(Springfield-jm) – As artificial intelligence becomes cheaper to implement, more companies across industries are adopting it into their business models. Now one Illinois state lawmaker is working to regulate its use in healthcare. Capitol News Illinois reports the “A-I Use in Health Insurance Act” would allow the state’s Department of Insurance to oversee how companies use AI to deny claims. It would also prohibit companies from reducing or terminating coverage based on decisions made solely by A-I. Democratic Representative Bob Morgan of Deerfield says his bill is about protecting consumers…

State Representative Bob Morgan of Deerfield. The bill passed out of the House Insurance committee Tuesday along party lines, with Morgan committing to bring it back with an amendment.

 

(Chicago–jc)  –The Department of Education’s Office of Civil Rights is investigating 60 universities for antisemitism, including Northwestern University in Evanston. The department said the institutions are receiving warnings due to allegedly not complying with Title Nine obligations to protect Jewish students. The action also comes days after U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement arrested a Columbia University graduate student who led pro-Palestinian protests.

 

(Springfield–jc)  –   Following a floor speech from a Chicago Democrat at the state capitol,  supporting  transgenders to play in girls sports, one area legislator is supporting only biological girls in girls sports. Reaction from Springfield with 88th District State Representative Regan Deering, Republican from Decatur….

88th District State Representative Regan Deering, Republican from Decatur

Deering said that as a sponsoring House Bill 11-17 protecting women and girls in sports.

 

(Paxton-jm) – A man was arrested in Paxton Monday night after police said he pointed a gun at a police officer. Paxton Police wrote in a report that one of their officers was doing a wellness check at a camper on Market Street around 9:30 p.m. Monday night. The officer approached the camper, and police said 52-year-old Damon Legereit of Metropolis pointed a pistol at the officer through the open door. The officer retreated and called for backup with both their department and the Ford County Sheriff’s Office. After more officers arrived, they called Legereit, who exited the camper without incident. Legerit was taken to the Ford County Sheriff’s Office, where he was charged with Aggravated Assault of a Police Officer and Unlawful Possession of a Firearm. Police also obtained a search warrant and found a bag containing almost 120 grams of cannabis inside. Legerit was also charged with Unlawful Possession of Cannabis.

 

(Cissna Park–jc)  The town of Cissna Park has a new business in Dollar General coming to the village this Spring. Cissna Park Economic Development Board Spokesperson Rachael Bauer talks about new owners at Knapp and Steiner True Value Hardware in Cissna Park…

Cissna Park Economic Development Board Spokesperson Rachael Bauer. 

 

(Ludlow–jc)  Another field fire popped up Tuesday afternoon. Fire crews were called to the fire near Ludlow at 36 hundred North at 19 hundred East. On Monday, field fires near Rantoul and Westville were reported. 

 

(Springfield–jc)  Assessed values tied to property taxes need to be capped. Some in Illinois are seeing their property taxes rise by more than the rate of inflation. 51st District State Senator Chapin Rose, Republican from Mahomet, says he is sponsoring Senate Bill 22-46 to bring common sense into property taxes…

51st District State Senator Chapin Rose, Republican from Mahomet

 

(Springfield–jc)  –Illinois Environmental Protection Agency  Acting Director James Jennings announced the investment of more than $112 million through water infrastructure loans to local governments and water districts on Tuesday.The Illinois EPA State Revolving Fund  Program provides low-interest loans which fund wastewater, stormwater, and drinking water projects. Included in these investments is a 43 million dollar loan to the Champaign and Urbana Sanitary District for upgrades and usage.

 

(Springfield-jm) – As Illinois faces potential energy shortages in the next few years, the Illinois Clean Jobs Coalition is calling on state lawmakers to pass the Clean and Reliable Grid Affordability Act. Capitol News Illinois reports the bill aims to make it easier and faster for solar and wind energy to connect to power grids. It would also create a plan for the state to develop large scale batteries to store clean energy. Representative Ann Williams says the plan builds off the successes of the Climate and Equitable Jobs Act and takes the next step…

State Representative Ann Williams. The rise of power-hungry data centers is another part lawmakers are working to address. Williams is hopeful she’ll have a clean energy package passed by the end of the spring session.

 

(Springfield–jc)  –Illinois State Police hope to increase the number of female police officers by hosting their first ever all-women recruitment event.The State Police Academy in Springfield will be open to the public on March 18. During the event, Illinois State Police will share employment information and offer opportunities to meet with professionals specializing in forensic science, investigations, crime scene services and patrol

 

(Springfield–jc)  Some conservatives in Springfield are putting some property tax measures into consideration. 56th District State Senator Erica Harris, Republican from Glen Carbon says Senate Bill20-86 will help Senior citizens and those on fixed incomes…

56th District State Senator Erica Harris, Republican from Glen Carbon

 

(Champaign-jm) – State Senator Paul Faraci is announcing a new state program that will help all Illinois college students prepare for graduate school and in-demand careers.The Prepare for Illinois’ Future Program is the result of a commitment by the State of Illinois, Illinois Student Assistance Commission and leading global education company Kaplan to provide free test preparation courses to students enrolled in Illinois’ public universities as well as five community colleges. University of Illinois Urbana-Champaign has already onboarded the program.

 

(Champaign–jc)  The State Farm Center is set to host the I-H-S-A Boys basketball finals this week. I-H-S-A Assistant Executive Director Matt Troha talks about the special venue at the University of Illinois…

I-H-S-A Assistant Executive Director Matt Troha

 

(Chicago–jc)  –Southwest Airlines, with a hub at Chicago’s Midway Airport, is doing an about face on its “Bags Fly Free” policy. The airline announced Tuesday that it is ending its more than 50-year baggage policy in May. The move comes as Southwest is poised to cut 1,750 jobs in April, which will be the first round of layoffs in company history.

 

(Paxton–jc)  –  Those with the Cadillac Event Center are honoring first responders, while raising money for Tunnels to Towers.  The free to attend event, features live music with Scotty Hasting, The Ridgeland Band and Logan Allen.  Cadillac First Responders Spokesperson  Ashley Cage says to honor first responders on Saturday is a way to say “thank you”...

The Cadillac First Responders Event Spokesperson Ashley Cage.  The event starts at 6pm. A silent auction and raffles hilite the event to raise money for Tunnels to Towers.

 

SPRINGFIELD – Illinois State Treasurer Michael Frerichs is encouraging young Illinois photographers to submit photos for the 2025 Cream of the Crop Photo Contest, which provides students with a creative opportunity to share their vision of agriculture in our state. Students ages 8 to 18 may submit contest entries until the deadline of June 13, 2025.  Bright Start scholarships of $1,000, $500 and $250 will be awarded to students who place first, second or third in each of the three age categories.  The Treasurer’s Office is accepting electronic submissions for the Cream of the Crop Photo Contest at www.CreamoftheCropContest.com. Deadline is June 13th