Latest news with #CentralIllinoisans
Yahoo
15-05-2025
- Business
- Yahoo
Budzinski reacts to SNAP cuts approved by Agriculture Committee
ILLINOIS (WCIA) — Cuts could be coming to the Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program, better known as SNAP. The cuts were voted on by the Agriculture Committee in the U.S. House Wednesday evening. The bill will move on to a full vote by the House of Representatives. Over 13% of Central Illinoisans are food insecure: EIF, Feeding America Supporters of the cuts said that SNAP has ballooned in cost. Some changes the legislation would make includes: Requiring states to shoulder a share of the benefit costs beginning in FY2028 Blocks future increases to the cost of Future Thrifty Food Plan (TFP) Increases the work requirement for able-bodied adults without dependents from 54 to 64 Ends SNAP-Ed (an educational program that helps people stretch out their SNAP money, cook healthy meals, and lead active lifestyles) Requires that to be eligible for SNAP, an individual must be a U.S. Citizen or green card holder Congresswoman Nikki Budzinski (IL-13) spoke out against the cuts during the budget reconciliation bill in the House Agriculture Committee Tuesday evening. She said the the $313 billion in SNAP cuts would impact families in need, as well as farmers and the food supply chain. 'This will take away food for SNAP households that are home to a child, an old adult or a disabled adult,' Budzinski said. 'And for what? To pay for tax cuts for the wealthiest people in this country.' You can find the full text of the budget resolution here. Copyright 2025 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed.
Yahoo
14-05-2025
- Business
- Yahoo
IL State Senator pushing ban of ‘bait-and-switch' gym membership sales tactic
SPRINGFIELD, Ill. (WCIA) — An Illinois State Senator is pushing a proposal to stop gyms from altering benefits of a 'promised lifetime membership.' State Senator Christopher Belt said in a news conference he's highlighting legislation that would prevent gyms and fitness centers from cancelling or changing benefits of their promised lifetime memberships, otherwise known as a 'bait-and-switch' tactic. Illinois Supreme Court hears arguments over Sean Grayson's pretrial status 'This bill is about fairness, trust, and making sure that when a business offers a lifetime membership, it actually means lifetime membership — not one year, not until they decide to change the deal, but for the life of the customer,' Belt (D-Swansea) said. 'We're setting a fair and clear standard that responsible businesses are already following and that gym-goers deserve.' Senate Bill 314 requires physical fitness centers that offer these lifetime memberships to be upfront about any provisions in the contract that would allow them to decrease benefits or increase prices. Additionally, these terms have to be clearly disclosed, meaning no fine print or 'legal gymnastics.' This bill also includes commonsense exceptions — meaning if the customer agrees in writing to new terms, or if the gym is sold to an unaffiliated company, those are legitimate reasons to revisit the contract. Over 13% of Central Illinoisans are food insecure: EIF, Feeding America 'The days of bait-and-switch tactics of selling someone on a lifetime deal and then changing the rules a year later need to end,' Belt said. 'I urge my colleagues in the House to pass Senate Bill 314 and give our residents the protection they've asked for.' The bill passed the Senate and is currently awaiting consideration before the Illinois House. Copyright 2025 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed.
Yahoo
10-03-2025
- Yahoo
Community members protest for Normal teen killed by police
BLOOMINGTON, Ill. (WMBD) — Central Illinoisans are calling for justice for Cole Turner, the 15-year-old Normal resident shot and killed by Bloomington police in southwest Bloomington in February Dozens of Turner's friends, family, and community members marched from the McLean County Museum of History to the Bloomington Police Department. They're demanding for bodycam footage to be released so they can get answers. WMBD filed a Freedom of Information request for the bodycam footage on March 3, but was denied because releasing the footage could 'interfere with a pending or actually and reasonably contemplated law enforcement proceedings.' On Feb. 26, Bloomington police responded to the 800 block of Arcadia Drive around 5 p.m. for reports of a person with a gun. They made contact with Turner, but somehow things escalated and officers fired their weapons, hitting Turner multiple times. He died at the scene. Turner's mother, Kelsey Woodrum, said the police have failed to give her a justification as to why her son was shot and killed. 'They have given me nothing. I have not spoken with Bloomington police about anything. It makes me feel like things are being hidden from me. It makes me feel like people don't want me to see the videos for certain reasons. It makes me feel like they may or may not have been wrong or not justified. And that's what we're here to find out today,' said Woodrum. Turner was a student at McLean County Unit Five within the last year. Woodrum remembered her son as someone who loved life with a taste for adventure, despite a tough upbringing. 'Cole was wild. He was happy and he was smart. And he was bodacious. He was so gorgeous. He was always smiling. He was always happy. He's super adventurous. This is perfect weather. He's definitely out here with us today. He enjoyed people. He enjoyed his friends. He enjoyed his family. He had a tough life,' she said. WMBD has reached out to the Bloomington Police Department for comment. Copyright 2025 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed.
Yahoo
25-02-2025
- Business
- Yahoo
Peoria Area Chamber of Commerce holds its 2025 state legislative luncheon
PEORIA, Ill. (WMBD) — A luncheon was held designed to bring business leaders and state legislators together to discuss local issues. The 2025 State Legislative Luncheon was hosted by the Peoria Chamber of Commerce from 11 a.m. until 1 p.m. on Monday at the Four Points by Sheraton Hotel. The panel of elected officials included Senator Li Arellano Jr., Senator David Koehler, Representative Jehan Gordon-Booth, and Representative Travis Weaver The event gave a chance for an off-the-record discussion, so people in attendance could engage with the elected officials and discuss upcoming policies, economic initiatives, and business regulations. 'This event is a crucial platform for fostering meaningful dialogue between lawmakers and business leaders,' Jessica Linder Gallo, the CEO of the Peoria Chamber of Commerce said. 'By facilitating these conversations, we ensure that the voices of Central Illinois businesses are heard and considered in the policymaking process.' State, local lawmakers discuss priorities at annual Legislative Breakfast The lawmakers took turns answering questions on pension funding, the Safe-T Act, infrastructure, debt relief, and the 2025 Illinois state budget. 'The reality is, if we don't get serious about paying down our debt, my kids will be on the hook for that. I don't want that. I want to make smart financially sound decisions today so that in 30 years I can have kids who say, why would I go to Tennessee? I live in Illinois. That's what I want to hear them say. Today, They'd be saying the opposite,' said Representative Weaver. State Representative Jehan Gordon-Booth said the event was a great way to provide transparency about important issues. 'I'm excited to have a real conversation about the things that are most pressing to not just Illinois but most importantly, Peorians and Central Illinoisans. We were able to cover issues from infrastructure to education to taxes to safety, and really doing it in a bipartisan way at times,' she said. Peoria Area Chamber of Commerce President and CEO Jessica Linder Gallo said the conversation was important to the region's economic stability. 'The biggest takeaway that I'm hearing from business owners as they're leaving is knowing that we have good partners in Springfield and in the statehouse. I think the collaboration across the aisle of our legislators here in central Illinois was showcased and their desire and willingness to help businesses and the entire region thrive.' said Gallo. The Peoria Area Chamber of Commerce collaborated with other local chambers to strengthen the conversation. Copyright 2025 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed.
