. She added that this is a labeling bill and does not ban gas stoves or prevent anyone from buying gas stoves. The gas stove debate began earlier this year when Richard Trumka, Jr., a U.S. Consumer Product Safety commissioner, said in an interview that gas stoves posed a “hidden hazard” and suggested the agency could ban them.

 

(Springfield-jm) – Illinois House Republicans are calling for real ethics reforms to be passed this spring. This is one of the GOPs top priorities, saying it’s time to enact real reforms and end corruption in government. Representative Blaine Wilhour of Effingham says that should start with exposing and eliminating conflicts of interest…

 

 

State Representative Blaine Wilhour of Effingham. Republicans also want to give the Legislative Inspector General more power to investigate claims of fraud and abuse. They propose a resolution that prevents any portraits of former House Speaker Mike Madigan from being put up in the House.

 

(Champaign-jm) – Parkland College has announced a new partnership with AGCO Corporation. AGCO Corporation is a global leader in the design, manufacture, and distribution of agricultural machinery and precision agriculture technology.  Starting in Fall 2024, the college will construct a new $6 million training center on its campus. The construction was made possible by a $5 million donation from AGCO Corporation. The facility will house a new Service Technician Associate in Applied Science degree program. It will provide students with instruction specific to AGCO-branded equipment such as Fendt® and Massey Ferguson® and provide education in general ag concepts.

 

(Springfield-jm) – The "Evil Empire" speech was a speech delivered by U.S. President Ronald Reagan to the National Association of Evangelicals on March 8, 1983 at the height of the Cold War and Soviet-Afghan War. In that speech, Reagan referred to the Soviet Union as an "evil empire" and as "the focus of evil in the modern world". State Representative Chris Miller of Oakland honored the event…

 

 

State Representative Chris Miller of Oakland.

 

(Champaign-jm) – A Champaign man on parole for having drugs is being charged with a 2021 shooting. Benjamin Sayles is charged with being an armed habitual offender. Police allege Sayles shot at a group of people on Bradley Avenue.

 

(Urbana-jm) – An Urbana teen has pleaded guilty to his role in a fatal shooting. Thomas Woodson pleaded guilty to aggravated discharge of a firearm, admitting he fired a gun in the direction of Nizeri Carter in November. In exchange for his guilty plea, charges of murder and attempted murder were dismissed. He faces up to 15 years in prison when he is sentenced April 12th.

 

(Washington-jm) – The Biden Administration has sent its Fiscal Year 2024 budget request to Congress. Gary Crawford reports…

 

 

(Paxton–jc)  Looking at using motor fuel taxes this Spring and Summer and city street projects is one issue for local leaders in Paxton. In updating our story from Thursday, Paxton Mayor Bill Ingold says the amount of dollars and prioritizing streets is on the list of things to do…… 

 

 

Paxton Mayor Bill Ingold

 

(Springfield-jm) – The 80-year-old man once called the "Velvet Hammer" for his successful dominance of Illinois politics is arguing the state's bribery and official misconduct statutes are unconstitutional ahead of his corruption trial. Former Illinois House Speaker Michael Madigan faces 23 counts of racketeering, bribery and official misconduct as part of a federal indictment. Madigan said he was just doing his job as a politician and that the state's laws are overly broad. His attorneys further argue that "statutes that impermissibly chill such interactions infringe on rights that go to the core of democratic government and violate the First Amendment."

 

(Springfield-jm) – According to a new report, more than a million people in Illinois will receive new payments from Facebook that stems from a $650 million settlement the company reached in a lawsuit over inappropriate use of biometric data. The Chicago Tribune reported that the payouts stem from the initial $650 million settlement over an Illinois law banning inappropriate use of biometric data that was reached with the company in 2020. According to the Tribune, a second payment of $30.61 was issued to those who cashed their initial payment checks in the settlement, representing more than $40 million left over in the settlement fund from those who did not cash their first payments.

 

(Springfield-jm) – Legislation in the Illinois Senate ensures college students have access to emergency contraception. The bill requires public colleges and universities to have at least one “wellness” kiosk on campus that offers “Plan B” or similar contraception at a reduced price. It’s sponsored by Senator Celina Villanueva of Chicago…

 

 

State Senator Celina Villanueva of Chicago. Villanueva says the kiosk could also be stocked with things like condoms, tampons and pregnancy tests. The bill passed a Senate committee and now faces a vote on the Senate floor.

 

(Urbana-jm) – A grand jury returned an indictment against two Urbana, Illinois, women charging each with one count of wire fraud related to Paycheck Protection Program loans. The indictment alleges that both Tasheena White and Uniqua Whitaker, United States Postal Service employees, engaged in a scheme to submit falsified loan applications and supporting documentation to acquire PPP loans in Spring 2021. White and Whitaker each obtained approximately $20,000 in PPP loans funds. If convicted, the statutory penalties for wire fraud are a maximum of 30 years’ imprisonment, up to a three-year term of supervised release, up to a $1,000,000 fine, and restitution.

 

(Springfield-jm) – Legislation sponsored by 53rd District State Senator Tom Bennett of Gibson City would help veterans and their families. Senator Bennett explains…

 

 

53rd District State Senator Tom Bennett of Gibson City.

 

(Urbana-jm) – University of Illinois Police are investigating after a car was stolen near campus. Officials said the car was stolen from the area of Sixth and Wright Streets. The victim parked their car, but left it unlocked and running while he picked up a food order from a nearby restaurant. The car was stolen while he was doing so. Inside the car was a backpack and laptop that was valued at $370.


 

(Urbana-jm) – The Eastern Illinois Food Bank gives out millions of meals every year. This year, they’re on track to give out even more with help from a new feature on their website. The food bank partnered with Vivery to create a feature on their website. It lets people search for food banks and pantries. Officials said the new map is easier to use and has more features. All you need to do is go on the website and click ‘try it now.’ You can search for food programs based on address, hours open, and distance. You can also look for a program based on category.

 

(Washington-jm) – Here's more information about USDA's latest crop forecasts for Argentina. Gary Crawford reports…

 

 

The Loda American Legion will hold their fish and chicken fry tonight from 4-7 pm. Cost is $10 for adults, kids 6-12 are $5.

 

The Gibson Area Hospital Foundation will hold their 1st annual A Dose of Fashion Show tonight at the Pueblo Lindo Events Center in Paxton from 7-10 pm. Cost is $25.

 

Paxton IGA will host their cookout benefiting the Shriners on Saturday from 10-2.

 

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