Among Illinois’ 250 or so new laws for 2019 are a pair of hotly debated new gun laws. 

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

A sex abuse survivors network wants attorneys general in other states to follow Illinois’ lead in independently investigating the Catholic Church and holding it accountable failing to report allegations of child sex abuse.
Here’s a link to the story at Illinois News Network.

CARBONDALE — A year into a legal battle with the Illinois Department of Corrections, Strawberry Hampton, a transgender inmate who alleges she’s been abused at state men’s prisons — including Menard and Pinckneyville — has been transferred to a women’s facility.

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

State government researchers released a new report this week detailing how Illinois’ taxes and business climate compare to other states as lawmakers study ways to pay for transportation projects throughout the state and Gov.-elect J.B. Pritzker looks to implement the promises he made on the campaign trail.

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

CARBONDALE — Nathan Duffield has found a lot of junk on the river: sunglasses that usually are too scratched to be used, fishing lures, pocket knives — mostly things that don’t float when someone’s boat flips.

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

Illinois had one of the largest population declines in the nation in 2018, the continuation of a yearslong retreat from the state, according to figures the U.S. Census Bureau released Wednesday.

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

Hundreds of new laws go into effect Jan. 1, but the one that will save you time at the Secretary of State’s Office isn’t among them.

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

Repurpose Your Christmas Tree for Another Life of Service

Benton, IL – Repurpose your live Christmas tree by donating it to the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers at Rend Lake. All donated trees will be bundled together, weighted, and placed in the lake to create underwater fish structures. The tree bundles serve as feeding areas for fish of all sizes, a safe refuge for small fish, and excellent fishing spots for anglers.
To donate your live Christmas tree, bring it to any of the following locations around Rend Lake, Mt. Vernon, or Marion: Locations at Rend Lake include: Sugar Creek parking lot, located at the intersection of Licata and Mine 24 roads; Dam West boat ramp, located on the west end of the main dam; or Jackie Branch boat ramp, located north of Rt. 154 across from the Barren Township building. Tree donations will be accepted at all Rend Lake locations until January 11, 2019.
Locations in Mt. Vernon include: Veterans Park Softball Field and Optimist Park at 903 Pace Avenue. Tree donations will be accepted at the Mt. Vernon locations until January 7, 2019.
Locations in Marion include: Ray Fosse Park at the “Goofy Golf” parking lot located just north of Route 13 on the east end of Marion at 500 East Deyoung Street and at Pyramid Park in the northernmost picnic shelter parking lot at 1300 Bevabeck Drive. Trees donations will be accepted at the Marion location until January 4, 2019.
Remember that artificial or flocked trees (with artificial snow) cannot be donated. All tinsel, decorations, stands, and plastic bags must be removed from the tree prior to drop off.
In March, Corps of Engineers employees, Illinois Department of Natural Resources fisheries biologists, and volunteers will team up to place the bundled and weighted trees in the lake. Watch your local newspaper and TV station as well as the Rend Lake Project Office/Visitor Center Facebook page for the exact date for the Annual Rend Lake Christmas Tree Drop. Volunteers and outdoor organizations interested in assisting with the Christmas tree drop should contact Cassie Magsig at the Rend Lake Project Office at 618-724-2493.
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The state’s next governor said he’ll make legalizing marijuana a top priority, but adult consumers could be waiting a year or more for recreational sales to begin in Illinois.

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