State News

Illinois Farm Bureau President Testifies Before U.S. House Subcommittee

Thursday, April 28 by Jc Tinsley

Spring is here. Tractors are rolling, planters are planting and farmers are farming.But, according to Richard Guebert, Jr., president, Illinois Farm Bureau, this spring is bringing more than just the normal spring planting routine for farmers — it also is bringing a third consecutive...

Shimkus Votes to Improve Email Privacy

Thursday, April 28 by Jc Tinsley

Congressman John Shimkus (R, Illinois-15) voted yesterday to require that government and law enforcement officials obtain a warrant before accessing American citizens’ electronic communications.“Under current law, the government can access any emails that are more than six months old without a warrant,”...

Reis Votes to Protect Funding for Roads

Wednesday, April 27 by Jc Tinsley

Springfield….State Rep. David Reis (R-Ste. Marie) recently voted to support a proposed Illinois Constitutional Amendment that seeks to protect a funding mechanism for Illinois’ roads, highways, and transportation systems. HJRCA...

Farmers Showcase Sustainability Efforts in Interactive Map

Friday, April 22 by Jc Tinsley

SPRINGFIELD, ILL – April 18, 2016 -- Farmers throughout Illinois are implementing conservation practices to keep nutrients on their fields and out of waterways. Just in time for Earth Day, an interactive map is helping those farmers tell their stories and encouraging other famers...

Carmi among 18 locations to receive railroad crossing upgrades

Thursday, April 21 by Jc Tinsley

Eighteen railroad crossings in the 55th Senate District are slated for safety improvements as part of the Illinois Commerce Commission’s Crossing Safety Improvement Program for Fiscal Years 2017-2021. State Sen. Dale Righter (R-Mattoon) says the projects include automatic flashing light...

Phelps Pushes Legislation to Protect Southern Illinois Jobs, Prevent Misuse of State Road Funds

Thursday, April 14 by Jc Tinsley

State Rep. Brandon Phelps, D-Harrisburg, is fighting to stop misuse of taxpayer dollars intended for road repair and protect local jobs by working to achieve bipartisan support in a House committee for his constitutional amendment requiring those funds only be used for transportation-related...

Peabody, largest US coal miner, seeks bankruptcy protection

Wednesday, April 13 by Jc Tinsley

NEW YORK (AP) - Peabody Energy, the nation's largest coal miner, is seeking bankruptcy protection.The St. Louis based company filed for Chapter 11 bankruptcy protection Wednesday in the United States Bankruptcy Court for the Eastern District of Missouri.The company says all mines and offices...

Kentucky man fatally shot by officers in Benton

Wednesday, April 13 by Jc Tinsley

BENTON, Ill. (AP) - Illinois State Police say a Kentucky man who led officers on a high-speed chase was fatally shot by police in southern Illinois after he fired several shots.The Franklin County Sheriff's Department received a report of a residential burglary Tuesday afternoon....

Construction Season Arrives, Avoid Distractions and “Don’t Be That Driver” in Work Zones

Wednesday, April 13 by Jc Tinsley

SPRINGFIELD – The Illinois Department of Transportation, Illinois State Police and the Illinois Tollway were joined by their industry partners today to kick off National Work Zone Awareness Week and to make a request to motorists: “Don’t Be That Driver.” To signal the start...

SHAWNEE NATIONAL FOREST’S JONESBORO OFFICE WILL TEMPORARILY CLOSE DUE TO STAFF CHANGES

Tuesday, April 12 by Jc Tinsley

The Mississippi Bluffs Ranger District office located in Jonesboro, Illinois is experiencing staffing changes. Therefore the District office located at 521 N. Main Street in Jonesboro will be temporarily closed to the public from April 18th through May 2nd, 2016. The office will reopen...