Thursday, June 17, 2021 Today’s headlines: The Illinois House Wednesday approved sweeping gun legislation expanding mandated background checks to person-to-person gun sales. Illinois’ budget beginning July 1 will include automatic cost of living adjustments for state lawmakers, and a class-action lawsuit filed by a former Republican House member could open the door to the state having to…
Wednesday, June 16, 2021 Today’s headlines: Lawmakers headed back to Springfield for a couple of days in order to take a vote on massive legislation that would get Illinois on the path to 100% renewable energy by 2050. But a deal on major energy and climate legislation in Springfield appears to have fallen apart — at…
Tuesday, June 15, 2021 Today’s headlines: Illinois Senate President Don Harmon says he thinks lawmakers are close to a compromise on a massive energy proposal. Health officials are warning residents in northern Illinois to stay away from potentially dangerous debris after a chemical fire Monday. Artists from the Champaign-Urbana area will once against be showcased…
Monday June 14, 2021 Today’s headlines: In an effort to address the so-called digital divide exacerbated by the pandemic, the Federal Communications Commission is temporarily providing low-income Americans discounted Internet access. A federal judge has stopped debt payoffs for Black and other minority farmers. The police department of the University of Illinois is launching a…
Friday June 11, 2021 Today’s headlines: Illinois is officially in “Phase Five” of Governor J.B. Pritzker’s economic reopening plan today, as new cases of COVID-19 and hospitalizations for the virus continue to plummet. The new phase means no more pandemic-induced capacity restrictions on businesses or social gatherings or masks necessary for vaccinated Illinoisans. The Illinois Department of…
Thursday June 10, 2021 Today’s headlines: Just days after Gov. J.B. Pritzker signed off on new legislative district boundary maps drawn by Democratic lawmakers, Illinois Republicans sued over the new maps in federal court Wednesday. The sponsor of the Keystone XL oil pipeline says it’s pulling the plug on the contentious project. But the rest…
Wednesday June 9, 2021 Today’s headlines: Repeal of parental involvement in abortion laws was proposed in three states this legislative season, and advocates viewed Illinois as most likely to give approval, but it didn’t happen. Illinois drivers who tow items using a utility trailer will be able to pay considerably less for their trailer plates….
Tuesday June 8, 2021 Today’s headlines On Monday, Joanne Geigner helped raise the rainbow flag above the Urbana City Building in honor of Pride Month. The Flash Index to the Illinois economy increased to 105.3 for May. That’s the second consecutive month above 100, which means economic expansion. A bipartisan group of downstate lawmakers is…
Monday June 7, 2021 Today’s headlines: Governor J.B. Pritzker signed into law legislative district maps to govern elections for the next 10 years. Champaign County is reporting a new death from COVID-19. The public health department says a man in his 80s is the 149th person to die from the illness. There are 122 active cases…
Friday June 4, 2021 Today’s headlines: In the wake of an ongoing federal investigation that’s nabbed political types from Chicago to Springfield, Democratic lawmakers earlier this week pushed through ethics legislation that Republicans say is weak, but they still voted for it. The state legislative maps approved by the Illinois General Assembly last week created…
Thursday June 3, 2021 Today’s headlines: Lawmakers left Springfield Tuesday without a final vote on a plan to both prevent the threatened closure of three nuclear power plants or lay down tough standards for clean energy in Illinois moving forward. But Governor JB Pritzker says he believes a deal is imminent. Central Illinois Congressman Darin LaHood says…
Wednesday June 2, 2021 Today’s headlines After weeks of negotiating with nuclear giant Exelon, there’s a tentative deal for state subsidies to keep power generators online, but another issue threatened to blow up bargaining over the holiday weekend. As of this morning, there’s a new place for medical helicopters to land in Champaign County. It will…
Tuesday June 1, 2021 Today’s headlines: Six months ago, Illinois voters rejected Governor Pritzker’s signature graduated income tax plan. Since then, the governor has been warning of difficult budget choices, but that didn’t end up happening. Birthing hospitals in Illinois are invited to participate in a new effort to improve outcomes for moms and babies. Katie…
Friday May 28, 2021 Today’s headlines: A State Police investigation continues into the fatal shootings of Champaign Police Officer Chris Oberheim and a suspect, Darion Lafayette. State police have released security and bodycam video of last week’s pre-dawn shooting, and a state’s attorney’s report says a second officer’s shooting of Lafayette was justified. Democratic U.S….
Thursday May 27, 2021 Today’s headlines: An estimated 2,000 friends, family, and police officers filled a church in Decatur Wednesday for the funeral of Champaign Police Officer Chris Oberheim who was killed last week while answering a domestic disturbance call. While the funeral was private, the public was encouraged to come out and view the procession that…