The sixth annual Brian J. Munz Scholarship was awarded at a recent Fairbury City Council meeting, which gave six students $800 to put toward their education. The scholarship is in memory of Munz, a firefighter who passed away in 2008. His parents, Jim and Jeanne Munz, said though his death was tragic, many good things,…… MORE
By Haley Kosik/WJEZ News We’re now at the part of the program in which the governor and speaker are having dueling news conferences. In the back yard of the governor’s mansion, Gov. Bruce Rauner acted as if he did not mind people protesting him around the state. “The insiders in government,” Rauner said with a…… MORE
By Haley Kosik/WJEZ News Illinois High School Association executive director Marty Hickman has taken issue with a Chicago Sun- Times report which details a 24 percent rise in compensation he received during the 2013-24 school year. “That is not money that I received. That’s the problem with this. People read the headline and go ‘Oh…… MORE
By Haley Kosik/WJEZ News The Illinois comptroller is warning that without a budget by the end of the month, the state will stop paying its bills. State Comptroller Leslie G. Munger said some things will be paid: Debt service payments, pension contributions, pension benefits to retirees, temporary assistance for needy families and some other programs…… MORE
By Cynthia Grau/WJEZ News Area school officials are waiting for Springfield to make decisions before a lot of the budgeting process can wrap up before the new school year begins in the fall. Mark Jontry, Regional Superintendent of Schools for Livingston, McLean and DeWitt counties, with the addition of Logan County July 1, weighed in…… MORE
By Cynthia Grau/WJEZ News “Investigate Illinois” Summer Ag Institute is planned for June 29 through July 2, and spots are still available for pre-k through junior high educators looking to earn graduate credits or continuing education credits. Debbie Ruff, Ag Education Literacy Coordinator for Livingston County, said the institute will bring in educators from all…… MORE
By Cynthia Grau/WJEZ News Illinois American Water Pontiac Water Treatment Plant recently gained national recognition for its water quality. The plant and its water team earned the Director’s Award of Recognition from the Partnership for Safe Water for maintaining Phase III certification for 15 years. Karen Cotton, external affairs manager for Illinois American Water, said…… MORE
By Haley Kosik/WJEZ News Former U.S. House Speaker Dennis Hastert, 73, entered a plea of not guilty today at his first court appearance since he was indicted two weeks ago. He was in court for 20 minutes at the federal courthouse in Chicago. His lawyer, Thomas C. Green, entered the plea on his behalf. The…… MORE
By Haley Kosik/WJEZ News Governor Bruce Rauner announced the suspension of the Low Income Home Energy Assistance Program (LIHEAP). This will leave senior citizens, people with disabilities and families with children without vital utilities such as refrigerated food, gas or electricity to cook, turn on lights, wash clothes, take a warm shower or heat/cool their…… MORE
By Haley Kosik/WJEZ News Illinois corn and soybeans are moving right along, with about three-quarters of the crop in good or excellent condition. State statistician Mark Schleusener, of the USDA’s National Agricultural Statistics Service, says 96 percent of the corn and 77 percent of the soybeans have emerged. “Topsoil moistures are now rated 2 percent…… MORE
