Friday, December 30, 2016
Illinois' Temporary Budget Set To Expire
Illinois' debt will begin to grow by leaps and bound starting Sunday. The state's temporary budget is set to expire at the end of 2016. Lawmakers say there's little hope for a new budget anytime soon. The state will continue to collect taxes and pay some bills. But Illinois will lose the legal authority to spend on anything outside of schools, pensions, state worker paychecks, and some mental health programs as of Sunday.
BPD Chief and BLM
A productive discussion… that's what Bloomington's Police Chief says he would like to see happen between himself and the city's Black Lives Matter activists. Chief Heffner attended a Black Lives Matter meeting two weeks ago, where activists demanded action from him on a range of issues. Heffner has invited Black Lives Matter activists to attend the minority and police partnership meeting February 1st. He hopes any issues the group has will be addressed at that time and he looks forward to a productive dialogue.
Schock Trial Likely Headed For July
Thursday, December 29, 2016
llinois To See 200 New Laws In 2017
Illinois is getting new laws that deal with everything from the state's opioid epidemic to yoga classes at the beginning of next week. Nearly 200 new laws will take effect Sunday. Some of the laws are serious. Illinois is banning bath salts in 2017. But others, like a new law for carp and the yoga class deregulation, are less pressing.
Murder Trial Pushed Back
The trial of a former Bloomington High School teacher, accused in the stabbing death of her husband, is being pushed back. It's being delayed so Sarah Mellor's defense can have more time to prepare. The 30 year old pleaded not guilty earlier this year to first degree murder. October, 31 year-old Mark Mellor was stabbed at a campground near Carlock. He later died at the hospital. The trial was supposed to begin in January.
Wednesday, December 28, 2016
Central Illinois Investigators Puzzled By Kidnapping DeatH
Investigators in Bloomington-Normal and Peoria say they know how a local man died, but they still don't know how he got hurt. An autopsy yesterday showed Maunds Bryant died of a head injury. Police say Bryant was taken in a weekend kidnapping, but they don't know how he hurt his head. Officers in both Peoria and Bloomington-Normal are working the case together.
State Farm Classic
Afni Will Add 150 New Web Chat Jobs to its Bloomington Customer Engagement Operations in 2017
Afni is growing its Bloomington operations by adding 150 new contact center jobs in 2017. Most of the new positions will be web chat customer service agents, which represent a growing trend in how people interact with companies. Afni’s new web chat agents will represent a major U.S. brand by assisting their small business customers with questions related to service plans, billing, and account changes. The web chat jobs expand the types of entry-level employment options the company now offers in Bloomington. Two hiring open house events are ccheduled for January 4 and January 7.
Tuesday, December 27, 2016
Illinois Supreme Court Clarifies Snow-Shoveling Rules
Not that you'll need them this week, but the Illinois Supreme Court is clarifying the rules for shoveling your walk. The high court says homeowners aren't on the hook if someone slips and falls as long as they made an effort to shovel snow and ice. But the court says homeowners are on the hook if they ignore ice and snow, particularly from some other form of negligence on their property.
Quad Cities Congresswoman May Run For Governor
The Quad Cities' congresswoman is considering a run for governor in 2018. An assistant to Cheri Bustos released a statement yesterday saying the Democratic congresswoman is giving a run "serious consideration." Bustos easily won her heavily Democratic district last month. She's on the short list of possible Democratic challengers to Governor Bruce Rauner. But she'll have to find help to compete with the millions of dollars Rauner is expected to spend on the race.
Chicago Police: 57 Shot, 11 Killed Since Friday
Monday, December 26, 2016
State Fair Coliseum Declared Too Dangerous For People
One of the most iconic buildings at the Illinois State Fair is too dangerous for public use. "The State Journal Register" is reporting on a new inspection that found a host of serious problems with the building. The report says support columns are rusting to the point that they're a risk for failures. State officials say it could cost about four-million dollars to fix the issues. But the state doesn't have much money for, or the authority to spend it as of the new year.
Former Governor Wants President Obama To End Sentence
Former Illinois Governor Rod Blagojevich is in prison because he tried to sell Barack Obama's old seat in the U.S. Senate. Now, Blagojevich is looking to President Obama to get him out. Blagojevich's legal team filed a request last week for a presidential commutation. The Justice Department confirms it received the request. But the White House is silent on what the president may do.
Gas Prices Up In Illinois
Friday, December 23, 2016
Sloppy Weather To Start The Holiday Weekend
Forecasters say folks from Chicago to Rockford are going to see less than an inch of new snow today. But that should be just enough to make roads slick just in time for holiday travelers In central Illinois, the worry is sleet this evening. Forecasters say we'll see some rain after 2pm. But it may become slick as we head into the evening.
Rauner Wants AFSCME to Pay $2M a Day for Contract Delay
Governor Rauner says Illinois' largest public employee union should pay for dragging its feet over contract talks. The governor filed an unfair labor practices complaint yesterday against AFSCME. Rauner wants a judge to order the union to pay two-million dollars a day for delaying a new contract for state workers. AFSCME says it has the legal right to delay a 'final offer' from the governor, and they are using it.
Schock Seeks Delay in Trial
Former Illinois Congressman Aaron Schock says he needs til July to prepare his defense. The indicted former Congressman earlier this week asked a judge to push his trial back from February. Schock says he needs to prep about 100 witnesses. The federal government is charging Schock with lying on his campaign and government reimbursement accounts.
Thursday, December 22, 2016
Former Coliseum Mgr May Face New Charges
The man who used to run Bloomington's city-owned coliseum may be facing new charges from his time at a similar job in Minnesota. Curtis Webb is already facing felony charges in McLean County for spending city money on himself. Yesterday, investigators in Bemidji, Minnesota confirmed they're looking at Webb as well. Police in Bemidji aren't offering specifics about their case, but say the discovered the 'impropriety' after Webb's troubles in Bloomington surfaced.
IL School Funding Update
The lawmakers tasked with finding a better way to pay for Illinois' schools say they hope to have something ready by Governor Rauner's deadline. Senators Jason Barickman and Andy Manar [[ muh-naar ]] don't know quite what that something will look like. But both said this week, they're confident the governor’s school funding task force will have a plan by the February deadline
Man in Morton Library Stabbing Gets 32 Years
The central Illinois man who went on a stabbing spree at a local library is heading to prison for three decades. A judge in Pekin yesterday sentenced Dustin Brown to 32-years for child pornography and attempted murder charges. Police say Brown took a knife to the children's section of the Morton library and tried to stab some kids. An elderly man stopped him, but was wounded in th
e attack last year.
e attack last year.
Wednesday, December 21, 2016
Illinois Exodus Continues
Illinois is losing people at an alarming rate. New census numbers released yesterday show Illinois lost more people than any other state in 2015. Just over 37-thousand people packed-up and moved out of state. Republicans in Springfield say people are fleeing the state because taxes are too high and there aren't enough jobs.
McLean County Board Will Not Move Meeting Times
If you have an issue with McLean County you may still have to miss work to speak to your elected officials.
County board members voted down the suggestion that they move 9 a.m. meetings til 7 p.m. to give the public more of a chance to participate.
A number of Republicans on the board say business can be conducted during the business day.
County leaders add that they've met at 9 a.m. for years, and it's seemed to work so far.
Critics say the idea to move the meetings is about accommodating the public rather than making the day shorter for elected leaders.
In Other Business:
McLean County is the latest to approve tax breaks for Rivian.
All local governments with a claim to the taxes from the old Mitsubishi plant have to agree to give the upstart car company about a half-million dollars in tax breaks for each of the next four years.
County board members voted down the suggestion that they move 9 a.m. meetings til 7 p.m. to give the public more of a chance to participate.
A number of Republicans on the board say business can be conducted during the business day.
County leaders add that they've met at 9 a.m. for years, and it's seemed to work so far.
Critics say the idea to move the meetings is about accommodating the public rather than making the day shorter for elected leaders.
In Other Business:
McLean County is the latest to approve tax breaks for Rivian.
All local governments with a claim to the taxes from the old Mitsubishi plant have to agree to give the upstart car company about a half-million dollars in tax breaks for each of the next four years.
Urbana is Now a Sanctuary City
Urbana, Illinois is now officially a 'sanctuary city.' City leaders approved a resolution last night that states Urbana will "defend the human rights of immigrants." Some council members say the vote is an overreaction to Donald Trump's election. But some community activists say the resolution is exactly the right reaction to Trump's comments about immigrants.
Tuesday, December 20, 2016
Secretary of State Will Continue to Send Reminders
Don't worry about forgetting about your new license plate in the new year. Illinois Secretary of State Jesse White's office says it will send reminders to drivers even without a state budget. White's office made the announcement yesterday. Illinois' six-month stopgap budget is due to expire at the end of the month, state government will start to run out of money a few weeks after that.
Normal Police Warn of Scam
Don't sign anything from anyone saying they're with the Town of Normal Electric Aggregation program. Police say it's a scam. NPD investigators say someone has been going door to door, trying to sign people up. Police say the city isn't involved and are telling people to call the police if a door to door salesman tries to sign them up for the program.
Normal Town Council OK's Property Tax Hike
Just weeks after voting to give millions of dollars in tax incentives to a developer for a Portillo's and a start-up car company, leaders in Normal are raising taxes to pay for police and fire pensions. The town council last night approved a nearly two-percent property tax increase All of the money is earmarked to prop-up the city's underfunded retirements for cops and firemen. Normal councilwoman Cheryl Gaines says they're not taking the decision lightly. But the votes comes just weeks after the deals to spend other city money on 'economic development' projects.
Monday, December 19, 2016
Lawmaker Wants Seat Belts On School Buses
Illinois school kids could soon have to click-it on the bus as well. Skokie State Rep Lou Lang is pushing a plan to require three-point seat belts for new school buses in the state. Lang says the belts will make the bus ride safer. School leaders worry about the cost and whether the seat belts will actually make things safer for students.
Report: Fewer Tickets, More Highway Deaths In Illinois
More people are dying in crashes on Illinois' highways, but the State Police aren't writing more tickets. "The State Journal Register" is reporting that the Illinois State Police wrote just 127-thousand tickets last year. That's down from 210-thousand tickets in 2010. The paper also says the number of deadly accidents ticked-up. It's not clear if there's a connection.
Sunday, December 18, 2016
Closings and Cancellations
Pontiac Township High School District 90 - Closed
County: Livingston
City: Pontiac
Prairie Central Schools - Closed
County: Livingston
City: Fairbury
Gibson City - Melvin Sibley Schools - Closed
County: Ford
City: Gibson City
Heartland Head Start - Closed
County: McLean
City: Bloomington
Heyworth School District 4 - Closed
County: McLean
City: Heyworth
Kiddie Korner Preschool - Closed
County: McLean
City: Normal
LeRoy School District 2 - Closed
County: McLean
City: Le Roy
Olympia CUSD 16 - Closed
County: McLean
City: Stanford
Tri-Valley CUSD 3 - Closed
County: McLean
City: Downs
Unit 5 Schools - Closed
County: McLean
City: Normal
County: Livingston
City: Pontiac
Prairie Central Schools - Closed
County: Livingston
City: Fairbury
Gibson City - Melvin Sibley Schools - Closed
County: Ford
City: Gibson City
Heartland Head Start - Closed
County: McLean
City: Bloomington
Heyworth School District 4 - Closed
County: McLean
City: Heyworth
Kiddie Korner Preschool - Closed
County: McLean
City: Normal
LeRoy School District 2 - Closed
County: McLean
City: Le Roy
Olympia CUSD 16 - Closed
County: McLean
City: Stanford
Tri-Valley CUSD 3 - Closed
County: McLean
City: Downs
Unit 5 Schools - Closed
County: McLean
City: Normal
Dangerous Wind Chills
...WIND CHILL ADVISORY REMAINS IN EFFECT UNTIL 10 AM CST MONDAY... * WIND CHILL VALUES...WIND-CHILL VALUES BETWEEN 15 BELOW AND 25 BELOW ZERO WILL CONTINUE THROUGH NOON TODAY...THEN WARM TO AROUND 15 BELOW ZERO FOR THE AFTERNOON. WIND-CHILL VALUES WILL DECREASE SLIGHTLY OVERNIGHT REACHING 15 TO 20 BELOW ZERO. * OTHER IMPACTS...FROSTBITE CAN OCCUR ON EXPOSED SKIN IN UNDER 30 MINUTES UNDER THESE CONDITIONS. HYPOTHERMIA CAN DEVELOP IF PROPER PROTECTIVE CLOTHING IS NOT WORN. AVOID PROLONGED TIME OUTDOORS IF POSSIBLE. PRECAUTIONARY/PREPAREDNESS ACTIONS... A WIND CHILL ADVISORY MEANS THAT VERY COLD AIR AND STRONG WINDS WILL COMBINE TO GENERATE LOW WIND CHILLS. THIS WILL RESULT IN FROST BITE AND LEAD TO HYPOTHERMIA IF PRECAUTIONS ARE NOT TAKEN. IF YOU MUST VENTURE OUTDOORS...MAKE SURE YOU WEAR A HAT AND GLOVES.
Friday, December 16, 2016
Winter Weather Advisory
The National Weather Service is posting a Winter Weather Advisory for pretty much the northern third of Illinois from noon today til 6 a.m. Sunday. The snow will be deepest by Rockford, while folks by Bloomington could see a mix of snow, ice, and sleet.
...WINTER WEATHER ADVISORY REMAINS IN EFFECT FROM 6 PM FRIDAY TO
MIDNIGHT CST SATURDAY NIGHT...
* TIMING...PRECIPITATION IS EXPECTED TO BEGIN FRIDAY EVENING AS
SNOW THEN TRANSITION TO A MIX OF FREEZING RAIN...SLEET...AND
SNOW AFTER MIDNIGHT. THE PRECIPITATION WILL TURN BACK TO ALL
SNOW BEFORE ENDING LATE SATURDAY. THE WINTRY MIX MAY BRIEFLY
TURN TO ALL RAIN EAST OF THE ILLINOIS RIVER DURING THE MORNING
HOURS SATURDAY.
* MAIN IMPACT...LIGHT ICING IS EXPECTED TO DEVELOP ON UNTREATED
ROADS ACROSS THE AREA FRIDAY NIGHT. LIGHT SNOW MAY ACCUMULATE
ON TOP OF THE THIN LAYER OF ICE ON SATURDAY.
* OTHER IMPACTS...VERY COLD CONDITIONS WILL MOVE INTO THE AREA
FOLLOWING THE STORM WITH WIND CHILLS FALLING BELOW ZERO BY
SUNDAY MORNING. A WIND CHILL ADVISORY MAY BE NEEDED.
PRECAUTIONARY/PREPAREDNESS ACTIONS...
A WINTER WEATHER ADVISORY MEANS THAT PERIODS OF SNOW...SLEET...OR
FREEZING RAIN WILL CAUSE TRAVEL DIFFICULTIES. BE PREPARED FOR
SLIPPERY ROADS...AND USE CAUTION WHILE DRIVING.
...WINTER WEATHER ADVISORY REMAINS IN EFFECT FROM 6 PM FRIDAY TO
MIDNIGHT CST SATURDAY NIGHT...
* TIMING...PRECIPITATION IS EXPECTED TO BEGIN FRIDAY EVENING AS
SNOW THEN TRANSITION TO A MIX OF FREEZING RAIN...SLEET...AND
SNOW AFTER MIDNIGHT. THE PRECIPITATION WILL TURN BACK TO ALL
SNOW BEFORE ENDING LATE SATURDAY. THE WINTRY MIX MAY BRIEFLY
TURN TO ALL RAIN EAST OF THE ILLINOIS RIVER DURING THE MORNING
HOURS SATURDAY.
* MAIN IMPACT...LIGHT ICING IS EXPECTED TO DEVELOP ON UNTREATED
ROADS ACROSS THE AREA FRIDAY NIGHT. LIGHT SNOW MAY ACCUMULATE
ON TOP OF THE THIN LAYER OF ICE ON SATURDAY.
* OTHER IMPACTS...VERY COLD CONDITIONS WILL MOVE INTO THE AREA
FOLLOWING THE STORM WITH WIND CHILLS FALLING BELOW ZERO BY
SUNDAY MORNING. A WIND CHILL ADVISORY MAY BE NEEDED.
PRECAUTIONARY/PREPAREDNESS ACTIONS...
A WINTER WEATHER ADVISORY MEANS THAT PERIODS OF SNOW...SLEET...OR
FREEZING RAIN WILL CAUSE TRAVEL DIFFICULTIES. BE PREPARED FOR
SLIPPERY ROADS...AND USE CAUTION WHILE DRIVING.
BN by the Numbers
Manufacturing in the twin cities is on the decline, but local leaders hope they've found the answer to their problems. The Bloomington-Normal Economic Development council broke down manufacturing in the area Thursday. Jobs, retail, and wages in McLean County are on the rise, but manufacturing significantly slowed. Some hope Rivian Automotive will turn things around. Organizers say manufacturers like Rivian bring in more than just line jobs. They think suppliers, engineers, and more startups will want to relocate once the plant is up and running. The future energy jobs bill was also discussed at the meeting.
BEC: Hauman Stays on the Mayoral Ballot
Bloomington mayoral candidate Diana Hauman will remain on the ballot following a ruling Thursday afternoon by the Bloomington Board of Election Commissioners. The board granted a request by Hauman's attorney for a directed ruling that insufficient evidence was presented to remove Hauman's name from the ballot.
Thursday, December 15, 2016
Tax Levy Up For Homeowners in Bloomington District 87
Homeowners in Bloomington are going to pay more for District 87 schools. The school district says the tax rate may drop for homeowners, but the levy percentage is going up. The average 165-thousand dollar house would now pay almost three thousand dollars a year just to District 87 School leaders say they need the money. Bloomington's school board says they've cut all they can. They can't cut any more.
Decision on Challenge to Renner's Campaign Paperwork Expected Friday
We may know tomorrow about Bloomington mayor Tari Renner's
campaign paperwork. Bloomington's election commission is considering a
challenge to the mayor's signatures. All candidates must get a certain number
of registered voters to sign their support for the campaign., Renner's
signatures are being challenged as suspect or not from registered, Bloomington
voters. The mayor says he's confident he has enough valid signatures to stay on
the ballot.
Unit 5 Extends Tax Breaks to Rivian
Unit 5 is giving up almost
400-thousand dollars a year in the hope that a start-up car company brings jobs
to Bloomington-Normal. School leaders last
night voted to extend Rivian tax breaks. Unit 5 is giving up the most money, about 390-thousand dollars a year for
the next four years, to get the car maker into the old Mitsubishi plant.
Town leaders say without Rivian the
plant will be torn down and the school will get nothing. Unit 5 leaders aren't saying how they're
going to patch the hole in their budget.
Wednesday, December 14, 2016
Prof Arrested on Gun Charges
Prosecutors say a professor at Illinois Weselyan University had
been drinking all day when he grabbed his gun and fired 13 bullets into a
bedroom door over the weekend States Attorney Jason
Chambers says the evidence against Darryl Brown paints and unflattering
picture. Brown is now facing weapons charges. He's due back in court at
the end of the month. Wesleyan says Brown has been on leave this
semester
Heartland CC Okays Tax breaks for Rivian
Heartland Community College is the latest to give its approval
to a start-up car company to move to town. The Community College
needs to sign-off on the property tax breaks the company says it needs to buy
the old Mitsubishi plant. Heartland's portion of the half-million dollars
a year in property taxes comes to about 42-thousand dollars a year. Unit
5 schools still have yet to approve the tax breaks.
IDOT Eyes Use of Drones
Snow plows are still going
to have to clear the roads and tractors are always going to have to mow the
grass, but the Illinois Department of Transportation is hoping drones can take
over some jobs. The agency says it's testing two drones. The hope is to eventually
use them for surveying or emergency response.
Tuesday, December 13, 2016
Normal Okays Five-Million Dollars For Start-Up Car Company
Leaders in Normal say
they don't see the downside of giving a start-up car company as much as five
million dollars in incentives and tax breaks to move into the old Mitsubishi
plant. Normal approved the package for Rivian Automotive last night. Rivian
hasn't made a single car in its six years, but company leaders told Normal's
council it is finally ready to move toward production. Rivian hopes to have a
vehicle by 2019.
Schock Says 'Justice Will Prevail' After Court Appearance
Former
Congressman Aaron Schock says he is confident 'justice will prevail' at his
federal corruption trial. Whenever it begins. A judge in Springfield set
Schock's trial date for February, but few people think testimony will actually
begin in just two month. Schock is facing prison time after prosecutors say he
spent government and campaign money on his lavish lifestyle.
Governor Silent On Budget Back-Up Plan
Illinois Governor
Bruce Rauner isn't saying what he'll do if the state gets to the end of the
month without a new state budget. Illinois' six-month budget expires December
31st. The governor yesterday would only say he's confident lawmakers can get
things done before then. If not, many at the statehouse are predicting pain for
those who depend on state government.
Monday, December 12, 2016
Muftee Announces Bid for 9th Ward Seat
There's a new candidate running for city council in Bloomington. Sheheryar (‘Shay-her-yar’) Muftee is running for the ninth ward seat from Bloomington's northeast side. Mufti says he's a fiscal conservative and is promising to vote against tax increases and what he calls over-spending. Attorney Kimberly Bray is also running for the seat to replace Jim Fruin.
Normal Set to Approve $1M in Incentives for Rivian to Take Over Mitsubishi Plant
Leaders in Normal are expected to approve a million dollars in incentives that could lure a start-up car company to the old Mitsubishi plant. The city council is scheduled to vote on the incentives for Rivian. The automaker has yet to produce a car. Normal leaders say they're not worried because most of their incentives are tied to specific jobs requirements for the new company. The state is also looking at some incentives for the company
Sunday, December 11, 2016
Blaze Leaves 3 Without a Home
Wintry Mix Expected
HAZARDOUS WEATHER OUTLOOK NATIONAL WEATHER SERVICE LINCOLN IL 617 AM CST SUN DEC 11 2016 ILZ027-029-031-036>038-043>046-121230- CHAMPAIGN-DE WITT-FULTON-KNOX-MCLEAN-PEORIA-PIATT-TAZEWELL- VERMILION-WOODFORD- 617 AM CST SUN DEC 11 2016 THIS HAZARDOUS WEATHER OUTLOOK IS FOR PORTIONS OF CENTRAL ILLINOIS...EAST CENTRAL ILLINOIS AND WEST CENTRAL ILLINOIS. .DAY ONE...TODAY AND TONIGHT PERIODS OF SNOW WILL REDEVELOP THIS MORNING THEN CHANGE OVER TO FREEZING RAIN...SLEET...AND RAIN AROUND MIDDAY. THE PRECIPITATION WILL BE PREDOMINATELY RAIN THIS AFTERNOON. AN INCH OF SNOW IS POSSIBLE BEFORE IT CHANGES OVER TO RAIN.
Friday, December 9, 2016
Start-Up Car Company In Talks To Buy Normal Plant
A start-up car company is in talks to buy central
Illinois' old Mitsubishi plant. Leaders in the town of Normal yesterday
said Rivian Automotive is looking at buying the plant. Rivian is
described as an "automotive technology company." Town leaders
say they're offering a-million-dollars in incentives and expect the company to
create 500 jobs. The state is also in talks about incentives for the
plant.
Governor To Lawmakers: Drop Paycheck Suit, Pass Budget
Illinois Governor Bruce Rauner is trying to
ratchet up the pressure on lawmakers to deliver a new state budget. The
governor yesterday tweeted out a video asking a half dozen or so lawmakers to
drop their suit over late paychecks and focus on a new state spending plan
instead. Rauner says the fact that some lawmakers are suing while the
state's schools and social services implode is "stunning."
Schock Trial To Stay In Peoria
Former Congressman Aaron Schock won't be tried in
his hometown. A federal judge yesterday turned down Schock's request to
move his corruption trial to Peoria. Schock is facing a laundry list of
charges in connection to what prosecutors say was years worth of illegal
government and campaign spending. The judge says keeping the trial in
Springfield won't hurt Schock's ability to defend himself.
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