Meeting with local economic development leaders
On Mar 18, 2024, a meeting was held with local economic development leaders to discuss various important topics. Among the attendees were representatives from different districts who engaged in conversations about current local projects, development, legislation, and grants.During the meeting, an unnamed speaker expressed gratitude towards the individuals present, stating, "Thank you to these individuals for the hard work that they put into their communities to attract new businesses, expand existing enterprises and strengthen the workforce." The dedication and efforts of...
National Agriculture Week: A Celebration of Agricultural Workers
National Agriculture Week, which kicked off on March 18, 2024, is a time to honor and appreciate the contributions of individuals in the agricultural sector. The week serves as a tribute to farmers, farmworkers, ranchers, fishers, foresters, and all others involved in the agricultural industry.In a heartfelt message, an individual expressed their gratitude, saying, "National Agriculture Week is an opportunity to celebrate all the farmers, farmworkers, ranchers, fishers, foresters, and other agricultural workers for all they do to put food on our tables and support our...
- Jesse Sullivan addresses people of faith
- BORDER SECURITY SYMPOSIUM
- $431,841 in County School Facility Tax collected in December 2023 for Livingston County
- Bloomington residents paid 9th-largest sum in sales taxes in Illinois during December 2023
- Livingston County students and their English performance in 2021-22 school year
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Latest News
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McLean County Times area weekly mass times
The following parishes in the McLean County Times coverage area hold weekly mass at these designated times.
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Gun Ban Opponents Appeal to SCOTUS, Professional Licensing Issues Addressed, Ag Week Celebrated, and More
Opponents of the Democrats’ firearms ban have formally appealed to the U.S. Supreme Court to have their voices heard against the Illinois law. The appeal papers were filed on Monday, March 11.In response to defenders of the ban asserting it as a reasonable limit on Second Amendment rights, critics and opponents point to recent federal court decisions on firearms rights. They also highlight flaws in the Illinois law, including inconsistencies in defining banned items.Meanwhile, a controversial law limiting constitutional challenges to Cook and Sangamon County was ruled...
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Rep. Bunting's Springfield News Update for March 15
During his State of the State address, Governor Pritzker proposed to eliminate the state's 1% tax on groceries, a move that has sparked concerns about the impact on local governments. Rep. Bunting expressed reservations about the proposal, emphasizing the importance of offsetting the revenue loss to prevent harm to municipalities. He highlighted the necessity of restoring funding cuts to local governments to make the grocery tax cut feasible without adversely affecting essential services.Regarding the state's unemployment rate, it stood at 4.7% in January, with mixed...
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Tipsword Meets Normal FFA Students at Springfield FFA Seminar
Rep. Tipsword this week was able to meet with students from Normal FFA and Agriscience Program who participated in the FFA Agriculture Legislative Reception and Seminar at the Capitol. “These are dedicated young people, and I have no doubt that the future of Illinois Agriculture is bright,” Rep. Tipsword said.
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BORDER SECURITY SYMPOSIUM
Illegal immigration poses many threats to our community, ranging from economic strains to safety concerns. Economically, the presence of undocumented aliens can depress wages and job opportunities for residents. Additionally, it burdens public resources such as healthcare and education, leading to strains on social services. From a safety standpoint, porous borders facilitate the entry of criminals, drugs, and even potential terrorists, posing significant challenges for law enforcement and homeland security agencies.
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FFA Students Brighten the Capitol with Enthusiasm on Illinois Ag Day
In a show of vibrant enthusiasm, around 1000 FFA students filled the Capitol with National Blue and Corn Gold on Illinois Ag Day. The event saw the participation of various FFA chapters, including Cissna Park FFA, Dwight FFA Chapter, Iroquois West FFA Chapter, Prairie Central FFA, Streator Agricultural Department & FFA Chapter, and Watseka FFA.The Capitol was abuzz with excitement as FFA students from different schools came together to celebrate and showcase their passion for agriculture. As one attendee expressed, "These kids have bright futures ahead!"The visit to the...
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Advocacy Groups Promote Soil Health in Springfield
Many advocacy groups gathered in Springfield last week to advocate for Soil Health Week. One of the speakers at the event expressed gratitude for the opportunity to address the crowd about important legislation. The speaker stated, "I was honored to speak at the Advocacy in Action Rally at the Capitol on Thursday about the Soil and Water Conservation District legislation that I sponsored last year."The speaker also took the time to thank several individuals for their contributions to Soil and Water Conservation Districts. They mentioned, "Thank you to State Senator Thomas...
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McLean County Times area weekly mass times
The following parishes in the McLean County Times coverage area hold weekly mass at these designated times.
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Rep. Bunting’s Springfield News Update for March 8
Moody’s downgrades Illinois’ economic outlook, as stated in a report commissioned by the state of Illinois. The report highlighted factors such as downward population growth trends, stagnant tax base, and the increasing burden of public-sector pensions leading to a below-average performance for the state.Regarding the economic conditions, the report indicated that employment and income growth in Illinois were trailing behind competitor states, with recent months showing a return to pre-2020 trends despite encouraging post-pandemic recovery.In response to the report, it...
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Celebrate International Women’s Day
International Women’s Day is a time to recognize the cultural, economic, and political accomplishments and contributions of women. Thank you to the trailblazing women who worked to achieve gender equality in the United States and across the globe!