Illinois

Better Politics, Smarter Government: It’s time to plant trees again in Illinois

Published

2 years ago

June 7, 2022

Better Politics, Smarter Government: It’s time to plant trees again in Illinois

On a spectacular Saturday in early Could, my spouse and I drove up a lot of the size of Illinois to attend a dinner to debate the way forward for the state. It was hosted by two elder statesmen of the Prairie State: Ray LaHood, the previous congressman and U.S. secretary of transportation, and Jim Nowlan, a former state consultant, cupboard director and creator of a number of essential books about Illinois.

The drive from Carbondale to Princeton was lengthy, however Illinois was at its best possible, with ample sunshine, rising crops, busy farms, and bustling communities internet hosting spring festivals galore.

The dialogue that night in Princeton included former members of the Illinois Common Meeting, a retired decide, an aspiring decide, lecturers, professors and political analysts. We thought-about how Illinois has modified over current many years, political polarization and the approaching fall elections. There was a spirited dialogue about whether or not current credit score upgrades by bond ranking businesses are the results of prudent fiscal insurance policies in Illinois or an infusion of federal COVID-related funds. We contemplated why Illinois has turn out to be a one-party state and mentioned the advantages of aggressive elections wherein candidates really meet residents face-to-face and clarify their insurance policies.

It was invigorating to debate the way forward for our state with individuals of differing views however a shared aspiration to make Illinois higher.

Just a few months earlier, I attended a wide-ranging dialogue about Illinois with two dozen individuals on Zoom that was organized by two forward-leaning and spectacular organizations, Illinois Humanities and Elevate Illinois. The Visioning Illinois dialog thought-about how the state is altering, regional variations and areas the place we are able to discover widespread floor. We listened to the views of a scholar, a journalist, a monetary knowledgeable and an environmental activist. We then broke into smaller teams to delve into the shows we had simply heard.

As a participant in each of those discussions, I got here away with a transparent sense that dedicated individuals are attempting to resume and revitalize Illinois.

There’s broad settlement on Illinois’ strengths: The state has a world-class metropolis, diversified economic system, intensive transportation system, well-educated workforce, productive agricultural sector, dedicated philanthropists, sturdy universities and vibrant cultural life.

The state’s challenges are evident: regional antagonisms, a historical past of political corruption that doesn’t appear poised to finish, lackluster inhabitants development and severe long-term funds imbalances.

There’s additionally broad settlement on what is required to rebuild Illinois: bold plans, competent and visionary leaders, sturdy establishments and an engaged public.

Illinois doesn’t want grand pronouncements or slick promoting campaigns. It must get to work and deal with longstanding issues with actual options, not simply Band-Aids and partial fixes. We want particular plans for our funds, faculties, public well being, public security and struggling city and rural communities. Sound plans have to be coupled with efficient implementation. Former Secretary of Protection Robert Gates has mentioned that implementation is “the place all too usually good intentions go to die.”

Illinois is at a crossroads. There’s a temptation to lament wasted time and squandered alternatives. There are many causes to be disillusioned and we should always mirror on earlier errors so we keep away from them sooner or later. Nonetheless, there may be little to be gained by lamenting historical past. We should transfer ahead.

I just lately got here throughout a Chinese language proverb that accommodates appreciable knowledge for people and establishments — and our state.

“The most effective time to plant a tree was 20 years in the past,” it says. “The second-best time is now.”

It’s now time to begin planting bushes in Illinois.

• John T. Shaw is the director of the Paul Simon Public Coverage Institute at Southern Illinois Carbondale. This op-ed was distributed by Capitol Information Illinois on behalf of the Paul Simon Public Coverage Institute. The opinions expressed on this article are the creator’s personal.

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Illinois

Line of thunderstorms to bring damaging winds, downpours across northern Illinois

Published

2 hours ago

June 22, 2024

Press Room

Line of thunderstorms to bring damaging winds, downpours across northern Illinois

A line of thunderstorms will sweep through northern Illinois this evening, with weather officials warning that it will bring damaging winds, heavy downpours and possibly localized flash floods.

The squall line will move in a southeasterly direction and is expected to begin impacting northern Illinois at 5 p.m. this evening, according to the National Weather Service (NWS).

The storms will continue moving southeast at approximately 35 mph and are expected to hit Lake and McHenry counties at around 8 p.m.

They will then move into northwest Indiana late at night and into early Sunday morning.

“Strong damaging wind gusts and heavy downpours will accompany these storms through the evening,” NWS said.

“The heavy rainfall could cause some instances of localized flash flooding,” NWS added.

Weather officials say you should move indoors if you hear thunder and use caution when driving in heavy rain.

“Stay weather aware!” officials said. “Ensure you have multiple ways to get warnings!”

After the storms pass, temperatures will cool for Sunday but slowly increase again into Tuesday. | Photo: National Weather Service (NWS) Chicago

After the storms pass, temperatures will start to cool for Sunday.

“However, temperatures will slowly increase into Tuesday once again as heat index values rise,” NWS said.

“There is also the potential for another storm system that may move in Tuesday afternoon/evening,” NWS added.

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Illinois

Illinois AD Looking for $22 Million for Revenue Sharing

Published

9 hours ago

June 22, 2024

Press Room

Illinois AD Looking for $22 Million for Revenue Sharing

Illinois athletic director Josh Whitman told media in a roundtable conversation that he agrees with the decision to settle the House vs. NCAA case.

Now, the next step? Find the money for the anticipated revenue-sharing to come.

Whitman’s comments were reported by wcia.com, among other outlets.

Whitman, the former Illinois product and NFL player who has served as the school’s athletic director since 2016, said the school expects to share with its student-athletes the full amount allowed under the settlement, which is expected to be $22 million, or a figured capped at 22% of the average major conference school’s primary revenues.

The settlement must still be approved by a federal judge but the contours are agreed upon.

Whitman said that for Illinois to be able to compete at the highest level that it had to make that investment in revenue-sharing. There’s just one problem at the moment.

“We don’t have $22 million so we’re unturning every stone to make that happen,” Whitman said.

Other Big Ten schools are in the process of figuring this out.

Nebraska athletic director Troy Dannen has already told boosters that the department has set aside $20 million for revenue sharing, which would start with the 2025-26 athletic year.

Minnesota athletic director Mark Coyle is working with his staff to start that budgeting process.

New Ohio State athletic director Ross Bjork recently said the Buckeyes will share the max and they’re working on their budget

Whitman said the money will primarily come from television revenue, sponsorship money and ticket sales.

In that respect the Illini are at an advantage. The Big Ten TV deals will pay the league $8 billion over the next seven years. Illinois football attendance was up 15% last season. Whitman also said that their intention is to share revenue whether they have the support of the university or not.

Plus, he anticipates that Illinois will have to surrender $1.2 million in back damage money as part of the House settlement. He also sees football and men’s basketball as the primary beneficiaries of revenue sharing, though Title IX restrictions may influence that.

He also cautioned that what’s happening now may not be anywhere close to where major college athletics ends up.

“We’re living in one the most intense periods of change in college athletics. Everything that has happened (NIL, portal, sports gambling, etc.) to date will be a footnote to where this thing will ultimately go,” Whitman said.

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Illinois

When do cicadas leave Illinois?

Published

16 hours ago

June 22, 2024

Press Room

With reports of live cicadas winding down and sightings of the dead insects on the increase, many people wonder what’s coming next. Here’s what to expect.

When do the cicadas go away?

The remaining periodical cicadas out now should be gone by late June. Periodical cicadas are among the longest-lived insects on the planet, but most of their 13- or 17-year lifespan is spent underground. After emerging, singing and reproducing, the adults don’t live long. After about a month, the cicadas begin to die.

Their departure can be memorable. In 1990, there were reports of people in Chicago using snow shovels to clear sidewalks of dead cicadas, which have a noticeable odor.

More: Is your dog eating cicadas? Here’s why you should be worried about it

Do cicadas come out every year?

Some cicadas do show up every year. Annual — or dog-day — cicadas emerge during the heat of summer, usually around July, said Kacie Athey, a specialty crops entomologist with the University of Illinois Extension.

The periodical cicadas that are dying off now were part of a historic dual emergence of two particular broods, an event that hadn’t occurred since 1803 and made Illinois the center of attention for cicada watchers. In some years, no periodical cicadas emerge. After 2024, Brood XIII and Brood XIX cicadas won’t sync up their emergences again until the year 2245.

More: What animals eat cicadas?

Do cicadas have a purpose?

Cicada nymphs aerate the soil. The emergent adults prune mature trees and provide an abundant source of food for wildlife — and some humans. After they die, cicadas’ bodies provide a source of nitrogen for growing trees. CicadaMania.com breaks down the bugs’ many benefits.

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