Proposed Renewable Fuels Standard Changes Irk the Illinois Farm Bureau

By Haley Kosik/WJEZ News The Illinois Farm Bureau isn’t pleased with proposed changes to the Renewable Fuels Standard. The goals for the amount of ethanol which has to be blended into gasoline as part of the Renewable Fuels Standard fall short of farmers expectations. While the Environmental Protection Agency describes its proposed corn-based ethanol level…MORE

Congressman Worries Trans-Pacific Partners Won’t Comply

By Haley Kosik/WJEZ News U.S. Senate candidate Tammy Duckworth has reservations about the Trans-Pacific Partnership. Duckworth, now a Democratic congressman from Hoffman Estates, said she’s for trade, but she’s worried about whether the partners to the deal will comply with the terms. “My concern is that when we enter into a trade agreement, it needs…MORE

Library Tax Levy Discussed

By Cynthia Grau/WJEZ News The Pontiac City Council met last night and discussed a library tax resolution and a solution to the issues with the recycling containers at the Public Works Garage on the east side of Pontiac. Pontiac City Administrator Bob Karls explained the library tax levy isn’t new and will not increase taxes…MORE

Short-term Extension of Transportation Funding Not Acceptable

By Haley Kosik/WJEZ News Members of Illinois’ congressional delegation from both parties agree another short-term extension of transportation funding isn’t acceptable. Before leaving Washington last week, Congress passed a two-month extension of the Highway Trust Fund, the latest in a series of short-term fixes. U.S. Rep. Jan Schakowsky (D-Evanston) said, “Next time, Congress must pass…MORE

Pontiac Police Investigating Weekend Assault

By Cynthia Grau/WJEZ News Pontiac Police officers are looking for a man accused of assaulting a woman late Friday night. According to Pontiac Police Major Dan Davis, a woman reported a man in the basement of her rental apartment in the 800 block of North Main Street at 11:51 p.m. She reported that he assaulted…MORE

Illinois Economy Growing Slowly, But Surely

By Haley Kosik/WJEZ News The Illinois economy continues to grow, but the growth has slowed, at least for now. This is according to the monthly Flash Index from the University of Illinois, based on state collection of personal and corporate income tax and sales tax. It came in at 106.5 this month, down from 107.1…MORE

Large Weekend Fire Battled by Local Fire Departments

By Cynthia Grau/WJEZ News An early Saturday morning machine shed fire north of Fairbury caused heat and fire damage to the still-standing building, and also caused heavy losses to the farming equipment stored inside. According to Pontiac Fire Chief Scott Runyon, the fire was reported at 1:28 a.m. Along with Pontiac, departments assisting Fairbury included…MORE

Environmental Protection Agency New Rulings Avoid Affects on Agriculture

By Haley Kosik/WJEZ News Farm groups claim new federal rules on protecting small streams and wetlands from pollution go too far, but environmental advocates say agriculture won’t be affected. The rule issued by the Environmental Protection Agency is supposed to clarify which type of waterways are protected under the Clean Water Act, extending protections to…MORE

Pontiac Indians Win Regionals

By Mark Myre/WJEZ Sports The Pontiac Indians were down last night, but certainly not out!  The Tribe, facing possible elimination, scored 5 runs in the bottom of the seventh to tie the game at 8 a piece.  Neil Lambert had the game tying hit and Jacob Curry scored the game winner in the 8th inning.…MORE

Bank of Pontiac Announces Promotions

By Cynthia Grau/WJEZ News Three Bank of Pontiac officers were promoted, with President and CEO Bill Kauffman making the announcement recently. Kurt Russow has been promoted to the assistant vice president credit analyst. He joined the Bank of Pontiac in 2010. Seth McCoy and Corey Finkenbinder have been promoted to loan officers. McCoy joined the…MORE