Don Harmon, Oak Park Democrat, named Illinois Senate president
Emerges over Lightford after hours of closed-door talks By JERRY NOWICKI AND PETER HANCOCK Capitol News Illinois phancock@capitolnewsillinois.com jnowicki@capitolnewsillinois.com SPRINGFIELD – Senator Don Harmon, D-Oak Park, was elected as the 39th president of the Illinois Senate on Sunday after hours of behind-the-scenes negotiations. The race had been weeks in the making, and by the time…
Read MoreIllinois corn, soybean production drops by roughly 20 percent
By BEN ORNER Capitol News Illinois borner@capitolnewsillinois.com SPRINGFIELD — Production of Illinois’ two most valuable crops fell by roughly one-fifth last year, according to final crop yield numbers released Friday by the U.S. Department of Agriculture. Corn and soybean growers saw production drop 18.6 percent and 20.4 percent respectively compared to 2018. Farmers harvested just…
Read MoreFay Lasley
Fay Leon “Les” Lasley, 90, of Belleville, IL, died Sunday, January 19, 2020, at his home surrounded by his loving family. Visitation: Friends may visit from 4 p.m. to 8 p.m. Thursday, January 23, 2020, George Renner & Sons Funeral Home, Belleville, IL. Funeral: Funeral services will be held at 10 a.m. Friday, January 24,…
Read MoreRalph Bowen
Ralph “Lloyd” Bowen, 88, of Belleville, Ill., passed away Friday, January 17, 2020 with family at his side. A visitation for Lloyd will be held on Friday, January 24th, 2020 from 5:00 P.M.-8:00 P.M. at Lake View Funeral Home A service will be held on Saturday, January 25th, 2020 at 10:00 A.M. at Lake View…
Read MoreFrank Bowen
Frank Lee Bowen, 79 years, of Freeburg, IL, passed away on January 13, 2020 at Integrity Health Care of Columbia, Columbia, IL. Frank’s wishes were to be cremated. There will be no public services. In lieu of customary remembrances, the family requests with gratitude that memorial contributions be directed to: the Charity of Donor’s Choice.…
Read MoreRalph Dietz
Ralph D. Dietz Jr. 82, of Smithton, IL, went home to be with his Lord and Savior on Thursday, January 16, 2020 at Freeburg Care Center in Freeburg, IL. Visitation: Visitation from 9- 11:00 am Tuesday, January 21, 2020 at Kurrus Funeral Home in Belleville, IL. Funeral: Funeral service will be held at 11:00am on…
Read MoreJohn M. Kennedy, Sr.
John M. Kennedy, Sr, 60, of Lenzburg, Ill., died on Thursday, January 16, 2020 in Fenton, Mo. Visitation on Tuesday, January 21, 2020 from 4:00 p.m. to 7:00 p.m. at Kassly Mortuary, Ltd., Fairview Heights, IL. Funeral Service will be 7:00 p.m. on Tuesday, January 21, 2020 at Kassly Mortuary, Ltd., Fairview Heights, IL.
Read MoreNew gun dealer regulations take effect
Law signed by Gov. Pritzker last January subject of constitutional lawsuit By PETER HANCOCK Capitol News Illinois phancock@capitolnewsillinois.com SPRINGFIELD – New rules governing how retail gun dealers do business have gone into effect and include the types of records they must keep, how weapons and ammunition are to be stored and the kinds…
Read MoreReform advocates push for tighter lobbying controls
Ban on lawmaker lobbying and revolving door limits among their recommendations By PETER HANCOCK Capitol News Illinois phancock@capitolnewsillinois.com SPRINGFIELD – Government reform advocates in Illinois are urging state lawmakers to impose stricter rules on lobbying activity at the Statehouse, including a ban on lawmakers themselves working as lobbyists with other levels of…
Read MoreAnother wetter-than-normal spring predicted as Illinois farmers recover from crop losses
Stressful planting seasons could become routine, hurting farmers and the economy By BEN ORNER Capitol News Illinois borner@capitolnewsillinois.com SPRINGFIELD – The state’s climatologist is predicting Illinois farmers are likely to endure more burdensomely wet weather while they try to plant cash crops this spring after suffering major losses as a result of a record-wet…
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