(The Center Square) –  With early voting completed, the polls are now open for the November election today.In addition to the presidential race and other state and federal offices, voters will be deciding a number of local issues around the state as well. Champaign County voters are being asked to consider an increase to a sales tax to fund public safety. The question on the ballot asks if the tax should be raised a quarter cent for every $100 spent in the county.  The Effingham County Board passed a resolution in January saying they would not use local tax dollars to support illegal immigrants, and now local voters will weigh in on the non-binding question. Voters in several downstate counties are being asked if they should separate from Cook County, including Madison County near St Louis and Iroquois County, locally.. Some county voters are being asked if the auditor's office should be eliminated. That is a question for Champaign and McLean County voters. Mahomet Seymour school district voters have a referendum for school expansion on their ballot. The school has seen a three percent increase in students this year. Schools are closed today for election day. WPXN news will have vote totals on newscasts on Wednesday

(Washington–jc) –U-S–D-A Secretary Thomas  Vilsack issued a disaster declaration for three Illinois counties due to losses caused by tornadoes that occurred earlier this year. Tornadoes struck Marshall and Putnam counties in July.

Counties contiguous to Marshall, Putnam and Henry counties are eligible for the same assistance. The contiguous counties include: Bureau, Knox, LaSalle, Mercer, Peoria, Rock Island, Stark, Whiteside and Woodford.

(Springfield–jc)  Voters in the Metro East County of Madison are being asked today if they want to separate from Chicago. This is one step in the process as some counties in the state have passed similar measures. Illinois Governor J B Pritzker says he opposes the idea and that Illinois is a great state the way it is...

Illinois Governor J B Pritzker

About one third of Illinois Counties have passed similar splitting away from Chicago measures. On November 5th voters in Seven Counties, including Iroquois County, will have a non-binding question on separating Chicago from the state of Illinois. 

(Cissna Park–jc)  –  At last month's National F F A convention in Indianapolis they awarded American F F A degrees. Only 1 percent of students achieve that award. Cissna Park F F A Advisor Jeff Clifton says Cissna Park received 7 of them at this year's convention...

Cissna Park F F A Advisor Jeff Clifton

The Cissna Park F F A is preparing for their annual scholarship auction. That event is set for November 16th. 

(Rantoul–jc)  –  Rantoul village leaders will hear about an E-D-A revolving loan application for the Rantoul Warehouse Group when they meet in monthly study session tonight  Another topic is a Community Development Block Grants for Buzard Pipe Organ Buildings at 700 Veterans Parkway in  Rantoul. Rantoul board of trustees will also look for the next steps in upgrades at the New Prospect Substation and a service agreement concerning upgrades at the West Water Treatment plant. The Rantoul Village Study session comes to order on Tuesday at 

6pm in the meeting room on Tanner Street

(Springfield–jc)  – Illinois Governor. J-B Pritzker has proclaimed November Adoption Awareness Month, and the Illinois Department of Children and Family Services is celebrating the lifelong commitment thousands of families across the state have made by opening their hearts and homes to over 19,000 children who have needed a loving family in the past decade.

(Champaign–dm)-CHAMPAIGN – White Construction has closed Anthony Drive between Dobbins Drive and Campbell Drive in Champaign for construction work  The closure began on Monday and will continue through Friday.

(Undated–jc)  Of the state's more than 8 million registered voters, nearly 2.4 million cast their ballots early. Data published by the Illinois State Board of Elections Monday afternoon showed that of nearly 1.3 million mail-in ballots requested, 833,000 have been returned. The polls for election day are open now through 7pm.

(The Center Square) – According to a former federal prosecutor who has tried a high-profile corruption case in Illinois, U.S. government attorneys face particular challenges at the bribery and racketeering trial of former Illinois House Speaker Michael Madigan. Along with former U.S. Attorney Zach Fardon, Patrick Collins led the prosecution team in the corruption trial and conviction of former Illinois Governor George Ryan. Madigan and codefendant Michael McClain are charged with 23 counts of bribery, racketeering and official misconduct in a nearly decade-long scheme federal prosecutors called "Madigan Enterprise."

(Gibson City–jc)  With election day today, that means the fall veto session for state legislators is coming soon. The fall veto session is usually a time to deal with governor vetoes. 53rd District State Senator Tom Bennett of Gibson City says there are no vetoes to deal with this year, so other subjects could be brought to the floor...

53rd District State Senator Tom Bennett of Gibson City

(Springfield–jc)  Illinois Attorney General Kwame Raoul announced that more than 200 teams of assistant attorneys general and investigators from his office will be monitoring the general election throughout Illinois today. Raoul urged voters to call his office if they encounter suspected improper or illegal activity.

(Washington–jc)  Coming soon, two major crop reports later this week. Gary Crawford reports...