Greenfield, Franklin Schools Slated For Mask Optional Policies
By Benjamin Cox on February 19, 2022 at 8:49am
Two area school districts appear to be joining many around the state going mask-optional. Greenfield and Franklin have announced or are soon to be implementing mask-optional policies in the wake of n Illinois appeals court dismissing Governor J.B. Pritzker’s appeal of a ruling allowing masks to be optional for several Illinois school districts. Superintendent of […]
IL Corn Marketing Board To Hold Vote March 29 on Corn Checkoff
By Benjamin Cox on February 19, 2022 at 8:45am
The Illinois Corn Marketing Board is holding a vote on a referendum to raise the corn checkoff rate next month. The Illinois Department of Agriculture held a public meeting February 10th to allow for public comment regarding the rate rising from 5/8 of a cent to 7/8 of a cent per bushel. After hearing that […]
ISP Respond to Over 2,000 Calls For Service; 5 Squad Cars Struck During Thursday’s Winter Storm
By Benjamin Cox on February 19, 2022 at 8:00am
A Jacksonville man was cited by Illinois State Police after striking an ISP squad car on Interstate 72 on Thursday during the extreme winter weather. At approximately 4:27 p.m. on Thursday, an ISP District 9 Trooper was traveling eastbound on Interstate 72 at Milepost 82 near the New Berlin exit. According to State Police reports, […]
Jacksonville Emerging as “Sports Oasis” Helps Drive Tourism Dollars to Local Economy
By Jeremy Coumbes on February 18, 2022 at 5:03pm
The Jacksonville area is fast becoming known as a hub for all things sports as recognition and word spreads about local facilities. The ever-rising awareness means more tourism dollars injected into the local economy. Earlier this month, Future Champions Sports Complex was named one of the eight best baseball fields in Illinois for 2022 by […]
IL House Expels 9 GOP Members Over House Rules Surrounding Masks
By Benjamin Cox on February 18, 2022 at 12:04pm
The Illinois House devolved into a mass of political theater yesterday, as both political parties fought over House rules surrounding masks being worn (or not) by its members. 9th District Democrat Representative Lakeisa Collins of Chicago raised a motion to have 10 House Republican members to be removed from the House Floor yesterday for refusing […]
Washington Elementary School Renovation Project Set Into Motion
By Benjamin Cox on February 18, 2022 at 11:35am
The first pieces of the Washington Elementary School renovation project took place Wednesday night at the District 117 School Board meeting. The board approved a bid of $59,000 for asbestos abatement in the school’s hallways for M&O Environmental Company out of Peoria. The work will take place over spring break this year, with further asbestos […]
IL Subsidiary of AT&T Under Federal Investigation, Possible Ties to Madigan
By Benjamin Cox on February 18, 2022 at 11:30am
Another major company in Illinois with ties to former House Speaker Michael Madigan could soon fall under federal criminal indictment. WBEZ reports that a subsidiary to AT&T known as Illinois Bell Telephone Company LLC is the focus of a previously undisclosed federal investigation led by U.S. Attorney John Lausch. The investigation reportedly centers around a […]
Crime Stats for Jacksonville, Morgan County Say Crime Was Down in 2021
By Benjamin Cox on February 18, 2022 at 11:25am
Crime is down in the City of Jacksonville and Morgan County. According to statistics released this week by Jacksonville Police Chief Adam Mefford and the Morgan County Sheriff’s Department, the number of calls for service is up while overall offenses reported in both jurisdictions are down. Jacksonville Police reported a 5.8% increase in calls of […]
Turner Short Term Substitute Teacher License Extension Bill Heads to IL Senate
By Benjamin Cox on February 18, 2022 at 11:23am
48th District State Senator Doris Turner is championing a measure to allow school districts to hire substitute teachers with a short-term license for longer periods of time. Turner says the bill will make it easier for districts to find long-term solutions for openings and vacations of full-time staff. The bill raises the cap on consecutive […]
Pritzker to Ask Supreme Court to Review Appellate Court Denial of his Appeal While DeVore Takes Aim at School Buses
By Jeremy Coumbes on February 18, 2022 at 11:21am
The ongoing fight over masks in Illinois Schools escalated quickly in the last 24 hours. Governor J.B. Pritzker will now take the mask mandate question to the Illinois Supreme Court after his appeal of a Sangamon County Judge’s ruling blocking mask mandates in Illinois schools was dismissed by an appellate court. Late last night the […]