IDOC Drafts Plans to Downsize Pontiac, Vandalia Prisons
By Benjamin Cox on February 22, 2022 at 11:07am
The Illinois Department of Corrections is planning on downsizing its number of prisons. It’s causing some ire from corrections’ employees unions. Illinois NPR reports that Illinois’ prison population has dwindled to around 28,000. According to Capitol Fax, the Illinois prison population has decreased by 42% since 2015. IDOC says that mounting maintenance costs at facilities […]
Second Arrest Made in Pike County Drug Bust
By Jeremy Coumbes on February 22, 2022 at 9:55am
A second arrest has been made in connection to a search warrant executed in Pike County late last year. On December 18th, law enforcement officials from the Pike County Sheriff’s Department, Pleasant Hill Police Department, and West Central Illinois Drug Task Force executed a search warrant at a residence located in the 100 block of […]
FDA Recalls Brut, Sure Aerosol Deodorants For Cancer-Causing Agent
By Benjamin Cox on February 21, 2022 at 5:58pm
The U.S. Food and Drug Administration has recalled two popular aerosol deodorants after a carcinogen has been found inside the cans. Connecticut-based HRB Brands issued a voluntary recall on Wednesday of four types of Brut deodorant sprays and two types of Sure antiperspirant sprays. Officials are concerned about the presence of the chemical benzene. It […]
Action Brown County Holding Business Start-Up Competition
By Benjamin Cox on February 21, 2022 at 5:51pm
A Brown County non-profit group hopes a competition will help spur economic growth. The Journal Courier reports that Action Brown County has set up a business start-up competition. Entrepreneurs wanting to start a business but maybe don’t have the capital or a firm business plan can apply to the competition by downloading an application at […]
Higher Ed Bill Aiming to Eliminate Costs of Textbooks, Course Materials For In-State College Students
By Benjamin Cox on February 21, 2022 at 3:58pm
lllinois college students may have one less expense in their budgets later this year. A bill making its way through the Senate would require public colleges in Illinois to rent books and course materials to in-state students at no cost. The College Board, a non-profit organization focused on higher education, estimates it would save students […]
Pike-Scott Farm Bureau Holds 4th Annual Meeting
By Benjamin Cox on February 21, 2022 at 3:52pm
The Pike-Scott Farm Bureau held its 4th Annual Meeting this past Wednesday and installed a new member to its board. The members elected Craig Ator, Eric Bradshaw, Bryan Koeller, Andy Sellars, Andy Sprague, and Brandon Whewell to each serve a three year term of office. Ator was elected for his first term. David Barton was […]
Davidsmeyer Angry At Democrats Over Process In Selecting McCuskey As New LIG
By Benjamin Cox on February 19, 2022 at 6:09pm
The Illinois House voted Thursday along party lines to approve retired federal judge Michael McCuskey to be new Legislative Inspector General. Majority Democrats approved McCuskey’s appointment despite McCuskey lacking approval by the bipartisan Legislative Ethics Commission responsible for recommending candidates for the position. Yesterday, House Republicans voted either no or present to approve the appointment […]
White Endorses Valencia in IL Secretary of State Democratic Primary Race
By Benjamin Cox on February 19, 2022 at 9:22am
A major endorsement in the Illinois Secretary of State race was given Thursday. Multi-term incumbent Jesse White, who is not seeking reelection after more than two decades in office, announced his endorsement of current Chicago City Clerk Anna Valencia. Valencia is one of at least three Democrats hoping to succeed White, a group that also […]
Federal Judge Declines To Toss Out Charges Against 4 Madigan Associates in ComEd Bribery Case
By Benjamin Cox on February 19, 2022 at 9:05am
A federal judge today declined to toss federal charges against four members of ex-House Speaker Michael Madigan’s inner circle, rejecting arguments in a key ruling seven months ahead of a scheduled trial. The Chicago Sun-Times reports that U.S. District Judge Harry Leinenweber issued a 25-page opinion that nevertheless required the feds to identify false statements […]
Davis Picks Up Endorsement From IL Farm Bureau ACTIVATOR PAC
By Benjamin Cox on February 19, 2022 at 9:00am
Congressman Rodney Davis picked up a major endorsement on Thursday in his bid to win the 15th Congressional District, and defeat a primary challenge. Farmer trustees from the Illinois Farm Bureau in what will be the 15th Congressional District unanimously endorsed Davis for the upcoming seat. The endorsement by the Farm Bureau’s ACTIVATOR political action […]