ISBE Asking For More Money In New State Budget

Even though Gov. J.B. Pritzker has proposed K-12 funding remain flat for the next fiscal year, the Illinois State Board of Education is asking for more.

The board made their case to a House education appropriations committee for an added $362 million to the state’s evidence-based funding formula and $50 million in early childhood grants. That is a 4.6% increase in fiscal year 2022 in state general funding, increasing the state’s share of education funding to $9.3 billion for the budget year that begins July 1.

“We strongly believe this budget recommendation is necessary to provide the resources our schools, educators and students need to continue to recover equitably from the COVID-19 pandemic,” ISBE Chair Darren Reisberg said.

The evidence-based funding model was passed in 2017 in an effort to direct new education funding to school districts based on a number of factors, including class sizes, local capacity to fund education and more.

ISBE also made requests for added funding for teacher recruiting programs. A recent Illinois Association of Regional Superintendents of Schools survey showed 77% of surveyed school districts reported a teacher shortage problem.

During the meeting, State Rep. Blaine Wilhour of Beecher City asked Superintendent Carmen Ayala if tying funding to school districts open to in-person learning. Ayala was noncommittal.

“We have really worked at encouraging the in-person instruction as much as possible but needing to recognize that every community has their uniqueness to be able to come in fully in-person,” Ayala said.

Ayala told the committee that in fiscal year 2018, there were 168 school districts at or below 60% of funding adequacy. If the funding formula is to be successful in driving districts to the 90% adequacy target by 2027, Ayala said, the state would need to allocate an extra $799 million each year for the next 6 years.

Board officials also noted the application process for a second round of federal COVID-19 relief through the Elementary and Secondary School Emergency Relief program is currently open.

Cumberland County Crash On I-70 Results In Injuries And Citation

ISP INVESTIGATES TRAFFIC CRASH WITH INJURY

The Following Preliminary Information is Being Released by Illinois State Police District 12

WHAT:                      Three Vehicle Traffic Crash with Injury

WHERE:                   Interstate 70 eastbound at Milepost 126, Casey, Cumberland County.

WHEN:                      March 9, 2021 at 2:35 P.M.

VEHICLES:              Unit 1 – White 2016 Freightliner Truck Tractor Semi-Trailer

                                    Unit 2 – Gray 1999 Chevrolet Blazer

                                    Unit 3 – Blue 2016 Freightliner Truck Tractor Semi-Trailer

DRIVERS:                 Unit 1 – Kerry D. Kretchek, a 63-year-old male from Indianapolis, IN – Refused medical attention.

                                    Unit 2 – Jerry D. Hickam, a 63-year-old male from Bloomington, IN – Transported by ambulance to an area hospital with non-life-threatening injuries.

Unit 3 – Robert C. Mohrmanin, a 68-year-old male from Lewes, DE – Refused medical attention. 

PASSENGER:           Jonita L. Hickam, a 61-year-old female from Bloomington, IN - Transported by ambulance to an area hospital with non-life-threatening injuries. 

PRELIMINARY:      Preliminary investigative details indicate the following occurred: Unit 1 was traveling eastbound on Interstate 70, near Milepost 126. Unit 2 was stopped in traffic in the same area. Unit 1 rear ended Unit 2. Unit 2 was then pushed into Unit 3.

The driver of Unit 2 was airlifted to a regional hospital with serious injuries. The passenger of Unit 2 was transported by ambulance to an area hospital with non-life-threatening injuries. All other parties involved refused medical attention. No further information will be disseminated at this time.

CHARGES:               The driver of Unit 1 was issued a citation for Failure to Reduce Speed to Avoid a Crash.

All subjects are presumed innocent until proven guilty in a court of law.

City Council Formally Approves New Water Treatment Plant

After 6 years of planning, the Mt. Carmel City Council has approved building a new $10.4 million water treatment plant. The new plant will be built on the site of the current plant on South Cherry Street that was built in 1936. Water Commissioner Justin Dulgar worked tirelessly on the project that became necessary after the Illinois EPA pointed out several deficiencies with the outdated plant. Water customers will soon notice an increase in their water bills to pay for the project. Dulgar and Mayor Joe Judge both stressed that even with the increase, Mt. Carmel will still have one of the lowest municipal water rate in the state. It’s hoped the new plant will be open in the Spring of 2023.

WSJD File Photo: The new water treatment plant will be built on the site of the current facility.

Rotary Hosting City-Wide Clean-Up Next Week

The Mt. Carmel Rotary Club is looking for volunteers to help clean up the city next week. Mayor Joe Judge, who is also a Rotarian, said volunteers should meet at Merchants Park in the 300 block of Market next Tuesday at 4pm. Maps will be distributed to target various areas of the city.

During his remarks, Judge singled out District #348 superintendent Dr. Chuck Bleyer who recently stepped up with his family to clean a section of Oak Street where littering has become a problem. City crews also recently swept and cleaned up the parking area near the boat ramp where recent flood water had left debris. Judge said a trash can has been placed in that area. The mayor concluded his comments by asking residents not to litter.

COGFA Issues Updated Illinois Budget Estimates

Taxes unemployed Illinoisans have paid on their unemployment benefits helped the state see improved revenues this far into the COVID-19 pandemic, according to the state’s forecasting commission.

Part of the process for crafting the state’s annual spending plan is determining what the revenue estimate is.

The Illinois Commission on Government Forecasting and Accountability met Tuesday in Springfield to provide their latest estimates.

COGFA Revenue Manager Jim Muschinske said when the pandemic hit, they anticipated major losses. With the latest data, the worst didn’t happen and the recovery has been swift.

“Depending on the sector we’re talking about, it may look like a V, it may look like U, it may look like a Nike swoosh, depending on what sector we’re looking at,” Muschinske said.

Consumers beat expectations on economic activity, Muschinske said. That’s despite the governor’s pandemic restrictions. But, as with other economic downturns, he expects Illinois to lag the nation in recovering.

“This has now been established for decades, it’s kind of the way things tend to work its way out,” Muschinske said. “It’s not that we don’t eventually recover, it just takes us longer.”
One indicator the state lags is the unemployment situation, which is still higher than the national average.

“Thankfully we’ve recovered approximately half of the jobs lost, but certainly there is a long way to go,” he said.

And while income taxes are down about 1%, the tax withholding from unemployment is way up, Muschinske said.

“Remember, unemployment benefits are taxable, okay,” he said. “You can see the dramatic shift. That actually is up 167% above the same period last year.”

For personal income taxes, COGFA estimates $23.6 billion for FY 22, down about $458 million from the previous year. Corporate income tax is estimated at around $3.2 billion, down $217 million from the year before. Sales taxes are estimated at $9.5 billion, up $168 million from the year before. Other revenues anticipated to be higher include liquor. Overall, COGFA estimates

COGFA estimates the state’s total revenue for the coming fiscal year based on current law will be $40.4 billion which is around $185 million more than the governor’s office estimates, when removing the governor’s proposals to end nine different tax incentive programs to the tune of $930 million.

Six State Trooper Project Underway

The Indiana State Police will be joining forces this week with Kentucky, Michigan, Ohio, Pennsylvania, and West Virginia State Police agencies, for what is known as the Six-State Trooper Project. During this collective effort, troopers across Indiana will be taking to the roadways March 11th-13th with a primary focus on criminal patrol and drug interdiction.

During this period, motorists can expect to see an increased presence of our troopers on the roadsides conducting traffic stops. Drivers are encouraged to not drive distracted, and to be increasingly aware of the need to move over or slow down as required by state law, and to give troopers the room to work safely.

Why target traffic violations to catch criminals? Troopers understand that the criminal element by and large operates in a mobile environment. Criminals regularly must navigate our roadways while moving from point A to point B. By conducting large scale coordinated road patrols such as the Six-State Trooper Project, we effectively create a bigger net for law enforcement to work. We achieve safer roadways through increased traffic enforcement, with an overall commitment to creating safer communities by getting criminals off the streets.

Help the Indiana State Police Jasper Post make a difference in your community! Motorists that observe high-risk driving behavior, suspect impaired driving, or suspect criminal activity on our roadways, are always encouraged to call 911 or the Indiana State Police Jasper Post directly at 812-482-1441.

Six Vehicle Crash On I-70 Sends Two To Hospital

ISP INVESTIGATES TRAFFIC CRASH WITH INJURY

The Following Preliminary Information is Being Released by Illinois State Police District 12

WHAT:                      Six Vehicle Traffic Crash with Injury

WHERE:                   Interstate 70 eastbound at Milepost 117, Greenup, Cumberland County.

WHEN:                      March 9, 2021 at 4:40 P.M.

VEHICLES:              Unit 1 – Blue 2016 Freightliner Truck Tractor Semi-Trailer

                                    Unit 2 – White 2007 Freightliner Truck Tractor Semi-Trailer

                                    Unit 3 – White 2020 Freightliner Truck Tractor Semi-Trailer

                                    Unit 4 – White 2021 Volvo Truck Tractor Semi-Trailer

                                    Unit 5 – White 2019 Chevrolet Pickup

                                    Unit 6 – White 2016 Freightliner Truck Tractor Semi-Trailer

DRIVERS:                 Unit 1 – Guramritpal Singh, a 23-year-old male from Etobicoke, Ontario – Airlifted to a regional hospital with serious injuries.

                                    Unit 2 – Charantjit Sandhu, a 42-year-old male from Grant Ford, Ontario – Transported by ambulance to an area hospital with non-life-threatening injuries.

Unit 3 – James White, a 58-year-old male from Kansas City, KS – Refused medical attention.

Unit 4 – Donnie Furr, a 59-year-old male from Dallas, TX – Refused medical attention.

                                    Unit 5 – Joseph Crossfield, a 48-year-old male from Cushing, OK – Refused medical attention.

                                    Unit 6 – Alfred Heisler, a 66-year-old male from Warrenton, MO – Refused medical attention.

PRELIMINARY:      Preliminary investigative details indicate the following occurred: Unit 1 was traveling eastbound on Interstate 70, near Milepost 117. Traffic was stopped due to an earlier crash that occurred east of that location. Units 2 through 6 were stopped in traffic in the right lane. The vehicles were in a bumper to bumper, straight line formation. Unit 1 rear ended Unit 2 and the force caused Units 2 through 5 to rear end the Unit in front of them.

The driver of Unit 1 was airlifted to a regional hospital with serious injuries and the driver of Unit 2 was transported by ambulance to an area hospital with non-life-threatening injuries. All other parties refused medical attention. Due to recovery and towing of all the vehicles, eastbound lanes were closed until approximately 6:00 AM on March 10, 2021. No further information will be disseminated at this time.

CHARGES:               The driver of Unit 1 was issued a citation for Failure to Reduce Speed to Avoid a Crash.

All subjects are presumed innocent until proven guilty in a court of law.

Turner Tabbed To Replace Witsman; McWilliams Named New MCPD Chief

At Monday’s Mt. Carmel City Council meeting, Commissioners hired police chief Ryan Turner to replace Rudy Witsman who is retiring June 1st as City Manager.

The council then approved the promotion of Mike McWilliams to chief of police. Eddie Johnson will replace McWilliams as city detective; and Kyle Adams was promoted to sergeant with MCPD.

(L-R) Ryan Turner, Kyle Adams, Mike McWilliams, Eddie Johnson, Mayor Joe Judge.

Sumner Woman Arrested By Gibson County Authorities On Drug Charges

On March 6, 2021, at 1:50 a.m. Deputy Bryce Jutzi conducted a traffic stop on a Black 2019 Chevy for an equipment violation that occurred on US 41 near County Road 950 South. Upon approaching the vehicle Deputy Jutzi detected the odor of burnt Marijuana coming from inside the vehicle. Deputy Quinten Might and Deputy Loren Barchett arrived on scene and assisted Deputy Jutzi in a search of the vehicle. At the conclusion of the search Deputy Quinten Might placed the driver 22-year-old of Sierra Hulfachor of Sumner, Illinois into custody after finding items identified as Marijuana, drug paraphernalia, Legend Drugs and Cocaine were found inside the vehicle. Deputy Might then transported Ms. Hulfachor to the Gibson County Jail where she was charged with Possession of Marijuana, Possession of Paraphernalia, Possession of a Legend Drug, and Possession of Cocaine. She has since posted a $1500 bond.

MCJHS Golden Aces Scholar Bowl Team buzzed into its 2021 season this week

On March 3, The Mt. Carmel Aces hosted Jasper Polecats.  Both Mt. Carmel A and B teams lost to Jasper School of Fairfield. Toss-ups were won by Ayden Oliver (3), Alexa Norrick (1), Keller Guard (1), Maycee Randall (2), Aiden McBroom (2), and Ava Brumagin (1).

On March 4, the Aces traveled to Grayville.  The Mt. Carmel A team won and the B team made an incredible comeback and lost by just a few points.  Toss-ups were won by Ayden Oliver (4), Mark Risley (1), Keller Guard (3), Alexa Norrick (1), Kelsey Miller (1), Aiden McBroom (5), and Ava Brumagin (1).