(SPRINGFIELD) Illinois lawmakers returned to the State Capitol yesterday to continue the spring legislative session in Springfield. At the top of the many issues facing statewide lawmakers is a new state budget for the fiscal year that will begin July 1st. In fact, Illinois taxpayers will hear more about how Governor J.B. Pritzker plans to spend their tax dollars during the State Budget and State of the State Address which will be Wednesday, February 21st, two weeks from today. Other top issues in the weeks ahead include the estate tax burden for family farms, the ongoing cost of accomodating illegal immigrants in Illinois, and connected issues to the end of cash bail. With various breaks scheduled, the spring session is expected to adjourn May 24th with contingency days scheduled through May 31st.
(SPARTA) The Illinois Department of Natural Resources and the Amateur Trapshooting Association have signed a contract extension that clears the way for the downstate World Shooting & Recreational Complex in Sparta to host the ATA Grand American event through 2036. The Grand American, the largest & oldest shooting competition of its kind, features more than 20 events and attracts more than 5,000 competitors and spectators every year, and since 2006, the event has an estimated economic impact of $25 to $30 million annually.
(SPRINGFIELD) The Office of the Illinois State Fire Marshall is raising awareness about the importance of safety around flammable liquids as this is National Burn Awareness Week across the state and nation. This year’s theme is “Flammable Liquids Burn” and it urges businesses and organizations to mobilize burn, fire, and life safety educators to unite in sharing a common burn awareness and prevention message in statewide communities. The numbers show that someone in America sustains a serious burn injury every 60 seconds.