Vehicles powered by batteries that are charged by electricity are becoming more and more popular, and many states are passing laws centered around certain percentages of vehicle sales that must include zero emissions. In California, where nearly 40 percent of the current electric vehicle fleet exists today, government mandates call for all new cars sold in 2035 and beyond must be zero emission vehicles. The pros and cons to this movement to EVs are many, and there’s no denying that electric vehicles will play a significant role in Illinois’ economy now and into the future.

The Local Government Distributive Fund (LGDF) was enacted in Illinois following the passage of the state income tax in 1969. A key element of the agreement was the establishment of revenue sharing, with local governments receiving a percentage of the income tax revenues on an annual basis. From the establishment of the state income tax until January 2011, this percentage held firm at 10 percent.

Illinois is home to some of the largest freshwater fish in the world, and recently a commercial netting crew working to reduce invasive carp populations caught a giant 109-pound carp on the Illinois River near Morris, according to this Facebook post by the Illinois River Biological Station. A 90-pound carp was caught in the same area a day earlier.

Big fish are common on a number of Illinois rivers and lakes. A lake sturgeon is an extremely rare species, and it is also the largest fish species in the state. The largest fish ever captured in Illinois waters was a lake sturgeon from Lake Michigan in 1943. The fish weighed 310 pounds and was seven feet, 11 inches long. Some of the other largest fish on record include a 124-pound blue catfish that was caught in 2005 on the Mississippi River and a 78-pound flathead catfish caught on Carlyle Lake in 1995.

FENTANYL 

How much fentanyl crosses our southern border? One of the most dangerous and deadly drugs pervading our nation currently is fentanyl. The flow of this powerful drug coming into the United States from Mexico continues to skyrocket, with the Customs and Border Patrol seizing over 19,800 pounds of fentanyl crossing the southern border in FY23, compared to 7,600 pounds in FY22. Fentanyl seizures at ports of entry nationwide quadrupled from 2019-2021, added a report from CBS News. Mexican cartels often use the powerful drug to cheaply and deceptively boost the impact of other, less lethal drugs, such as cocaine or Adderall.

One of the most dangerous and deadly drugs pervading our nation currently is fentanyl. The flow of this powerful drug coming into the United States from Mexico continues to skyrocket, with the Customs and Border Patrol seizing over 19,800 pounds of fentanyl crossing the southern border in FY23, compared to 7,600 pounds in FY22. Fentanyl seizures at ports of entry nationwide quadrupled from 2019-2021, added a report from CBS News. Mexican cartels often use the powerful drug to cheaply and deceptively boost the impact of other, less lethal drugs, such as cocaine or Adderall.

In our lifetime the 4th of July has meant cookouts, fireworks and travel but throughout Illinois’ history the July 4th date has had other significant historical importance. Here are a few July 4th dates beyond 1776 that impacted Illinois:

On July 4, 1778, George Rogers Clark, the highest-ranking Patriot military officer on the northwestern frontier during the Revolutionary War, reached Kaskaskia, seizing it from the British and bringing the colonies’ battle for independence to the western edge of British territory in North America. Villagers celebrated by ringing a bell that is known today as “the Liberty Bell of the West.” The bell, cast in La Rochelle, France in 1741 and sent to the French settlers in Kaskaskia by King Louis XV, is older than Philadelphia’s Liberty Bell.

It’s summertime in Illinois, and that means everyone has to be aware of the high heat and humidity that can be common for days and weeks at a time. And while we do all we can to keep ourselves and our families cool during these months, don’t forget about your four-legged friends as well.

Many dogs and cats spend significant time outdoors during the summer months, and it’s important to bring them inside as much as possible or make sure they have adequate access to shelter or cooler areas. And of course, make sure you don’t forget your pet’s safety if they are traveling in a car with you to the vet or just around town. Keeping your pet on a leash, securing your pet in the back seat, and being careful with your dogs not hanging too far out the window are important safety tips. Do not leave your vehicle unattended with your pet inside, and you must be mindful never to keep your pet locked inside a hot vehicle.