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Story category: taxation

Champaign Starts Up Minor League Baseball Exploratory Committee

Story air date: Tuesday, January 31, 2012

Tony Johnston Addresses the Initial Meeting of the MiLB Exploratory Committee at the University of Illinois Monday

An exploratory committee is forming with hopes of learning in about a year whether Champaign can support a minor league baseball team. A former minor league owner, sports enthusiasts, and someone who helped lure a collegiate team to town in the 90’s were among the 15 people at the group’s initial meeting Monday night.

Illinois Public Media’s Jeff Bossert talked with committee chair Tony Johnston, who was tapped by Champaign Mayor Don Gerard to lead the group.

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governmentChampaignlifestylerecreationsportstaxation

LIFE ON ROUTE 150: Weighing the Value of Small-Town Police Depts.

Story air date: Tuesday, June 21, 2011

Denny Thrasher, 65, talks to Mansfield teenagers Brandon Cummins, 17, and Jonathan Cline, 18, during his patrol.

Even though small towns may not have big crime problems compared to larger areas, they still need law enforcement. As part of the series “Life on Route 150,” Illinois Public Media’s Sean Powers visited one town that’s keeping its local police presence intact despite the state’s economic challenges, and another town that recently dismantled its police force to save money.

(Photo by Sean Powers/WILL)

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Mansfield Police Officer Denny Thrasher says small-town police forces are critical:

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Ogden Mayor Jack Reidner talks about his village's former police department:

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community lifecrimeeconomytaxation

US Senator Kirk Reflects on Time in Congress, Ill. Income Tax Hike, Arizona Shootings

Story air date: Friday, January 14, 2011

U.S. Senator Mark Kirk (R-IL) and State Rep. Jason Barickman at a town hall meeting in Champaign on Thursday, Jan. 13, 2011.

U.S. Senator Mark Kirk held a town hall meeting last night in Champaign. The Illinois Republican narrowly defeated former state treasurer Alexi Giannoulias in the November election, and now has President Barack Obama’s old Senate seat. Illinois Public Media’s Sean Powers spoke with Kirk in a packed room on the Parkland College campus.

(Photo by Sean Powers/WILL)

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governmentIllinoisUnited Statespoliticstaxation

Voters Mull Over a 1% Sales Tax for Schools

Story air date: Thursday, April 02, 2009

Mahomet Junior HS

Voters in Champaign County will have the future of education funding in their hands when they hit the polls next Tuesday. At issue is a referendum to raise the county sales tax by a penny per dollar. The money would fund school building projects, pare down debt and potentially lower property taxes. As AM 580’s Tom Rogers reports, after one failed attempt, the referendum’s supporters are taking nothing for granted.

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businesseducationpoliticstaxation

Illinois Governor Pat Quinn's Budget Address

Story air date: Wednesday, March 18, 2009

Illinois Governor Pat Quinn

Governor Quinn addressed the Illinois General Assembly at noon today.

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economygovernmentIllinoispoliticstaxationUniversity of Illinois
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