Meeting Briefs

Meeting Summary and Briefs: Litchfield Park District Board for Sept. 3, 2025

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Litchfield Pursues Safe Routes to School Grant for New Sidewalks

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District Switches Internet Provider to CTI

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Council Awards Contract for Skyview Drive Improvements

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Lentz Excavating Recommended for Trail Rip Rap Project

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Litchfield Upgrades Water Main Project on State Street Following Resident Concerns

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Park District Secures $10,000 Grant for Concession Stand Project

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Litchfield City Council Re-establishes Local Grocery Tax to Preserve Revenue

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Pool Deficit Hits Nearly $25,000 as Summer Season Ends

Events Calendar

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Education

Meeting Briefs

Meeting Summary and Briefs: Litchfield Board of Education for February 17, 2026

Litchfield Board of Education Meeting | February 17, 2026 Overall Meeting SummaryThe Litchfield Community Unit School District #12 Board of Education met on Tuesday, February 17, 2026, to address curriculum,...
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District Pre-Buys Technology to Beat Tariffs, Pays for Major Inspections

Litchfield Board of Education Meeting | February 17, 2026 Article Summary: The Litchfield School Board approved a higher-than-average monthly bill list due to strategic technology purchases and required facility inspections....
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Board Approves Redesigned Educator Evaluation System Moving to March Timeline

Litchfield Board of Education Meeting | February 17, 2026 Article Summary: The Litchfield School Board approved a redesigned educator evaluation system that streamlines performance components and shifts the evaluation timeline...
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Litchfield Board Reviews SCI Center Growth, Weighs Future Funding Model

Litchfield Board of Education Meeting | February 17, 2026 Article Summary: The Litchfield School Board received a comprehensive update on the South Central Illinois (SCI) Regional Workforce Training and Innovation...
Meeting Briefs

Meeting Summary and Briefs: Litchfield CUSD #12 for January 20, 2026

Litchfield CUSD #12 Meeting | January 20, 2026 Meeting SummaryThe Litchfield Community Unit School District No. 12 Board of Education met on Tuesday, January 20, 2026, to finalize the academic...

Principals Highlight “Success Days” and Data-Driven Incentives

Litchfield CUSD #12 Meeting | January 20, 2026 Article Summary: Litchfield school principals presented updates to the Board of Education regarding recent professional development focusing on data analysis and new...

M.A.K.E.-I.T. Program Hits Capacity, Announces “Diggin’ It” Summer Theme

Litchfield CUSD #12 Meeting | January 20, 2026 Article Summary:The Litchfield School District’s M.A.K.E.-I.T. program reported a successful end to the calendar year with enrollment at full capacity and a...
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Emergency Funds Authorized for Middle School/High School Water Heater Replacement

Litchfield CUSD #12 Meeting | January 20, 2026 Article Summary: The Board of Education authorized the use of Health Life Safety funds to replace a failed water heater at the...
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City Updates School Resource Officer Agreement to Comply with New State Laws

City of Litchfield Meeting | January 22, 2026 Article Summary: The Litchfield City Council approved an updated Memorandum of Understanding (MOU) with the Litchfield School District to align with new...

Montgomery County News

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Highway Department to Borrow $300,000 for New Tandem Dump Truck

January Committee Meeting Article Summary: The Roads & Bridges Committee approved the purchase of a 2027 Western Star dump truck, utilizing a loan from the county's Coal Royalty Fund to bypass...
Montgomery County Personnel Committee

County Updates Solar Ordinance and Pursues Renewable Energy Tax Credits

January Committee Meeting Article Summary: The county is revising its solar ordinance to comply with new state laws and has hired a consultant to capture up to $150,000 in tax credits...
Montgomery County Bldg Grounds Committee

County Secures $450 Per Acre for Farm Lease, Approves Courthouse Repairs

January Committee Meeting Article Summary: The Buildings & Grounds Committee awarded a lucrative three-year farm lease and approved contracts to restore historic woodwork and repaint the courthouse porch. Buildings & Grounds...
Montgomery County Finance Committee

Committee Recommends Significant Salary Increase for County Elected Officials

January Committee Meeting Article Summary: The Finance & Budget Committee has recommended setting salaries for the County Clerk, Treasurer, and Circuit Clerk at 60 percent of the State’s Attorney’s salary, which...
Meeting Briefs

Meeting Summary and Briefs: Montgomery County Board for Jan. 13, 2026

Montgomery County Board Meeting | Jan. 13, 2026 Overall Meeting SummaryThe Montgomery County Board’s January meeting was defined by substantial capital spending on highway infrastructure and law enforcement equipment. The...
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Board Considers Property Purchase for Recovery Court Expansion

Montgomery County Board Meeting | Jan. 13, 2026 Article Summary: The board discussed purchasing a property at 127 N. Main Street in Hillsboro to house the Recovery Court, but returned the...
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Summit Ridge Agrees to $25,000 Donation; Pattern Energy Updates Board

Montgomery County Board Meeting | Jan. 13, 2026 Article Summary: The board approved a community agreement with a solar developer benefiting a local education center and received a timeline update on...
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Board Authorizes New Patrol Vehicles and Sheriff’s Office Equipment

Montgomery County Board Meeting | Jan. 13, 2026 Article Summary: The board approved the purchase of two new Dodge Durangos and necessary technical equipment for the Sheriff's Office. Sheriff's Office Purchases...
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County Donates $30,000 for Urgent Electrical Repairs at Fairgrounds

Montgomery County Board Meeting | Jan. 13, 2026 Article Summary: Recognizing critical infrastructure needs, the County Board voted to donate $30,000 from coal royalty funds to the Montgomery County Fair...

Illinois News

Illinois lawmakers weigh options to change rising property tax structure

Illinois lawmakers weigh options to change rising property tax structure

By Glenn Minnis | The Center Square contributorThe Center Square (The Center Square) – Republican state Rep. Joe Sosnowski has filed legislation he hopes will make life easier on Illinois...
Critics warn Illinois bill could lead to government overreach in newborn care

Critics warn Illinois bill could lead to government overreach in newborn care

By Catrina Barker | The Center Square contributorThe Center Square (The Center Square) – The Illinois Family Institute is raising concerns over a proposed bill that would offer voluntary home...
Presidents, governor honor late civil rights leader Jackson; mayor says tax the rich

Presidents, governor honor late civil rights leader Jackson; mayor says tax the rich

By Jim Talamonti | The Center SquareThe Center Square (The Center Square) – Former President Barack Obama said his path to the White House was laid by late civil rights...
Illinois Quick Hits: Rockford sex abuse suspect arrested

Illinois Quick Hits: Rockford sex abuse suspect arrested

By Jim Talamonti | The Center SquareThe Center Square (The Center Square) – Illinois State Police say a tip from the National Center of Missing and Exploited Children led to...
Pritzker pushes back on Megaproject tax concerns

Pritzker pushes back on Megaproject tax concerns

By Sean Reed | The Center Square contributorThe Center Square (The Center Square) – Illinois Gov. J.B. Pritzker pushed back on the idea that proposed legislation, dubbed the “Megaprojects Bill,”...
Illinois pols react to Homeland Security secretary’s exit, reassignment

Illinois pols react to Homeland Security secretary’s exit, reassignment

By Jim Talamonti | The Center SquareThe Center Square (The Center Square) – A member of Congress from Illinois says it is not enough for President Donald Trump to fire...
Illinois quick hits: Appeals court vacates use of force injunction; Charges filed for possession of sex abuse materials; Gas prices keep rising

Illinois quick hits: Appeals court vacates use of force injunction; Charges filed for possession of sex abuse materials; Gas prices keep rising

By Jim Talamonti | The Center SquareThe Center Square Appeals court vacates use of force injunction The Seventh Circuit U.S. Court of Appeals has vacated U.S. District Court Judge Sara...
Target sued for checking arrest records of new hires: Class action

Target sued for checking arrest records of new hires: Class action

By Jonathan Bilyk | Legal NewslineThe Center Square CHICAGO — Target has been hit by a new class action lawsuit accusing it of violating Illinois state law by conducting criminal...
Agency improves license processing times; PA leader calls for modernization

Agency improves license processing times; PA leader calls for modernization

By Jim Talamonti | The Center SquareThe Center Square (The Center Square) – The Illinois Department of Financial and Professional Regulation says it has reduced the average processing time for...

National News

Everyday Economics: Existing home sales report may be noisy. Inflation will shape outlook

Everyday Economics: Existing home sales report may be noisy. Inflation will shape outlook

By Orphe DivounguyThe Center Square This week’s economic calendar includes several important housing reports, including existing home sales, housing starts, and building permits. But the most consequential releases are likely...
Texodus: At least 12 Texas members of Congress won’t be returning next year

Texodus: At least 12 Texas members of Congress won’t be returning next year

By Bethany BlankleyThe Center Square Twelve members of Texas’ congressional delegation elected in 2024 won’t be returning to office next year. Eleven are incumbents; one is deceased. The number is...
War in Iran shocks markets, costs U.S. taxpayers $1 billion a day

War in Iran shocks markets, costs U.S. taxpayers $1 billion a day

By Brett RowlandThe Center Square The escalating war in Iran has already rattled global markets and driven oil prices to their highest levels since April 2024. If the conflict persists,...
Mississippi primaries to watch on Tuesday

Mississippi primaries to watch on Tuesday

By Andrew RiceThe Center Square Mississippi will hold its state primary elections on Tuesday, making it the fourth state in the nation to elect party representatives in preparation for the...
Advocates, lawmakers propose increased cigarette tax

Advocates, lawmakers propose increased cigarette tax

By Andrew RiceThe Center Square Anti-tobacco advocates and state officials across the country are proposing an increased tax on cigarette packs. The Campaign for Tobacco-Free Kids published an annual report...
Legal experts anticipate SCOTUS will overturn drug user gun ban

Legal experts anticipate SCOTUS will overturn drug user gun ban

By Andrew RiceThe Center Square Legal experts anticipate the U.S. Supreme Court will strike down a law barring unlawful drug users from possessing firearms. On Monday, justices of the U.S....
Parents' rights advocates hail SCOTUS ruling against secret gender transitions

Parents’ rights advocates hail SCOTUS ruling against secret gender transitions

By Tate MillerThe Center Square The U.S. Supreme Court’s ruling in Mirabelli v. Olson deciding against California’s law that allowed for gender transitions of school children without parental knowledge has...
Veteran suicide rate remains high despite spending millions

Veteran suicide rate remains high despite spending millions

By Brett RowlandThe Center Square Veterans die by suicide at roughly twice the civilian rate, despite the Department of Veterans Affairs spending more than $500 million a year to address...
BlackRock summit to focus on workforce needed for U.S. infrastructure boom

BlackRock summit to focus on workforce needed for U.S. infrastructure boom

By Tom JoyceThe Center Square A coalition of government officials, corporate executives, and labor leaders is gathering in Washington next week to address what many see as the biggest obstacle...