Sharon Chung

Bryce Janssen, public information officer for the Bloomington Police Department, said to avoid scams, go with a trusted contractor or talk with your insurer about recommended contractors. Illinois lawmakers also are looking to stop storm chaser scams.

On day 17 of the AFSCME Local 1110 strike, union representatives presented the president of Illinois State University with nearly 7,000 petition signatures urging his negotiation of a fair deal. A state senator on campus said the strike is "putting pressure on us as legislators as well."

At an Illinois House committee hearing in Springfield on Thursday, Illinois State University President Aondover Tarhule requested more state funding as striking employees also in attendance claimed ISU was not negotiating with them in good faith.

House Republicans raise concerns about an amendment to the Illinois constitution changing the requirements for House district maps in Illinois. It allows for the creation of racial coalitions or influence districts and creates a priority ranking for the requirements.

Ecology Action Center has more fundraising to do before identifying a location for a countywide hazardous waste collection site. It's the largest project the Normal nonprofit has ever attempted.

Much of the legislation they discussed Monday night at an annual legislative town hall hosted by the Prairie Pride Coalition and Equality Illinois is aimed at keeping in place support that’s being scuttled by the Trump administration.

The Illinois House passed a bill requiring high schools to provide an opportunity for eligible students to register to vote. Some Illinois Republicans have concerns about the lack of parental involvement and the influence of partisan politics in schools.

The state has announced a $5 million grant for the Bloomington-Normal Water Reclamation District [BNWRD] that is intended to stimulate business development on the west side of the Twin Cities.

The Illinois House has passed a bill requiring insurance companies get approval for rate increases and give a 60-day notice to customers if they increase rates more than 10%. Insurance companies said this could raise rates in the long term and does not address the real cause of the rate increases.

Illinois State University President Aondover Tarhule was one of eight university leaders who signed a letter in support of a measure that aims to overhaul how public universities in Illinois are funded. The measure that would create an evidence-based funding formula for higher education was approved in a House committee on Thursday.