(Springfield-jm) – Plaintiffs in a lawsuit against House Speaker Chris Welch are requesting that a judge deny Welch's motion to dismiss a case where Illinois Statehouse staffers are seeking to collectively bargain. Welch's motion includes an accusation that the legislative staff forum shopped, which is a strategy of filing a case in a particular venue that the filing party, in this case the staff and lead plaintiff Brady Burden, believes will be more favorable to its interests. Burden said that the staff didn't do that. The Illinois Labor Relations Board, according to Burden, ruled that state statute excludes legislative employees and because of that they can't rule something unconstitutional or if Welch is required to adhere to recently passed Workers' Rights Amendment. The amendment, which enshrined in the Illinois Constitution the right of workers to collectively bargain, passed in 2022.

(Springfield-jm) – High gas taxes make saving money more challenging for drivers in the Land of Lincoln. Illinois consumers are taxed 47 cents per gallon since the state's motor fuel tax increased 3.5% on July 1. This is 147% more than drivers were taxed in 2017, when the tax was 19 cents per gallon. The tax on diesel is now 54.5 cents per gallon. According to WalletHub analyst Cassandra Happe, gas taxes just add frustration for most citizens. Happe said drivers can try to offset higher taxes and prices for gas by taking advantage of helpful apps.

(Washington-jm) – An expert says if you are over 65 years of age, many phone and online scammers may be targeting you. Gary Crawford has this report...

(Homer-jm) – The north boat launch and parking area at Homer Lake will be closed on today for renovations. Back in May, the Champaign County Forest Preserve shared details on several projects coming to their parks. That included a new kayak launch at Homer Lake.  Leaders said the more-than-$100,000 project aims to improve accessibility so anyone can enjoy the parks and nature. Another project at the Middle Fork Forest Preserve is also set to create more space for more accessible fishing and stargazing.

(Paxton–jc)  Planning continues this month for some Holiday festivities in the city of Paxton. The Paxton Christmas Parade Committee says the theme for the Christmas parade is "the Magic of Paxton." The annual Christmas parade is set for 1-30pm Saturday November 30th in downtown Paxton. Paxton Christmas Parade Committee Chairperson Dawn Glad says plans for an early November Shopping weekend, a cookoff for the Paxton Fireman,  carriage rides and more are on the list of activities...

Paxton Christmas Parade Committee Chairperson Dawn Glad

(Rural Paxton-jm) –An autopsy was set for this past Saturday for two people fatally injured in a two vehicle accident Thursday evening  Ford County Coroner Brandon Roderick has identified the deceased as Jakub Pietkiewicz of Paxton and Christopher Perry of Houston, Texas as the two drivers killed in an accident east of Paxton  last Thursday evening.

(Onarga–jc)  Shagbark Golf and Country Club in rural Onarga is celebrating 100 years of golf and fun this summer. Shagbark Golf and Country Club Owner Duanne Luehrsen talks about the new club house and more...

Shagbark Golf and Country Club Owner Duanne Luehrsen

(Springfield-jm) – Dozens of measures impacting employers, education, health care, criminal justice and more are now law after Illinois Gov. J.B. Pritzker enacted 59 bills Friday. The Illinois General Assembly approved more than 450 measures during the spring session that ended in May. Pritzker has been holding bill signing ceremonies for some measures, but others are announced in news releases. 

Late Friday, Pritzker's office announced the signing of 23 House bills and 36 Senate bills.

(Springfield-jm) – Illinois has rising unemployment and poor credit ratings. Gov. J.B. Pritzker told the AFL-CIO that Illinois is the most labor-friendly state in the union. Illinois had a June unemployment rate of 5%, which is higher than any of the states bordering the Land of Lincoln. Missouri and Indiana had rates under 4%. Iowa and Wisconsin were under 3%. Bryce Hill, senior director of fiscal and economic research at the Illinois Policy Institute, said the numbers are concerning. Hill also said the state's credit rating remains perilously low. "Compared to other states, Illinois's credit rating is dead last in the nation," Hill said.

(Washington-jm) – USDA is making changes to boost equity and fair treatment. Gary Crawford reports...

(Champaign-jm) – The City of Champaign is hosting a community gun violence response meeting next week after several people were hurt in shootings within the last week two weeks. Champaign City Council Members will meet for the gun violence response meeting from 4-5:30 p.m. at the Garden Hills Academy.

(Gibson City–jc)  The Gibson Area Hospital and Health Services Summer Bash is quickly approaching. Bret Michaels will perform in downtown Gibson City on Saturday August 17th. Gibson Area Hospital Director of Employee and Community Events Director Bill Kirby says a "legends" band in Jefferson Starship will start the show on the 17th...

Gibson Area Hospital Director of Employee and Community Events Director Bill Kirby

(Ford County-jm) – Search warrants served Thursday at residences in Elliott and Gibson City resulted in the arrest of two men, Robert Schaub and Charlie Brown and the seizure of more than a pound of suspected methamphetamine, psilocybin mushrooms and several oxycodone pills, the Ford County Sheriff's Office said. In a news release Friday, the sheriff's office said the search warrants followed an investigation into illegal drug activity. Schaub was arrested on multiple warrants and for possession of methamphetamine and possession with intent to deliver methamphetamine, with other charges pending. Brown was arrested for possession of a controlled substance and possession with intent to manufacture or deliver a controlled substance. 

(Paxton–dm)-Having a swimming pool is nice, but they do require some maintenance.  Paxton Hardware and Rental owner Scott Allen tells us about some basic maintenance to ensure a clean pool.

Paxton Hardware and Rental owner Scott Allen.  You can hear more ideas from Scott Saturday mornings at 7:30 on Scott's Tips for Success

The Eastern Illinois Foodbank will hold their foodmobile on Tuesday, August 6th from 9-9:30 at the St. Joseph Library, 10-10:30 at the Ogden old high school ballpark, 11-11:30 at the Homer post office, 12:30-1 at the Sidney community building, 1:30-2 at the Philo village hall and 2:30-3 at The Oaks in Tolono.