Rich Egger

More than 1,000 child care providers, home health care workers and others opposed to human service funding cuts rallied in Springfield on May 15.

 One of the protesters is Faith Arnold, who is a childcare provider. She said 95% of the families she serves rely on state subsidies. She said uncertainty over state money is having an impact on those who run child care operations.

Illinois' regional school superintendents are backing legislation (SB 2706) that would eliminate nearly a quarter of their 44 offices.

The proposal is not likely to satisfy critics who say the positions are not necessary and that the offices should have their functions taken over by local school districts.

Regional Offices of Education oversee teacher certification, GED programs, and truancy cases.

The panelists talk about a federal appeals court ruling on Illinois' eavesdropping law.

The Chicago Tribune reports the Seventh Circuit US Court of Appeals in Chicago found the law “likely violates” the First Amendment. The court ordered authorities to stop enforcing it.

The law made it illegal to audio record police officers in public without their consent. Violators faced harsh prison sentences.

The matter became an issue because of the NATO summit scheduled to be held in Chicago on May 20 & 21, 2012.

Macomb city council members want more information about a proposal to refund money to those who live outside the city limits who paid for a hook-up to the city's water service.

Macomb estimates it charged an average of $3,000 to the 18 people in question. Aldermen appear willing to lower the fee from this point forward but they're not sold on the idea of giving refunds.

Illinois lawmakers are heading into the home stretch of their 2012 session. But they still need to approve a budget before they can adjourn.

They've been working for months to try figuring out how  they can cut two of the state's biggest expenses:  pensions  and Medicaid.

Some lawmakers are not pleased with the pace.

"Well, why would you be concerned? We've got two and a half weeks left.  We've got all the time in the world to fix our problems here in the state of Illinois,” remarked Representative Joe Lyons (D-Chicago).

Students are not the only ones preparing to bid adieu to Western Illinois University.

Pam Bowman, Director of Human Resources, said the university averages 77 retirements per year. But she said approximately 142 employees are retiring before the end of June this year.

“Approximately 77 Civil Service, 20 administrators, and 45 faculty,” Bowman said.

While some are stepping aside because of their age or years of service, others chose to leave because of concerns over their retirement payout.

Many college students use their time outside the classroom to hang out with friends, play video games, or participate in extracurricular activities. A senior at Western Illinois University devotes a portion of his time to military funerals.

Jordon Maag is a member of the Illinois Army National Guard's 233rd Military Police Unit in Springfield. A couple years ago a friend in the guard suggested he volunteer for the Military Funeral Honors Program.

He found it to be a valuable service.