Bloomington Shooting Death

A man has died after being found with a gunshot wound in the chest at about 8:40 Tuesday night on the sidewalk in the 1300 block of North Oak Street in Bloomington. Officers tell us the male was transported to a local hospital where he succumbed to his injuries. Police did not release his name or any other details

Missing Professor's Body Found

Police believe they've found the bodies of the Bradley University professor and her husband who were allegedly murdered by their son last week.  Investigators said they found Antonio Ramirez Barron and Susan Brill de Ramirez yesterday wrapped in a tarp in the Spoon River in Peoria County.  Detectives say the couple's son, Jose Ramirez, allegedly used pepper spray to disorient his parents last Friday before stabbing them and hitting them with a baseball bat.  He told police he then dropped them in a river, leading detectives to the bodies yesterday.

Icard Dies Ahead of Sentencing

78-year-old Johnny Icard of Bloomington, who was facing 60 years in prison for sexually assaulting a child has died, two days ahead of his sentencing hearing. The Pantagraph reports Icard was transported Friday from the McLean County Jail to Advocate BroMenn Medical Center and died shortly after 10:30 a.m. from a respiratory condition for which he refused medical treatment. Icard was found guilty in July of sexually assaulting a girl in February 2017.

U of I's Defensive Coordinator Quits

The defensive coordinator for the University of Illinois football team is quitting mid-season.  Hardy Nickerson announced his resignation yesterday and said it's due to health problems.  The Illini's defense has had a disastrous year so far, giving up an average of 535 yards per game.  Head football coach Lovie Smith said yesterday that everyone bears responsibility for the poor performance, and that he wished Nickerson the best.

Davis Londrigan Debate

Health care continued to be the hot topic in last night's debate in Normal between U.S. Rep. Rodney Davis and challenger Betsy Dirksen Londrigan. The two, again, tangled on the issue of pre-existing conditions during their fourth and final meeting before next Tuesday's election.

Cornbelters Under New Ownership, In New League

The Normal CornBelters are now members of the summer collegiate Prospect League and the new owners say they will stay here for the next 40 years. Former team president Steve Malliet is staying with the organization to run the day-to-day operations.

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UI Football Player Suspended After Assault Arrest

A University of Illinois football player is suspended indefinitely after an arrest for domestic violence.  University police arrested Lere [[ LARRY ]] Oladipo [[ oh-la-DEE-poh ]] early Sunday morning after a witness called police and said he was forcing a screaming woman into a car in a campus parking lot.  Police said they found the woman with a small cut on her lip and took Oladipo into custody.  He's due in court this morning.

Trump Rallies In Southern IL After Pittsburgh Shooting

President Trump says he toned down his rhetoric at a rally in Murphysboro over the weekend in light of the deadly mass shooting at a Jewish synagogue in Pittsburgh.  Trump campaigned for local Republican candidates in front of a crowd of about eight-thousand Saturday inside a hangar at the Southern Illinois Airport.  He told the crowd he decided not to cancel the rally because he didn't want to let the terrorists win, calling the synagogue attack an anti-Semitic assault that threatened all humanity.

Investigation Continues into Shots Fired Incident

Normal police say they are continuing to investigate an early Sunday morning incident where shots were fired in the area of University Court near Willow Street. According to Normal Police Chief Rick Bleichner, officers responded to a fight in progress with a possibly armed subject on Willow Street near University Court at about 3:20am. Bullet casings were found at the scene, but no suspects have been found.

Zimmerman Trial Date Set

Pam Zimmerman was found shot to death in her office on Bloomington’s east side on November 3, 2014.. Now, nearly four years later, a trial date has been set in the Kirk Zimmerman murder case. A McLean County Judge tentatively set the trial date for April 1.

Illinois Appeals Court Wants Governor, AFSCME To Keep Negotiating

An Illinois appeals court wants Governor Rauner to keep talking to the state's largest public employee union.  The court yesterday said contract negotiations between the state and AFSCME are not an impasse.  The governor declared an impasse in January of 2016.  The court ordered the Illinois Labor Relations Board to once again look at the contract negotiations.  AFSCME and the governor have been at odds over a contract since 2015, the sticking points are work requirements, pay raises, and the cost of health insurance.

Starved Rock, Matthiessen State Parks To Grow

Two of Illinois' most popular state parks are getting a little bigger.  Governor Rauner yesterday announced the state is buying just over 26 hundred acres of land to expand Starved Rock and Matthiessen state parks.  The state will spend 11 million-dollars on the land.  Starved Rock is one of Illinois' most popular parks, the state's Department of Natural Resources says over three million people visited Starved Rock and Matthiessen last year.

Grassroots Push To Save Uptown Normal Buildings

There's a growing number of people in Normal who don't want another town-sponsored development in the Uptown Circle.  Over two thousand people have signed a petition to save a handful of local buildings that are to be torn down to make way for the development.  The petition specifically wants to protect a mural on one of the buildings.  Normal Mayor Chris Koos on Tuesday told the Bloomington Pantagraph that can't happen, and that he's pushing ahead with the development that could cost taxpayers 30 million-dollars or more.

Some Folks In Illinois May Lose Their Food Stamps

If you don't have kids, aren't disabled, are between 18 and 49-years-old, and are on food stamps, you may soon need to get a job.  The Illinois Department of Human Services this week sent a warning to able bodied, working-age adults without children that they may lose their food stamps.  Whether that happens depends on if the state asks for an exemption to a federal work requirement.

District 87 and Your Property Taxes

A proposed tax levy presented to the District 87 school board at its meeting last night assumes 2 percent growth in the district's equalized assessed valuation. This means that if you own property in District 87, you can expect the school district part of your 2019 tax bill to be relatively flat.

Illinois Reporting Two New AFM Cases

There are now 12 cases of AFM in Illinois.  The Illinois Department of Public Health yesterday confirmed two new cases of acute flaccid myelitis.  The rare polio-like disease has sickened more than one hundred people across the country this year.  Most of the cases are in children.

Governor Rauner Says Illinois Is 'Screwed' If Pritzker Is Elected

Illinois Governor Bruce Rauner says the state is screwed if J.B. Pritzker is elected.  The governor made the prediction yesterday as reporters pressed him on a new ad that uses a bleeped f-word.  The ad is also raising questions because it calls Pritzker's relationship with House Speaker Mike Madigan an unholy union.  Gay rights advocates say that's a slight against same-sex marriage.

Mega Millions $1.6 B Winning Ticket Sold

A winner has been announced for the $1.6 billion Mega Millions lottery, the largest jackpot in the history of the game.

Lottery officials on Wednesday said the winning ticket was sold in South Carolina.

The winning numbers of Tuesday’s drawing are 5, 28, 62, 65 and 70, with a Mega Ball number 5, according to the official Mega Millions website. The chance of matching all six numbers and winning the top prize is 1 in 302.5 million.

The identity of the winning ticketholder was not immediately available. It could be days or even weeks before a winner comes forward to claim the prize.

While most states require the winner’s identity to be made public, they may choose to remain anonymous in eight states — Delaware, Georgia, Kansas, Maryland, North Dakota, Ohio, South Carolina and Texas.

The $1.6 billion prize reflects the annuity option, paid over 29 years. The cash option, which nearly all winners take, was estimated to be $913 million.

The Mega Millions jackpot had been growing since July, when a group of California office workers won $543 million.

Following the historic win, the next Mega Millions jackpot was estimated to be worth $40 million, according to the game’s website.

It costs $2 to play the game, but the odds of matching all six numbers and taking home the grand prize is a dismal 1 in 302.5 million.

Mega Millions is played in 44 states as well as Washington, D.C., and the U.S. Virgin Islands.

Fall Is Peak For Car-Versus-Deer Accidents

It's car-versus-deer season in Illinois.  State Farm released its latest car and deer accident report last week.  Illinois is ranked 32nd in the nation when it comes to the number of car-versus-deer wrecks.  State Farm agent Bill Ecker says car and deer accidents peak in the fall.  Ecker says it's better to hit the deer than swerve and hit or run off the road.  West Virginia leads the country in car-versus-deer accidents; Hawaii is ranked last.

Bloomington City Mgr Gleason to Address Bloomington Pension Spiking

He's been told to look for a new way to avoid or limit pension spiking that could cost the city over $4 million over a few years. The Bloomington City Council voted unanimously on the measure that compels city manager Tim Gleason to find new ways to pay out accrued sick leave for long-term city workers. Gleason will first have to negotiate that benefit out of the city's collective bargaining agreements and then put in similar policies for full-time, non-union city workers.

Bloomington City Council Approves Bid for Miller Park Improvements

The Bloomington City Council last night voted to approve the $1.06 million bid for Miller Park Zoo improvements. Stark Excavating will build a roof, concession stands, and create about 50 new parking spaces.

Mega Millions Jackpot At One-Point-Six Billion

The next Mega Millions jackpot is already over a billion-and-a-half dollars, and could grow some more.  Illinois Lottery officials say tomorrow's Mega Millions drawing will top one-point-six billion-dollars.  That will be the largest Mega Millions jackpot ever offered in the United States. The drawing is tomorrow night.

Winter 2018 Forecaster: Warmer, Drier For Illinois

Illinois, just like the rest of the Midwest, could see less snow this winter.  NOAA came out with its winter prediction last week.  Forecasters say they're expecting a warmer, drier winter for Illinois, Iowa, and Wisconsin.  But forecasters say they may change their mind at the next winter forecast update in about a month.

Seven-Million-Dollar Bond For Bloomington Triple Murder Suspect

The suspect in a triple murder in Bloomington will likely stay behind bars until his trial.  A judge on Friday set 25-year-old Sydney Mays Jr.'s bond at seven-million-dollars.  Mays is accused of killing three people in an apartment on Bloomington's near-east side back in June.  Investigators are not offering a motive in the case.

MegaMillions Jackpot Keeps on Growing

People are rushing to convenience stores ahead of tonight's MegaMillions drawing that has a jackpot near one-billion-dollars.  Lottery officials say the 970-million-dollar prize amount ballooned due to "brisk sales."  The sum is the second-biggest payout in U.S. lottery history.  People are also buying up tickets for Saturday night's Powerball drawing with a jackpot estimated at 430-million. 

Illinois Job Growth Flat

The latest snapshot of jobs in the state shows that Illinois employers are slowing down on hiring.  The state's Department of Employment Security yesterday released the jobs report for July, August, and September.  It shows that job growth flattened over those three months.   IDES Director Jeff Mays says the state's unemployment rate held flat, but so did the jobs numbers.

Sports Betting Not Likely In Illinois Till 2019

Gamblers in Illinois are likely going to have to wait till next year for legal sports betting.  State Rep. Lou Lang, who will shepherd the plan through the legislature, said yesterday that he likely won't make a push till after the new year.  Lang says there are a lot of details to work out, specifically where people will be able to bet and how much the state will charge for licenses.

Friday's Mega Millions Jackpot Keeps Growing

The Mega Millions jackpot just keeps growing.  Illinois Lottery officials yesterday said the big prize for tomorrow's drawing is already at 900 million-dollars.  It could grow some more by the time the numbers are picked tomorrow night.  By the way, 900 million is the second largest lotto jackpot ever in the U.S.

Part of the Old Landfill to Become a Solar Farm

McLean County Landfill may soon find new life--at least part of it. A 52-acre swath of that facility is on track to become a solar farm after the McLean County Board unanimously voted in favor of it this week. To date, the county has approved 14 solar farm applications, but some are not likely to be constructed since they also require state approval. The state is not going to choose which solar farms will get the green light until early next year.

Ten Pritzker Campaign Workers Sue Over Racial Discrimination

Ten workers on Democrat J.B. Pritzker's campaign for governor are suing for $7.5 M, after they said the campaign didn't fix a culture of racial discrimination and racial harassment.  The workers filed the suit yesterday.  Pritzker immediately denied the claims.  Governor Bruce Rauner, who is running against Pritzker, said the accusations are serious and troubling.

State Farm Letters

The big red letters spelling State Farm on thier old builing in downtown Bloomington will be coming down soon. A local contractor will handle the job within a couple of weeks. The building is for sale. State Farm officials have not released any updates regarding possible buyers.

Richards Investigation Closed

The City of Bloomington said an ethics complaint filed against Democratic McLean County Clerk candidate Nikita Richards is unfounded. An ethics complaint was filed in September against Richards by Kevin Gerrard.The complaint alleged Richards--a Bloomington city worker--was doing campaign work on taxpayer-funded equipment.

Normal Approves TIF Deal

The Town of Normal is going ahead with a $29.2 million dollar project in Uptown Normal. Monday night the council voted to give an Iowa-based construction firm $8 million dollars in incentives from a TIF to develop a 5-story mixed use building on the northwest part of Uptown Circle. The town of Normal will trade up 300 parking spaces and two town-owned buildings on 104 and 108 E. Beaufort St. to make this happen.

Mega Millions Jackpot Likely The Second Largest Ever

The Mega Millions jackpot just keeps growing.  Illinois Lottery officials say tomorrow's jackpot will be just over 650 million-dollars.  That's the second largest jackpot ever.  The lump sum payout for a 654 million-dollar jackpot comes to about 373 million. 

Normal Newest TIF Deal For Uptown Circle on Council's Agenda Tonight

Normal could give up nearly $8 million in future property tax revenue, 300 parking spaces and two historic buildings for uptown's next redevelopment project under a TIF deal. If approved by the town council tonight, Iowa-based Bush Construction would get all that to develop a $29.2 million building on the northeast side of Uptown Circle which would open in summer 2020. The first-floor will be retail with higher-level commercial offices and top-floor for residential space.

Sorry Oprah, Lydia Moss Bradley Is Illinois' Most Influential Woman

The woman who founded Bradley University beat out three former first ladies and Oprah on Illinois' latest Top 200 list.  The Abraham Lincoln Presidential Library yesterday said that bicentennial best-of voters picked Lydia Moss Bradley as the state's most influential woman.  Bradley turned to education after her husband's death, and founded Bradley University in Peoria.  The rest of the top five groundbreaking women are Betty Friedan, Jane Addams,  Michelle Obama, Oprah Winfrey, and Hillary Clinton.

Another Governor's Debate, Another Series Of Accusations

Voters in Quincy got to hear the same outrage over scandals from the two main candidates running for governor as voters in Chicago did during the last governor's debate.  Governor Rauner and Democrat J.B. Pritzker debated in Quincy last night.  The governor said Pritzker lied, conspired to defraud taxpayers, and could be the next Illinois governor to go to prison.  Pritzker chastised Rauner for being slow to handle the Legionnaires' outbreak at the Quincy veterans home.  This was their final debate.

Bloomington May Merge Public Works and Water Depts

Could Bloomington  public works and water departments merge? Bloomington City Manager Tim Gleason has a plan but itwon't be shared until Monday. Gleason is saying that out of respect for the council, he wanted to discuss it there before going public with details.

Joliet to Fire Hales

A separation agreement with Joliet City Manager David Hales is being negotiated. That's according to Joliet city officials. The City of Joliet signed Hales in November to a three-year contract paying $215,000 annually. Hales had been Bloomington's city manager since 2008

Mega Millions Jackpot Growing For Friday's Drawing

Do not be surprised by long lines at the gas station this week.  The Illinois Lottery is expecting to see a lot of people buy tickets for Friday's Mega Millions drawing.  No one won Tuesday's drawing, so the jackpot will be at least 548 million-dollars.  Lotto officials say the lump-sum payout on that would be almost 310 million.  Your chances of winning are also about one in 300 million.

New Poll Gives J.B. Pritzker 20 Point Lead

Another poll in Illinois' governor race is giving J.B. Pritzker a double digit lead. The latest Ipsos poll shows 50 percent of likely voters in the state would vote for Pritzker, while just 30 percent of likely voters say they'd choose Governor Rauner.  Illinois' other candidates, Kash Jackson and Sam McCann, got a combined nine percent in the poll.

Athena Award Winner

This year's Athena award from the McLean County Chamber of Commerce goes to Deb Halperin, director of the university's Action Research Center at Illinois Wesleyan University. She was honored Wednesday night during the Leaders of Distinction reception at the Mariott in Normal

Illinois Ranked Last For State Finances

Illinois is at the bottom of another list when it comes to state finances.  The Mercatus Center at George Mason University released its new state financial rankings yesterday and Illinois is 50th.  Researchers judged the states on cash solvency, long-run solvency, budget solvency, service-level solvency and trust fund solvency.  Mercatus ranked Nebraska as the best state in the nation.

Rivian to Debut its First Vehicles

You'll get your first glimpse at a Rivian vehicle made in Normal at the Los Angeles International Motors Show in late November and you'll be able to buy a Rivian in Normal in  2020 at it's factory store. That's according to RJ Scaringe, CEO of Rivian, during last night's Community Leaders Dinner presented by the Bloomington-Normal Economic Development Council at the DoubleTree by Hilton in Bloomington. The company now has about 65 employees in Normal.

Normal Police Want More Cooperation In Shooting Investigation

Police in Normal say they could use a little help in solving a weekend shooting that sent a 16-year-old to the hospital.  Investigators say neighbors aren't offering any tips that can help them find the shooter.  Normal Assistant Police Chief Eric Klingele says the victim is also being tight-lipped about who shot him.  Klingele says anyone with any information about the shooting can call Crime Stoppers.

Bloomington Approves Business Regisration Fees and Boat Dock Requirements

The Bloomington city Council approved a couple of measures Monday night, the first was to make businesses register with the city and pay a one-time only fee of $50. The fees could generate more than $200,000 in this first year. In a unanimous vote,  the council okayed the implementation of a new boat dock permitting program at Lake Bloomington to regulate construction standards. If you are looking to build a new dock, you'll have to pay $250 dollars plus an annual fee of $50 to maintain it.

Alligator Found In Lake Michigan

It's not a tornado full of sharks, but it is one of those headlines that will make you scratch your head.  Waukegan Police say they found an alligator swimming in Lake Michigan.  The gator had tape over its mouth, and was found just north of Waukegan Harbor yesterday.  Rescuers aren't sure where the alligator came from, they took the gator to Wildlife Discovery Center in nearby Lake Forest.

Report On Canton Explosion Due Soon

City leaders in Canton could soon know all of the details about the 2016 explosion that leveled the city's Opera House.  The Peoria Journal Star yesterday reported that the NTSB could issue its report on the explosion in the next few weeks.  One person died in November of 2016 when a natural gas line exploded at the Opera House in downtown Canton. Canton Mayor Kent McDowell says a lot of people want to see the report, not to assign blame, but to answer any lingering questions.

eSports Tournament Coming to Twin Cities

Bloomington-Normal will play host to the Sixty-Six Games Esports Tournament on Jan. 12 and 13 at Grossinger Motors Arena. State Farm is the title sponsor.

Bloomington City Council to Consider Business Registration Fee

It could become a bit more expensive to do business in Bloomington. The Bloomington City Council tonight will consider creating a business registration program with a $50 fee. It doesn't stop there. The council will also consider increasing more than 100 fees for a variety of city-issued permits, annual licenses, inspections and services.

Over Two Inches of Rain and More on the Way

There were no reports of damage Sunday despite a late day tornado warning, but the National Weather Service in Lincoln say thunderstorms may continue off and on through Wednesday night. A little more that 2 and a third inches of rain fell on Bloomington received between 1 a.m. Sunday and 1 a.m. Monday. Enjoy it while you can. Monday's forecast calls for sunny conditions and a high of 85 before rain chances reappear.

Illinois Included In National Ground Beef Recall

There's another recall that will have people checking the freezer.  The USDA yesterday announced that six-and-a-half million pounds of ground beef from JBS Tolleson in Arizona is being recalled for E. coli contamination.  Illinois is one of the states covered by the recall.  The USDA says 57 people in 16 states have reported being sick after eating the beef.  The recalled beef has an establishment number "EST. 267" inside the USDA inspection mark.

McLean County Clerk's Debate

They traded accusations and campaign promises at last night's County Clerk's Debate at Heartland Community College. Republican County Clerk Kathy Michael and Democratic challenger Nikita Richards participated in the hourlong debate on public radio station WGLT which was sponsored by the League of Women's Voters. Michael talked about increased cybersecurity and accused Richards of "defamation" in the campaign. Richards talked about more resources and outreach to voters who she believes are underserved and disenfranchised. Both candidates are facing ethics complaints.

Taking "Potty" Shots at Pritzker

Republicans are contending Democrat J.B. Pritzker shouldn’t be elected Illinois governor because of this week's inspector general’s report that Pritzker avoided taxes by yanking toilets out of one of his mansions. Accompanied by a pair of toilets, Lt. Gov. Evelyn Sanguinetti, State Sen. Jason Barickman and Congressmen Darin LaHood held a joint news conference at the DoubleTree by Hilton hotel in Bloomington. They railed on Pritzker and his“scheme to defraud” Cook County of more than $330,000 in improper property tax reductions and refunds.

Toilets, Taxes, Quincy Veterans Home Takes Center Stage At Second Debate

The two major party candidates running for Illinois governor talked about toilets, taxes, and the new investigation into the deaths at the Quincy veterans home, but they didn't have many answers.  Governor Bruce Rauner and Democrat J.B. Pritzker debated in Chicago last night.  The two hammered each other over the scandals surrounding their campaigns, Pritzker's toilet scheme and Rauner's handling of the Legionnaires outbreak in Quincy.  As for specifics as to what they'd do if elected, both stuck with their talking points and said nothing that voters hadn't heard before.

Aaron Schock Trial To Be Moved From January

Former west-central Illinois Congressman Aaron Schock won't go to trial in January.  Schock's attorneys and federal prosecutors both agree they need more time to get ready for the case.  Schock is accused of lying on Congressional and campaign finance forms, while living a lavish lifestyle on someone else's dime.  Lawyers are due back in court for a status hearing tomorrow.

Cornbelters Choose a New League

Independent professional baseball is leaving Normal after nine seasons.  Normal CornBelters team president Steve Malliet tells us the team will not play in the Frontier League, but will, instead, will join a college wood bat league for the 2019 season. The team will keep the CornBelters name and log and they will continue to play at the Corn Crib.

AARP Poll: Almost Half Of People Thought About Leaving Illinois

If you've thought about leaving Illinois, you're not alone.  Illinois's AARP chapter yesterday released a poll that says 49 percent of voters over 25 have thought about leaving.  Seventy-three percent of voters say they know someone who's talked about leaving.  The poll also says 65 percent of voters want the state to pay its unpaid bills and fix its financial problems.  About 60 percent of voters asked by pollsters say they'd support a change in Illinois' tax structure to make that happen.

Pritzker To Repay Cook County Property Tax Money

Illinois governor candidate J.B. Pritzker will repay more than 330-thousand-dollars in property tax breaks he received on one of his mansions in Chicago's Gold Coast.  The billionaire announced the move yesterday following a county inspector general report claiming he took part in a scheme to defraud Cook County taxpayers.  Pritzker received the refunds after his wife asked a contractor to remove the mansion's toilets in order to obtain a property tax reduction.  Pritzker's campaign said he will repay the county by the end of the week.

Man Escapes Mobile Home Fire Safely

Fire damaged a mobile home in southwest Bloomington  at 9 Isabelle Drive in Alexander Estateson Tuesday. The man who lives there was home at the time but got out without injury, firefighters said. His two children were not there at the time. The American Red Cross has been called in to assist the family.

Illinois Enforcing Online Sales Tax Law

It's going to cost you a little more to shop online.  Illinois is one of several states that started collecting online sales taxes yesterday.  The new taxes follow a Supreme Court decision from last year.  Illinois will charge online shoppers six-and-a-quarter percent on purchases, just like in traditional stores.  Many websites already charged the tax, but this new law will make sure the rest do as well.

LIHEAP Application Process Underway

Folks across Illinois who will need help in paying their heating bills this winter are being encouraged to apply for that help now.  The Illinois Low Income Heating Assistance Program, better known as LIHEAP, is taking applications across the state.  Local senior service and social services offices in each county will handle the paperwork.  Applications are due by November 1st, and the first payments will come in December.

Ethics Complaints Against Michael, Richards Set to Proceed

An ethics complaint accusing County Clerk Kathy Michael of alleged misconduct will be forwarded to the state's attorney for review, according to a decision Monday by the McLean County Ethics Commission.  The accusations allege Michael used a county-owned laptop computer for campaign activities and then intentionally damaged the computer to destroy evidence of alleged misconduct. Michael's case could be handled by a special prosecuter. Meanwhile, the City of Bloomington is following up on a request for an ethics hearing against Michael's Democratic opponent and city employee, Nikita Richards, for allegedly using a city-owned laptop computer for shopping and campaign activities. An outside attorney, John Redlingshafer, will investigate the complaints against Richards

Police Arrest Drunken ISU Student For Pointing Gun At Students

Illinois State University police arrested a student who was intoxicated and allegedly aimed a firearm at three other students early Sunday. It all took place at an apartment at 214 W. Willow St.. There were no injuries and the firearm did not discharge. Formal charges are pending.

Bloomington City Council to Hear Comprehensive Overhaul Plan for Zoning

Heads up, If you are a beekeeper or are raising chickens in the city of Bloomington. There are some newly proposed rules that are a part of hundreds of other changes in a comprehensive overhaul plan of Bloomington's zoning ordinance from the city's Planning Commission. The proposal will be presented at a special meeting of the City Council at 6 p.m. at City Hall tonight. 

USDA: Illinois Likely Over-Issued Food Stamps

Federal regulators are warning the state of Illinois about the number of people in the state on food stamps.  The USDA sent a letter to the Illinois Department of Human Services earlier this month, explaining a number of irregularities in how the state manages the Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program.  The letter says Illinois looks to have over-issued food stamps.  The USDA says there were 'systematic' concerns about how Illinois verified people enrolled in the program.