Durkin: Budget negotiations hit new snag as spending bill changes; fate of tax increase vote in doubt

July 2, 2017 By Leave a Comment

https://www.ilnews.org/news/state_politics/durkin-budget-negotiations-hit-new-snag-as-spending-bill-changes/article_f323fe36-5f52-11e7-87bf-97f3a51bc251.html

SPRINGFIELD, IL – (Greg Bishop, Illinois News Network.  Please click on the link above for the full story.  Here is an excerpt below.)

Senate Minority Leader, Jim Durkin (Blue Room Stream photo)

Budget negotiations at the state Capitol hit another snag Sunday as House Minority Leader Jim Durkin accused Democrats of making changes to legislation at the last minute.

Emerging from a Republican caucus meeting Sunday afternoon, Durkin said Democrats added a new amendment to their $36.5 billion spending bill.

Late Saturday, Speaker Michael Madigan announced a vote on a tax increase package would be held Sunday. But Durkin said that Republicans couldn’t put votes behind tax increases without knowing what’s in the spending plan.

Filed Under: Breaking News, Slider, State News

Lawmakers return to Capitol to vote on $5 billion in tax hikes; session start pushed back to 2:30

July 2, 2017 By Leave a Comment

https://www.ilnews.org/news/state_politics/lawmakers-return-to-capitol-to-vote-on-billion-in-tax/article_8a223c84-5f22-11e7-8c2c-0fe7e9a6269b.html

SPRINGFIELD, IL – (Greg Bishop and Dan McCaleb, Illinois News Network.  Please click on the link above for the full story.  Here is an excerpt below.)

Members of the Illinois House return to special session this afternoon to vote on a tax hike package that includes increases to the state’s income and corporate tax rates. What’s unclear is whether reform measures that Republicans, including Gov. Bruce Rauner, have pushed for will get a vote.

Speaker Michael Madigan announced the tax incease vote late Saturday after Republicans accused him of stalling budget negotiations. Today’s session was scheduled to start at 2 p.m. but has been pushed back to 2:30.

At stake for taxpayers is a 32 percent income tax hike that would move the rate from 3.75 percent to 4.95 percent effective July 1. If the increase is approved by a three-fifths majority of lawmakers and signed by Rauner, a family with household income of $60,000 a year would owe the state about an additional $720 each year. Their rates would increase from about $2,250 annually to about $2,970, depending on how many exemptions they claim. The corporate tax rate would increase from 5.25 percent to 7 percent, a 33 percent hike.

Filed Under: Breaking News, State News

Legalize fireworks in Illinois

July 2, 2017 By Leave a Comment

by Steve Dunford

Whether growing up as a kid, or even in my adult life, this time of year meant the annual  trip to Reeves Boomland in Charleston, Missouri.

I guarantee if you drove down there today, at least eight out of ten license plates would be from Illinois.  If you would go to a fireworks tent in Cape Girardeau or McBride MO, across from Chester, you would see the same thing.

Here is my reasoning, it is obvious the State of Illinois is beyond broke.  Every Illinois plate at a fireworks stand, results in sales tax revenue that is lost to Missouri   The trip to to Boomland, usually calls for hopping back on Interstate 57, and heading to Lamberts.  That is more tax revenue lost for the state.

I remember when I was a kid, we took a family trip to  Springfield for a couple days.  After touring the capital, there was a fireworks stand within a block.  They were not selling smoke bombs, snakes and sparklers either.  The Black Cat flag flying in front, was an attention getter of two grade school boys.  It was so close, the stand could have been set up in the rotunda.  Yes, fireworks were illegal in Illinois then.

Compliance for this law is minimal.  It is a law that is very tough to enforce.  I admit this pyromaniac has not been a law abiding citizen around this time of year.  Unfortunately, our law enforcement agencies are kept unusually busy on holiday weekends, by  people choosing to misbehave, and in recent history, they are working a wreck somewhere on I-57.  Being on bottle rocket and firecracker patrol  ends up taking a low priority.

I watched out my window last night and there was a good display.  I enjoyed watching them.

Even though they are illegal in Illinois, there will be lots of non-compliance over the next few days.  Please be careful, safe, and use some common sense.  Alcohol and explosives do not mix.  Please do not keep the area Emergency Rooms hopping being foolish.

I realize it does not get totally dark until after 9:00 p.m.  Please be respectful to your neighbors.  Past 11 p.m. is too late to be shooting them off.

We live in the greatest nation in the world.  If you live in this country, you have a high standard of living, compared to those across the globe.   Pause and remember those who paid the cost for our freedoms.  Enjoy the time with your family and friends the next few days, and make it an effort to create some lifelong memories.

 

 

 

Filed Under: Columns, Opinion

Family Fun Sunday: Fireworks Edition returns on Sunday, June 27th

July 2, 2017 By Leave a Comment
MARION, IL Family Fun Sunday presented by WSIL Channel 3 TV is BACK with a bang this Sunday, July 2nd! With a special Sunday start time of 7:05 pm, the Miners will light the skies with a special Sunday Night Fireworks show!

Don’t forget fans, kids 12 and under get in FREE! For more information on Family Fun Sunday, contact the Miners Box Office at 618-998-8499!

Filed Under: Slider, Sports

Stubblefield Dominates As Miners Top CornBelters, Take Series

July 2, 2017 By Leave a Comment

From the Southern Illinois Miners

MARION, IL – The Southern Illinois Miners got a phenomenal start from left-hander Tyler Stubblefield and a three-run rally in the bottom of the fifth to beat the Normal CornBelters 3-1 at Rent One Park on Saturday night, clinching a series victory at home with their fifth-straight home win and 10th win in their last 14 games overall.

Miners lefty Tyler Stubblefield works seven strong innings to pick up the victory for the Miners. (Southern Illinois Miners photo)

The game began with both Stubblefield (3-1) and Normal’s Julio Vivas (3-4) dominating against the opposing offenses on the hill. The Miners got just four baserunners in the first four innings against Vivas on three singles and a walk, while Stubblefield allowed just two walks and one batter reaching base on an error without permitting a hit in his first four innings of work. After Miguel Torres doubled inside third base to lead off the fifth inning with Normal’s first hit, Stubblefield held the CornBelters off the board, and the Miners’ offense went to work in the bottom half.

Ben Moore led off with an infield single and Ryan Sluder followed with a walk. A fielder’s choice by Craig Massey put men at first and third base with one out, and Ryan Lashley‘s RBI single put the first run on the board and made it 1-0 Southern Illinois. After a fielder’s choice for the second out, Craig Massoni walked to load the bases, and Nolan Earley worked an eight-pitch at-bat against Vivas before lifting a two-run single into right-center field for a 3-0 lead.

Earley’s blow would end up being the deciding one in the game, as Stubblefield cruised along until a leadoff solo homer by Brian Hakes made the score 3-1 in the top of the eighth inning. After a single by Santiago Chirino with one out, Kyle Tinius came on and got the final two outs in the frame to hold the lead, and John Werner needed only five pitches to work a scoreless ninth inning to earn his ninth save and secure the win for Southern Illinois.

Southern Illinois received a balanced effort offensively, with seven of the nine batters in the order recording a hit. Massey finished 2-for-5, while Earley went 1-for-3 with two RBIs, extending a hitting streak to seven games in a row to lead the charge. Stubblefield finished with one run allowed on four hits in seven and one-third innings, striking out five and walking two to get his third straight win.

The Miners will look to sweep the CornBelters in their final home contest before the all-star break on Sunday night at 7:05 p.m. A starter to be named will pitch for the Miners, while Normal will counter with right-hander Charlie Gillies.

The Southern Illinois Miners are the 2016 Frontier League West Division Champions, the 2014 and 2015 Frontier League East Division Champions and the 2012 Frontier League Champions. They have been awarded the Frontier League Organization of the Year award three times since their inception, and also set a new Frontier League attendance record in 2007, their inaugural season. For ticket information, contact the Rent One Park box office at (618) 998-8499. For any additional information, visit our website at www.southernillinoisminers.com.

Box Score

Batting Stats

Normal
# Batter P AB R H RBI BB SO AVG
10 Ruiz, Y 2B 4 0 0 0 0 0 .305
12 Chirino, S SS 4 0 1 0 0 1 .348
7 Dudley, A 1B 2 0 0 0 2 1 .364
15 Solorzano, J CF 4 0 1 0 0 0 .313
5 Meadows, N RF 4 0 0 0 0 1 .257
11 Fletcher, J DH 4 0 1 0 0 1 .317
24 Torres, M 3B 4 0 1 0 0 0 .281
31 Middleton, J LF 3 0 0 0 0 2 .196
8 Carillo, F C 2 0 0 0 0 0 .000
18   Hakes, B C 1 1 1 1 0 0 .261
32 1 5 1 2 6

Batting
2B: J.Solorzano (6), M.Torres (7).  HR: B.Hakes (2).  RBI: B.Hakes (5).
Team LOB: 6.

Fielding  A: Y.Ruiz (34), S.Chirino 2 (132), A.Dudley 3 (32), J.De Marte (1).  PO: Y.Ruiz (14), S.Chirino 3 (70), A.Dudley 4 (355), J.Solorzano 2 (17), M.Torres 3 (29), J.Middleton 2 (27), F.Carillo 7 (8), B.Hakes 2 (58).
SBA: F.Carillo 2 (2).  TC: Y.Ruiz 2 (51), S.Chirino 5 (209), A.Dudley 7 (394), J.Solorzano 2 (20), M.Torres 3 (101), J.Middleton 2 (29), F.Carillo 7 (11), B.Hakes 2 (61), J.De Marte (1).

S Illinois
# Batter P AB R H RBI BB SO AVG
23 Massey, C SS 5 1 2 0 0 1 .315
19 Lashley, R 3B 5 0 1 1 0 1 .246
6 Wiley, B 2B 3 1 0 0 1 2 .259
11 Massoni, C 1B 3 0 1 0 1 1 .258
15 Earley, N RF 3 0 1 2 1 1 .239
25 Martin, W DH 4 0 1 0 0 0 .291
8 Wertz Jr., K LF 4 0 0 0 0 2 .215
7 Moore, B C 3 1 1 0 1 0 .229
5 Sluder, R CF 2 0 1 0 2 1 .238
32 3 8 3 6
S Illinois
# Batter P AB R H RBI BB SO AVG
23 Massey, C SS 5 1 2 0 0 1 .315
19 Lashley, R 3B 5 0 1 1 0 1 .246
6 Wiley, B 2B 3 1 0 0 1 2 .259
11 Massoni, C 1B 3 0 1 0 1 1 .258
15 Earley, N RF 3 0 1 2 1 1 .239
25 Martin, W DH 4 0 1 0 0 0 .291
8 Wertz Jr., K LF 4 0 0 0 0 2 .215
7 Moore, B C 3 1 1 0 1 0 .229
5 Sluder, R CF 2 0 1 0 2 1 .238
32 3 8 3 6

Batting
RBI: R.Lashley (33), N.Earley 2 (18).
SB: N.Earley (1), R.Sluder (1).
Team LOB: 11.

Fielding
A: C.Massey 3 (100), R.Lashley 2 (54), B.Wiley (29), T.Stubblefield 2 (7).
E: R.Lashley (10).  PO: C.Massey 2 (76), B.Wiley 2 (21), C.Massoni 7 (42), N.Earley 4 (69), K.Wertz Jr. 4 (23), B.Moore 6 (242), R.Sluder 2 (11).
TC: C.Massey 5 (178), R.Lashley 3 (79), B.Wiley 3 (57), C.Massoni 7 (45), N.Earley 4 (73), K.Wertz Jr. 4 (25), B.Moore 6 (257), R.Sluder 2 (11), T.Stubblefield 2 (8).

Pitching Stats

Normal
# Pitcher IP H R ER BB SO ERA
23   Vivas, J 6.0 6 3 3 4 7 3.69
26 De Marte, J 2.0 2 0 0 2 2 1.50
8 8 3 3 6 9

Pitching
BF: J.Vivas 28, J.De Marte 10.  P-S: J.Vivas 111-65, J.De Marte 41-22.
WP: J.Vivas (1).

S Illinois
# Pitcher IP H R ER BB SO ERA
38 Winning Pithcer  Stubblefield, T 7.1 4 1 1 2 5 3.66
40 Tinius, K 0.2 0 0 0 0 1 2.46
28 Save Pithcer  Werner, J 1.0 1 0 0 0 0 2.49
9 5 1 1 2 6

Pitching
BF: T.Stubblefield 29, K.Tinius 2, J.Werner 3.
P-S: T.Stubblefield 103-76, K.Tinius 8-6, J.Werner 5-5.

1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 R H E
Normal 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 1 0 1 5 0
S Illinois 0 0 0 0 3 0 0 0 x 3 8 1

Miners Transactions

06/26/17 Southern Illinois Miners 1B  Massoni, Craig acquired in trade from Gateway Grizzlies for a player to be named later or a first round draft pick on 2018.

 

 

 

 

Filed Under: Slider, Sports

Appeals Court Rules Against Term Limits on the Ballot

July 2, 2017 By Leave a Comment

http://www.nbcchicago.com/blogs/ward-room/Appeals-Court-Rules-Against-Term-Limits-on-the-Ballot-272163291.html

NOTE:  Here is a link to an Associated Press story shared by the NBC affiliate in Chicago. It was from sometime in 2014, where a state appellate court ruled against term limits appearing on the November ballot of the ’14 election  Bruce Rauner was a candidate for governor then.

I am a strong proponent of them.  If they were in place, the mess in Springfield would be solved.  Mike Madigan would be out of office.

Please click on the link above.  It is an interesting read.

Filed Under: Breaking News, State News

Madigan: $5 billion tax increase vote coming Sunday

July 2, 2017 By Leave a Comment

SPRINGFIELD, IL – (Greg Bishop and Dan McCaleb, Illinois News Network.  Please click on the link above for the full story.  Here is an excerpt below.)

Illinoisans very well could learn Sunday whether their taxes are going up and, if so, by how much. Based on legislation passed by Senate Democrats in May and ongoing discussions through June’s special session, the tax increase is expected to total at least $5 billion and include a 32 percent income tax hike on Illinois workers.

House Speaker Michael Madigan, after being accused of stalling budget negotiations earlier in the day, issued a statement late Saturday afternoon saying that the House would vote Sunday on a tax increase package he claims is supported by Republicans.

There is no agreement on a comprehensive budget package that includes reforms and revenue,” according to Senate Minority Leader Jim Durkin, R-Naperville, said. “This impasse can only be resolved in a negotiated manner. It is our hope that Democrats will remain at the negotiating table.”

Filed Under: Breaking News, Slider, State News

Another accident on Interstate 57

July 2, 2017 By Leave a Comment

by Steve Dunford

According to Southern Illinois Fire Incidents, the Southbound lane of I-57 is closed at the 75 mile marker.  Traffic is nearly backed up to the Ina exit.

Sesser Fire and Rescue is responding to a motor vehicle accident with a semi involved.  I am unsure if any other vehicles were in the crash.

Even though the northbound lane is not closed, it would be wise to exit at Benton, in case traffic is slowed.

Filed Under: Breaking News, Franklin Co. News

Heroes and Horsepower big success

July 1, 2017 By Leave a Comment

From the Zeigler Fire Department

ZEIGLER, IL  We cannot say thank you enough for all of the support that we received today at our 2017 Heroes and Horsepower Car and Truck show benefitting our Raise the Roof fund.

Jared Sieveking, (right) from Buckner Fire and Rescue  with Zeigler Mayor Dennis Mitchell, left. Sieveking accepted the award on behalf of the department for winning the  Emergency vehicles division today. (From Connie Sieveking’s Facebook page.

We had 92 cars and trucks at our show today and we cooked and sold 200 burgers and 150 hot dogs. We had amazing sponsors, participants, and members of our department who stepped up to make this show a HUGE success.

We would also like to thank Mayor Dennis Mitchell, City Clerk Pam Perry, Water Clerk Jane Edwards, and the City of Zeigler Street Department for their parts in making this event come together. A big thank you goes out to Franklin County Emergency Management for them allowing us the use of their mobile command trailer, generator, and personnel for this event.

We would also like to thank Hot Rod Nights for their amazing support planning this event, and providing top notch awards for our event. We cannot wait to see everyone back next year for what we hope is a bigger and better event.

Filed Under: Breaking News, Franklin Co. News, Slider, Zeigler News

Wacha, Mejia carry the Cardinals to victory

July 1, 2017 By Leave a Comment

by Steve Dunford

ST LOUIS, MO –  Michael Wacha pitched six scoreless innings, giving up four hits and striking out nine, and Alex Mejia picked up his first major league hit, and hit is first big league homer as well, as the Cardinals win their fourth in a row, beating the Washington Nationals 2-1.

Gio Gonzales was very good, took the loss.  He pitched seven innings, allowing two hits.  He fell to 7-3 on the season.

For the most part, the Cardinal bullpen was very good.  Brett Cecil worked a scoreless 7th.  Sueng Hwan Oh struck out two batters in the 8th.  Tyler Lyons came in and picked up the third out in the inning.

Trevor Rosenthal, to say it mildly, had another rough outing.  He gave up the only Cardinal run on two hits, two walks, and missed the bag on a potential game winning double play.

Matheny gives Rosenthal the hook after loading the bases in favor of Matt Bowman.   The pitchers spot was up, and Nationals manager Dusty Baker, goes to Adrian Sanchez, who was the last position player on the bench for his first Major League at bat.

Sanchez hangs tough as he goes down on strikes looking.  Bowman picks up his first save of the season.

Wacha improves to 5-3 on the Season.

Carlos Martinez, 6-6, 2.88, takes the mound for the Cardinals against Matt Scherzer in a league leading 9-5, 2.06, on Sunday Night Baseball at 7:00 p.m. on ESPN.  This will be one of the best pitching matchups of the year across Major League Baseball.

 

Filed Under: Sports
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