Could a new City Hall be in the immediate future for the City of Clinton?

That is what officials are trying to determine. On the WHOW Morning Show Wednesday, City Administrator Taylor Baxter told Regional Radio the City is working with an architect on a request for proposal for what a new City Hall would have to look like.

Currently, most City services are housed in one facility - City administration, water, fire, and police. According to Baxter, that would be the plan for a new facility.

Baxter indicates the City would like to keep itself close to downtown because of the network connection with the County Building. Space is limited in that part of the City but Baxter says they have a few ideas in mind.

Issues with City Hall's elevators have led to the conversation about a new City Hall facility. Baxter reminds the City recently needed to find a new maintenance company and the cost to completely fix the elevator is going to be substantial because it is so old.

A substantial amount in the City's reserves will allow them to afford this project. The reserves may not cover the entire cost but Baxter says they will have options. 

Baxter indicates the City continues to conduct its business in the lower level of the fire station on Tuesday evenings. 

The Clinton Board of Education Tuesday night approved pay increases for its substitute teachers and support professionals. 

On the WHOW Morning Show Wednesday, Superintendent of Clinton Schools Curt Nettles told Regional Radio substitute teachers pay will go up. Subs that are retired teachers will receive a little extra and subs that fill in more than ten consecutive days will see their pay increase on the 11th day.

Nettles indicates they seem to have a small number of substitutes that end up becoming de facto full-time teachers. They have tried to bring them up to a salary comparable to a full-time teacher.

The Board of Education Tuesday night did not discuss the teacher pay issue and in fact, had minimal discussion about most of the agenda items. Nettles explains there is constant conversation between himself and the Board of Education leading up to monthly meetings. He encourages community members who have questions about anything on the Board agendas to reach out to him or contact your local Board member.

Nettles says they do a comparison to find out what other districts around Clinton pay and to keep up so they can attract and retain substitutes. 

US Senator Dick Durbin is again trying to push for a series of bills to protect children as they access the internet and use social media. Durbin, the Chair of the Judiciary Committee is being joined by Republican Lindsey Graham for the bi-partisan push.

The STOP CSAM Act – seeks to empower the victims of child sexual abuse material on the internet by allowing them to sue tech companies. Durbin has seen the bill and others fail to pass, but he says it’s time to push for passage.

Durbin wants a Senate vote this summer.

More than 38 million Americans plan to hit the roads this weekend for one of the busiest travel days of the year.

As for prices at the pump, Patrick DeHaan, a petroleum analysis expert with GasBuddy, estimates the national average will hold in the mid-three dollars per gallon range.

Over the past week, prices at the pump across Illinois are down almost five cents per gallon on average.

On the national stage, prices at the pump are down three cents per gallon.

To combat prices at the pump, President Biden ordered the release of one million barrels per day between Memorial Day and the fourth of July.

Plenty of rain this spring for first-year Livingston County CropWatcher Joel Barickman. He’s had to take advantage of short planting windows to get his crop in the ground.

Barickman is a sixth-generation family farmer, with the farm dating back to the 1830s.

Some rural hospitals in Illinois are struggling. Reimbursements from state and federal programs are slow and staffing needs are growing. Jackie Kernan is the Regional President of OSF Healthcare in Central Illinois...

OSF Healthcare has recently expanded services in places like Galesburg and LaSalle-Peru where Regional Hospitals went out of business, leaving those communities without localized healthcare.

Illinois Farm Bureau president Brian Duncan closely watching this week's markup of the Farm Bill in the House Ag Committee.

The markup is on Thursday. If it clears the Ag Committee it will move to the House Floor.

Five Illinois reps serve on the House Ag Committee--Mike Bost, Nikki Budzinski, Jonathan Jackson, Mary Miller, and Eric Sorenson.

Some of the bravest actions by police officers in Illinois over the past year were honored in Springfield. The Governor, Director of the Illinois State Police and other law enforcement officials gathered to recognize 13 officers who displayed courage and heroism in the line of duty.

ISP Director Brendan Kelly says troopers and police step into situations daily that can turn quickly; from a motorist assist on the side of the highway that results in finding a wanted felon, to aiding a family in a domestic violence situation. Kelly says from the days of his grandfather policing has changed, but the need for cops and the law has always remained.

Each officer was awarded the Illinois Law Enforcement Medal of Honor.

This spring, four students from Monticello High School were a part of State Senator Sally Turner's Youth Advisory Council.

Each year, the program welcomes dozens of high school students from across the Lincoln Republican's 44th Senate District to the Illinois State Capitol in Springfield to learn more about the state’s legislative process. Monticello junior Matt Swartz says his principal, Mr. Travis Courson encouraged him to give this program a try.

Sages junior Eli Craft was a part of this experience and indicates there was a proposed bill the students had that they had to argue for or against. Like Swartz, Craft was approached by Mr. Courson.

Junior Catie Swartz says this was a great experience because all the students were put in a room together and had to figure things out. Junior Ashley Stiverson explains they were active in their government class and their teachers approached them about the opportunity.

Matt Swartz says it was intimidating because there were really smart kids in the room but he still really enjoyed the experience.

Craft also felt it was somewhat intimidating but says he learned a lot about communication and hearing about the viewpoints of other people.

For Stiverson, she enjoyed meeting a lot of new people and hearing their perspectives.

Catie Swartz did not know what to expect in the process but enjoyed touring the State Capitol and hearing from other students during the process.

The Swartz's are twins and Matt says it was fun to participate in that with her.

Sen. Turner’s Youth Advisory Council allows local high school students to learn more about government through two meetings held each school year. During the fall meeting, students heard from local leaders and had the opportunity to propose ideas for new legislation. This year, students put forward a proposal meant to require schools to offer healthier and more nutritious food options.

During the spring meeting, students took on the various roles involved in the legislative process for a mock committee hearing in an actual Senate committee room at the Capitol Complex. The students had the opportunity to serve as concerned citizens and lobbyists who advocated for and against the proposal, reporters who covered the committee hearing, and lawmakers who discussed and voted on the proposal legislation.

May Days 2024 is in the books for the Clinton Chamber of Commerce.

Now it's off to the annual golf outing. Executive Director Janice Peterson says the outing comes up on Friday, June 21.

Peterson planned her first outing last summer and says it was a lot of fun. She didn't know what to plan for and enjoyed the outing a lot.

Peterson hopes to have a few new twists with this year's outing. Look forward to those as we get closer.

Registration is open at clintonilchamber.com. 

The summer camp season is about to arrive and the Clinton YMCA's Camp Osage is ready for students.

On the WHOW Morning Show Monday, Y Executive Director Rennie Cluver told Regional Radio their staff is getting its plans together for kids this summer. Camp kicks off May 28 after the Memorial Day holiday.

Cluver describes Camp Osage as a typical summer camp with a lot of activities and lots of social interaction. While for many families, it is a great form of childcare during the summer, they aim for it to be more than that from a programming perspective.

Registration is going on now. Cluver indicates there is a rate for Y members and non-members. You can register at any time and if you are not a member of the YMCA, he hopes you'll consider at least a youth membership for that discount which will not take long for it to pay for itself.

According to Cluver, Luka Case and Melinda Akers, the co-directors of Camp Osage, have a lot of great activities in store for campers this summer.

Again, families can register campers at any time during the summer. Camp Osage begins on Tuesday, May 28 after the Memorial Day weekend. Get more information about all things Camp Osage by visiting clintoncommymca.org, stopping in at 417 South Alexander Street in Clinton, or calling 217-935-8307 for more information. 

For some, the Memorial Day weekend will be the first time they pull out the grill for the barbecue season.

If that describes you or that grill is out but might need a little maintenance, Caitlin Mellendorf at the University of Illinois Extension in DeWitt, Macon, and Piatt Counties has a brief checklist for you this holiday weekend.

Food safety can be a huge deal for a Memorial Day weekend and gatherings involving food. Mellendorf encourages using plates to transport food and utensils for food handling.

Keeping surfaces clean is often an aspect of grilling for a family or a gathering that goes unnoticed but can be vitally important to a healthy party. Mellendorf encourages frequently wiping down those counters and scraping the grill grates between food preparations.

Another key to a healthy party involving food is getting those meats cooked to a proper internal temperature. Mellendorf says a food thermometer is the only foolproof way to know you've gotten your meat to the proper temperature that is safe to eat.

The USDA has a hotline for food safety information. It is 1-888-MPHOTLINE or 1-888-674-6854. Mellendorf has more information at the Extension website, extension.illinois.edu/dmp. 

Farmers had just a little bit more time in the fields this past week.

While for the first time this season, rainfall was below average for the week, just half the week was suitable for fieldwork says State Crop Statistician Mark Schluesner.

Corn planting took a big step forward but remains behind the pace of last year and five-year average. Schluesner gives an update on soybean planting.

Winter wheat made progress this week but declined in its condition. Schluesner says hay is 10 percent harvested.

Schluesner says with more work still to be done in Illinois fields, be on the lookout for large equipment as you make your way around the state.

As state lawmakers focus on the planned end for the spring lawmaking session – the budget is firmly on everyone’s mind.

Governor JB Pritzker says after all the talk of a budget memo, indicating that agencies should be ready for up to $800 million in cuts, the message is simple. He wants a balanced budget to sign.

Lawmakers can pass a budget on a simple majority vote until the end of May.

The Memorial Day weekend is the jumpstart to the busy boating season in Illinois and the Illinois Department of Natural Resources is gearing up for a busy boating and camping weekend.

DNR Conservation Police Captain John Williamson encourages boaters to get those boats out and do a once-over of maintenance. He indicates one of the biggest issues they encounter is boats that break down or are not ready for the water and then experience problems on the water.

Capt. Williamson says a bad combination is when you start to involve alcohol in your on-the-water activities. While you can have open alcohol containers on a boat, you do need a sober operator.

DNR authorities are very active in monitoring life jackets. Capt. Williamson stresses you need to have a life jacket that fits each occupant on the boat at a given time.

The veteran game warden has seen many dangerous maneuvers by boaters on the water over the years. Fortunately, most go executed without incident but he cautions boaters because those boats do not have breaks.

The busy Memorial Day weekend impacts more than just state waterways. Campgrounds on state grounds are busy as well. We'll hear more from Capt. Williamson on that later this week on Regional Radio.

In May our nation celebrates Memorial Day to honor military service members who have given their lives for our country.

Social Security is reminding families who have lost loved ones that Social Security benefits may be payable to surviving family members including spouses and children. Jack Myers with Social Security notes they also recognize and support our wounded warriors.

Social Security disability benefits can help financially if you are unable to return to work. Myers says as a thank you for your service, Social Security expedites disability claims through its Wounded Warrior initiative if you became disabled while on active military service on or after October 1, 2001. They also expedite your disability claim if you have a VA Compensation Rating of 100% Permanent & Total. 

Myers encourages veterans and their families to check out its new fact sheet - “Social Security Disability and Veterans Affairs Disability -How do They Compare?”

Learn more about disability programs, the expedited claims process, and other info for veterans at: www.ssa.gov/people/veterans/. Find the fact sheet and more at www.ssa.gov/pubs, then type “Veterans” in the filter box.

Families across Illinois will be able to tap a new federal program to keep kids fed during the summer.

The state is among the first in the nation to participate in the summer EBT program or “Sun Bucks”. It provides an extra $120 per child for eligible families – the goal - to fill the gap of feeding kids who are otherwise able to get a meal or two at school. Republican State Senator Sue Rezin says the program is the right way to get food to kids.

The program could reach more than 1 million children and officials say it could reduce child hunger by 30%.

Illinois Congressman Darin LaHood critical of the Biden administration’s trade policy and its impact on agriculture. He spoke on the subject in a recent conversation with RFD Radio.

LaHood represents Illinois’ 16th Congressional District, which covers 21 counties in central and northwestern Illinois, ranging from McLean and Peoria County to Winnebago and Jo Daviess County. He serves on the Ways and Means Committee.

With the school year wrapping up in Clinton, so too is regular programming at The Vault.

Executive Director Tammy Wilson says as students prepare to leave for the summer months, they are doing a first-time survey of students to find out what they like or do not like to find out how The Vault can improve.

Wilson indicates the survey is roughly five minutes but The Vault leadership hopes to learn about how they can enhance the experience of the kids that come through their doors.

The Vault held its final event for the school year Thursday night and now staff turns its attention to the Summer Career Camps in June and July.

The City of Farmer City will be able to open its pool on time thanks to the hiring of a pool manager.

City Manager Sue McLaughlin reminds they had been working with the Clinton YMCA to operate the pool but because of a staffing shortage within the Y, that was not going to be feasible this summer but the City has secured a manager for the pool this summer.

According to McLaughlin, the preparation for the pool is ongoing as they prepare it for the summer season starting next weekend.

The City has decided they are going to increase admission to the pool this summer because of the rising costs of labor and materials. McLaughlin notes a pass for the pool quickly pays for itself.

The pool opens for the season starting Saturday, May 25. Get more information on this year's pool hours and other activities by following the City of Farmer City on Facebook. 

The May Days Festival opens tonight in downtown Clinton and the excitement it brings to some of the youth of the community is why Clinton Police Chief Ben Lowers annually looks forward to this event.

Chief Lowers says the May Days Festival may not be something the whole community looks forward to and some may even grumble about it but he reminds that this is - for some - as close to a 'Disney World experience' as they'll get.

While there have been few issues with May Days in the past, the Chief says they will continue to have a presence at the annual festival just because crowds at a festival like May Days can offer challenges.

Chief Lowers encourages attendees to leave their dogs and bikes or skateboards at home for the May Days Festival. He says with large crowds both of those can become a liability in the blink of an eye.

When law enforcement is summoned at May Days, Chief Lowers says it is often just minor complaints and credits those that attend the May Days Festival for largely being a good crowd that is just out for the fun of the carnival and entertainment.

The May Days Festival is tonight through Sunday in downtown Clinton. Get more information by finding the Clinton Chamber of Commerce on Facebook or visiting clintonilchamber.com. 

It's baby animal season in Illinois the Department of Natural Resources is sending reminders when you encounter a baby animal and no mom is in sight.

On the WHOW Morning Show Wednesday, DNR Conservation Police Captain John Williamson told Regional Radio they receive calls all the time in the spring for responses to baby animals without a mom in sight.

Capt. Williamson reminds animals will leave their young during the day while the pursue food. He notes, more often than not, they return.

Capt. Williamson says there are professionals that will help animals that need rehabbed or rescued to recover and get ready for life in nature. 

A 2023 study found that if you gained some weight back that you lost, there’s still a benefit to your heart. 

It’s a reminder that it’s never too late to turn your health around. Laurinda Harjai (lore-RIN-dah HAR-jhi), a cardiology provider at OSF, says obesity brings abnormal blood pressure and cholesterol, and thus an increased heart disease risk. To turn things around, she says to start with small, daily tasks like taking the stairs.

Other tips include ditching cigarettes and making healthy choices at the grocery store. That way if you snack, at least it’s good for you.

The Illinois Department of Transportation announced that Illinois 54 between Wren Road and DeWitt County Road 1650 East near Clinton will closed starting  May 16.

The closure is necessary for Constellation Energy to replace its railroad crossing and is expected to last 10 days. A detour will be posted.

Motorists can expect delays and should allow extra time for trips through this area. To avoid the work area, when feasible, the use of alternate routes should be considered. Drivers are urged to pay close attention to changed conditions and signs in the work zones, obey the posted speed limits, refrain from using mobile devices, and be alert for workers and equipment.

For more information on IDOT projects, click on the traveler information map at GettingAroundIllinois.com.

As the spring weather becomes more consistently pleasant, more and more individuals are sure to be out and about on the community's streets.

With that increase in foot traffic annually comes an uptick in minor crime. Clinton Police Chief Ben Lowers says that crime is likely to be consistent because of the elimination of cash bail in Illinois.

According to Chief Lowers, rarely is there a forced entry into a home, a vehicle, or a garage. He notes these are crimes of opportunity and individuals seeking out those vehicles that are unlocked.

Chief Lowers notes while home burglaries are not very common, they do encounter those and says it is often a case of someone known to you. There are a couple of main reasons for that being the case.

As the weather gets nicer, there are more complaints of trespass to property, disorderly conduct, and other small crimes. Chief Lowers encourages being a good neighbor to those around you and keeping an eye out for your neighbors.