SPRINGFIELD – A proposal to overhaul Illinois’ decades-old school funding system received Senate approval today, but it faces several more hoops in the House. Senate Bill 16, sponsored by Sen. Andy Manar, D–Bunker Hill, would require the state to appropriate 92 percent of its public school funding based on the financial need of each school…

SPRINGFiELD – The Illinois Senate today passed House Bill 5354 sending it to Gov. Pat Quinn to sign it into law. The so-called “Cupcake Bill” was introduced by state Rep. Charlie Meier, R-Okawville, in an effort to allow home-based kitchen operators to continue functioning. “I am happy to announce the passage of the “Cupcake Bill,”…

COLLINSVILLE – Home Federal Savings & Loan has awarded Collinsville High School seniors Sabrina Flohr and Graydon Baima with $500 college scholarships as local winners in the Community Bankers Association of Illinois Foundation scholarship essay competition. The essays, which focused on the role of community banks in their service areas, were judged by students and…

SPRINGFIELD – Another week of legislative activity has concluded, with just one scheduled week left in the spring session. A lot of action was taken last week as the Senate and House gave final approval to potential new laws, some more controversial than others. Meanwhile, some significant issues remain unresolved. Funding local schools Education funding…

SPRINGFIELD – A plan by state Sen. Julie Morrison, D-Deerfield, to improve the transparency, accountability and effectiveness of the Department of Children and Family Services has cleared the Illinois General Assembly. It now goes to the governor for his approval. “We have to hold DCFS to the highest standards possible,” Morrison said. “Thousands of children…

CHAMPAIGN – U.S. Rep. Rodney Davis, R-Taylorville, today announced that he will be host of a Veterans Job and Resource Fair for 13th District veterans, military service members and their families from 11 a.m. to 2 p.m. on Wednesday, June 4, at Dodds Athletic Center at Parkland College in Champaign. “Transitioning from military to civilian…

FAIRVIEW HEIGHTS – The U.S. attorney for the Southern District of Illinois announced today that Dennis Harold French, 51, of Caseyville was indicted by a federal grand jury on charges that he stole unemployment and disability benefits from the United States Railroad Retirement Board. The indictment alleges that, from May 2009 through June 2012, French…

EDWARDSVILLE – Madison County State’s Attorney Tom Gibbons is claiming victory in a federal civil trial prompted by a former employee of the States Attorney’s Office who was fired by Gibbons for what he said was performance issues related to her work. The case first gained public attention in October 2012 when former Assistant State’s…

WASHINGTON, D.C. – U.S. Sens. Dick Durbin, D-Ill., and Mark Kirk, R-Ill., said today said that the Conference Report of the Water Resources Reform and Development Act of 2014 passed by the U.S. Senate earlier today invests in Illinois priorities and will make Illinois, the Midwest, and the country better prepared for extreme weather events…

ST. LOUIS – Lambert-St. Louis International Airport has opened a transportation-themed play exhibit that will help children burn restless energy and inspire their imaginations at the same time. The Magic House, St. Louis Children’s Museum unveiled the St. Louis International Play Port, a 1,500-square-foot exhibit, in the C Concourse at Gate C2. This interactive exhibit…