(Springfield–jc)  –An attorney for the Illinois Department of Children and Family Services was fired after allegedly working for a bank on state time. A report by the Office of Executive Inspector General said that Deborah Riley disclosed to the state that she was a part-time employee at a bank. An investigation showed that Riley was working at the bank even more hours than her DCFS position during some weeks. Investigators said the claim that bank work was being performed during breaks and off hours was not found not credible.

 

(Springfield–jc)  –U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services will be holding a naturalization ceremony Tuesday at the Old State Capitol in Springfield.Officials said the agency often participates in naturalization ceremonies at museums, schools, and other notable locations to celebrate the conclusion of an immigrant’s journey to citizenship. The citizenship candidates come from 27 countries, including Cuba, India, Ukraine and Iran.

 

(Normal–jc)  –  Illinois State University and United Faculty of I-S-U , the Union that represents non-administrative tenured and tenure-track Illinois State faculty, are pleased?to announce that the parties have reached a tentative contract agreement. The agreement is subject to ratification by the Union’s membership. Details of the agreement will be provided after ratification, which is expected to take place by April 18. Over the past year, the University and the Union worked collaboratively to find common ground and reach agreement on a first contract that ensures Illinois State's tenure-track faculty are compensated in a manner that is competitive with our?peer institutions. 

 

(Rantoul–jc)  Residents in the village of Rantoul may see some differences in water pressure and color this week. The Rantoul Public Works Department is starting to flush the water mains starting today and running through April 25th. The flushing will occur between the hours of 7-30am and 3pm, daily

(The Center Square) – A measure that could allow for the recall of countywide elected officials in Illinois outside of Cook County is advancing. State Sen. Doris Turner, D-Springfield, said local voters wanted to recall the sheriff after the police-involved shooting of Sonya Massey in Springfield last year, but the Sangamon County Board sought clarity from legislators on whether it had that ability. Sheriff Jack Campbell ended up retiring early due to public pressure. Turner still wants her Senate Bill 1954 passed. 

   

State Sen. Doris Turner D-Springfield***

Illinois Sheriffs Association Executive Director Jim Kaitschuk opposes the measure, saying it could lead to unnecessary conflict.

   

Illinois Sheriffs Association Executive Director Jim Kaitschuck.

 

(Illinois–dm)-The unemployment rate decreased in eleven metro areas and increased in one for the year ending February, according to data released Thursday by the Illinois Department of Employment Security. The statewide unemployment rate is 5.1%, compared with 4.1% nationally. The metro areas with the highest unemployment rates are Kankakee and Decatur at 5.9%. The metro area with the lowest rate is Bloomington at 3.8%.

 

(Rantoul–dm)- The Rantoul Community Service Center will be hosting their Spring Fling on Thursday April 24th.  Along with the Spring Fling, they will also have a meat raffle.  Community Service Center Executive /director Cindy Crawford has more information.

   

Community Service Center Executive Director Cindy Crawford.  The Spring Fling will take place at the Knights of Columbus hall located at 1001 north Ohio in Rantoul.

 

(St Joseph–jc)  –  The St. Joseph Township-Swearingen Memorial Library on Third Street in St Joseph is having its Spring Used Book Sale. The book sale will begin Monday, April 28th and will end Wednesday, May 21st.  All items are for sale by donation.  The sale will run during normal library hours. This week is national Library week. 

 

(The Center Square) – Opponents say Senate Bill 22-17 will be detrimental to rural Illinoisans by dissolving townships that have population sizes less than 5,000. 

Illinois State Senator Suzy Glowiak Hilton, D-Western Springs, introduced the bill. 

According to an Illinois Auditor General report, it was found that over 100 state boards in Illinois were inactive. Illinois has more than 850 school districts. 

With nearly 10,000 units of local government, Illinois has more taxing bodies than any other state. Opponents of the measure says residents rely on the township government to take care of roads and dissolving would mean adding a lot more employees to larger government entities.

 

(The Center Square) – Parents and community leaders are speaking out against legislation in the Illinois House that would punish homeschool families if they don’t comply with new state government reporting mandates.  House Bill 2827 would require homeschool families to submit information to local public school administrators. If the homeschooling parents or guardians fail to submit a declaration form, their students would be declared truant and penalties would be applied.  Pastor Chris Butler proclaimed his opposition at a rally Thursday in downtown Chicago.

Pastor Chris Butler

 

(Springfield–jc)  –In observance of safe digging month, the Illinois Commerce Commission is reminding citizens they can reduce utility outages by calling 811. The state’s annual proclamation is a reminder to professional excavators and homeowners alike to call 811 to safely mark utility lines before starting a digging project. Homeowners and excavators may face penalties for not calling 811, and utilities may be cited and fined for failing to mark lines in a timely manner.

 

(Illinois–dm)-Illinois veterans could get up to 8 hours off a month from work to take part in military funeral honors details with a bill approved by the Illinois Senate. Senate Bill 220 requires the paid time off up to 40 hours a year for such service. The measure now goes to the House.

 

(Champaign–dm)-Outdoor track and field season is underway. That means athletes and trainers are getting reacquainted with the shin – the front part of the leg between the knee and the ankle. While shin splints are a common and treatable injury, experts say it’s important to not rush back to competition. Tim Ditman of OSF HealthCare has more.

 

 

That means a good shoe – and possibly an in-sole inside – are a must. Stretching, compression sleeves and a good strength training program can also help prevent shin splints.

 

(Paxton–jc)  The Champaign Regional Planning Commission is looking to fill some jobs in a multiple county area. The Early Division Center has opened in Paxton, Gilman and Watseka recently.. R-P-C Early Childhood Division Director Brandi Granse says the Early Childhood  head start center is open on the east side of Paxton…

 

R-P-C Early Childhood Division Director Brandi Granse

Those interested in a job should apply on line on the R-P-C facebook page or website

 

(Paxton–jc)  Today’s WPXN Business of the Day is Baier Family Funeral Services of Paxton Buckley and Flatville. Baier Family Funeral Services Owner Royce Baier says he is the second generation owner of the business…

 

Baier says they are on call 24 hours a day, seven days a week, to be of service to the area…

 

Baier Family Funeral Services Owner Royce Baier

One may contact Baier Family Funeral Services at 217-379-32 hundred. Baier Family Funeral Services is the WPXN Business of the Day, today