SPRINGFIELD — Sheriffs and Republican state lawmakers are calling on Gov. J.B. Pritzker to scrap a new policy that they say prohibits communication between state, federal and local law enforcement agencies when an undocumented immigrant is released from a state prison after serving a felony sentence.

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

SPRINGFIELD — Governor JB Pritzker said Wednesday that he is backing the development of a multimillion-dollar river port in Cairo, at the confluence of the Mississippi and Ohio Rivers.

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

SPRINGFIELD — Criminal justice reform advocates rallied Tuesday at the Statehouse in hopes of making Illinois one of only a handful of states to eliminate cash bail in all or most criminal cases.

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

A bipartisan group of Illinois lawmakers has gotten behind a proposal to repeal the state’s new car trade-in tax and replace it with a different fee structure.

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

It may not come as a surprise to residents that a new report again found Illinois’ property taxes were the second-highest in the nation, but the debate about how to address the problem continues, including among members of the Illinois Property Tax Relief Task Force.

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

Gov. J.B. Pritzker said Thursday the secretly-recorded conversations he had with then-Gov. Rod Blagojevich in 2008 have no bearing on his efforts to fight corruption in Illinois.

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

MARYLAND HEIGHTS — A gunman walked into the Maryland Heights Community Center Monday night and began shooting, a witness said.

Here’s a link to the story at the St. Louis Post-Dispatch.

Recreational marijuana sales in Illinois generated more than $10 million in tax revenue in January, putting the state on track to surpass Gov. J.B. Pritzker’s budget estimates.

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

Steve Sawalich, President of the southern Illinois Old King Coal Festival announced nominations are being accepted for the 2020 Old King Coal. Old King Coal will reign over this year’s festival which will be held May 7th thru the 9th in down
town West Frankfort.

This honor is bestowed annually to a deserving coal miner. All living Southern Illinois miners are eligible, regardless of age or number of years they have worked in the mines. Nomination forms can be downloaded from the festival website at www.oldkingcoalfestival.org. Forms are also available at the water office at West Frankfort City Hall, West Frankfort Chamber of Commerce or Advanced Hearing Center in the West Frankfort Outlet Mall. Nominations can be mailed to Old King Coal Festival, P.O. Box 242, West Frankfort, Illinois 62896. Deadline to submit a nomination is Monday, March 16, 2020. Old King Coal will be crowned during the Old King Coal Festival Princess Flame Scholarship Pageant on Saturday, April 4th to be held at Paschedag Auditorium at Frankfort Community High School in West Frankfort.

The 2020 Old King Coal Festival kicks off Thursday May 7th with bargain night on the midway. There is free entertainment each evening on the main stage. Other events include the Coal Miners Memorial Service and Grand Parade. For a complete schedule of all events or to download nomination forms for Old King Coal and entry forms for the Princess Flame Scholarship pageant go to www.oldkingcoalfestival.org.