(Springfield-jm) – An Illinois bill to crackdown on third party warranties for car dealerships passed a Senate committee unanimously. The plan would require any warranty deal outside the dealership to provide a copy of the contract which clearly displays a summary of all the costs. These costs would include deductibles, service fees, coverage limits and repairs or services not covered by the contract.
(Springfield–jc) – Illinois Governor. J.B. Pritzker has signed an executive order restricting the unauthorized collection, storage and sharing of autism-related medical data for Illinois residents. The order comes after U.S. Health and Human Services Secretary Robert F. Kennedy Jr. announced a plan to collect medical data from people on Medicare and Medicaid, which he said will be used to study the root causes of autism spectrum disorder. Last month, Kennedy said the agency will undertake a "massive testing and research effort" to determine the cause of autism.
(Springfield–dm)-Recently, progressive Democrats ramped up their campaign for a graduated income tax hike, despite Illinois voters soundly rejecting a constitutional amendment for a progressive income tax in 2020. And the Illinois Revenue Alliance presented a list of tax hikes that would raise taxes by $6 billion. House Republicans have also called out what they consider to be the most egregious tax hike proposal: raising the Estate Tax by cutting the exemption in half, from $4 million to $2 million. They say that family farmers are struggling enough already. State Representative Chris Miller (R-Hindsboro) is also a farmer and says the estate tax is one of the worst taxes ever created. He added that “farmers shouldn’t have to sell the family farm just to pay this unfair tax. We should be encouraging and supporting our family farmers, not taxing them to death.”
State Representative Chris Miller R.- Hindsboro
(Springfield-jm) – FAFSA Applications for high school students could be made easier as all schools could be required to have a FAFSA assistant. The bill would not create a new role at schools. Instead, a current staff member or teacher would be taught the application process, where they would be able to assist all students with their FAFSA forms. Another FAFSA proposal would give students time during school to fill out their forms.
(The Center Square) – A visit to Springfield Wednesday by U.S. Department of Homeland Security Secretary Kristi Noem continues to spark debate over Illinois’ migrant sanctuary policies. After Secretary Kristi Noem’s visit, House Minority Leader Tony McCombie, Republican from savanna says the state needs to work with federal authorities…
Illinois House Minority Leader Tony McCombie (R-Savana)
(Undated-jm) – Illinois farmers are playing catch-up this spring planting season. According to the latest report from the United States Department of Agriculture , corn planted has reached 32%, compared to the 5-year average of 44%. The USDA also says soybean planting has progressed nicely. Soybeans planted reached 33 percent, compared to the 5-year average of 34 percent. Soybeans emerged reached 10 percent, compared to the 5-year average of 7 percent. Winter wheat reached 23%, compared to the 5-year average of 31%.
(Paxton–dm)-The PBL School Board held their mandatory organizational meeting Wednesday evening. Paxton Buckley Loda School Superintendent Travis Duley has the results.
Paxton Buckley Loda School Superintendent Travis Duley
(Kankakee–jc) A funeral was held Thursday in Kankakee for the late former Illinois Governor. George Ryan. Ryan had recently been moved into hospice care before his death last Friday. The Republican served as governor from 1999 to 2003. His most high-profile act as governor was to place a moratorium on the death penalty in Illinois.
(Undated-jm) – Baked beans sold in 23 states, including Illinois, have been recalled due to undeclared soy. Vietti Food Group of Nashville recalled 4,515 cases of its Yellowstone Brown Sugar Molasses Baked Beans. The product can be identified by its Lot Code: Best if Used By Feb 17, 2028. The code is printed on the bottom of each can. So far, no illnesses have been reported, but people with an allergy or severe sensitivity to soy risk serious or life-threatening allergic reactions if they consume this product.
(Springfield-jm) – A plan moving in the state capitol could create a task force to study how the COVID-19 pandemic impacted chronic absence of students. This group could identify strategies, mechanisms, and approaches to help families, teachers, principals, and superintendents address chronic absence for K-12 students. The state's previous attendance commission's work ended in December 2020, and lawmakers intended to bring a task force back to better understand the ongoing impact of the pandemic. The task force would submit recommendations to lawmakers for evidence-based practices to use attendance and absenteeism data to create a multi-tiered system of support promoting professional development for students.
(The Center Square) – A bill to raise the age at which Illinois drivers must take a road test is one step closer to becoming law. The Illinois Senate Transportation Committee passed House Bill 1226 by a unanimous vote Tuesday. The measure would increase the required behind-the-wheel testing age from 79 to 87.
Ryan Gruenenfelder, senior director of Advocacy and Outreach at AARP Illinois, said the bill is a strong step in the right direction.
Senior Director at AARP Illinois Ryan Gruenenfelder Illinois Secretary of State Alexi Giannoulias said drivers age 87 and older would still have to visit the DMV and take a driving test every year.
Illinois Secretary of State Alexi Giannoulias
(Undated-jm) – The Office of the Illinois State Fire Marshal is raising awareness about the seriousness of the crime of arson during this 30th annual Arson Awareness Week. The National Fire Protection Association reports municipal fire departments in the U.S. responded to an estimated annual average of over 52,000 intentionally set structure fires in the five-year period from 2014 to 2018. Officials said to report suspicious activity near houses or other buildings to the local police.
(Illinois–dm) –High number of police fatalities in Illinois prompts calls for policy changes with the SAFE-T Act. WPXN’S Dan Mushrush has the story
(Undated-jm) – State Representative Brandun Schweizer of Danville is accepting applications for his 2025 Summer Legislative Internship Program. The program is open to candidates in high school or college that want the opportunity to experience state legislative work. The program runs from June 2nd through August 15th and interns will be working out of Rep. Schweizer’s district office in Danville. Compensation for first-time interns is $17.50 per hour and $18.50 per hour for those returning. Duties for interns include constituent services, researching issues and drafting bills, participating in events on behalf of Rep. Schweizer, and engaging with local nonprofits, civic organizations, and community outreach. To apply, please contact Representative Schweizer’s office at (217) 477-0104 or by visiting the contact tab on his website, RepSchweizer.com.
(Crescent City–dm)- The Village of Crescent City will be celebrating their FireBall Festival from June 12th through June 15th. FireBall Festival Chairperson Grace Seggebruch tells us about some of the activities going on.
FireBall Festival Chairperson Grace Seggebruch
(Springfield-jm) – The Illinois House Education Policy Committee approved a bill to allow agriculture courses to satisfy vocational education requirements for high school students. Rep. Mary Gill and Sen. Doris Turner said students should be able to use their agricultural studies to fulfill graduation requirements. Their bill clarifies that agriculture education, business or any other ag-related course would meet the vocational requirement starting next school year.
WPXN News notes…
The Eastern Illinois Foodbank will hold a foodmobile on Friday, May 9th from 9-10 at 185 W. Sangamon Avenue in Rantoul and 10:30-11 at the Ludlow Community Center.
The Loda American Legion will hold their fish and chicken fry on Friday, May 9th from 4-7 pm. Dinner includes your choice of fish or chicken, baked beans, green beans, coleslaw and tartar sauce for $10.
The Gibson City Lions Club will hold their puzzle night fundraiser on Friday, May 9th at Countryside Campground. Dinner begins at 6 with puzzles at 7. Cost is $100 for teams of 4.
Kirby Foods in Paxton will hold their cookout fundraiser benefiting the PBL Class of 2031 on Saturday May 10th from 10-2.
The Loda Sportsmans Club will hold a fishing derby for youth under the age of 16 on Saturday, May 10th from 10-2.
Monster Truck Wars will take place on Saturday, May 10th at the Champaign County Fairgrounds. Showtimes are at noon and 6pm.
The Paxton Emergency Response Service will hold their Mother’s Day pancakes and sausage breakfast on Sunday, May 11th from 7-noon. Cost is $8 for adults, kids 6-13 are $5. Kids under 5 are free.
