From Capitol News Illinois: The attorney general’s office won the first-ever civil hate crime lawsuit brought by the state under a 2018 law. Two white residents of Carroll County were charged with intimidation and hate crimes against their neighbor, who is Black

Joe Berning on a top priority for the state house: To promote a fair and progressive tax system which needs to phase out the current flat tax. It would be the best way to accomplish so many other goals for Illinois. Read Berning's full questionnaire here

Victoria Onorato on the SAFE-T-Act: This law needs to be completely rescinded. Read her full election questionnaire here

The Illinois Community College Board has announced $9.3 million in Innovative Bridge and Transition grants to support initiatives that help Illinois residents transition more effectively into postsecondary education, job training, and high-demand careers.

From Capitol News Illinois: More than 700 Illinois schools are within a quarter-mile of crop fields, yet state law doesn’t require pesticide applicators to notify them before spraying.

JCE (Jo-Carroll Energy) Co-op announces launch of its new SmartHub member platform, designed to make managing accounts easier and more secure than ever. During the transition, the cooperative encourages all members to log in, set up a new SmartHub account and enroll in auto pay.

The Illinois Department of Natural Resources will host public meetings throughout northern and west-central Illinois to provide information on the status of chronic wasting disease and its effect on free-ranging deer populations.

Toll increases are contemplated in a refreshed Illinois tollway strategic plan that also envisions extending existing highways or constructing new ones.

Read the transcript from our April 23 edition of Talk-Line: Brandon Clark from the Shaw Local News Network discusses a controversial homeschool bill trying to be passed through the Illinois legislature, plus more from Sterling.