(Springfield-jm) – The $50.6 billion state spending plan for the fiscal year that begins July 1st, passed the Illinois House early Saturday, with only the support of Democrats who drafted it. House Republicans chose not to vote for the budget bill for numerous reasons.  Including Democrats neglecting two House GOP priorities; giving families a break in the estate tax, and failing to fund the Invest in Kids program, which gives donors a tax credit for contributing to a state fund that pays for low-income scholarships for low-income students.  What the Democrats did choose to include was millions of dollars on healthcare for undocumented immigrants.  That program will cost the state over $1 billion in 2024. The budget also includes pay raises and cost of living increases for legislators to $89,675 base-level salaries per year. State Representative Dan Caulkins of Decatur says the state can’t support the increase…

 

 

State Representative Dan Caulkins of Decatur.

 

(Springfield-jm) – Illinois' new budget includes rate increases for Medicaid and better access to health care for the state's undocumented immigrants.  The state budget and budget implementation bills were among the final bills the legislature passed before adjourning early Saturday morning. Another bill, Senate Bill 1298, is an all encompassing measure impacting the state's Medicaid spending. The rate increases will cost the state an extra $317 million. Illinois does not expect any federal matching funds for subsidizing undocumented migrant health care costs. A recent audit estimated the cost of the subsidies for migrant health care could be more than $1 billion. Governor J.B. Pritzker said the budget plan will give him the tools to implement cost savings for the program through things like copays.

 

(Springfield-jm) – A major complaint from Republican legislators is that the new state budget doesn’t include the “Invest in Kids'' program. So, what is this initiative? Invest in Kids began in 2018 as a pilot program, providing scholarships to low income families for their children to go to private school. It’s funded solely by donations from taxpayers, who in return get an income tax credit. The program is set to expire at the end of this year. Representative Tom Weber of Lake Villa says he was stunned to learn Invest in Kids isn’t being extended…

 

 

State Representative Tom Weber of Lake Villa. The income tax credit is worth 75 percent of the donation. The legislature could revisit the issue in the fall veto session.

 

(Urbana-jm) – A second teenager has been arrested in relation to the shooting death of 16-year-old Montrell Emery of Urbana. On Wednesday, March 15, at about 1:03 AM, Urbana Police Officers responded to the 2400 Block of Prairie Green Dr. for a report of a shooting with injuries. Officers arrived and found Emery with a gunshot wound to the head. Emery was transported to Carle Hospital, where he was later pronounced deceased. On March 18, a 14-year-old from Urbana was arrested on a warrant for first-degree murder. Following further investigation, a second 14-year-old was arrested in connection to Emery's murder. 

 

(Pesotum-jm) – Illinois State Police Troop 7 announced the results of Special Traffic Enforcement Patrols in Champaign County and Nighttime Enforcement patrols in Macon and Vermilion County during May. In Champaign County, 28 Occupant Restraint Violations, 3 Driving Under the Influence and Drug/Alcohol-Related Citations, 154 Speeding Citations and Warnings and 

4 Distracted Driving Citations and Warnings. The Macon and Vermilion County results include: 23 Occupant Restraint Violations, 4 DUI and Drug/Alcohol-Related Citations, 74 Speeding Citations and Warnings and 9 Distracted Driving Citations and Warnings.

 

(Springfield-jm) – 106th District State Representative Jason Bunting of Emington has a big event coming up. Representative Bunting has the details…

 

 

106th District State Representative Jason Bunting of Emington.

 

(Urbana-jm) – The Illinois Department of Transportation announced that resurfacing of the University Avenue/U.S. 150 ramps at Interstate 74 in Urbana began on Tuesday. The project will require daily closures of the ramps beginning at 6 a.m. except for the westbound off-ramp, which will close at 9 a.m. Detours will be posted during the closure periods. Work is expected to be complete in about six weeks. 

 

(Springfield-jm) – Illinois farmers have had plenty of time in the fields as we hear in the weekly crop report. Virtually no rainfall left nearly all 7 days suitable for fieldwork. Corn planting is now 95 percent complete and 84 percent has emerged. Crop Statistician Mark Schleusener looks at soybeans…

 

 

State Crop Statistician Mark Schleusener. 93 percent of winter wheat acres are heading and 66 percent of the crop is rated in good to excellent condition. Average statewide topsoil moisture dropped to 14 percent very short, 28 percent short, 54 percent adequate and 4 percent surplus.

 

(Springfield-jm) – As pool season begins, the Illinois Department of Children and Family Services is warning about the dangers of kids near water. Last year, 15 Illinois children died due to accidental drowning. DCFS Spokesperson Deborah Lopez says even small baby pools present a hazard…

 

 

DCFS Spokesperson Deborah Lopez. Lopez says young kids should never be left unattended in or around water, even if they are in the bathtub or are wearing a swim vest in the pool. Hot tubs should be securely covered when not in use.

 

(Springfield-jm) – Legislation giving Ameren Illinois a monopoly on future high-voltage line construction in its downstate service areas is headed to the governor.  The General Assembly passed House Bill 3445 giving the company the right of first refusal to build transmission lines. The measure, which surfaced at the request of the International Brotherhood of Electrical Workers, passed the Senate 41-9, then after lengthy debate, passed the House 63-32. Some Republicans in the Illinois House said it is another attempt to fix the broken Climate and Equitable Jobs Act, which was signed into law in 2021 and aims to phase out carbon emissions from the energy and transportation sectors. Governor J.B. Pritzker said he plans to veto the measure when it arrives at his desk.

 

(Springfield-jm) – The $50.6 billion state spending plan for the fiscal year that begins July 1st, passed the Illinois House early Saturday, with only the support of Democrats who drafted it. House Republicans chose not to vote for the budget bill for numerous reasons.  Including Democrats neglecting two House GOP priorities; giving families a break in the estate tax, and failing to fund the Invest in Kids program, which gives donors a tax credit for contributing to a state fund that pays for low-income scholarships for low-income students. State Representative Mike Marron of Fithian…

 

 

State Representative Mike Marron of Fithian.

 

(Urbana-jm) – The Urbana Police Department has released new details regarding a fatal stabbing that occurred on March 30 of this year. Fifty-one-year-old Robert J. Cavette of Urbana was pronounced dead at 11:51 a.m. on March 30. According to police, officers arrived to the 1000 block of South Smith Road. around 11:04 a.m. where they found Cavette with life threatening injuries. He was transported to Carle Hospital where he died of his injuries. Further investigation revealed that Cavette was in a domestic relationship with a 38-year-old Urbana woman. At the time of the stabbing, the woman had an active Champaign County Order of Protection against Cavette for previous domestic violence issues. The woman involved in the dispute reportedly stabbed Cavette while he was choking her. There were no witnesses to the incident but the woman immediately called 911, provided a statement to police on the day of the incident, and fully cooperated with the investigation.

 

(Springfield-jm) – The state is reopening a program that GOP lawmakers say will support job growth in the state. 53rd District State Senator Tom Bennett of Gibson City explains the Blue Collar Jobs Act…

 

 

53rd District State Senator Tom Bennett of Gibson City.

 

(Mansfield-jm) – The Illinois Department of Transportation announced that U.S. 150 between Mansfield and Farmer City will close Wednesday. The closure is necessary to reconstruct two box culverts and is expected to last into July. A detour utilizing Interstate 74 will be posted. 

 

(Springfield-jm) – Illinois farmers have had plenty of time in the fields as we hear in the weekly crop report. 92 percent of soybean acres have now been planted, well ahead of the usual pace. 76 percent has emerged and 63 percent of the crop is rated in good to excellent condition. Crop Statistician Mark Schleusener moves on to corn…

 

 

State Crop Statistician Mark Schleusener. 93 percent of winter wheat acres are heading and 63 percent of the first cutting of alfalfa hay is now complete. Average statewide topsoil moisture declined to 14 percent very short, 28 percent short, 54 percent adequate and 4 percent surplus.