Illinois Gov. J.B. Pritzer announced that the state is releasing $50 million in funding for the first round of matching grants of Connect Illinois, the state’s $420 million statewide broadband expansion. “We’re beginning to deliver on an ambitious four-year plan to deliver broadband to homes, businesses and community institutions like […]
State of Illinois
Illinois to require student to file FAFSA prior to graduation
BY DANI TIETZdani@mahometnews.com Illinois high school graduates in the class of 2021 and beyond will be required to fill out a Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA) or an alternative state form created by the Illinois State Board of Education (ISBE) as a part of their requirements to be […]
New Illinois law will allow students to miss school to vote
BY DANI TIETZdani@mahometnews.com Beginning June 1, 2020, high school students of voting age will be allowed to be excused from school for two hours to vote in primary, general and special elections or any election in which propositions are submitted to a popular vote. Students can be excused to exercise […]
Bennett’s bill provides new protections for Mahomet Aquifer
BY DANI TIETZdani@mahometnews.com New protections for the Mahomet Aquifer went into effect on Jan. 1. Senate Bill 2027, proposed by Illinois State Senator Scott Bennett, directs the Illinois Environmental Protection Agency (IEPA) to prioritize landfills, especially those that have been unregulated or under-regulated, that sit above the Mahomet Aquifer and […]
Illinois motorists to see increased fees in 2020
BY DANI TIETZdani@mahometnews.com Illinois motorists will see an increase in fees associated with vehicle registration and traffic offenses in 2020. Motorists saw the first part of the “Rebuild Illinois” capital bill, which passed in the Illinois House and Senate to rebuild roads, bridges, public schools and university buildings throughout the […]
Stiffer penalties for Scott’s Law violations in 2020
An increase in Scott’s Laws violations in 2019 has led to stronger penalties for 2020. Named after Chicago Fire Department Lt. Scott Gillen, who was killed by an intoxicated driver while assisting at a crash scene, Scott’s Law requires drivers to move over one lane or slow down for any […]
New laws Illinois business owners need to know in 2020
Business owners throughout Illinois will have to comply with new laws and regulations in 2020. Employers throughout the state will begin the minimum wage increase to $15 an hour by 2025 with two minimum wage increases this year. Public Act 101-0001 mandates that employers who have minimum wage employees will […]
FairVote to host Ranked Choice Voting presentation on Sept. 15
On September 15th, from 3:00-4:15, FairVote, an electoral reform nonprofit, will be hosting a presentation and discussion at the Mahomet Library. The topic will be ranked-choice voting (RCV) and how it can fix our democracy. The event will be run by Ben Chapman, the Illinois Organizer for FairVote who formerly […]
IDOT to continue painting bridges on I-74
The Illinois Department of Transportation announces that painting of the bridges that carry Lindsey Road and Duncan Road over Interstate 74 resumes Monday, Aug. 26. The painting will require nightly lane closures on westbound I-74 between 8 p.m. and 7 a.m., with one lane open at all times. Work is […]
Mahomet-Seymour Back to School: Bus Safety Tips
BY DANI TIETZ dani@mahometnews.com Returning to school can be an exciting time for many children and parents. But with extra vehicles on the roads, including school buses, it is important to remember Illinois State Law when approaching school zones and buses. In a school zone: When approaching a school zone […]