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Weather Alert

Weather Alert

...HEAT ADVISORY REMAINS IN EFFECT UNTIL 7 PM CDT /8 PM EDT/
FRIDAY...

* WHAT...Heat index values up to 106.

* WHERE...All of southern Illinois, southwest Indiana, western
Kentucky, and southeast Missouri.

* WHEN...Until 7 PM CDT /8 PM EDT/ Friday.

* IMPACTS...Prolonged exposure to hot temperatures and high humidity
may cause heat illnesses.

* ADDITIONAL DETAILS...The first prolonged stretch of heat and
humidity of the season will amplify health impacts. Health impacts
will build with each successive day in the heat and humidity.

PRECAUTIONARY/PREPAREDNESS ACTIONS...

Drink plenty of fluids, stay in an air-conditioned room, stay out of
the sun, and check up on relatives and neighbors.

Take extra precautions when outside. Wear lightweight and loose
fitting clothing. Try to limit strenuous activities to early morning
or evening. Take action when you see symptoms of heat exhaustion and
heat stroke.

&&

Local Lawmakers share reaction on $55.2 billion Illinois Budget

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Local lawmakers reacted after a $55.2 billion budget for next fiscal year for the State of Illinois.

CARTERVILLE, Ill. (WSIL)-- In Illinois news, reaction continues today as state lawmakers pass next year's fiscal budget over the weekend.

The 2026 budget is at $55.2 billion. As Democrats applaud the bill, Republicans are denouncing it. 

The plan boosts spending by nearly 4%. It does so with new taxes on gambling, vaping, and businesses.

Here is a breakdown of the new taxes.

For sports betting, companies will be charged 25 cents for each bet up to the first 20,000 they take. After that, each wager is taxed at 50 cents.

Taxes on tobacco products will rise to 45%. That includes vape products and nicotine pouches.

The revenue plan amends state law to tax sales from all businesses that transact in the state, rather than only businesses with a physical presence in Illinois.

Our team spoke with Rep. Patrick Windhorst, R-Metropolis, about how the new fiscal budget will impact Southern Illinois residents.

"There are a lot of different projects that are in the bill. Unfortunately, those are directed toward democratic districts,� Rep. Windhorst says. “We have not seen that same effort be applied to Republican-held districts. So unfortunately in southernmost Illinois, we're not going to see those projects as much as they're in other parts of the state. So we've argued on our side that the budget process needs to be fairer, more transparent, and open. This was negotiated behind closed doors away from Republicans.�

Our team also spoke with Sen. Rachel Ventura, D-Joliet, on the impact this could have.

“This budget does not have everything we need. It does not have a digital tax or digital ad tax on those corporations. It does not continue to tax the rich, but it does have some good things,� Sen. Ventura says. “It closes the loopholes on corporations. It applies a few other taxes to the rich, and it provides the services that Illinois needs $55 billion going into the services that help protect our families, our communities, education, pensions, and especially healthcare.�

Other local lawmakers in our area have spoken out against the new budget. In a press conference on Sunday. Illinois Governor J.D. Pritzker said he’ll sign the new budget. 

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