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Pritzker: Tax cuts on the table if state revenues continue to exceed expectations

Forecasting commission last week upped its projections by a combined $1 billion By JERRY NOWICKI Capitol News Illinois jnowicki@capitolnewsillinois.com SPRINGFIELD – With two months to go before the legislature adjourns and current-year revenues continuing to smash expectations, Gov. JB Pritzker said he and legislative leaders are considering tax cuts. His comments came one week after…

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USDA: Food costs to remain on upward trajectory

By DAN GRANT  FarmWeek   Food costs will continue to eat away at consumers’ pocketbooks this year. USDA estimates food price inflation could increase another 8% this year after racing to its highest level last year (9.9%) since 1979. “In the next year, we expect prices to continue to increase, although substantial uncertainty exists,” said…

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Learn how to be part of a successful deer donation program

URBANA, Ill. – In response to rising food and meat prices and the challenges food pantries have in obtaining meat, University of Illinois Extension, along with key partners, launched the Illinois Deer Donation Program in 2022. This 12-county pilot program fought food insecurity by matching hunters in East Central Illinois with meat processors and food pantries. Extension is…

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Ukrainian farmers challenged as war enters second year

 By DAN GRANT  FarmWeek Crop production in Ukraine is expected to take a big hit this year, despite farmers’ best efforts, as the Russian invasion enters its second year. Myloka Solskyi, Ukraine minister of agrarian policy and food, discussed his country’s situation via a video chat during USDA’s 99th Annual Ag Outlook Forum. “We’re losing…

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Ag transportation costs ease, but issues linger

  By DAN GRANT  FarmWeek   The farm sector shouldn’t see quite as many transportation-related challenges this year compared to 2022, according to industry experts at the Grain and Feed Association of Illinois’ (GFAI) 130th annual convention in Peoria. Barge freight rates eased in recent months from historic highs last fall. And trucking rates were…

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Bill before Illinois lawmakers aims to define, protect against ‘doxing’

Would protect against intentional publishing of addresses, social security numbers, more By NIKA SCHOONOVER Capitol News Illinois nschoonover@capitolnewsillinois.com SPRINGFIELD – A bill that would create a clear legal avenue for victims of “doxing” to seek damages and protections against their perpetrators passed unanimously out of a House committee Wednesday, March 8. Doxing, as defined by…

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Illinois Supreme Court grants expedited appeal in assault weapons ban case

Macon County judge ruled parts of the law unconstitutional By PETER HANCOCK Capitol News Illinois phancock@capitolnewsillinois.com SPRINGFIELD – The Illinois Supreme Court agreed this week to fast-track the state’s appeal of a Macon County judge’s ruling against parts of a recently passed state ban on assault weapons and high-capacity magazines. Lawmakers passed the ban during…

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Pritzker announces $60 million park grants, declines to endorse Chicago mayor candidate

Grant allotments put added emphasis on ‘distressed’ communities By JERRY NOWICKI Capitol News Illinois jnowicki@capitolnewsillinois.com SPRINGFIELD – Gov. JB Pritzker on Wednesday, March 1,  announced the release of nearly $60 million in grant funding to help local governments develop public parks and open spaces, over 20 percent of which will go to “distressed” communities. The…

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Canadian dairy quotas focus of second USMCA dispute panel

By TIMOTHY EGGERT FarmWeek For the second time in two years, the United States is asking a panel to rule that Canada unfairly uses its dairy import quotas to limit market access and curb U.S. exports. The move, announced January 31 by the Office of the U.S. Trade Representative (USTR), comes after a separate panel…

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Illinois Conservation Police recruiting new class of trainees

SPRINGFIELD – The Illinois Department of Natural Resources (IDNR) Office of Law Enforcement is seeking applicants for the position of conservation police officer trainee. Conservation police officers enforce state laws intended to protect Illinois’ natural and recreational resources. They are vested with full state-wide police authority and are trained to the highest standards for law…

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