An Illinois Department of Corrections’ policy prohibiting disparaging language on social media about inmates went into effect November 1. Beginning December 1 transgender individuals were included among protected groups. The original policy forbid department employees from posting vulgar, obscene, intimidating, harassing; or disparaging content to a person or group based or race, religion, sexual orientation…
Illinois’ Department of Agriculture published its bi-annual study that looked at how to improve water quality by cutting down on pollutants that runoff into streams and rivers. Officials are mainly concerned with stopping excess nitrogen and phosphorus runoff. If too much of the stuff flows into a waterway, the chemicals can suck the oxygen out…
The man credited with inventing the LED light is the honorary grand marshal of the Champaign Center’s 19th Annual Parade of Lights. Nick Holonyak, Jr. created the first light emitting diode — or LED — in 1962 at General Electric. He began teaching at his alma mater, the University of Illinois, a year later. Today,…
Everyone’s invited to community Thanksgiving dinners being held Thursday, at midday in Champaign and during the evening in Urbana. The Champaign dinner will be served from 11:00 a.m.-2:00 p.m. at the Salvation Army Red Shield Center and Thrift Store, on North Market Street, across from Market Place Mall. The local Lone Star Masonic Lodge and Berean…
The U.S. Department of Agriculture has paid out a record $4.24 billion in claims for acres farmers couldn’t plant this year. The “prevented planting”…
State Crop Sustainability Goal Is Centuries Away PEORIA – Illinois is still two centuries away from hitting towards its goal of planting enough cover crops to make a significant dent in nutrient pollution in waterways. That’s according to a coalition of environmental groups responding to the state’s recently-released biennial Nutrient Loss Reduction Strategy report. Nutrient…
The Illinois Supreme Court heard arguments in a case that could determine whether a person convicted of battery can still own a gun. The plaintiff is Shawna Johnson, a southern Illinois woman, who had her Firearm Owner I-D — or FOID — card revoked by the state police, and she’s suing to get it back. Johnson…
Pritzker Vetoes Tax Break For Private Jet Manufacturers SPRINGFIELD — Gov. J.B. Pritzker has vetoed a plan to forgive $50 million in past-due taxes from private jet manufacturers. Pritzker vetoed the legislation Monday. It would also extend the breaks through 2024. The Democrat says it “is not the right fiscal decision.” Lawmakers approved the tax…
Speedy drivers have been a particular problem for the Illinois State Police so far this year. Troopers across the state have issued nearly 2,500 tickets…
DOT Grant Gives MTD $17 Million For Terminal Expansion CHAMPAIGN – The largest piece of the funding pie is now in place for the Champaign-Urbana Mass Transit District’s Illinois Terminal expansion. That’s after the US Department of Transportation awarded the MTD a grant of more than $17-million for the project. The Illinois Terminal expansion…
Quad Cities Waiting For FEMA Checks After Flooding EAST MOLINE – Most local governments in the Quad Cities are waiting for checks from FEMA to help pay for flood expenses. Davenport, Iowa asked for $3.5 million. In Illinois, Rock Island County asked for $884,000; East Moline and Rock Island each submitted around $540,000 in eligible…
Nearly 2,500 Drivers Caught Speeding At 100 MPH In 2019 SPRINGFIELD – In a tweet, the Illinois State Police said troopers have handed out 2,492 tickets since January for driving 100 miles per hour or faster on Illinois roadways. Spokeswoman Mindy Carroll said that’s actually down slightly from last year. She also said state police…
Urbana Board Votes To Increase Police Presence In Schools The Urbana District 116 Board of Education voted 4 to 3 Tuesday night to quadruple police presence in the district’s middle and high schools. The measure comes after a fight in February at the high school that resulted in multiple arrests and injuries. Since 1993, the district…
Illinois Faces Regional Propane Shortage Illinois is one of seven states with a much greater demand for propane than is available. An early snowfall and wet weather has led to greater consumption of the gas, especially in rural areas. Farmers in particular use it to both heat their homes and to reduce the moisture…
Durbin Pushes For More Science Research Funding Senator Dick Durbin (D) Illinois wants to reverse a half-century decline in federal funding for science research with legislation he’s hoping will become part of the next budget. The Democrat supports bills to finance research in medicine, technology and agriculture with a mandatory five percent increase each…