Gov. J.B. Pritzker is set to unveil a six-year, $41.5 billion plan to repair Illinois’ crumbling roads, bridges, public schools and university buildings in a massive proposal that calls for nearly $1.8 billion in new taxes and tax increases, according to documents provided to lawmakers at a Friday briefing.

Here’s a link to the story at the Chicago Tribune.

This year’s recipient of the Franklin County Farm Bureau Foundation Scholarship was Morgan Robertson from Benton High School. Morgan is the daughter of Kelly and Lori Robertson of Benton, IL.

Morgan also received the Franklin County Farm Bureau Young Leaders Scholarship as well as the first Farm City Days Committee Scholarship.

The is enrolled in Ag Business at Rend Lake College studying Plant and Soil Science with a focus on Plant Genetics. She has been in FFA at Benton High School all four years and has held the positions of Sentinel, Reporter and her Senior year was President.

Morgan also received the People’s Bank Scholarship, The Legence Bank/Mr. A Scholarship and the Rend Lake College Foundation/Mr. A Scholarship. She has been on the National Honor Society for four years.

Morgan has been working for Precision Crop Services LLC in Benton, IL as a Soil Technician for three years.

We are very proud of Morgan and what she has accomplished and know that she will continue to make us proud. Morgan is planning on staying in or returning to the area after her education is complete.

Pictured are Cailah Heinrich – Farm City Days Committee, Kendall Browning – District 17 Young Leader Chair representing the Franklin County Young Leaders Committee, Morgan Robertson and her father Kelly Robertson Vice-President of the Franklin County Farm Bureau Board of Directors.

HerrinFesta Italiana is a celebration of the rich Italian heritage in Herrin.

Here’s a link to the story at the Southern Illinoisan.

The ongoing trade battle between the U.S. and China has hit Illinois harder than the rest of the nation.

Here’s a link to the story at Illinois News Network.

More than 30 people were hospitalized after an accident in the Chicago suburb of Beach Park last month after tanks of anhydrous ammonia, a compressed gas used to fertilize corn, leaked into the atmosphere.

Here’s a link to the story at Illinois News Network.

BENTON, IL- The U.S. Army Corps of Engineers St. Louis District Commander Col. Bryan Sizemore will visit the Rend Lake Project Office & Visitor Center on Thursday, May 23, 2019 for a Partnership Ceremony. The Commander will honor two Franklin County Deputies for their acts of valor while saving a young woman’s life at Rend Lake. The Colonel will also sign a partnership agreement for the North Marcum Improvement Project which includes construction of an archery complex and mountain bike trail. Lastly, he will recognize Rend Lake’s partners which worked diligently to complete the new Pollinator Trail Project and open the new area with a ribbon cutting.

09:30 – 09:50 Welcome and Introductions (Operations Manager Jackie Taylor)
Recognition of Franklin County Deputies (COL Bryan Sizemore)

09:50 – 10:10 Project and Partner Summary (Operations Manager Jackie Taylor)
Signing of the North Marcum Improvement Partnership Agreement
(COL Bryan Sizemore and Partner Representatives Sign)

The North Marcum Improvement Project Partnership Agreement brings multiple local, regional, and national partners together to provide a 40 acre archery complex, including both a range and a trail, and 12+ miles of mountain bike trails.

10:10 – 10:30 Move to the Pollinator Trail
Project and Partner Contribution Summary (Park Ranger Cassie Magsig)
Recognition of the Pollinator Trail Project Partners (COL Bryan Sizemore)
Ribbon Cutting and Grand Opening of the Pollinator Trail Project
(All Trail Project Partners, Operations Manager Jackie Taylor, and COL Bryan Sizemore)

Fourteen partners came together to provide Rend Lake visitors with a new 1200 foot long universally accessible trail encircling the Catfish Cove Pond; four accessible fishing piers; a covered bench; a half mile long nature trail; and over 5 acres of native pollinator plantings.

SPRINGFIELD — Illinois’ capital-city newspaper, a 188-year-old institution tied intimately to Abraham Lincoln, is without a news chief after its editor resigned in hopes of sparing more layoffs, according to a staff writer.

Here’s a link to the story at the Southern Illinoisan.

An expert says Lyme disease cases in Illinois will likely continue to rise this year after having shown a gradual increase in recent years.

Here’s a link to the story at Illinois News Network.

On this Earth Day, the Illinois Department of Transportation is getting in on the good-for-the-planet action.

Here’s a link to the story at Illinois News Network.

Illinois’ governor said the flooding in Illinois is worse and more frequent than in the past.

Here’s a link to the story at Illinois News Network.