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Casey City Council Meeting Briefs

Freedom Fest Planning Underway: Casey's Freedom Fest is scheduled for July 4-5 with events in Fairview Park. Friday's schedule includes...
City Council Part 1

City Council Meeting Video Part 1

https://youtu.be/bWEJPtq8Qh0?si=YzFeP3sk_tT3x111
City Council Part 2

City Council Meeting Video Part 2

https://youtu.be/6X23vHI3_D4?si=dXRZcsNn0oGW6wWN
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Casey Approves Major Park Recreation Project, Hires Firm to Find New Utilities Chief

The Casey City Council unanimously approved a comprehensive park recreation project costing up to $339,041.78 at Monday's meeting, moving forward...
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Casey in Action Secures $40,000 Grant for Park Walking Path

Casey in Action received a $40,000 grant from the Lumpkin Foundation to support the second phase of a walking path...
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Casey Council Briefs

Economic Development Initiatives: The Economic Development Committee met May 8 to discuss several initiatives including a Tourism Director position, Freedom...
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Casey City Council Awards Sidewalk Contract, Approves Utility Rate Increases

The Casey City Council unanimously approved awarding a $62,502 sidewalk construction contract to Wallace Concrete at Monday's meeting, accepting the...
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Utilities Chief Announces December Retirement; Police Department Adds Officer

Casey Utility Superintendent Shelby Biggs announced at Monday's city council meeting that he will retire on December 31, 2025, ending...
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Casey Council Meeting Briefs

July 4th Planning Begins: City Clerk Jeremy Mumford reminded the council that planning for the 4th of July celebration needs...
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Casey-Westfield Board Approves Major Technology Upgrades, Facility Improvements

The Casey-Westfield School Board approved significant technology and facility upgrades totaling more than $76,000 during Monday's meeting, while also addressing...

Education

Meeting Briefs

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

Lake Land College Board of Trustees Meeting | October 13, 2025 The Lake Land College Board of Trustees met on Monday, October 13, 2025, taking action on several major financial...
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Lake Land College Board Approves Bids for Fire Alarm System, John Deere Engine

Lake Land College Board of Trustees Meeting | October 13, 2025 Article Summary: The Lake Land College Board of Trustees on Monday, October 13, 2025, approved bids for two significant equipment...
Meeting Briefs

Meeting Summary and Briefs: Casey-Westfield School Board for November 2025

Casey-Westfield School Board Meeting | November 2025 The Casey-Westfield Community Unit School District C-4 Board of Education met on Monday, November 17, 2025, to review academic achievements and financial planning...
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Four Lake Land College Faculty Members Awarded Tenure

Lake Land College Board of Trustees Meeting | October 13, 2025 Article Summary: The Lake Land College Board of Trustees on Monday, October 13, 2025, granted tenure to four full-time faculty...
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District Outlines Proposal to Replace Aging Bus Fleet

Casey-Westfield School Board Meeting | November 2025 Article Summary: Superintendent Shackelford presented a plan to lease-purchase nine new buses to replace the current fleet before the existing lease expires in...
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Casey-Westfield High School Earns ‘Exemplary’ Designation on State Report Card

Casey-Westfield School Board Meeting | November 2025 Article Summary: Casey-Westfield High School has been recognized as one of the top-performing schools in the state, while Monroe Elementary achieved the second-highest...
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Casey-Westfield Board Proposes 2025 Tax Levy, Sets Truth-in-Taxation Hearing

Casey-Westfield School Board Meeting | November 2025 Article Summary: The Casey-Westfield School Board reviewed a tentative tax levy that accounts for rising property values while opting for a lower rate...
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Lake Land College Board Accepts Over $284,000 in STEM and Agriculture Grants

Lake Land College Board of Trustees Meeting | October 13, 2025 Article Summary: The Lake Land College Board of Trustees on Monday, October 13, 2025, formally accepted two grants totaling more...
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Lake Land College Foundation Awards Over $865,000 in Scholarships for 2025-2026

Lake Land College Board of Trustees Meeting | October 13, 2025 Article Summary: The Lake Land College Foundation has awarded more than $865,250 in scholarships to 675 students for the 2025-2026...

Illinois News

Illinois rejects federal ‘no tax on tips’ rule, keeps state tax on tipped income

Illinois rejects federal ‘no tax on tips’ rule, keeps state tax on tipped income

By Catrina Barker | The Center Square contributorThe Center Square (The Center Square) – Illinois is not adopting the new federal “no tax on tips” provision, meaning tipped workers in...
Hundreds of flights canceled in Chicago as winter storm wreaks havoc

Hundreds of flights canceled in Chicago as winter storm wreaks havoc

By Dan McCaleb | The Center SquareThe Center Square (The Center Square) – More than 1,000 flights were canceled or delayed at Chicago's airports Saturday as a winter storm threatened...

WATCH: IL legislator wants more transparency for taxpayer funded credit cards

By Greg Bishop | The Center SquareThe Center Square (The Center Square) – A Democratic state legislator is looking to require more transparency for how local governments in Illinois use...
Illinois quick hits: Deer harvest totals; IHSA voting begins

Illinois quick hits: Deer harvest totals; IHSA voting begins

By Jim Talamonti | The Center SquareThe Center Square Deer harvest totals Illinois hunters harvested a preliminary total of 51,409 deer during the first weekend of the state’s firearm deer...
Chicago tenant groups call for eviction moratorium amid ICE raids

Chicago tenant groups call for eviction moratorium amid ICE raids

By Glenn Minnis | The Center Square contributorThe Center Square (The Center Square) – Chicago Ald. Byron Sigcho Lopez is pushing for an eviction moratorium while Immigration and Customs Enforcement...
Illinois tax proposals dampen decline in small business uncertainty index

Illinois tax proposals dampen decline in small business uncertainty index

By Jim Talamonti | The Center SquareThe Center Square (The Center Square) – Although the National Federation of Independent Business Uncertainty Index reached its lowest point of the year in...
IL congressman’s retirement announcement sparks calls for election fixes

IL congressman’s retirement announcement sparks calls for election fixes

By Catrina Barker | The Center Square contributorThe Center Square (The Center Square) – Common Cause Illinois is urging lawmakers to close what it calls an “anti-democratic” loophole after Rep....
WATCH: Trump calls Pritzker ‘fat slob;’ Talk of reviving progressive tax criticized

WATCH: Trump calls Pritzker ‘fat slob;’ Talk of reviving progressive tax criticized

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 highlights from...
Illinois quick hits: Man arrested for threating legislator; vigilance urged during shopping season

Illinois quick hits: Man arrested for threating legislator; vigilance urged during shopping season

By Jim Talamonti | The Center SquareThe Center Square Man arrested for threating legislator Illinois State Police Division of Criminal Investigation special agents have arrested a Chicago man on charges...

National News

Attack foiled in Ft. Worth day before National Guard troops shot in WDC

Attack foiled in Ft. Worth day before National Guard troops shot in WDC

By Bethany BlankleyThe Center Square Another Afghan-related terrorist attack was foiled one day before two National Guardsmen were shot in Washington, D.C., federal authorities said Saturday. The alleged perpetrators were...
Fiscal Fallout: States continue to increase budgets despite end of COVID emergency

Fiscal Fallout: States continue to increase budgets despite end of COVID emergency

By Arthur KaneThe Center Square States around the country, hooked on billions of federal dollars that flooded in during COVID, don't want the party to end. But the pandemic subsided...
Colorado lost record $24 million to data scams in 2024

Colorado lost record $24 million to data scams in 2024

By Elyse ApelThe Center Square Colorado residents lost a record high $24 million to personal data scams in 2024, according to a data forensics firm. That was four times the...
Trump vows to pause migration after D.C. shooting

Trump vows to pause migration after D.C. shooting

By Sarah Roderick-FitchThe Center Square President Donald Trump said Thursday he will pause migration from some countries following the shooting of two National Guard members near the White House. The...
Assaults against ICE up 1,153% in 11 months

Assaults against ICE up 1,153% in 11 months

By Bethany BlankleyThe Center Square Assaults against U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement officers are up 1,153% in 11 months, according to the U.S. Department of Homeland Security. As ICE officers...
Texas officials seek to establish Turning Point chapters

Texas officials seek to establish Turning Point chapters

By Esther WickhamThe Center Square Texas officials are seeking a partnership with the conservative organization Turning Point USA to place chapters on every college and high school campus in the...
National Guard member shot near White House dies

National Guard member shot near White House dies

By Kim JarrettThe Center Square One of the National Guard members shot near the White House on Wednesday died from her injuries, President Donald Trump said. U.S. Specialist Sarah Beckstrom,...
‘Trouble in Toyland’ report sounds alarm on AI toys

‘Trouble in Toyland’ report sounds alarm on AI toys

By Glenn MinnisThe Center Square Parents should take precaution this holiday season when it comes to artificial intelligence toys after researchers for the new Trouble in Toyland report found safety...
When was the first Thanksgiving? It's actually up for debate

When was the first Thanksgiving? It’s actually up for debate

By Bethany BlankleyThe Center Square As Americans celebrate Thanksgiving this year, many believe the first thanksgiving was held in Plymouth, Massachusetts, in 1621. However, the first Thanksgiving celebration was held...