(Springfield-jm) – Illinois might be struggling to meet its goals of fully funding every school by 2027. But things used to be much worse.In 2017, Illinois made a change, moving to an evidence-based funding formula. That new formula, as well as billions of dollars in new funding, has helped move Illinois to 18th in the nation on state spending per student. But a global pandemic and the inflation that came after has set the state behind. A bicameral group of lawmakers is now working to get Illinois school funding back on track. They estimated that they will need around $1 billion to get it done. To drum up that new revenue, State Representative Will Davis is considering riding in the wake of another bill making waves, a proposed progressive tax on billionaires. Education advocates say that any lawmakers fighting for education is a good thing, but finding a billion dollars in new funding will be a tough hill to climb in 2026.

 

(Springfield–jc)  51st District State Senator  Chapin Rose, Republican from Mahomet has  filed a series of bills designed to lower energy costs for families, restore local control over energy projects, and protect the Mahomet Aquifer from energy-intensive data centers.  In January, Democrat Governor J B Pritzker signed several measures into law  that removed long-standing protections shielding households from unlimited utility rate increases and included an 8 billion dollar battery storage mandate to be paid for by consumers. State Senator Chapin Rose says he intends to put back "common sense” legislation to lower costs for Illinoisans…

   

51st District State Senator Chapin Rose, Republican from Mahomet.

 

(Gibson City-jm) – A garage was deemed a total loss following a fire yesterday in Gibson City. Firefighters were called to the 400 block of North Sangamon Avenue for a detached garage on fire. The garage and its contents, including a motorcycle were deemed a complete loss and a vehicle in the driveway sustained heavy damage. Fire officials say the fire appears to have been caused by yard waste burning in a receptacle that spread to the garage due to dry grass. Damage was estimated at $40,000.

 

(Springfield–jc)  –According to a report prepared by Moody’s Analytics for the Illinois Commission on Government Forecasting and Accountability, Illinois’ economy will underperform the Midwest and the United States in the coming year.

The forecast report says employment will be essentially unchanged and gross state product and income will increase less than elsewhere from the fourth quarter of 2025 to the fourth quarter of 2026. The report cited mounting pension obligations, a shrinking tax base and persistent outmigration as hurdles to economic performance.

 

(Paxton–jc) The Paxton Buckley Loda F F A Toy Show is set for Saturday at the high school in Paxton. P B L F F A Spokesperson Rowan Capasieno says the event starts at 8am on Saturday and is a free event  with lots of toys and activities…

   

Paxton Buckley Loda F F A Spokesperson Rowan Capasieno. There will also be lots of food options and silent auction items at this year’s event. 

 

(Champaign–jc)  Champaign Police continue to investigate a fatal shooting in the city on Monday night.. Police were dispatched just before 7 pm on Monday, to the 800 block of S. Mattis Avenue following a report of shots fired. One male victim was fatally injured in the shooting. Champaign Police were notified that a second person had arrived by personal transport at the emergency department with a gunshot wound. That person, a 19-year-old man from Champaign, remains hospitalized in stable condition.

 At this time, Champaign Police are working to determine the facts of this case. Investigators are pursuing every lead and are seeking assistance from the community to confirm what happened to lead to the gunfire. Champaign Police ask that anyone who has additional information please call 217-351-4545. Tips may also be given to Crime Stoppers by phone at: 217-373-8477.

 

(Undated-jm) – A February campaign in Illinois is allowing students across the state an opportunity to sign up for college admissions free of charge. In Summer 2025, the Illinois Board of Higher Education, in collaboration with the Illinois Community College Board and the Illinois Student Assistance Commission, launched One Click College Admit, a statewide program offering direct admissions to participating Illinois public universities and community colleges. Lawmakers introduce new bill to help Illinois fully fund public schools by 2027. Illinois high school juniors and community college transfer students who take advantage of the program receive direct college admission offers based only on their grade point average, without applications, essays, letters of recommendation or application fees.

 

(Paxton–jc)  The Ford County Republican Party is hosting a breakfast quarterly meeting in Paxton on Saturday February 21st. Ford County Republican Party Chairman Jeff Orr of Piper City says the guest speaker will be Ford County Sheriff Chad Johnson…

   

Ford County Republican Party Chairman Jeff Orr of Piper City. Reservations are being accepted for the event, online. 

 

(Rantoui–jc)  –  The Rantoul Area Chamber of Commerce invites you to a breakfast and networking event this morning.  The venue is the Community Service Center in the village and the time of the free event is from 8am to 9am. Doors open at 7-30 this morning. 

 

(Springfield-jm) – Illinois State Senator Andrew Chesney introduced a new piece of legislation Monday affecting transgender people. Senate Bill 3842 would change the Mental Health and Developmental Disabilities Code in Illinois to expand the definition of mental illness to include identifying as a gender other than the one assigned at birth. In his statement announcing the legislation, Chesney says it will keep “radical gender ideology from shaping Illinois law.” He also says, “This bill draws a hard line and says Illinois will not abandon reality to appease the woke mob” and “what began as a call for tolerance has morphed into a government-enforced ideology that silences dissent and demands obedience.”

 

(Springfield–jc) One item in Springfield would charge you for a camp fire or fire pit. It's opposed by Republicans. Dean Abbott has the latest…

   

(Springfield-jm) – State lawmakers could pass bills this spring to increase access to behavioral healthcare by requiring insurance companies to expand coverage. Sponsors say there is still too much red tape blocking providers from giving the best care to patients. A new proposal could require health insurance companies to pay their fair share for mental health crisis services. Another measure could require insurance companies to cover the diagnosis and treatment of substance use disorders. The bill would also ban prior authorization for outpatient substance abuse treatment. Lawmakers could discuss both bills when they return to the Capitol next week.

 

(Springfield–jc)  –A federal judge has upheld an Illinois law to prohibit interchange fees from being charged on portions of credit and debit card transactions that include taxes and gratuities. Illinois Retail Merchants Association President and CEO Rob Karr said the ruling against swipe fees would save businesses and consumers millions of dollars a year. The Illinois Bankers Association, the Illinois Credit Union League and other plaintiffs who challenged the law in 2024 promised to appeal the decision.

 

(Springfield–jc)  –  One local lawmaker is pushing several bills in Springfield to strengthen laws on domestic violence. 53rd district State Senator Chris Balkema, Republican from Channahon says, both are common sense safety bills…

   

53rd District State Senator Chris Balkema, Republican from Channahom

 

(Mahomet-jm) – A Mahomet man is facing sexual abuse charges. Police say. 64-year-old Willie Luckett was taken into custody over the weekend. Multiple victims have reported the alleged abuse. D-C-F-S is saying a number of children living at Luckett’s residence, reported sexual abuse against Luckett.  Luckett is facing four counts of predatory criminal sexual assault. He appeared in court on Monday, entered a plea of not guilty and requested a trial by jury. The State filed a petition to deny him pretrial release, but that was denied and Luckett was released pretrial on Tuesday

 

(Paxton–jc)  One Republican candidate for the U. S. Senator in Illinois is Don Tracy of Springfield. Tracy says he is a common sense candidate that will lead the charge for those ideals…

   

U S Senate Candidate in Illinois, Don Tracy of Springfield. The Illinois Primary Election is set for Tuesday March 17th. 

 

(Champaign–jc)  –The Champaign County Association of REALTORS®  has announced the 2026 recipients of its Minority Scholarship, an annual award that helps aspiring real estate professionals take their first steps toward licensure in Illinois. This year’s scholarship recipients, Johnnesha Hunt and LaSienna Burton, were selected for their demonstrated commitment to education and positive community impact.Each award provides up to 750 dollars for expenses and tuition

 

(Springfield–jc)  –Generational hits and pop rock is headed to Springfield as Matchbox Twenty takes over the Illinois Lottery Grandstand Stage on Sunday, August 16, 2026. With a catalog packed with era-defining songs, the band promises a night fairgoers won’t forget. Matchbox Twenty’s enduring appeal has led to over 40 million records sold globally

 

(Danville-jc)  – Danville Area Community College has  received a Mental Health Services grant from the Illinois Community College Board . This funding will help the college grow its counseling programs and meet the standards of the Illinois Mental Health Early Action on Campus Act.