(Springfield-jm) – In response to the murder of Sonya Massey, State Senator Doris Turner of Springfield has spearheaded a new law requiring a comprehensive review of prospective law enforcement officers before hiring, effective January 1. The law mandates a thorough review of a candidate's past employment to ensure their fitness for duty. It also expands the creation of sheriff's merit boards and commissions in counties with populations of at least 75,000.
(Springfield–jc) The state of Illinois has a new suicide assistance law going into effect in September of 20-26. The law gives those with terminal illness a way to have their life ended. 53rd District State Senator Chris Balkema, Republican from Channahon, voted against the measure…
53rd District State Senator Chris Balkema, Republican from Channahon. The Catholic Conference of Illinois, representing the state’s six Catholic dioceses, says the governor's action puts Illinois “on a dangerous and heartbreaking path.”
(Peoria-jm) — The over-the-road bus company that puts Peoria’s name across the state has filed for bankruptcy. According to records from the U.S. Bankruptcy Court in Peoria, Peoria Charter Coach Co. filed their Chapter 11 petition. The petition states the company has less than 50 creditors, and less than $10 million in both assets and liabilities. The move is to keep the buses rolling. The filing came on the heels of the company not being able to make the final balloon payment on a COVID-19 loan. The company hopes to restructure the debt instead of shutting its doors.
(Springfield–jc) Illinois governor J.B. Pritzker and the Illinois Office to Prevent and End Homelessness announced $2 million in state spending for community organizations to address homelessness in Central Illinois.
The taxpayer-funded State’s Home Illinois grant is slated to support permanent housing programs for people experiencing homelessness and local organizations including Fifth Street Renaissance, Helping Hands of Springfield and Mercy Communities, Inc.
(Paxton–jc) – Health Insurance for the city employees is the main topic for discussion for city of Paxton leaders in an adjourned meeting at city hall on Tuesday. Paxton Mayor Bill Ingold says most companies would not offer insurance policies with the small number of employees, but city leaders have met with Blue Cross Blue shield to get options…
Paxton Mayor Bill Ingold
(Champaign–jc) – Champaign County authorities are seeking help from the public to solve burglaries at a City of Champaign Church. Champaign police say the Church of Christ located along West John Street in the city was burglarized 4 times since June of this year. Anyone with information on this crime, is asked to call Champaign County Crime Stoppers at 217-373-8477
(Cissna Park–jc) The Cissna Park Economic Development Board continues to schedule fun events as fundraisers to help with projects and advancement in the southern Iroquois County town. Cissna Park Economic Development Board Spokesperson Rachael Bauer says a Hat design event is set for February 20th and a community dance, a “sock hop” is Set for March 14th…
Cissna Park Economic Development Board Spokesperson Rachael Bauer
(Springfield–jc) – Illinois Comptroller Susana Mendoza says hundreds of millions of dollars in tax revenue left the state when Ken Griffin and his 900 employees from Citadel left Chicago for Miami. In a social media post, Mendoza said terrible fiscal policies like Chicago Mayor Brandon Johnson’s head tax proposal would chase jobs away and leave working people to face higher unemployment and higher property tax bills.
(Melvin–jc) The Ford County Fair Association will hold its annual meeting Saturday, January 10, 8 a.m. at the Arcade Restaurant, 132 N Market St., in Paxton.
The election of board members and officers will take place at this meeting. In addition, plans for the upcoming Ford County Fair will be discussed. This will be the 100th anniversary of the fair which is scheduled for June 13-20
The public is invited to attend. Those wishing to order breakfast from the menu are asked to arrive by 7:30 am.
(Springfield-jm) – A new Illinois law has allowed the Pritzker administration to address the state's current budget deficit by decoupling from tax benefits included in the "Big Beautiful Bill." The governor's Office of Management and Budget sounded the alarm about a $267 million budget deficit shortly after President Donald Trump signed his spending plan into law. Senate Bill 1911 will recover nearly $250 million of the lost revenue by decoupling from new federal policy changes that benefit large corporations. Some of the tax benefits included in Trump's budget are deductions for manufacturers to build new facilities, research and development cost recovery incentives, and expansion of the small business deduction. Yet, sponsors said the federal government is recklessly cutting programs Illinois families rely on. They stressed this law will protect the state's ability to fund schools, healthcare and essential services.
(Washington–jc) Some crop insurance regulations are changing for 20-26. Risk Management Agency Administrator Pat Swanson explains the intent behind the deregulation of various crop insurance coverage dates under the Expanding Access to Risk Protection or Earp rule…
Risk Management Agency Administrator Pat Swanson
(Milford-jm) — A house fire in Milford over the weekend caused about $30,000 in damage. It happened at a single story home on Axtel Street Sunday evening. Firefighters believe the use of space heaters over-charged the electrical system. The Milford Fire Department issued a warning about the use of space heaters, never use extension cords – only plug such heaters directly into the wall outlet.
(Rantoul–jc) Rantoul village leaders voted to abate some taxes for its residents this month. Rantoul Mayor Sam Hall the Third says this is a vote taken each year to make sure to tax the smallest amount possible with this annual ordinance…
Rantoul Mayor Sam Hall the Third
(Champaign–jc) - When a person with developmental disabilities goes missing, time is of the essence – but existing alert systems do not always address their unique needs. That will change January First thanks to a new law from State Senator Paul Faraci, Democrat from Champaign, that creates the Golden Search Awareness Program, ensuring law enforcement, families and communities have the tools to respond effectively. Faraci’s law establishes a Golden Search Task Force, which will work to implement a statewide awareness program – in coordination with the Endangered Missing Person Advisory – to account for the specific needs of individuals with developmental disabilities.
(Springfield–jc) –The Illinois Department of Public Health says it has issued its first comprehensive report on how alcohol is used, and sometimes misused, by Illinois residents.The report titled “Alcohol Use in Illinois,” found that the percentage of people killed in motor vehicle crashes where a driver had alcohol in their bloodstream has risen since 2019. From 2020-2023, more than 2,300 deaths statewide were from causes directly attributable to chronic alcohol use, such as alcoholic liver disease and alcohol dependency syndrome.
(Springfield–jc) – Illinois Secretary of State Alexi Giannoulias announced that the Illinois Court of Claims will now offer electronic filing options and conduct remote hearings. Giannoulias said, as of Monday, all filings with the Court of Claims will be submitted through a new online e-filing portal, clerkofthecourt.ilsos.gov.
Users can create an account, follow step-by-step instructions and submit their claims directly through the system.
(Undated–jc) Started cooking for your holiday events yet? One U S D A food safety expert says you should be using a meat thermometer. U-S-D-A food safety expert Meredith Carothers says a food thermometer is important to check the safe internal temperature for a large cut of meat…
U-S-D-A Food Safety Expert Meredith Carothers
