South Central Reporter

The Illinois General Assembly has passed legislation requiring the Illinois Department of Transportation (IDOT) to make public its road studies on traffic and environmental impact. The measure, sponsored by State Senator Jason Plummer (R-Edwardsville) in the Senate and filed by Representative Charlie Meier (R-Okawville) in the House, aims to save money on local projects while improving transparency.

“By making these reports public, counties and local governments can save the taxpayers significant money for road projects if the state has already put together a similar report,” said Senator Plummer. “At the same time, it will make sure there is more transparency in state decision-making; we will know what they are basing decisions on, and whether or not it is the right move.”

House Bill 5138 mandates that IDOT release any study or survey related to traffic or environmental impacts of road construction projects. The bill passed the Illinois Senate on May 16th and now awaits the Governor's approval.

On May 15th, hundreds of members of the Chicago Teachers Union (CTU) took a taxpayer-funded day off to rally at the Capitol for $1 billion more in state funding for Chicago Public Schools (CPS). This action prompted criticism from Republican lawmakers who highlighted special funding CPS receives that other schools do not.

Under the Evidence-Based Funding model, school districts are divided into four tiers based on their need for new state funding. CPS has moved up to Tier 2 since this formula was enacted due to additional state support. Senator Plummer noted that CPS has received disproportionate shares of education resources through special grants like the Chicago Block Grant.

Republican lawmakers argued that in a tight budget year, demands from CTU and Chicago’s Mayor are out of touch with fiscal realities as Illinois crafts its Fiscal Year 2025 budget.

A new bill aimed at enhancing roadway safety has advanced in the Senate. House Bill 4255, sponsored by State Senator Erica Harriss, proposes allowing green lights on tow trucks and emergency vehicles at accident scenes to improve visibility for motorists. This measure responds to safety concerns following an incident where a tow truck operator was fatally struck last year.

The bill seeks to ensure better visibility during daylight hours and encourage drivers to slow down near emergency vehicles. Having passed both legislative chambers, it now moves to Governor’s desk for consideration.

State leaders gathered in Springfield on May 14th for the 31st Annual Fallen Firefighter Memorial and Medal of Honor Ceremony. The event honored five firefighters who died in service last year: Jermaine Pelt, Jan Tchoryk, Kevin Ward, Andrew “Drew” Price from Chicago Fire Department/EMT; and Larry Peasley from Maroa Countryside Fire Protection District Chief.

Additionally, twelve firefighters were awarded medals of honor or valor for acts of bravery. According to U.S. Fire Administration data, firefighter casualties continue rising with twenty-five recorded deaths this year nationwide including one from Aurora last month.

Spring planting in Illinois is progressing but lags behind last year's pace due partly due seed inventory concerns despite recent dry weather aiding progressions according USDA’s National Agricultural Statistics Service (NASS). So far farmers have planted 42% corn acres &39% soybean acres compared with81%&74% respectively same period previous year when IL led nation soybean production yielding nearly649 million bushels ranking second corn production over2 .27 billion bushels produced Farmers continue using roads coming weeks completing planting season caution advised drivers agricultural equipment travels slower than car traffic