Cassie Buchman
SJ-R Breaking News
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Past articles by Cassie:
Study: One of four Illinois kindergartners is ready to start school
Just one out of every four Illinois children is fully prepared to enter kindergarten, according to a report released this week by the Illinois State Board → Read More
Senators want Springfield's 183rd to get flying mission again
Springfield’s 183rd Wing, a unit of the Illinois Air National Guard, would receive a flying mission once again under an amendment proposed by Illinois’ two U.S. senators.The amendment, made to the National Defense Authorization Act, which the U.S. Senate is currently debating, would allow the U.S. secretary of the Air Force to transfer A-10, F-16, F-15E/X or F-35 aircraft to the local Guard… → Read More
Senators want Springfield 183rd to get flying mission again
Springfield’s 183rd Wing, a unit of the Illinois Air National Guard, would receive a flying mission once again under an amendment proposed by → Read More
LaHood talks Alzheimer's research funding during visit to med school
U.S. Rep Darin LaHood, R-Peoria, talked Friday about the importance of funding the National Institutes of Health after hearing about Alzheimer’s disease research efforts at Southern Illinois University School of Medicine in Springfield.Jerry Kruse, dean and provost of the medical school, said while there is not a cure for Alzheimer’s, researchers are investigating whether there are ways to… → Read More
$122M in capital plan to make state Armory usable again
More than $100 million has been set aside for renovations at the Illinois State Armory in the hopes the historic — yet vacant and deteriorating — downtown Springfield building can become usable again.A total of $122 million was included in the $45 billion capital plan, approved by lawmakers at the end of the spring session, for “renovation of the Armory, and other capital improvements.”“Funding… → Read More
Taylorville gets $500K in state budget for tornado relief
The city of Taylorville is set to receive $500,000 in the newly approved state budget to help with its ongoing recovery from last year's devastating tornado. Taylorville Mayor Bruce Barry said it's too early to determine exactly how the money will be used, although cleanup, Dumpster fees, and road, sidewalk and alley repairs will likely be in the plan.“We’ll probably use this money to cut some… → Read More
Workplace sex harassment legislation goes to governor
Legislation that lawmakers say is the next step toward stopping sexual harassment in the workplace is poised to go to the governor after being passed unanimously by the Illinois Senate on Sunday.Sen. Melinda Bush, the bill’s sponsor, said the legislation comes from almost two years of work. She introduced the measure after last year’s Senate Task Force on Sexual Discrimination and Harassment… → Read More
Lawmakers approve making medical pot permanent
Days after passing a bill legalizing recreational marijuana, the Illinois Senate approved legislation making Illinois’ medical marijuana program permanent.The program, put into place in 2013, is set to expire next summer.Senate Bill 2023, approved Sunday by the Senate and by the House on Saturday, also would expand the list of medical conditions where patients could use marijuana for relief. The… → Read More
Lawmakers approving making medical pot permanent
Days after passing a bill legalizing recreational marijuana, the Illinois Senate approved legislation making Illinois’ medical marijuana program permanent.The program, put into place in 2013, is set to expire next summer.Senate Bill 2023, approved Sunday by the Senate and by the House on Saturday, also would expand the list of medical conditions where patients could use marijuana for relief. The… → Read More
Senate passes bill intended to protect immigrants
Law enforcement officers would not be allowed to enter into an agreement with U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement under the Keep Illinois Families → Read More
Senate passes bill to enhance penalties for violators of Scott's Law
A bill enhancing penalties for violators of Scott’s law passed the Senate and will now go to the governor.Sen. Tony Munoz said the legislation was spurred by the deaths of Illinois State Police troopers Christopher Lambert and Brooke Jones-Story, who were both struck and killed this year by vehicles as a result of drivers’ failure to follow Scott’s Law.“It’s a shame that we have to do this, but… → Read More
Bill headed to governor defines consent for sex education
A bill requiring a fuller definition of consent to be taught in schools' sex education courses will go to the governor after being unanimously approved in → Read More
Senate approves bill to combat teacher shortages
A bill with several measures intended to lessen Illinois' teacher shortage will now go to the governor.Senate Bill 1952, sponsored by Sen. Andy Manar, D- → Read More
Illinois House approves legislation to protect abortion procedures
Legislation rewriting Illinois’ current abortion law to make it less restrictive passed the House Monday with vote of 64-50.The Reproductive Health → Read More
Abortion law rewrite clears committee, will be heard on House floor
Following an at-times contentious debate, legislation repealing and replacing Illinois’ abortion law with less restrictive language passed a House → Read More
Bill aimed at ending teacher shortage passes House without pension provision
A bill with a variety of measures aiming to help rectify the teacher shortage was passed by the Illinois House on Thursday.Senate Bill 1952 would eliminate the basic skills test, allow school districts to pay student teachers and let teachers in underfunded schools recoup the cost of a teaching assessment called the edTPA.The bill passed the House 88-23 after being approved 51-5 in the Senate. A… → Read More
Community providers outline ways to fix DCFS
Community-based organizations outlined a list of solutions they say will help a child-welfare system in crisis.“Like you we have wept and mourned the deaths reported in the press recently,” Andrea Durbin, CEO of the Illinois Collaboration on Youth, said. “We heard the governor speak out about the hollowing out of (the Department of Children and Family Services).”The University of Chicago’s… → Read More
Abortion bill could see movement at Statehouse
The sponsor of a bill that would replace Illinois' current abortion law with language that is less restrictive said Wednesday she feels the bill will be → Read More
Business, labor groups ask for data center tax incentives
Business and labor groups are asking Gov. J.B. Pritzker and lawmakers to pass a bill giving tax incentives for data centers in Illinois, saying it could → Read More
Local hemp growers, processors excited by possibilities
Now that licenses have gone out and it’s almost time for planting season, growers and processors of industrial hemp in Illinois say they are looking forward to new possibilities the plant can bring.Ashland farmer Chad Wallace — one of hundreds of people who have applied for a hemp license since they became available April 30 — said he is gearing up to plant his hemp seeds in the next few… → Read More