(Springfield-jm) - Illinois has had issues funding its pensions for a long, long time. Reports first appeared in the legislature back in 1917, warning of an oncoming crisis. More than 100 years later, the state is still struggling to meet those obligations. Currently, Illinois has over $140 billion in unfunded pension liability. To address that gap Governor Pritzker floated the idea of using income-tax refund surpluses to pay down pension obligations. That was back in 2024. He promises the plan would fully fund the pension system by 2048. In 2010. Illinois introduced a second tier to its pension system for new hires. They have significantly reduced benefits compared to pre-2010 tier 1 plans. A coalition of public sector unions calling themselves “We Are One” has offered an alternative for lawmakers. That plan called for lowering the retirement age and raising the pension salary cap to equal social security’s base wage.
(USDA–dm)-What did the Agriculture Department's initial Farm Income Forecast for the year reveal in its release Thursday.USDA’s Rod Bain has the story.
(Springfield-jm) – A federal judge ruled Friday that President Donald Trump's administration must keep funds flowing to child care subsidies and other social service programs in five Democratic-controlled states at least for now. U.S. District Judge Vernon Broderick in New York, granted the states' request for a preliminary injunction and a stay against the administration to bar it from withholding the money while a lawsuit works its way through the courts. The states affected include California, Colorado, Illinois, Minnesota and New York. The five states said they receive a total of more than $10 billion a year from the programs.
(Buckley–dm)-The St. John’s Lutheran School in Buckley will hold Their annual Chicken Dinner, Carnival and Auction on Sunday February 15th. Co-chair spokesperson Kennedy Glazik has the details.
Co-chair spokesperson Kennedy Glazic
(The Center Square) – The Governor’s Office of Management and Budget says tax provisions in the Big Beautiful Bill Act would reduce state revenue by $587 million for the current fiscal year, even after Gov. J.B. Pritzker and state lawmakers moved to decouple from federal tax cuts. In addition, the latest GOMB update said federal requirements related to SNAP and Medicaid eligibility would lead to state implementation costs of more than $100 million over the next two fiscal years.
(Urbana–jc) – Champaign County officials are on the path to set up a county data center task force. The counties executive committee approved the idea and now the issue goes before the full Champaign County Board. The Champaign County board meets on Tuesday February 19th at 6-30pm in the Shields-Carter Meeting room at the Bennett Administrative Center in Urbana.
(Springfield-jm) – Higher taxes tacked onto online sports bets is driving more people to place theirs illegally. The tax is added to every wager made before 20 million bets. According to the Sports Betting Alliance, a 15.4% decrease in sports bets are being placed in the state, which totals 6.1 million fewer than those placed in November 2024. The SBA says that more than half of the bets are $5 dollars or less. Back in 2025, a per-wager tax increased taxes from 25 to 50 cents for each bet made. The tax was enacted in July of 2025 but put into effect in September. The sports betting alliance says the tax is an incentive leading bettor to other options to place a bet because of the lower costs and no taxes. But the proper safeguard is not in place to prevent scams.
(Paxton-jm) – Who will be the state’s next Comptroller? Current Comptroller Susana Mendoza announced she will not run for re-election. One person has announced they will run on the Republican ticket. That person is Bryan Drew. He says the Comptroller's office is the checkbook for the state…
Republican Comptroller Candidate Bryan Drew.
(Springfield–jm) – Saturday marked National Black HIV/AIDS Awareness Day, and the Illinois Legislative Black Caucus is advocating for more funding to address the disease. Many community wellness groups feel the state has fallen short in promises for equitable healthcare funding. Now, 39% of new HIV diagnoses in Illinois are Black people, yet Black people only make up 14% of the state's population. The Black Leadership Advocacy Coalition for Healthcare Equity in Illinois said it's time the state budget includes significant investments to tackle the disease in Black communities. Lawmakers and advocates are demanding that the Fiscal Year 2027 budget include $15 million for Black HIV/AIDS groups across the state. They told reporters in Springfield that Black healthcare matters, and the state needs to put its money where its mouth is.
(Champaign-dm)- It's not a common cancer, but experts say cases of liver cancer are on the rise. Luckily, treatment and education on risks have evolved too. Tim Ditman of OSF HealthCare has
Prevention includes diet and exercise, managing conditions like diabetes, and avoiding risky behaviors like heavy alcohol use and sharing needles. You should also talk to your doctor about what hepatitis vaccines and screenings are right for you.
(Illinois–dm)-The Illinois State Treasurer’s Office made $1.5 billion in investment earnings from the state’s investment portfolio during 2025.Treasurer Michael Frerichs made the announcement Thursday. Frerichs said his office is trying to maximize earnings at a time when he said President Donald Trump is “illegally yanking” federal money from Illinois.
(Gibson City–dm)-The Gibson City city council will hold their monthly meeting tonight. Items to be discussed include consideration of an ordinance approving a 5th amendment to the TIF redevelopment agreement between the City of Gibson City and Brady Homes Inc. Also discussion for an add-on to the new sewer plant garage, and discussion regarding hiring additional personnel. The meeting is scheduled to start at 7pm and the City Council Chambers.
WPXN News notes…
The American Red Cross will hold a blood drive at the Onarga American Legion on Wednesday, February 11th from 1-6 pm.
The Rankin Lions Club will hold their Friday Night Dinner on Friday, February 13th from 4:30-7:30pm.
The Thawville American Legion will hold their all you can eat fish fry on Friday, February 13th from 4:30-7pm. Cost is $15.
The American Red Cross will hold a blood drive at the Rantoul City Schools Central Office on Friday, February 13th from 11-4.
The Elliott Amvets will hold their spaghetti dinner on Friday, February 13th from 5-7 pm. Cost is $10.
The Upper Room Bible Church in Paxton will host a free concert featuring Love and The Outcome on Friday, February 13th at 7pm.
