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Casey Moves Forward with Utility Rate Study as Resident Questions City Processes

The City of Casey took the next step toward addressing its utility rate issues during Monday's council meeting, while a...
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CITY MEETING BRIEFS

Utility Rate Study Advances: Water and sewer rate study information is ready for submission to the Illinois Rural Water Association...
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Casey-Westfield Schools Earn Perfect Financial Rating, Approve Major Purchases

The Casey-Westfield School District received the highest possible financial profile rating and a clean audit for fiscal year 2024, while...
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Casey-Westfield Schools Focus on Student Activities and Community Engagement

Casey-Westfield schools are emphasizing hands-on learning and community connections through diverse programs spanning elementary through high school levels, according to...
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SCHOOL BOARD MEETING BRIEFS

Waiver Renewal Approved: The board authorized renewal of the full-day School Improvement waiver, allowing continued use of four full professional...
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Casey Council Considers Utility Rate Increases After Audit Reveals Losses

The Casey City Council is moving toward potential utility rate increases after a recent audit revealed the city is losing...
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CITY MEETING BRIEFS

Executive Session Held: The city council met in closed session for 23 minutes to discuss litigation matters, following proper legal...
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Police Report Pharmacy Break-In Resolution

Casey Police Chief Adam Henderson announced that federal authorities have resolved the investigation into a break-in at the local Pharmacie...
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Casey Council Approves Property Transfer, Reshuffles Committees

The Casey City Council approved the transfer of two downtown properties and reorganized council committees during their January 8 meeting,...
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CITY MEETING BRIEFS

Christmas in the Park Success: The annual Christmas in the Park event attracted approximately 1,800 vehicles and raised around $6,600...

Education

Meeting Briefs

Meeting Summary and Briefs: Lake Land College Board of Trustees for July, 2025

The Lake Land College Board of Trustees reviewed a nearly $60.8 million balanced operating budget and approved a new strategic plan at its meeting on July 14, 2025. The new...
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Lake Land Seeks State Funding for Major Renovations to Four Campus Buildings

Article Summary: The Lake Land College Board of Trustees has approved a funding request to the state for extensive renovations of four major campus buildings: the Northwest and Northeast Classroom...
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Lake Land College Board Reviews Balanced $60.8 Million Operating Budget for FY 2026

Article Summary: The Lake Land College Board of Trustees reviewed a proposed balanced operating budget of $60,790,628 for fiscal year 2026. The budget, which reflects a slight decrease from the...
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Lake Land College Adopts New Strategic Plan: ‘Education that Fits Your Life’

Article Summary: The Lake Land College Board of Trustees has officially adopted a new strategic direction centered on the motto, "Education that Fits Your Life," signaling a shift toward more...
Meeting Briefs

Meeting Briefs: Lake Land College Board of Trustees for June 9, 2025

At its regular monthly meeting, the Lake Land College Board of Trustees took several actions, including approving employee pay raises, supporting a TIF district extension for the City of Mattoon,...
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Lake Land College Hires Philadelphia Firm for $100,000 Digital Marketing Campaign

In an effort to boost enrollment, Lake Land College will partner with Hybrid Media USA, LLC, a Philadelphia-based firm, for a comprehensive digital marketing campaign in the upcoming fiscal year....
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Faculty Union Asks for Delay, But Lake Land Board Approves New Stipends and Postpones Grievance Response

The Lake Land College Board of Trustees approved new part-time rates and stipends for fiscal year 2026, moving forward with the vote despite a request from the faculty union to...
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Lake Land College Invests Over $63,000 in Grammarly AI Tool to Boost Student and Staff Writing Skills

Lake Land College is making a significant investment in artificial intelligence to support academic success, with the Board of Trustees approving a two-year, $63,750 contract for a campus-wide license for...
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Lake Land College Board Approves 3% Pay Raises, New Salary Structure for Staff

Many full-time and part-time employees at Lake Land College will see a 3% salary increase starting July 1, following a vote by the Board of Trustees to approve base salary...

Illinois News

WATCH: Trump says 'we’re going in' as Pritzker pushes for money instead of troops

WATCH: Trump says ‘we’re going in’ as Pritzker pushes for money instead of troops

By Jim Talamonti | The Center SquareThe Center Square (The Center Square) – President Donald Trump has promised to send federal crime-fighting help to Chicago, but Illinois Gov. J.B. Pritzker...
Illinois quick hits: DOJ sues over financial support for illegal aliens; state opposes proposed labor rule change

Illinois quick hits: DOJ sues over financial support for illegal aliens; state opposes proposed labor rule change

By Jim Talamonti | The Center SquareThe Center Square DOJ sues over financial support for illegal aliens The U.S. Department of Justice and the U.S. Attorney for the Southern District...
WATCH: Chicago residents: 'We need help' from feds to fight crime

WATCH: Chicago residents: ‘We need help’ from feds to fight crime

By Jim Talamonti | The Center SquareThe Center Square (The Center Square) – As the Illinois Freedom Caucus and Chicago Flips Red join forces to invite President Donald Trump’s crime...

WATCH: Pritzker touts education spending as potential challenger focuses on literacy

By Greg Bishop | The Center SquareThe Center Square (The Center Square) – Illinois Gov. J.B. Pritzker says increased K-12 spending during his administration is producing results. A potential competitor...
Banning AI instruction in college could stifle innovation, IL lawmaker says

Banning AI instruction in college could stifle innovation, IL lawmaker says

By Catrina Barker | The Center Square contributorThe Center Square (The Center Square) – Supporters of a new law prohibiting artificial intelligence being the sole instructor in community college say...
WATCH: Chicago braces for federal law enforcement; Dabrowski on public safety, education

WATCH: Chicago braces for federal law enforcement; Dabrowski on public safety, education

By Greg Bishop | The Center SquareThe Center Square (The Center Square) – In today's edition of Illinois in Focus Daily, The Center Square Editor Greg Bishop gets to the...
Illinois quick hits: Eight dead after weekend violence; Mexican national's extradition sought

Illinois quick hits: Eight dead after weekend violence; Mexican national’s extradition sought

By Jim Talamonti | The Center SquareThe Center Square Eight dead after weekend violence Chicago Police say more than 55 people were shot, at least eight fatally, in the city...
Alternative tax-hike ideas emerge to fund Illinois public transit

Alternative tax-hike ideas emerge to fund Illinois public transit

By Jim Talamonti | The Center SquareThe Center Square (The Center Square) – Illinois lawmakers are proposing more options to address a $770 million fiscal cliff for public transit. After...
Legislator warns bad Illinois policy continues to hurt business investment

Legislator warns bad Illinois policy continues to hurt business investment

By Glenn Minnis | The Center Square contributorThe Center Square (The Center Square) – With businesses in Illinois now suffering on multiple levels, state Rep. Brad Halbrook argues it’s clear...

National News

Section 8 covers Colorado rents up to $3,879 per month, 'lap of luxury'

Section 8 covers Colorado rents up to $3,879 per month, ‘lap of luxury’

By Kenneth SchruppThe Center Square Taxpayers are covering rents of up to $3,879 per month in Colorado, leading taxpayer advocates to question the growing duration of federal Section 8 housing...
House Oversight Committee releases trove of Epstein documents

House Oversight Committee releases trove of Epstein documents

By Sarah Roderick-FitchThe Center Square More than 33,000 pages related to the Jeffrey Epstein case have been released by the U.S. Department of Justice after the House Committee on Oversight...

WATCH: Trump to push Supreme Court for quick ruling on tariff authority

By Brett RowlandThe Center Square President Donald Trump said Tuesday that his administration will ask the U.S. Supreme Court on Wednesday to quickly take up his appeal on tariff authority...
Newsom seeks to regain control of rest of National Guard

Newsom seeks to regain control of rest of National Guard

By Dave MasonThe Center Square California Gov. Gavin Newsom is seeking another courtroom victory against President Donald Trump after a federal judge Tuesday ruled in Newsom’s favor over the National...
GOP scrutinizing litigation group that 'educated' 2,000+ judges on climate change

GOP scrutinizing litigation group that ‘educated’ 2,000+ judges on climate change

By Thérèse BoudreauxThe Center Square Republicans on the House Judiciary Committee have launched a probe into the Environmental Law Institute over allegations the group has tried to influence the impartiality...
Routh, representing himself, begins picking Florida jury Monday

Routh, representing himself, begins picking Florida jury Monday

By Alan WootenThe Center Square Ryan Routh will have court-appointed lawyers nearby as he represents himself in a Florida court against charges related to assassinating Donald Trump. Jury selection starts...
SPACECOM will leave Colorado for Alabama’s Rocket City

SPACECOM will leave Colorado for Alabama’s Rocket City

By Alan WootenThe Center Square U.S. Space Command Headquarters will move to Alabama from Colorado. Calling Huntsville by its beloved “Rocket City” nickname, second-term Republican President Donald Trump reversed yet...
Trump administration releases AmeriCorps funding

Trump administration releases AmeriCorps funding

By Elyse ApelThe Center Square The White House Office of Management and Budget will release over $184 million in paused funding for AmeriCorps service programs. This comes after a coalition...
Congress returns, but Trump's 'pocket rescissions' snarls govt funding process

Congress returns, but Trump’s ‘pocket rescissions’ snarls govt funding process

By Thérèse BoudreauxThe Center Square It’s Congress’ first day back in session, but President Donald Trump’s clawback of nearly $5 billion in congressionally-approved spending has alienated Democrats, whose cooperation is...