(SPRINGFIELD) It was after midnight, early this morning, that the Democratic-controlled State House of Representatives approved the largest spending plan in state history. The more than $53 billion plan will increase taxes by $750 million and will spend 32% more, or $12.8 billion more, than when Governor J.B. Pritzker took office in 2019. The measure also spends $400 million more than what the Governor proposed earlier this year in February. With most all downstate lawmakers voting against the budget, the plan will pay out $971 million to assist those who are now staying in Illinois illegally and not paying taxes. The plan now awaits the signature of Governor J.B. Pritzker in order to take effect July 1st.
(SPRINGFIELD) Illinois hunters harvested a preliminary statewide record total of 17,208 wild turkeys during the 2024 Illinois spring turkey season. This year’s total compares with last year’s statewide harvest of 16,123 and the previous harvest record total of 16,569 set during the spring season back in 2006. The second and third highest harvest totals behind Jo Daviess County were the downstate counties of Jefferson and Marion. The 2024 harvest also included a record amount of turkey’s taken during the statewide youth hunt at 2,009.
(SPRINGFIELD) A federal grand jury has issued a subpoena in the investigation of the former Paris School District Superintendent Jeremy Larson, who’s home was raided by the FBI nearly a year ago on June 13th. WAND TV reports authorities have requested personal records, training files, displinary records, and more. The Paris School District has since hired Mary Morgan Ryan as its new superintendent, coming to the Edgar County school district from Highland Park, Illinois, where she served as the Truenorth Educational Cooperative’s assistant superintendent of technology, communication, and data services.