(Springfield-jm) – Governor J-B Pritzker participated in a gun violence prevention talk, discussing what more needs to be done. At Temple Jeremiah in Northfield, the Governor talked about Illinois’ ban on assault weapons, which is before a federal appeals court and said a nationwide ban is needed. He was asked about the possibility of safe storage laws…

 

 

Illinois Governor J-B Pritzker. Governor Pritzker was also asked about taxing ammunition to help reduce gun crimes but he said the U-S Supreme Court would shut that down.

 

(Springfield-jm) – Governor J.B. Pritzker signed more than 130 bills into law Friday. One would create a civil cause of action against any person who knowingly distributes, creates or solicits a digital forgery of another individual without their consent and for the purposes of harassing, extorting, threatening or causing harm to the falsely depicted individual. Another law expands unpaid leave for an employee relating to a household member who is killed in a crime of violence. Effective immediately, House Bill 3751 allows non-citizens to apply to be a police officer.

 

Springfield-jm) – A record number of college scholarships are going to current and former youth in care of the Illinois Department of Children and Family Services. Usually, about 53 scholarships are awarded each year, but this time around, the total is 259. Governor J-B Pritzker spoke at the scholarship luncheon, praising the strength the students have shown in overcoming seemingly insurmountable obstacles…

 

 

Illinois Governor J-B Pritzker. The scholarship includes 5 years of tuition and fees at participating state community colleges and universities, a monthly stipend and a medicaid card.

 

(Springfield-jm) – Governor J.B. Pritzker signed a measure establishing a tax credit for users of hydrogen in the state of Illinois. The legislation creates a tax credit of $10 million per year in 2026 and 2027 for users of hydrogen.  At the conclusion of the tax credit, the Illinois Environmental Protection Agency will run a study to evaluate both the emissions impact of the tax credit and the national landscape to recommend additional policy measures. The bill also contains workforce provisions in line with the standards that were set in the Climate and Equitable Jobs Act.

 

(Springfield-jm) – The 53rd District will have a new state senator in 2024. Current 53rd District State Senator Tom Bennett of Gibson City is announcing his retirement at the end of the upcoming session…

 

 

53rd District State Senator Tom Bennett of Gibson City. Bennett replaced Senator Jason Barickman, who retired earlier this year in the Senate. Prior to that, Bennett served 8 years as the 106th District State Representative, several years on the Parkland College Board, including 3 as chairman .

 

(Kankakee-jm) – The National Weather Service reports two tornadoes touched down in Kankakee County over the weekend. An EF-1 tornado went through Momence damaging some houses and an apartment building. An EF-0 tornado went through parts of Bradley and northeast Kankakee causing minor damage.

(Springfield-jm) – Governor J-B Pritzker is signing a new criminal justice reform law, making changes to the state’s mandatory supervised release program. The changes include improving education credits, to give parolees more incentive to pursue a degree or vocational technical certificate. Virtual reporting with remote check-ins for all types of supervision will be made permanent and drug tests will only be required if there is a suspicion of use, not just randomly. Governor Pritzker…

 

 

Illinois Governor J-B Pritzker. Lieutenant Governor Juliana Stratton says these reforms help infuse humanity into the legal system.

 

(Springfield-jm) – A consulting firm reports that Illinois prisons are falling apart and it will cost the state billions of dollars to make the repairs. Recommendations from the consulting firm CGL include reducing the capacity of the maximum security prison at Pontiac and closing down the Logan Correctional Center in Lincoln, which houses female inmates.  The entire prison system is in need of at least $2.5 billion in deferred maintenance due to insufficient repairs and funding over the past decade, according to the report.

 

(Springfield-jm) – The Illinois Liquor Control Commission is warning about the dangers of drinking too much when temperatures are so high. It’s easy to become dehydrated when it’s this hot out, and alcohol only makes matters worse because it’s a diuretic. Commission Executive Director Lisa Gardner offers this advice…

 

 

Illinois Liquor Control Commission Executive Director Lisa Gardner. Gardner says if you start to feel dizzy or sick you should get out of the sun, rest and drink more water.

 

(Springfield-jm) – Public squirrel hunting opportunities are available beginning August 1 at more than 30 private land hunting sites around Illinois. The state has leased more than 4,400 acres of private land for 2023 squirrel hunting through the Illinois Recreational Access Program. Since its inception in 2011, the program has leased more than 27,000 acres of private land in 52 Illinois counties for a variety of semi-controlled hunting and fishing activities. Squirrel hunting season runs through September 15.

 

(Buckley–jc)  The 20-23 Knight for Christ fundraiser for Christ Lutheran High School is set for Saturday August 26th on the Ford County fairgrounds in Melvin. C-L-H-S event spokesperson Larry Abbe says this is auction number 19…

 

 

C-L-H-S event Spokesperson Larry Abbe. A silent auction, a live auction, bidding frenzy, heads or tails contest, great food and fellowship hilite the annual event. 

 

(Champaign-jm) – State Senator Paul Faraci’s measure to allow local government agencies, including law enforcement, to receive grant money for harm reduction deflection programs was signed into law. The new law will allow law enforcement and other first responder agencies to create deflection programs in partnership with licensed providers of substance use disorder treatment and other community members and organizations. The programs are designed to connect persons with substance use and mental health disorders with treatment instead of arrest or other involvement with the criminal justice system.

 

WPXN News Notes…

 

The St. Joseph Township-Swearingen Memorial Library announces its Summer Used Book Sale. The book sale will begin today and will end Thursday, August 24th.

 

The Paxton Area Chamber of Commerce Glo Bingo will take place on Friday at the Pueblo Lindo Event Center.