(Springfield, IL) -- The new political campaign contribution caps approved by Illinois lawmakers may end up hurting outsiders and helping those already at the top. The new donation limits are part of the ethics reform package sweeping through the statehouse this spring. House Speaker Mike Madigan says the plan will take money out of the political system and limit the pull of lobbyists. But business and interest groups say they are being painted with a broad brush. Groups like the Illinois Beer Distributors and AARP say they say the new limits will silence their voice in elections. Bill Olson with the Beer Distributors says the caps would impair political speech for him and other groups.

And the contribution limits won't stop top Republican and Democratic leaders from buying ads for candidates in tight races. Lobbying groups would have limits on what they could give contenders for office. Political groups and business interests will need to adapt to the new contribution rules. Some groups may end up shut out of the political process. The limits on giving wouldn't kick in until after next year's statewide elections. Madigan says delaying the change keeps a level playing field for candidates running in 2010. Critics say next year will be one last hurrah for pay-to-play politics.

The proposed campaign contribution laws would cap donations to political action groups at 10-thousand dollars per year. Those groups would also be limited to giving candidates for office 10-thousand dollars. The legislation for campaign caps going to Governor Pat Quinn's desk. He vocally supported the plan as it moved through the state Senate and House.

(Springfield, IL) -- The West Nile Virus is once again showing up in Illinois. A crow in La Salle County in north central Illinois is the first bird to test positive for West Nile this year. Mosquitoes with West Nile are turning up in Cook County. The West Nile Virus usually causes mild sickness, but can end up killing people, livestock, and birds. The Illinois Department of Public Health started testing for the virus in early May and positive results are just now turning up. Last year, 28 counties in Illinois reported West Nile in a person, horse, bird or bug, but only one person died thanks to the virus. Public Health Director Dr. Damon T. Arnold says we're going to start seeing more mosquito activity and an increased risk for West Nile virus. Arnold says it's important to protect yourself against mosquito bites by wearing insect repellent and getting rid of any standing water around your home. People usually get West Nile after being bit by a mosquito that previously bit an infected bird or horse. The Illinois Department of Public Health says they don't expect to see a human case of West Nile until July.

(Springfield, IL) -- The Illinois Department of Natural Resources wants you to take in the outdoors this weekend. Saturday is National Trails Day, and the state DNR says you should take a hike. DNR Director says some of the most invigorating and peaceful times of your life can be spent hiking on Illinois trails on Illinois. This weekend, the Illinois Department of Natural Resources is announcing that the Moraine Hills Trail System in northern Illinois is joining the National Trails System, which is a federal list of over a thousand good hiking paths. If you decide to take in a hike this weekend, the DNR wants to remind you to bring important supplies like sturdy shoes, water, bug repellent, and a leash for your dog.

The numbers are in; this spring in Illinois was the fifth wettest since statewide records began back in 1895. Wet conditions in March, April, and May resulted in nearly 16 inches of rain, which amounts to 4.5 inches above normal. State Climatologist Jim Angel of the Illinois Water Survey says every region in Illinois was soaked.

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At 15.9 inches, this spring had almost two more inches of rain than last spring (14.1 inches). There is a positive to take from all this; according to Angel, historically, wet springs do not lead to wet summers.

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Angel also says that because of all the rain, if a dry spell were to occur, farmers would be able to overcome it.

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Amidst all the rain showers, temperatures throughout spring were near normal. On June 1st, Soil temperatures at the 4-inch level under bare ground ranged from 70 to 72 degrees across much of Illinois, and in the upper 60’s in northeast Illinois.

For the record, the wettest site this spring was St. David (near Peoria), with 27.7 inches of rain. For more information on the Illinois State Water Survey, visit the website: www.sws.uiuc.edu.

(Shelbyville) A building that’s been empty for nearly a decade will soon open its doors to a new Mexican-themed restaurant in Shelbyville. The new restaurant will occupy the old Hardee’s Restaurant at Route 16 and 128. Construction began last week. The restaurant represents the first new business attracted by Shelbyville’s Tax Increment Financing District. A firm with establishments in Lawrenceville, Illinois and New Castle, Indiana is overseeing the development of the restaurant; Shelbyville Mayor Roy Shuff says the owner of the firm is the right person for the job.

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As Shuff mentioned, the firm plans to have the restaurant open for business in early July. Shuff says the Shelbyville community is on-board with the project.

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When asked, Shuff said he could not reveal the name of the firm, or the name of the new restaurant. He says more information will be revealed in the coming weeks.

(Taylorville) Taylorville High School is all set and ready to go for the class of 2009 graduation ceremony. The ceremony begins at 2 pm in the High School gymnasium this Sunday. Taylorville High School Principal Tom Campbell reminds the community that the ceremony is a special occasion, and not a party situation.

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Campbell says he’s confident in the abilities of this year’s class. He also adds that they have developed a notable camaraderie.

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Campbell says all graduates are supposed to show up 30 minutes before commencement exercises begin. He also urges all attendees to show up even earlier if they wish to get a ‘good seat’.

(Springfield) The number of confirmed cases of the swine flu in Illinois has risen above 12 hundred.

State public health spokesperson Kelly Jakubek says of the 1268 people infected with the H1N1 virus, four have died.


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Across the country, more than 11 thousand people have tested positive for the virus, and 17 have died.

(Springfield) The Governor’s Taxpayer Action Board is making some recommendations on how to streamline state government.

The group is trying to come up with ways to run government more effectively, and reduce costs. Board chairman Tom Johnson says that includes two to three cuts in operations across the board, and better managing Medicaid patients.


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The TAB reviewed and provided recommendations on other areas of state government, including: pensions and healthcare, education, human services, government administration, and public safety and regulatory operations.

Governor Quinn created the board in March to identify opportunities to make government more efficient for taxpayers.

(Taylorville) Farmers Markets are experiencing a resurgence in America as people become more and more aware that locally grown food tastes good. But traditionally, market days provide more than fresh produce; they showcase locally produced crafts ranging from candles to furniture to clothing; they offer food booths and baked goods; and they bring the community together with outdoor music. Once again, the Taylorville Square will be the focus of attention with the Farmers Market.

This Saturday you can shop to the live sounds of the Illinois Heartland Brass Band at the Taylorville Market on the Square. Saturday, June 20, The Dixie Daredevils, a traditional jazz band from Peoria, will take the stage as part of the Great American Music Series.

The Illinois Department of Agriculture is encouraging farmers to save rather than discard empty agrichemical containers. Beginning in late July, sites throughout the state will collect the containers and grind them into small plastic chips that will be used to make shipping pallets, fence posts, drainage tubing, plastic lumber and other useful products.

Metal and household pesticide containers are not eligible for the recycling program. Collection sites will accept only high-density polyethylene, #2 plastic, agrichemical containers that are clean and dry.
To obtain a free brochure about the program, call the Illinois Department of Agriculture toll free at 1-800-641-3934.

lllinois is the latest state to adopt the HunterExam.com interactive hunter education course as an option to prepare for hunting certification. The new HunterExam online course allows students to complete coursework online before attending required classroom and hands-on field course training needed to obtain their Illinois hunter education certificate.


With an emphasis on safety and responsibility, the HunterExam.com program focuses on reducing hunting incidents through coursework presented in a narrative fashion followed by review questions and discussion points. Students also have access to HunterExam.com’s industry exclusive toll-free customer service help line.


Students may visit HunterExam.com to view the site free of charge. The online course costs $24.95 to complete and to receive a Field Day voucher. The student must then successfully complete the Field Day in order to obtain their Illinois hunter education certificate. For more information visit www.hunterexam.com/usa/illinois.

(Taylorville) With class schedules wrapping up, summer is around the corner, and that means pool time fun for a lot of youngsters in the Regional Radio listening area. The pool at Manners Park in Taylorville officially kicked off there summer schedule Memorial Day weekend on Sunday after a failed attempt to open on Saturday. Taylorville Parks District's Office Manager Kelly Ferisina-Bland tells us that the crowd on Sunday was
smaller than expected.

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Ferisina-Bland states that the late opening was due in part to the time it takes to cure the pool once it has been painted, and that it takes four days to fill the pool.

The cost of swimming at the Taylorville pool is two dollars for children between the ages five and thirteen. For swimmers over the age of fourteen, it is three dollars. Senior citizens and children under the age of four receive free admission. Ferisina-Bland adds that there are season passes available.

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The pool is open daily from 1pm until 6pm seven days a week. The pool does offer swim lessons and water aerobics by appointment.

(Kincaid) In an on going investigation in to the recent fish kill at Kincaid Lake,
experts have yet to come up with a cause of death of more than six
thousand dollars worth of fish. District fisheries biologist for the
Illinois Department of Natural Resources, Dan Stephenson states that no
dead fish have been reported since Mother's Day weekend and that EPA is
still without an answer as to what triggered the massive fish kill.
Stephenson adds that he and the Kincaid city council have discussed the
possibility of a killing off the remaining fish and starting a
re-population to control the natural prey versus predator habitat.

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Stephenson explains that he is in charge of taking count of how many
fish were killed, and that the EPA is in charge of checking the water
for the possibility of chemical contamination. He adds that a majority
of the fish killed were game fish such as crappie and bass, which cost
the state more than that of forage fish such as shiners and shad.

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Stephenson adds that the lake itself didn't have a strong population of
sport fishings due to its age and that the state hasn't done a lot in
way of management with it. The IDNR does stock the fish with channel
catfish due to them being unable to successfully reproduce in the lake,
and Stephenson implemented a fifteen inch limit on all bass in the lake.

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Regional Radio will continue to follow this story as more details develop.

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The words of Christian County Sheriff Bob Kinderman as he presented current Coroner Amy Calvert-Winans and former Coroner Jack Pearce with a plaque featuring their names as well as all of the names of the Coroners who have served Christian County dating back to the 1800’s. Winans says serving as coroner is rewarding although not glamorous, and attributes her continued success to the people of Christian County, and her predecessors.

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Jack Pearce, who served as Coroner from 1988 until 2004, agreed with Winans in saying working with the people of Christian County was the most rewarding part of the job.

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The plaque will be displayed in the main hallway on the first floor of the courthouse.

The Christian County Senior Center has a new executive director. John Heldman of Mattoon has been chosen to take over the position left vacant when former executive director Alice Benton passed away in March. Heldman says he brings years of experience in the human services field to Taylorville, and thinks Christian County is a good match for him.

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The Senior Center, which relies partially on Public Funding, has been forced to make limited dollars stretch in the current tight economy. Heldman says he understands that, but feels he can help the Senior Center flourish with the help of the community.

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The Christian County Senior center is located at 701 West Adams in Taylorville, and provides services to seniors around the county including Meal Delivery, health checkups, trips and social activities.

People with ties to groups that serve Christian County will have their final opportunity until fall to participate in a large scale networking opportunity Wednesday. The U of I extension Christian County is hosting the semi-monthly Interagency Council meeting at 11:45, which looks to allow local groups to exchange information on upcoming events in the community. Extension director Linda Smith says as many as 25 organizations will be represented.

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Smith says the gathering is a laid back roundtable like discussion, that allows multiple agencies to exchange ideas and determine if multiple agencies would benefit by working together.

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The meeting begins at 11:45 and will run until roughly 1pm. Anyone wishing to attend should bring 25 copies of any materials they wish to distribute. The meetings are generally held the first Wednesday of every other month, but there is no meeting in August, which means the next meeting will not be held until October.

(Taylorville) Taylorville Police arrested a 16 year old after responding to a false fire alarm at Taylorville High School Monday. According to reports, the alarm was pulled just before noon. Upon arrival, school officials directed police that the girl responsible for allegedly pulling the alarm was arrested at her home a short time later and charged with disorderly conduct.

(Christian County) Three People were hospitalized after crash in Christian County last. In a report issued (Thursday) the Christian County Sheriff’s Department indicates 16 year old Samantha J. Woods of Kincaid lost control of her vehicle while traveling east on County Road 1450 in the early morning hours of Sunday May 24th. Woods, who hit a ditch and flipped her vehicle, was taken to Taylorville Memorial hospital for treatment of non-life threatening injuries along with two passengers, 18 year old Trevor R. Smith of Kincaid and 16 year old Alexandria L. Stibs of Taylorville. A third passenger in the vehicle was not injured.

(Taylorville)—Two Miller Media Group radio stations, WMKR Genuine Country 94.3 Pana/Taylorville, and WHOW THE BIG 1520 in Clinton, will be affiliates of the newly-formed Eastern Illinois University Football Panthers Radio Network this fall.

The broadcasts will be produced and distributed by the university’s sports information department.

WMKR’s signal reaches a 40-mile radius of Taylorville, and WHOW’s 5,000-watt daytime signal reaches an 80-mile radius of Clinton.

Miller Media Group president Randal J. Miller, in making the announcement, said the 2 stations will provide Central Illinois radio listeners an opportunity to follow the Eastern Football Panthers, which have become a dynasty under long-time head coach Bob Spoo, and compete in NCAA Division I-AA in the Ohio Valley Conference.

WMKR and WHOW’s coverage will also include weekly visits with Eastern football personnel and announcers during their Friday morning on-air show. The 2 stations will also provide listeners opportunities to win tickets to Eastern home football games before and during the season.

(Taylorville) The Taylorville City Council has indicated that it would be in favor of providing matching funds to a state grant that would be used to upgrade the city’s sewers. The council passed four resolutions last night centered on the Public Facility Community Development Assistance Program Grant. If Taylorville is approved for the grant, it would be for up to 350 thousand dollars and would require a match from the city of up to 30 percent. Alderman Earl Walters says even in financially strapped times, the grant would be too good of a deal to pass up.

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The city has up to June 5th to apply for the grant, to be used to fund any number of projects that would be ‘shovel ready’ within 120 days. Mayor Greg Brotherton told the council last night the city should be open to all streams of increasing revenues

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In other business, the council approved a switch in insurance providers for city workers and their families. Effective July 1st, the city will leave their agreement with Local Government Health Plan in favor of Blue Cross Blue Shield’s health care plan through Linden Group Health Services. Alderman Bruce Jones estimates this could save the city and employees up to 100 thousand dollars annually.

(Taylorville) A Taylorville man with a long rap sheet is facing new charges that could land him an extended prison stay. Twenty six year old Jamal Shehadeh was arrested and charged last week with two counts of unlawful delivery of a controlled substance. The charges stem from two incidents last August in which Shehadeh allegedly delivered less than 15 grams of cocaine to a confidential source. The first charges is a class ‘X’ felony, because the alleged transaction happened within 1000 feet of four churches. The charge carries a possible prison sentence of up to 30 years and a fine of up to a half million dollars. The second charge is a class ‘1’ felony and carries a possible penalty of up to 15 years in prison and a fine of up to a quarter million dollars.
Christian County State’s attorney Tom Finks explains why the arrest comes now, and why the potential penalties are so harsh.

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As alluded to, this is not Shehadeh’s first brush with local authorities. Criminal damage to state supported property charges are pending against him after a May 26th arrest for allegedly kicking out a Taylorville Police Squad car window during an arrest. He was also charged with aggravated assault in connection with the same incident, after allegedly pointing a hammer at a Taylorville Police officer in a threatening way. A second charge of criminal damage to property and a charge of telephone harassment were also filed against Shehadeh in connection to that May 26th arrest.

Last year, Shehadeh plead guilty to threatening a public official after a September arrest and was placed on two years probation and sentenced to serve 15 weekends in the Christian County Jail. A petition to revoke Shehadeh’s probation was filed by the Christian County State’s Attorney last month after Shehadeh allegedly entered a local bar, a violation of the terms of his probation. Shehadeh also plead guilty last year to charges of attempting to elude police and false impersonation of a public official in connect with a July incident, and was given one year probation for each. A charge of theft is pending against Shehadeh as well, for allegedly trying to manipulate a Rural Electronic Cooperative power station in an effort to steal power. Finks says Shehadeh’s prior arrest record will have no bearing on how aggressively he prosecutes the new charges, but the arrest could violate the terms of his probation.

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Shehadeh was appointed a public defender to represent him, and remains in the Christian County Jail on 300 thousand dollars bond. He is set to appear in a pre-trial hearing June 19th.

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The thoughts of 87th District State Representative Bill Mitchell on the inclusion of funding for the completion of the Route 29 expansion in the recently approved capital construction bill. After a decades long push to widen the remaining six mile portion of road from two lanes to four, the new construction bill contains a reported 61 million dollars in funding for route 29. Currently, the passed bill sits atop the desk of Governor Pat Quinn, awaiting his signature. Quinn has indicated he would not sign the bill sans approval from the legislature for the inclusion of an income tax hike in the State’s Budget. Mitchell says he believes it’s just a matter of time before the bill is signed.

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Mitchell says its unclear when construction would begin on the completion of Route 29, but says he expects it to start shortly after the bill is signed.

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The entire capital plan is worth a reported 29 billion dollars to fund new road and school construction across the state.

The 2nd Annual Barbecue Blues and Cruise is in the books. After all the planning and anticipation of the festival, Taylorville Main Street Executive Director Michelle Merker says she’s happy with how the event played out.

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Although the numbers are currently being crunched, Merker estimates that the turnout for the festival was larger then the inaugural one. A couple factors contributed towards the large attendance, including dry weather, and an increased advertising campaign. Merker says Main Street doesn’t have a tally yet on how much revenue was generated.

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Merker says the festival accomplished Main Street’s mission of promoting Taylorville. She also says the revenue generated from the event will go towards enhancing downtown Taylorville.

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When asked if a 3rd annual BBQ Blues and Cruise festival will take place, Merker says she’s rather sure of it.

The Illinois general assembly has voted to stop the often-confusing way that lawmakers get a pay raise.
In the past, a board recommended the salary increase, which automatically took effect unless the legislature voted it down. But a bill approved by the legislature reverses that, so that lawmakers will have to propose their own raise, and vote in favor of it. Senator Dan Kotowski supported the concept.

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The bill also requires lawmakers to take four furlough days. It now heads to the governor’s desk for final approval.

The first signs of West Nile Virus this year are starting to pop up in Illinois.
Two batches of mosquitoes in Evanston and Wilmette have tested positive for the virus. That’s about on par with last year says state public health spokesperson Maloney Arnold. She reminds West Nile is still a threat.

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Last year, 20 people tested positive for West Nile and one of them died. You can protect your family by using an insect repellant with Deet, and making sure doors and windows have tight screens. You should also make sure there isn’t any standing water outside, where mosquitoes can breed.

(Kincaid) The Kincaid Lake officially reopened Monday afternoon around 2 o’clock (June 1st). The lake was closed nearly three weeks, after an alarming number of fish started turning up dead for unknown reasons. Kincaid Mayor Doug Thomas says the EPA conducted numerous tests on the fish, and has deemed them safe for consumption. Thomas also says the EPA and DNR could not put a finger on what caused the problem.

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Before Monday, The Lake was off limits for fishing, camping and all other recreational activities.

During the busy weekend for Illinois lawmakers, the state senate approved a major gambling expansion plan. The legislation would add four new casinos. It would also allow slot machines at horse racing tracks and more gaming positions at existing riverboats. Senator Dale Righter, of the 55th district, says the expansion plan is too big, and passed mostly because of politics.

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The four new casinos would be located in Rockford, Waukegan, Chicago, and Danville. Opponents argue it would make Illinois the gambling capital of the nation. The legislation still needs to be approved by the house.

(Springfield, IL) -- Pat Quinn says he will stay at the Capitol into the summer to get the budget he wants. The governor says he will call legislative leaders into a series of overtime meetings to try and force a deal on his income tax increase. But the Governor's 50-percent tax hike failed Sunday night, and is well short of the new vote threshold that will be needed in June and July. Til he gets his plan, Quinn says won?t sign the statewide building plan. The governor will only say he wants a budget that is balanced and doesn't 'hurt' the people. But he is not saying how he can swing top lawmakers or the rank and file members who have given a firm 'no' to his plan. Those rank and file members will not have to sit through another summer at the Capitol, Quinn says that's not needed. Illinois' current budget runs out July 1st, Quinn says he has some time to work with, but isn't setting a deadline.

The first month of the Greg Brotherton mayoral administration is in the books. Brotherton says he’s still getting acclimated to the position, and learning how to pace his agenda on a daily basis. So far Brotherton says time management has been the biggest challenge.

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Brotherton enjoyed a lack of controversy throughout his first month on the job. He says meetings have run smoothly, and the council seems to be on the same page. However, Brotherton says the delaying of federal stimulus money has frustrated the council.

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Once the council does get its hands on federal stimulus funds, Brotherton says the resurfacing of roads is atop the list of potential projects.

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What about money from the increased sales tax? Brotherton says the sales tax increase does not go into effect until January of next year. As a result, Brotherton says the city will not reap the benefits of the increased revenue until April or May of next year.

The American Cancer Society is reminding people that Skin Cancer is the most common form of cancer. Overall, the disease represents about half of all cancer cases year round. When the sun is shining bright in the summer, many tend to throw safety precautions out the window in favor of getting that golden tan. Steve Turner, of the American Cancer Society’s Central Illinois chapter, says a new program, which features a four-word catch phrase, provides the basic safety precautions people need to take when enjoying a sunny day.

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Tanning beds are becoming a routine fixture in the lives of quite a few central Illinoisans. Many people say that tanning beds are safer then the sun. Turner says that’s a myth.

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Turner goes over the common telltale signs of skin cancer.

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More then one million basal and squamous cell cases are found per year across the United States. Over 60,000 cases of the more severe form of skin cancer, malignant melanoma, occur annually as well. For more information on skin cancer, visit the American Cancer Society’s website: cancer.org.

The Economic Recovery and Reinvestment checks went out to social security beneficiaries on May 7th. There’s now an easy way to track how people have spent those 250-dollar checks. Jack Meyers, of the social security administration office in Springfield, explains how people can follow and contribute to the tracking of the checks.

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Many are still awaiting the arrival of their 250-dollar checks. Meyers says those who haven’t received their check by this Thursday (June 4th) should contact the social security office. Meyers points out that people will receive the stimulus checks the same way they receive their normal social security checks, and current social security beneficiaries don’t have to do anything extra to receive their 250 dollars.

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When asked what he would do with the 250 dollars, Meyers says he’d spend it on gas and take a road trip across the country. Once again if you want to track how other people are spending their checks, visit the social security website at www.socialsecurity.gov.

(Taylorville) Threatening skies gave way to a radiant afternoon at the 2nd annual Barbecue, Blues, and Cruise festival in Taylorville on Saturday. The daylong festival commenced at 10 am; Alvin Jett and the Phat noiZ Blues Band got the music started at noon. Pleasure Chest took the stage in the 3 o'clock hour, and the headliner, Nashville’s Stacy Mitchhart capped the festivities off with an evening performance. Regional radio caught up with Main Street Executive Director Michelle Merker on Saturday shortly after the festival began.

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As Merker alluded to, Mayor Greg Brotherton consumed the ceremonial first rib. Brotherton was not shy in expressing his excitement for the gig.

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The festival also featured a professional and amateur cook-off. ‘Lotta Bull BBQ’ beat out over 30 professional ‘BBQers’, to win the Kansas City Barbecue Society professional cook-off championship. ‘Lets Kick Some Ash’ was the runner up. As for the Amateur cook-off, Team McClure (of McClure Funeral Home) took home first place.

Gamblers may soon have a chance to wage their bets on horse races in Illinois via the internet, or their phone.

The house and senate have approved legislation allowing Illinois racetracks to accept bets this way. Representative Art Turner of Chicago explains how it would work.

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20 other states already allow advanced deposit wagering.

Lawmakers in the Illinois house want to give voters a chance to get rid of governors who aren’t doing their job.

Representative jack Franks of Woodstock says 18 other states already have a recall provision, where voters can toss out officials deemed to be unfit. He’d like Illinoisans to have the same right.

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This would only apply to Illinois governors. Some questioned why other top elected officials wouldn’t be impacted as well. It wouldn’t be easy to recall a governor; thousands of signatures and the support of several lawmakers would be needed.

The Illinois senate has approved a major gambling expansion plan, but the future of the proposal is in doubt.

The legislation adds four new casinos, to be located in Rockford, Waukegan, Chicago, and Danville. It also allows slot machines at horse racing tracks and more gaming positions at existing riverboats. Senator Michael Frerichs of Champaign is thrilled that a downstate site was chosen.

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The plan would also need to be approved by the house, which hasn’t shown much interest in such a large expansion of gaming. Opponents argue it would make Illinois the gambling capital of the nation.

The Illinois senate has approved a two percent income tax hike to help fill a massive budget hole and provide more money for education.

The legislation passed on a 31 to 27 vote. It raises the state income tax to five percent, and expands the Illinois sales tax to some services. Opponents argue the increase isn’t needed, and that more cuts can be made to state government. But senator Rickey Hendon of Chicago says there is no way they can cut their way out of a nearly 12 billion dollar budget deficit.

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This is not the tax plan that governor Pat Quinn has been pushing, and it now heads to the house for consideration.