By IIS Radio SPRINGFIELD – Sales of adult-use cannabis in Illinois jumped by 50 percent in the last fiscal year. Recreational marijuana sales climbed to $1.5 billion in fiscal year 2022, generating major sales tax revenue for the state says Illinois Department of Revenue spokesperson Maura Kownacki. “A record breaking $445 million in tax revenue…… MORE
By USDA SPRINGFIELD – There were 5.6 days suitable for field work during the week ending July 24, 2022. Statewide, the average temperature was 78.8 degrees, 2.3 degrees above normal. Precipitation averaged 0.94 inches, 0.09 inches below normal. Topsoil moisture supply was rated 16 percent very short, 19 percent short, 60 percent adequate, and 5…… MORE
By IIS Radio SPRINGFIELD – Secretary of State Jesse White’s office is again extending the expiration date for Illinois driver’s licenses and ID cards. You now have until Dec. 1 to renew your license or ID. The previous extension was set to expire at the end of this month but Secretary of State spokesperson Henry…… MORE
By Dave Dahl SPRINGFIELD – This sounds like a new way to do news. The non-profit model is embraced by, among others, the Better Government Association, whose president is David Greising. “You apply the same rigor (in “solutions journalism”) that you apply in investigative reporting to problems in government to finding out what has been…… MORE
By IIS Radio SPRINGFIELD – The Mega Millions jackpot is now more than $600 million. No one has been lucky enough to match all Mega Millions numbers since mid-April says Illinois Lottery spokesperson Lorrel Lynch. That’s caused the jackpot for Friday night’s drawing to swell to $630 million. “One of the biggest jackpots we’ve seen…… MORE
By WJBC Staff SPRINGFIELD – Highway mowing is underway, and the Illinois Department of Transportation is urging drivers to slow down when approaching crews. During the summer, IDOT conducts two primary types of mowing. Safety mowing occurs directly adjacent to the road as needed. Maintenance mowing, which lasts for approximately six weeks starting July 1,…… MORE
By WJBC Staff CHICAGO – Gov. JB Pritzker received a positive test result during his routine COVID-19 testing regimen after being notified of several close contacts testing positive, according to a news release Tuesday. “The Governor is experiencing mild symptoms and has been prescribed the anti-viral medication, Paxlovid. He will follow CDC guidelines by working…… MORE
By WJBC Staff BLOOMINGTON – Average gasoline prices in Illinois have fallen 14.9 cents per gallon in the last week, averaging $5.00 a gallon, according to GasBuddy. Prices in Illinois are 52.8 cents per gallon lower than a month ago and stand $1.67 higher than a year ago. The national average price of diesel has…… MORE
By USDA SPRINGFIELD – There were 5.1 days suitable for field work during the week ending July 17, 2022. Statewide, the average temperature was 75.3 degrees, 0.9 degrees below normal. Precipitation averaged 0.68 inches, 0.01 inches below normal. Topsoil moisture supply was rated 11 percent very short, 17 percent short, 67 percent adequate, and 5…… MORE
By IIS Radio SPRINGFIELD – The state is expanding health care coverage for adult immigrants. Starting next summer, undocumented immigrants aged 42 and up can apply for the health benefits. Currently adults have to be 55 or older. Illinois Department of Healthcare and Family Services assistant director Jenny Aguirre says the program is similar to…… MORE
By Mike Matejka Because of COVID, there is no Labor Day Parade this year. It’s always a great event for our everyday workers to march proudly down the street and enjoys the festive crowd. If there had been a parade, this year’s Labor Day theme was to be “150 years of struggle: your right to vote.” …
By Mike Matejka As President Donald Trump threatens to send federal marshals into Chicago, over the objections of Illinois Governor J.B. Pritzker, recall another Illinois Governor who protested the incursion of armed federal personnel into the city. Those federal troops, rather than calming, escalated the situation, leading to deaths and violence. Illinois poet Vachel Lindsay…
By Mike Matejka Our nation is at a unique watershed in human relations. African-Americans have been killed too many times in the past before George Floyd, but the response to this man’s death is international and all-encompassing. I was a grade-schooler during the Civil Rights 1960s. I watched Birmingham demonstrators hosed and the Selma – Montgomery…
Looking around our community, when we say employer, most will respond to State Farm, Country, or Illinois State University. We too often forget those who are building our roads, serving our food, or our public employees. COVID-19 has made us more aware of the risk. Going to work every day for some people means…