(SPRINGFIELD) The Seventh Circuit U.S. Court of Appeals has upheld former Illinois House Speaker Michael Madigan’s conviction on ten counts of public corruption. The ruling came down yesterday after the three judge panel heard oral arguments in the case back in April 9th.
(WASHINGTON, D.C.) A bipartisan proposal is gaining support in our nation’s capital that could boost domestic fertilizer production and storage, while lowering costs for farmers and reducing the nationwide reliance on unstable global supply chains. Introduced in Washington by U.S. Representative Mike Bost of Murphysboro, along with Representatives Nikki Budzinski of Springfield and Eric Sorensen of Moline, the Homegrown Fertilizer Act would provide grants and low-interest loans through the USDA to expand fertilizer production and improve storage capacity in America. The Illinois Farm Bureau and other ag groups are supporting the effort.
(NORMAL) Union support staff at Illinois State University has entered a third week on strike over failed contract negotiations. The union says instead of negotiating, USI officials are illegally spending more money on temporary staff that it would cost to agree to their demands. The union, which includes roughly 350 building, maintenance, and dining workers, called for a strike on April 8th after contract negotiations with ISU fell through. The employees’ previous contract expired at the end of June last year after no wage increases in more than two years. The main sticking point is retroactive pay covering the difference between former and new wages.