As Michigan legalizes marijuana, the race is on with Illinois for 1st commercial sales in Midwest

When Michigan legalizes possession of marijuana Thursday, the drug will join craft beers, perfect summers and the Upper Peninsula as tourist attractions for out-of-staters.

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

Retailers wary of Pritzker’s promise to increase statewide minimum wage

Gov.-elect J.B. Pritzker this week announced his Job Creation and Economic Opportunity Committee, which features members of the labor and business communities. One member, the president of an Illinois business group, is asking state policymakers to consider the full effects of a proposed raise to the state’s minimum wage.

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

George H.W. Bush returns to Houston church he spent 50 years worshipping for final goodbye

HOUSTON — The spiritual home for the past half century to George H.W. and Barbara Bush began its final goodbye Wednesday as the 41st president’s body was carried inside with echoes of Hail to Chief still ringing in the air.

Here’s a link to the story at USA Today.

SIUC’s Simon Institute tackles ‘ugly’ politics with Statesmanship Initiative

CARBONDALE — John Shaw wants to talk about statesmanship.

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

Rauner says lawmakers who voted to override his vetoes will cost taxpayers

Gov. Bruce Rauner said Thursday that taxpayers will end up paying for the decisions of lawmakers who voted to override two of his vetoes.

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

Taylorville tornado will be ‘bad memory’ in a year, first responder says

Emergency response crews continued to survey and clean up damage from a line of tornadoes that raked central Illinois Saturday evening.

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

Former Alexander County Housing director must pay HUD $500K after using federal money on travel, gifts

CAIRO — Former Alexander County Housing Authority Executive Director James Wilson was ordered Wednesday to pay a penalty of $500,000 for making false claims while he was the director, court documents show.

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

State lawmaker apologizes for ‘broth of Legionella’ comment, says she won’t resign

The Democrat who said she wanted to give a Republican colleague’s family a “broth of Legionella” so they would “ultimately die” during a heated debate apologized, but won’t resign.

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

Bill to abolish some local townships, road districts moves ahead

A bill that would make it easier to eliminate some units of government in two of the state’s 102 counties could be on its way to Illinois Gov. Bruce Rauner’s desk this week.

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

Gov.-elect Pritzker taps committee, including CPS CEO, to come up with fixes to state education woes

Gov.-elect J.B. Pritzker tapped a new committee Tuesday to tackle some of Illinois’ urgent issues in K-12 and higher education, leaning on Chicago and state officials to develop solutions to immense challenges worsened by long-standing budget problems.

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

Benton, West Frankfort, Illinois News | Franklin County News