(Springfield-jm) – Illinois taxpayers will know Wednesday how Gov. J.B. Pritzker plans to spend their money for the fiscal year that begins July 1. The state’s total budget for fiscal year 2024, which ends June 30, is around $50.4 billion in state taxpayer funds. Adding federal and other state funds brings the total taxpayer cost for Illinois in the current fiscal year to nearly $170 billion. Pritzker will deliver his proposed budget for fiscal year 2025 on Wednesday. Illinois Comptroller Susana Mendoza said she hopes the governor delivers a balanced budget proposal. Other costs continue to grow. State Sen. Chapin Rose raised alarm over the continued taxpayer costs from the state’s policy subsidizing health care for non-citizen adults and how that may impact a possible deficit he said nears $1 billion. Other priorities the governor has already laid out include spending for early childhood, K-12 and higher education. Spending for K-12 education alone is around $10 billion in fiscal 2024. In prior weeks, Pritzker has toured the state touting an increased number of child care positions through his Smart Start program that started in fiscal 2024 with around $250 million.
(Washington-jm) – U.S. government officials provided their take on how diversification of agricultural export opportunities is taking place at the 100th USDA Ag Outlook Forum. Rod Bain reports…
(Washington-jm) – USDA projects farm income categories down for 2024 but what are some of the factors behind the forecast? Rod Bain reports…
(Champaign-jm) – Champaign Police have been informed that the victim of a February 8 shooting incident has passed away due to his injuries at a local hospital. This investigation has been reclassified as a Homicide. Champaign Police were dispatched to the 100 block of N. Market Street for a report of a shooting with injuries. On-scene, officers located Brandon Hardway, 45, of Champaign with a gunshot wound to the torso. In the early hours of February 17, 2024, the victim succumbed to his injuries. The investigation indicates that the victim was approached by Fidele Tshimanga, 24, of Urbana, who produced a firearm and opened fire before fleeing the scene. Additional officers arriving in the area quickly apprehended Tshimanga for his role in this incident. He was transported to the Champaign County Correctional Facility, where he remains, awaiting trial. Champaign Police have shared news of the victim’s passing with the Champaign County State’s Attorney’s Office, and they have shared their intent to amend charges against Tshimanga. He is back in court tomorrow.
(Urbana-jm) – The University of Illinois Board of Trustees has proposed an extension of the contract of University of Illinois System President Tim Killeen for three years, pending formal vote and approval during its March meeting. Enrollment across the system reached a record high for the 10th consecutive year last fall, with representation from all 102 Illinois counties. Additionally, with a goal of keeping more Illinois students in the state, 79% of all undergraduates are from Illinois. Research funding also has grown to over $1 billion under Killeen’s presidency, showcasing the system's commitment to pioneering advancements that have global impacts. Additionally, under his leadership the system’s universities successfully conducted fundraising campaigns that raised $3.6 billion, surpassing the goal of $3.1 billion and marking a new chapter in the university system’s history of philanthropic success.
(Watseka-dm)--Illinois’ primary election is scheduled for March 19th and voters in Iroquois County will be using new voting machines for the first time. Breein Suver, Iroquois County Clerk, tells us what differences the voters can expect.
Breein Suver, Iroquois County Clerk.
(Paxton-jm) – Paxton Area Chamber of Commerce would like to recognize businesses and individuals who stood out in our community in the year of 2023 at our upcoming annual meeting! Please nominate businesses and individuals in the following categories: New Business of the Year, Business of the Year and Outstanding Professional Award. The deadline for submissions: March 1.
Over 670,000 FFA students will be participating in FFA Week across the country next week. Asher Litman from Fisher High School’s FFA Chapter talks about what that have going on today
Fisher FFA member Asher Litman
(Springfield-jm) – Free income tax preparation is available through several trusted programs across Illinois for qualifying taxpayers needing assistance filing their 2023 income taxes. The Internal Revenue Service, American Association of Retired Persons' Foundation Tax-Aide Program, and the Ladder Up Tax Assistance Program, provide free basic income tax return preparation with electronic filing to qualified individuals in select locations statewide. How taxpayer assistance is provided and when services are available varies by region, based upon volunteer capacity.
(Washington-jm) – USDA’s Chief Economist offers his look at crop prices, input costs, and how that translates into producer margins for this year. Rod Bain reports…
(Champaign-jm) – The Champaign Fire Department responded to a fire inside an attached garage in the 1600 block of Williamsburg Dr., Saturday at 8:43 p.m. Fire crews were able to contain the fire to the garage. Firefighters responded to the report of a neighbor of fire coming from the garage of the home. Once on the scene, firefighters reported moderate smoke and fire coming from the attached garage of the single-story residence. Crews deployed a single hose line to keep the fire from extending outside the garage.
(Champaign County-jm) – Martha Rice has been appointed Chief Deputy Coroner for Champaign County. Champaign County Coroner Steve Thuney said the appointment is effective today. Rice has worked for the Champaign County Coroner’s Office since July 2019, holding positions of Deputy Coroner and Senior Medical Secretary. She has experience handling death investigations and has assisted in the training of new Deputy Coroner’s.
(Springfield-jm) – The Illinois Department of Commerce and Economic Opportunity and the Illinois Manufacturing Excellence Center are awarding grants to manufacturers in the state. 53rd District State Senator Tom Bennett of Gibson City talks about the program and how small businesses can apply…
53rd District State Senator Tom Bennett of Gibson City.
(Iroquois County-jm) – A memorial is being planned to honor the late Iroquois County Highway Department Superintendent Joel Moore. Moore passed away April 21, 2023, after an illness. During the Iroquois County Board meeting it was noted that the Road Commissioners Association will cover the costs of the memorial at the county highway building in Watseka. The Transportation and Highway committee approved the memorial and brought the matter to the full county board, which also approved it.
With FFA week being this week, we were able to talk with several area FFA Chapters. Cissna Park FFA Advisor Jeff Clifton talks about what is going on this week.
Cissna Park FFA Advisor Jeff Clifton
