(SPRINGFIELD) With the State House of Representatives returning to Springfield today, after a week off, there will be various groups at the State Capitol demanding an end to tipped wages. While supporters say the subminimum wage is a direct legacy of slavery and it continues to lock black workers in poverty, others say it has nothing to do with race, but no doubt, is an issued that needs addressed. Critics of the plan say ending the tipped wage will drive up costs and eliminate jobs. The State Senate returns to session next week.
(CHICAGO) Jury deliberations are underway in the bribery case against Illinois Senator Emil Jones III as the Chicago Democrat is accused of accepting bribes from a red-light camera company executive whose cooperation with prosecutors has also brought down several other politicians. Jones has remained in office since his September 2022 indictment on three counts, including bribery and lying to the FBI, even winning another four year term in the State Senate in an unopposed race after being charged.
(MATTOON) The Illinois State Police has now released information about the fatal plane crash that occurred this past Saturday morning at around 10:15 near the Cumberland/Coles County line. All four people in the plane were pronounced dead at the scene, including two men in their 40’s, one woman in her 40’s, and one woman in her 30’s, all from Menomonie, Wisconsin. The aircraft, which crashed on a county road in the town of Trilla, about three miles south of Mattoon, was removed from the roadway at about 5:00 Sunday evening. The Federal Aviation Administration & National Transportation Safety Board are investigating.
(SPRINGFIELD) The Illinois State Fair is marking 100 days until the opening of the this year’s 2025 Fair with a special “100 Days Out” Celebration coming up a week from today, on Tuesday, April 29th, from 10:30 to 2:30 at the Reisch Pavilion on the State Fairgrounds in Springfield. While discounted mega passes, admission booklets, parking passes, jumbo passes, & more will be available for purchase, some of the favorite State Fair food vendors will have food & drinks on sale as a preview to this year’s event. Admission and parking will be free. The 2025 Illinois State Fair is scheduled for August 7th thru the 17th this summer.