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

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

Parental rights groups concerned over DEI in Denver teacher contract

Parental rights groups concerned over DEI in Denver teacher contract

By Elyse ApelThe Center Square As Denver Public Schools move forward with finalizing a new teacher contract, parental rights groups are raising concerns about inclusion of diversity, equity, and inclusion...
Homeland Secretary: Pritzker, Johnson are protecting dangerous criminals

Homeland Secretary: Pritzker, Johnson are protecting dangerous criminals

By Jim TalamontiThe Center Square U.S. Department of Homeland Security Secretary Kristi Noem says U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement officers have arrested criminals who would still be on the streets...
Reports: DOJ probing NY AG's fraud case against Trump

Reports: DOJ probing NY AG’s fraud case against Trump

By Chris WadeThe Center Square The Justice Department has subpoenaed New York Attorney General Letitia James as part of an investigation into whether she violated President Donald Trump's civil rights...
Trump warns of 'Great Depression' if appeals court curbs tariff power

Trump warns of ‘Great Depression’ if appeals court curbs tariff power

By Brett RowlandThe Center Square President Donald Trump said Friday that if an appeals court curbs his tariff authority, America could sink into a "Great Depression." The U.S. Court of...
Abbott to call 'special session after special session' in response to AWOL Dems

Abbott to call ‘special session after special session’ in response to AWOL Dems

By Bethany BlankleyThe Center Square Gov. Greg Abbott confirmed what many in Austin speculated: he will call special session after special session until bills are passed. Abbott called the current...