(Champaign-jm) – Champaign-based insurance company Health Alliance will be ending all insurance plans other than Medicare Advantage by Jan. 1 2026, according to parent company Carle Health. In the announcement, Carle said that all health plans will maintain operations through 2025. The company was unable to reach a financially viable level to compete with other insurers, according to Carle.

 

(Springfield-jm) – Illinois could see energy shortages as early as 2030. Now Democrats are working on a plan to prevent that by building more energy storage. Capitol News Illinois reports the legislation could incentivize companies to build batteries to store solar and wind energy. This would store extra power to use when the sun isn't shining or the wind isn’t blowing. Senator Bill Cunningham says action needs to be taken now before its too late…

   

State Senator Bill Cunningham, Democrat from Evergreen Park . Republicans warned their colleagues that closing coal plants would lead to energy shortages when they passed a law to move to 100 percent clean energy by 2050. But sponsors of the bill say Illinois can’t go backwards and clean energy is the future.

 

(Springfield-jm) – Illinois lawmakers are working on a new bill aimed at alleviating the financial burden teachers face when purchasing classroom supplies. The proposed legislation would provide teachers with an assistance card loaded with funds to buy necessary materials, with funding allocated to school districts based on a needs-based formula.According to the National Center for Education Statistics, over 90% of teachers in the U.S. spend their own money on school supplies.

 

(Springfield-jm) – The organization representing all 1,295 local governments in Illinois wants state lawmakers to help make services more efficient and modern. Illinois Municipal League leaders are calling for lawmakers to pass a plan to give local governments the option to post notices on their website instead of paying to have notices printed in newspapers. Municipalities spend roughly $5,000 to $100,000 to place notices in newspapers or the mail. The group is also backing a plan to allow non-home rule governments to implement a motor fuel tax of 3 cents per gallon. Advocates said this change could offer an alternative revenue source to fund infrastructure projects.

 

(Mahomet–jc)  With Illinois Governor J B Pritzker's proposed new budget of just over 54 Billion dollars, one area lawmaker is questioning where some of the funds will come as the “covid” dollars are gone. 51st District State Senator Chapin Rose of Mahomet says it can not come from the taxpayers of Illinois…

   

51st District State Senator Chapin Rose of Mahomet

 

(Bloomington–jc)  – Investigators say a Bloomington man fatally shot his girlfriend, her 13-year-old son and her friend before he fatally shot himself at a home over the weekend.Dead at the scene were 33-year-old Christopher Simmons, who police said turned the gun on himself after killing the three victims. Police said he bought the gun legally in 2021, but his FOID card was revoked and he was no longer allowed to possess or purchase firearms.  

 

(Champaign-jm) -- The Parkland College Board of Trustees voted to approve an increase in tuition and other fees. They approved an increase in tuition and fees by 4.2% at the school, which will be in effect starting in the Summer 2025 term, according to a release from Parkland College. District 505 students will now pay $186 per credit hour in fees and tuition — an increase of $7.50 for the college’s Tier One programs, which includes most of Parkland’s programs that they offer.

 

 

(Springfield-jm) – The deadline for Real IDs is right around the corner but Secretary of State Alexi Giannoulias says there’s still confusion on what those IDs are used for. Capitol News Illinois reports starting May 7th, you’ll need a Real ID to fly in the U-S or visit a federal facility. A passport also works for getting on flights. Secretary Giannoulias says you don’t need a Real ID for identification, proof of citizenship or to drive a car…

 

 

Illinois Secretary of State Alexi Giannoulias. Check out the Secretary of State’s website to see if your local DMV requires an appointment along with the list of items you need to take with you.

 

(Springfield-jm) – The Illinois’ Class of 2024 has set new records in Advanced Placement performance and participation. The information comes from a report put out by the Illinois State Board of Education. The percentage of state graduates scoring a three or higher on an AP exam has increased by 6.7% over the last decade, rising from 21.6% in 2014 to 28.3% in 2024. This mark is also almost 6% higher than the 22.6% national average.

 

(Springfield-jm) – Right now, Illinois produces enough electricity to power its cities and even export some power out of state. However, with new technology such as AI, the state is predicted to receive higher electricity bills by 2030 if action isn't taken. The bill filed by State Senator Bill Cunningham would add new batteries to the grid. The batteries would store excess power from solar and wind energy when the sun is down and the wind is slow. According to Solar Powers Illinois, the plan could save Illinoisans up to $2.4 billion over the course of 20 years.

 

(Rantoul–jc)  Another business that is expanding in the village of Rantoul is Maverick Piping. The company is located in one of the former hangers of Chanute Air Force Base. Rantoul Mayor Chuck Smith says they employ two dozen people…

 

Rantoul Mayor Chuck Smith

 

(Tuscola–jc)  —Six taxing districts have given the go ahead for a $750 million corn wet-milling plant in central Illinois. The former Equistar Chemicals plant in Tuscola, which closed in 2021, is being considered as a possible site. Officials said construction of the corn wet-milling plant would employ up to 1,000 workers and would take an estimated three years to complete.

 

(Undated-jm) – Although summer is still several months away, Central Illinois counties are already gearing up for their local fairs. And, two counties announced their headlining acts yesterday. On Friday, July 25, Grammy award winner Travis Tritt will take the stage at the Champaign County Fair. The Iroquois County Fair Board announced Country artist Chris Cagle would take the stage on Saturday, July 19.

 

WPXN News notes…

The Eastern Illinois Foodbank will hold a foodmobile on Tuesday, March 4th from 9-930 at the St. Joseph library, 10-10:30 at the old high school ballpark in Ogden, 11-11:30 at the Homer post office, 12:30-1 at the Sidney community building, 1:30-2 at the Philo village office and from 2:30-3pm at The Oaks at Tolono.

 

The Loda American Legion will hold their fish and chicken fry on Friday, March 7th from 4-7 pm. Dinner includes your choice of fish or chicken, baked beans, green beans, coleslaw and tartar sauce for $10.

 

The Loda American Legion Auxiliary will host a craft fair and bake sale on Saturday, March 8th from 9-2.