May, 2017 Stories | West Central Reporter

Hiking minimum wage would kill businesses, cut jobs, Reis maintains

By Hoang Tran | May 30, 2017

A bill to raise the statewide minimum wage to $15 would actually more than double the current minimum wage, Rep. David Reis (R-Willow Hill) asserted on Tuesday during House debate on SB81.

Offering grants to 'B' students impossible in a failing state, Hammond, Davidsmeyer say

By Hoang Tran | May 30, 2017

A bill to provide College Affordability Grants to college students who maintain a "B" average passed the House on Monday despite criticism from Republicans such as Rep. Norine Hammond (R-Macomb) and C.D. Davidsmeyer (R-Jacksonville).

Greenville City Council met May 24.

By Lhalie Castillo | May 29, 2017

Greenville City Council met at 5 p.m. Wednesday, May 24.

Schuyler-Industry CUSD 5 Board of Education will meet May 30.

By Lhalie Castillo | May 29, 2017

Schuyler-Industry CUSD 5 Board of Education will meet at 6 p.m. Tuesday, May 30.

Village of Minier Board met May 2.

By Lhalie Castillo | May 29, 2017

Village of Minier Board met Tuesday, May 2.

Lewiston City Council met April 25.

By Lhalie Castillo | May 29, 2017

Lewiston City Council met Tuesday, April 25.

Macomb City Council Committee of the Whole will meet May 30.

By Lhalie Castillo | May 29, 2017

Macomb City Council Committee of the Whole will meet at 5 p.m. Tuesday, May 30.

Illini West High School District 307 Board of Education met May 2.

By Lhalie Castillo | May 29, 2017

Illini West High School District 307 Board of Education met Tuesday, May 2.

Dallas Elementary School District 327 Board of Education met April 27.

By Lhalie Castillo | May 29, 2017

Dallas Elementary School District 327 Board of Education met Thursday, April 27.

Bond County multiplier drops from previous year

By Jessica Waters | May 28, 2017

The Illinois Department of Revenue has assigned Bond County a tentative property assessment equalization factor of 1.000 for 2016, a slight reduction from last year’s rate of 1.0432.

Manar attacks Kankakee Times for publishing school funding numbers

By Michael McGrady | May 26, 2017

Sen. Andy Manar (D-Bunker Hill) is demanding a state investigation after the Kankakee Times reported on the anticipated district-by-district financial impact of his Senate Bill 1, which promises to change the state's formula for dispensing money to public schools.

Rauner says end run around Madigan only way forward for Illinois

By Caitlin Nordahl | May 26, 2017

The buckling stops here, Gov. Bruce Rauner said during a call-in radio show recently.

Watchdogs: Who's Joe, and why did Mautino pay him $12,487?

By Caitlin Nordahl | May 26, 2017

As a state lawmaker, Frank Mautino paid nearly $12,500 in campaign fund cash to a man named Joe without keeping any supporting receipts, according to a government oversight group.

Report shows 'true' accounting of pension liabilities more than double what governments say; Expert: debt is 'utterly absurd'

By Ann Maher, Madison County Record | May 26, 2017

Financial expert Mark Glennon of Wilmette says in his analysis of a new study on state and local pensions that the options available to reduce the substantial obligations facing Illinois funds include amending the state constitution or going through federal bankruptcy.