By BEN ORNERCapitol News Illinoisborner@capitolnewsillinois.com SPRINGFIELD – Central Illinois counties led Illinois in corn and soybean production last year as every region and nearly all counties saw decreases in both crops, according to estimates released last week by the U.S. Department of Agriculture. Both production and yields for corn and soybeans fell in nearly […]
The 2020 Champaign County Fair has announced that the Beach Boys will take the stage at the Champaign County Fairgrounds on July 23. Grandstand tickets and track tickets (lawn chairs allowed to this show) will go on sale this February 28 at 8AM and are available at champaigncountyfair.cc. Tickets start […]
What is the Census? Since 1790, the United States has conducted a census every 10 years (decennial). The census has evolved over the last 200 years, but its purpose has always been to count the population for representation in the U.S. House of Representatives. The Founding Fathers wanted population to […]
Champaign NOAA Weather Radio, WXJ-76, will be off the air until further notice. The outage could last up to six months as NOAA looks for a new broadcast tower. This outage is due to a damaged coaxial cable, which connects the radio transmitter to the antenna. In addition, a new tower location must […]
Illinois Sen. Bill Cunningham (D-18th District) has proposed a new gas tax bill. Senate Bill 2978 seeks to amend the Illinois Municipal Code to provide that municipalities may impose a motor fuel tax on top of the 38-cent state tax (19-cents previously) that was imposed in July 2019. Cunningham’s proposal […]
The Illinois Rules Committee is currently reviewing HB4870, which would amend the Communicable Disease Prevention Act to require students entering sixth grade in the State of Illinois to receive the human papillomavirus (HPV) vaccination and requiring confirmation that the student has completed the series of HPV vaccinations upon entering the […]
The Illinois General Assembly tabled House Bill 4571 on Tuesday. The Gas Station Attendant Act sponsored by Rep. Camille Lilly (D-Oak Park) came off the docket for the House Rules Committee after Lilly said that the intention of the law would be to start a conversation, not to make it […]
Illinois Senator Laura Fine (D-9th district) has filed Senate Bill 3313 which states, “a person may not operate or sell at retail a gas-powered leaf blower in the State. It provides that a person who violates the amendatory Act’s provisions shall be subject to a civil penalty not to exceed […]
Several lawmakers are focusing on regulations and fees to curb plastic consumption in the state of Illinois. Illinois Senator Emil Jones (D-14th District) has proposed Senate Bill 2920, which will place a ban on plastic straws — even if they are made from corn — while Rep. Ann Williams (11th […]
Rep. Jennifer Gong-Gershowitz (D-17th District) is looking to amend the Firearm Owners Identification Card Act. House Bill 5170 proposes that those applying for or renewing a FOID card must submit to the Illinois State Police that he or she has proof of liability insurance coverage of at least $1 million […]
