(The Center Square) – In the dead of night, Illinois House Democrats approved the largest spending plan in state history. The more than $53 billion plan increases taxes by $750 million and spends 32% more, or $12.8 billion, than when Gov. J.B. Pritzker took office in 2019. The measure also spends $400 million more than what Pritzker proposed in February. Approved by the Senate late in the evening Sunday and by the House in the early morning hours this morning, the plan also pays $971 million for non-citizen migrant health care, direct services and welcoming centers.

Democrat State Representative Jehan Gordon-Booth carried the plan for the House.  He says the budget is balanced and fair. Republican State Representative. C.D. Davidsmeyer, or Murrayville, says Democrats are not spending wisely.

Republicans warned that the state is overspending, even when billions of one-time federal COVID-19 dollars were provided to the state during the pandemic. Those dollars are now dried up. They are gone. Reaction this morning from 106thDistrict State Representative Jason Bunting of Emmington…

106th District State Representative Jason Bunting of Emmington

(Springfield-jm) – An omnibus election bill passed the Illinois General Assembly and lawmakers fear a provision within the bill that allows politicians to receive unlimited funding from political parties will only lead to more corruption. Prior to House Bill 4488, campaign contribution caps were applied only to primary races. Now both primaries and general election candidates will have unlimited campaign contributions funneled into their war chests. The bill also seeks to weaken the current law that has the Illinois State Board of Elections providing voter registration lists and voting history data. The new bill, if signed by Gov. J.B. Pritzker, will allow certain registrant data to be redacted and the law would change the timeframe in which an entity, registered with the board, can obtain the public records.

(Rantoul–jc)  The Rantoul Sports Complex is on pace to draw around One Million 200 thousand people to the various events this year. Baseball, softball, soccer, football to quidditch are planned events in 20-24. Rantoul Sports Complex Director of Operations Ryan Reid reminds the public that the local sports complex is a community “public” park…

Rantoul Sports Complex Director of Operations Ryan Reid

(Champaign-jm) – Champaign drivers are paying a bit more at the pump this week compared to last. Gas tracking software GasBuddy has found after looking at 79 gas stations in Champaign, the average price for gas is $3.63. Compared to last week’s prices, this is 5.4 cents more than last week. This is also 10.2 cents per gallon higher than a month ago and 1.6 cents per gallon higher than a year ago, according to GasBuddy’s data. For the entire state of Illinois, the average price of a gallon of gas was $4.02. Patrick De Haan, the head of petroleum analysis at GasBuddy, said some refinery issues are affecting prices in the Great Lakes region at the start of summer driving season.

(Gibson City–jc)  With the Memorial Day weekend complete, it is on to summertime events in East Central Illinois. In Gibson City, The first annual Food Truck Festival is set for Saturday June 22 from 10am until 7pm at North Park in the city. First Annual Food Truck Festival spokesperson Kelsey Wingler says they hope to bring several thousand people to the family friendly event…

First Annual Food Truck Festival Spokesperson Kelsey Wingler.

(Paris–jc)  –A federal grand jury has issued a subpoena in the investigation of a former Paris school district superintendent.Jeremy Larsen's home was raided by the FBI on June 13 of last year, the day after the subpoena was issued. WAND TV reports there has been a request for testimony, personal records, training files and disciplinary records.

(Champaign-jm) – Champaign County Crime Stoppers are asking for help in solving an aggravated battery that happened in April. Officials said that on April 7, a woman was attacked outside Champaign’s Target on Prospect Avenue. The victim was waiting for a bus when three people walked by. One of the female suspects was carrying an item that hit the victim in the face several times. At one point, one of the female suspects grabbed the victim and battered her repeatedly. A man involved had black/brown braided hair and was wearing a black puffer jacket, maroon pants and Nike slides. One of the women had black/brown braided hair and was wearing a black hat, black Carhart jacket, orange pants and gray slippers. The other woman was wearing a black jacket, black and gray pants and black slippers.

(Paxton–jc)  Memorial Day is complete for 20-24, another event at Paxton Buckley Loda High School, also complete with the Veterans Salute Concert and Lasagna dinner. Newly retired Paxton Buckley Loda Teacher and current Paxton American Legion Post 150 commander Tim Hess says moving forward is “bittersweet”...

Newly retired Paxton Buckley Loda Teacher and current Paxton American Legion Post 150 commander Tim Hess.

(Watseka-jm) – Iroquois County Sheriff deputies stopped a vehicle for traffic violations in Watseka. The driver and passenger now face charges of Possession of Cannabis and Manufacturing/Delivery/Possession with Intent to Deliver Cannabis. 21-year-old Kyler Clifton of Watseka and 19-year-old Jayden Williams of South Chicago Heights were taken into custody during the stop in the 300-block of W. Mulberry Street. Williams was also charged with Bringing Contraband into the Jail. Both men were released under provisions of the Illinois SAFE-T Act.

(Washington-jm) – One expert says this year's unusual planting season could make for an unusual growing season. Gary Crawford reports…

(Springfield-jm) – Illinois will become the 10th state to pass a ban on fluorescent lighting. A bill to phase out fluorescent lighting and to make a required transition to LED bulbs is headed to Gov. J.B. Pritzker for his signature. The bill’s sponsor, State Sen. Adriane Johnson, said toxic pollutants in fluorescent bulbs pose a health risk. The Public Interest Research Group was behind the legislation. Their report says that three in four fluorescent lamps are improperly disposed of, thus releasing mercury into the environment. Critics said the conversion to LED bulbs will be costly, especially for businesses. The group reports a typical small office could see $900 a year in savings and an average school could save $3,700 per year. According to an analysis by the Appliance Standards Awareness Project, the new bulbs will save Illinois consumers more than $1.5 billion on utility bills by the year 2050.

(Springfield-jm) – Carbon capture and sequestration projects have been hot button issues in Central Illinois for years, and Saturday afternoon lawmakers passed legislation in the House that deals with the issue. Some of the components of Senate Bill 1289 include companies needing to prove their project will catch the carbon and not store it underground. It also creates more stringent rules carbon dioxide pipeline projects, versus other carbon sequestration projects.  The bill also puts in place a moratorium on all multi-state pipelines. 106th District State Representative Jason Bunting of Emington…

106th District State Representative Jason Bunting of Emington. Not everyone was on board with the legislation. The Illinois Farm Bureau still opposes the bill, as companies can use a version of eminent domain, even though companies would have to complete multiple steps first before claiming a farmer’s land. Representative Bunting voted no on the bill which was approved by a vote of 78-29. State Representative Brandun Schweizer of Danville spoke of his concern for the Mahomet Aquifer, the most important aquifer in east-central Illinois…

State Representative Brandun Schweizer of Danville. In answer to his question, he was told it was unable to be negotiated. State Senator Chapin Rose of Mahomet also spoke out against the measure…

State Senator Chapin Rose of Mahomet.

(Springfield-jm) – U.S. Department of Agriculture IL Acting State Director Molly Hammond announced that USDA is funding four projects across Illinois to help ensure clean drinking water. Locally in Livingston County the Village of Campus received a $1.97 million loan and grant combo to replace the watermain valve, new fire hydrants, and new water meter installations. In DeWitt County the Village of Kenney received a $520K loan to make improvements to the Village of Kenney’s water treatment plant, including new covered aerated lagoon system, a polishing reactor for additional ammonia removal, and replacement of influent lift station with a back-up generator.

(Washington-jm) – Producers are keeping up the pace of planting, despite storms. Gary Crawford reports…