Meeting Briefs

Meeting Summary and Briefs: Casey City Council for September 2, 2025

With Alderman Tanner Brown serving as Mayor Pro Tem in the absence of Mayor Mike Nichols, the Casey City Council's...
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Clark County Board Faces Public Backlash Over Solar Projects

Article Summary: During its July 18 meeting, the Clark County Board faced a wave of public criticism regarding the recently...
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Casey Fire District Approves $400,000 Purchase of New Fire Engine

Article Summary: The Casey Fire Protection District Board of Trustees authorized a major fleet upgrade by approving the $400,000 purchase...
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Casey Continues Sidewalk Replacements on Main Street, Plans Tree Removal

Article Summary: The City of Casey is continuing its sidewalk replacement program with a current focus on Main Street, though...
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Casey Lions Club Cleans Up Rt 40

The Casey Lions Club and friends spent a beautiful Saturday morning picking up trash along U.S. Route 40 picking up...
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Casey Fire Chief Outlines Equipment Needs, Including New Truck and Thermal Camera

Article Summary: The Casey Fire Chief Jason Garver reported to the Board of Trustees that the district is actively pursuing...
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Casey Officials Praise ‘Incredible’ Popcorn Festival for Community Spirit, Economic Boost

Article Summary: Casey city officials lauded the recent Popcorn Festival as a major success, praising the organizing committee, volunteers, and...
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Casey Fire District Board Approves Administrative Salary Raise, Adopts Tentative Budget

Article Summary: The Casey Fire Protection District Board of Trustees approved a significant raise for an administrative salary to $10,000...
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Tyler Farr Rocks Casey, Takes a Seat Atop World’s Largest Chair

CASEY, IL – Country music star Tyler Farr brought his chart-topping hits and down-to-earth charm to Casey this weekend, delivering...
Bessie, provided by the Stan Keeney family, paces the squares while everyone anxiously awaits, hoping she’ll stop on their square. —photo by Sharon Durham

Keeney Family Donates to Bessie Bingo

Bessie, provided by the Stan Keeney family, paces the squares while everyone anxiously awaits, hoping she’ll stop on their square....

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

Chicago’s commercial property taxes spike to twice national city average

Chicago’s commercial property taxes spike to twice national city average

By Glenn Minnis | The Center Square contributorThe Center Square (The Center Square) – Chicago business owners are now being forced to pay some of the highest commercial property taxes...
Illinois quick hits: Court rejects lawsuit against Texas Democrats; no charges for police

Illinois quick hits: Court rejects lawsuit against Texas Democrats; no charges for police

By Jim Talamonti | The Center SquareThe Center Square Court rejects lawsuit against Texas Democrats An Adams County judge has rejected a lawsuit against 33 Texas House Democrats who absconded...
Illinois quick hits: Human trafficking law signed; Mercyhealth to pay for COVID vaccine discrimination

Illinois quick hits: Human trafficking law signed; Mercyhealth to pay for COVID vaccine discrimination

By Jim Talamonti | The Center SquareThe Center Square Human trafficking law signed Gov. J.B. Pritzker has signed legislation requiring state agencies to develop a strategic unified plan to build...
WATCH: Nearly 400 people become U.S. citizens at Illinois State Fair

WATCH: Nearly 400 people become U.S. citizens at Illinois State Fair

By Greg Bishop | The Center SquareThe Center Square (The Center Square) – Nearly 400 people from more than 70 different countries became naturalized U.S. citizens Wednesday at the Illinois...
WATCH: Governor suggests ending nuclear ban as lawmaker files pro-nuclear bill

WATCH: Governor suggests ending nuclear ban as lawmaker files pro-nuclear bill

By Jim Talamonti | The Center SquareThe Center Square (The Center Square) – After an Illinois state senator filed legislation to streamline permits for nuclear energy projects, Gov J.B. Pritzker...
WATCH: Illinois Democrats blast Trump, Republicans at state fair

WATCH: Illinois Democrats blast Trump, Republicans at state fair

By Jim Talamonti | The Center SquareThe Center Square (The Center Square) − Illinois Democrats say their party will win across the United States in 2026, with the Land of...
WATCH: Illinois In Focus Daily | Wednesday Aug. 13th, 2025

WATCH: Illinois In Focus Daily | Wednesday Aug. 13th, 2025

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 shares comments from...
Illinois law empowers officials to crack down on predatory towing

Illinois law empowers officials to crack down on predatory towing

By Catrina Barker | The Center Square contributorThe Center Square (The Center Square) – Beginning Jan. 1, a new Illinois law cracks down on predatory towing by letting the Illinois...
Illinois quick hits: Former Chicago schools dean sentenced for sexual assault

Illinois quick hits: Former Chicago schools dean sentenced for sexual assault

By Jim Talamonti | The Center SquareThe Center Square Former Chicago schools dean sentenced for sexual assault A former Chicago public school dean has been sentenced to 22 years in...

National News

Bipartisan group of lawmakers aim to increase migrant physician jobs

Bipartisan group of lawmakers aim to increase migrant physician jobs

By Andrew RiceThe Center Square A bipartisan group of Congressional lawmakers wants to expand a program that allows noncitizens to fill physician vacancies in rural areas of the United States...

WATCH: Border czar Homan considered turning Trump’s offer down

By Greg BishopThe Center Square Tom Homan, President Donald Trump's border czar, addressed the State Freedom Caucus Foundation Friday night in Dallas.

WATCH: Gov. Desantis addresses State Freedom Caucus Foundation in Dallas

By Greg BishopThe Center Square Florida Gov. Ron DeSantis addressed the State Freedom Caucus Foundation Friday night in Dallas.
World's largest retailer struggles to keep costs down as tariffs hit

World’s largest retailer struggles to keep costs down as tariffs hit

By Brett RowlandThe Center Square The world's largest retailer says it's doing everything it can to keep prices low as its costs increase each week due to the tariffs at...
Boston judge orders Trump to give back Harvard funding

Boston judge orders Trump to give back Harvard funding

By Esther WickhamThe Center Square A Boston federal judge this week blocked the Trump administration’s $2.2 billion funding freeze against Harvard after the government's claims of antisemitism. The U.S. District...
Arizona congressman backs bill protecting ICE agents

Arizona congressman backs bill protecting ICE agents

By Chris WoodwardThe Center Square U.S. Rep. Abe Hamadeh wants to protect ICE agents. The Arizona congressman is among a handful of House representatives, all of them Republicans, to introduce...
Northwestern president steps down amid federal funding cuts

Northwestern president steps down amid federal funding cuts

By Esther WickhamThe Center Square Northwestern University President Michael Schill resigned this week amid the federal funding freeze by the Trump administration. Schill has served as the 17th president of...
Feds sue Southern California Edison over Eaton, Fairview fires

Feds sue Southern California Edison over Eaton, Fairview fires

By Dave MasonThe Center Square The U.S. Department of Justice is suing electric utility company Southern California Edison for tens of millions of dollars over the devastating Eaton and Fairview...

WATCH: Trump renames DOD to ‘Department of War’

By Morgan SweeneyThe Center Square What’s in a name? Military victories, according to the Trump administration. The Department of Defense is reverting to its old name – the Department of...