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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 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

IL U.S. House candidate: drug screen expectant moms getting subsidies

IL U.S. House candidate: drug screen expectant moms getting subsidies

By Jim Talamonti | The Center SquareThe Center Square (The Center Square) – A doctor running for Congress in Illinois’ 5th Congressional District says the first step to improving the...
Illinois quick hits: Ameren requests rate hike; Pearl Harbor remembrance

Illinois quick hits: Ameren requests rate hike; Pearl Harbor remembrance

By The Center SquareThe Center Square Ameren requests rate hike A year after receiving a $308.6 million electric rate hike, Ameren Illinois is asking the Illinois Commerce Commission for authority...
Plaintiffs welcome House committee request for Chicago Teachers Union audits

Plaintiffs welcome House committee request for Chicago Teachers Union audits

By Jim Talamonti | The Center SquareThe Center Square (The Center Square) – While a congressional committee awaits financial audits from the Chicago Teachers Union, the Liberty Justice Center is...
Bill on Pritzker’s desk enhances Illinois’ migrant sanctuary policies

Bill on Pritzker’s desk enhances Illinois’ migrant sanctuary policies

By Greg Bishop | The Center SquareThe Center Square (The Center Square) – Gov. J.B. Pritzker can now enact a measure enhancing the state’s migrant sanctuary policies that Republicans warn...
Legislator critical of criminal justice policies amid Chicago robberies

Legislator critical of criminal justice policies amid Chicago robberies

By Glenn Minnis | The Center Square contributorThe Center Square (The Center Square) – Illinois state Sen. Steve McClure is pointing fingers at some of what he sees as being...
WATCH: Johnson responds to Trump; Migrant rental assistance urged; Credit card oversight

WATCH: Johnson responds to Trump; Migrant rental assistance urged; Credit card oversight

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 the latest...
Illinois quick hits: Cyber Monday security tips; expecting mother discharge legislation

Illinois quick hits: Cyber Monday security tips; expecting mother discharge legislation

By Jim Talamonti | The Center SquareThe Center Square Cyber Monday security tips Government agencies are advising shoppers to shop safely on Cyber Monday. The Illinois Department of Revenue encourages...
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...

National News

New online portal to track universities’ foreign funding live in 2026

New online portal to track universities’ foreign funding live in 2026

By Morgan SweeneyThe Center Square Starting in January, American universities can more easily report foreign funding, according to the Department of Education. The federal government will launch a new foreign...
Sen. Mark Kelly says Trump and Hegseth can't silence him

Sen. Mark Kelly says Trump and Hegseth can’t silence him

By Chris WoodwardThe Center Square U.S. Sen. Mark Kelly, D-Arizona, spent the weekend saying he will not be silenced by the Trump administration. During televised segments Sunday on CNN and...
Jeffries condemns GOP inaction on rising health care prices

Jeffries condemns GOP inaction on rising health care prices

By Thérèse BoudreauxThe Center Square Republicans in Congress are running out of time to address the upcoming health insurance premium hikes for millions of Americans at the end of the...
U.S. reaches deal with U.K. on higher drug prices

U.S. reaches deal with U.K. on higher drug prices

By Brett RowlandThe Center Square The United Kingdom will pay 25% more for new medications as part of a deal to avoid U.S. tariffs on Britain's drug exports to the...
Amid key holiday shopping season, some pick 'pay later' option

Amid key holiday shopping season, some pick ‘pay later’ option

By Brett RowlandThe Center Square Early projections suggest Americans will spend more than $1 trillion over the holiday season, a crucial time for businesses, but not everyone is paying right...
Economist says curbing SNAP fraud requires states to cover 100% of costs

Economist says curbing SNAP fraud requires states to cover 100% of costs

By Thérèse BoudreauxThe Center Square With the Trump administration taking steps to curb food stamp fraud, some fiscal watchdogs argue that shifting the consequences of fraud from the federal government...
Mass shooting at Stockton results in four killed, 11 injured

Mass shooting at Stockton results in four killed, 11 injured

By Dave MasonThe Center Square The search continued Monday for the suspect or suspects in a Northern California mass shooting that killed three children and one adult. Authorities said 11...
Six Texas Republicans leaving Congress, finishing out terms next year

Six Texas Republicans leaving Congress, finishing out terms next year

By Bethany BlankleyThe Center Square So far, six Texas Republicans are among the growing number of members of Congress who’ve announced they’re retiring, finishing out their term next year. While...
Everyday Economics: A consumer slowdown, fraying margins, and a big test for the Fed

Everyday Economics: A consumer slowdown, fraying margins, and a big test for the Fed

By Orphe DivounguyThe Center Square Last week’s data told a clear story: the U.S. consumer is still standing, but looking increasingly tired – and businesses are starting to absorb more...