From the WGLT newsroom, I'm Ben Howell. A central Illinois lawmaker says the state of Illinois would not be able to fund Medicaid if federal funding was cut. The US House has passed a budget plan to cut $700 billion from Medicaid over the next 10 years. Democratic state Senator Dave Kaler, who represents parts of Bloomington Normal, says the state would not be able to fund Medicaid without.

From the WGLT newsroom, I'm Ben Howell. A central Illinois lawmaker says the state of Illinois would not be able to fund Medicaid if federal funding was cut. The US House has passed a budget plan to cut $700 billion from Medicaid over the next 10 years. Democratic state Senator Dave Kaler, who represents parts of Bloomington Normal, says the state would not be able to fund Medicaid without.

support.

support.

We

We

can't make up what the federal government needs as a whole. We we just don't have the money. This is a tough budget

can't make up what the federal government needs as a whole. We we just don't have the money. This is a tough budget

year.

year.

The bill also creates a requirement that people enrolling in Medicaid must be working 20 hours per week unless they have a disability, and Illinois lawmakers have passed a bill to raise the age at which a driver must take a behind the wheel driver's test from 79 to 87.

The bill also creates a requirement that people enrolling in Medicaid must be working 20 hours per week unless they have a disability, and Illinois lawmakers have passed a bill to raise the age at which a driver must take a behind the wheel driver's test from 79 to 87.

Supporters point to a study which showed older drivers were less likely to be involved in car crashes. Republican state Senator Sally Turner, who represents parts of Bloomington Normal, says restricting drivers due to their age is unnecessary. I see individuals that are driving every day that are perfectly capable of driving and it's not necessary that they go in every year and get that driver's test. The bill also provides a way for families to report to the Secretary of State if they believe a family member is no longer capable of driving.

Supporters point to a study which showed older drivers were less likely to be involved in car crashes. Republican state Senator Sally Turner, who represents parts of Bloomington Normal, says restricting drivers due to their age is unnecessary. I see individuals that are driving every day that are perfectly capable of driving and it's not necessary that they go in every year and get that driver's test. The bill also provides a way for families to report to the Secretary of State if they believe a family member is no longer capable of driving.

The city of Bloomington says it will look at why so many bids have come in substantially over-staff estimates in the last year. The latest is an $18 million bid for phase one of infrastructure work on the downtown streetscape. The bid is about 39% over the estimate. Deputy City manager Sue McLaughlin says another problem is that

The city of Bloomington says it will look at why so many bids have come in substantially over-staff estimates in the last year. The latest is an $18 million bid for phase one of infrastructure work on the downtown streetscape. The bid is about 39% over the estimate. Deputy City manager Sue McLaughlin says another problem is that

Often there aren't many businesses that bid.

Often there aren't many businesses that bid.

You know, are we reaching enough, you know, firms and locations to get more bids coming in? You know, why are we only getting one or two?

You know, are we reaching enough, you know, firms and locations to get more bids coming in? You know, why are we only getting one or two?

Many municipalities are encountering the same trend bids that come in way overestimate and too few bidders.

Many municipalities are encountering the same trend bids that come in way overestimate and too few bidders.

A retiring teacher from Tri Valley says he's been able to keep up with changes in technology over about half a century of teaching. Ed Powers has ended his final year of teaching music at the Downs-based elementary school. His transition from chalkboard to smartboard was eased by tech-savvy students being willing to help. If you have a good time with the kids, the kids will have a good time with you. Powers adds. Kids learn better when they can tell their teachers like them. I'm Ben.

A retiring teacher from Tri Valley says he's been able to keep up with changes in technology over about half a century of teaching. Ed Powers has ended his final year of teaching music at the Downs-based elementary school. His transition from chalkboard to smartboard was eased by tech-savvy students being willing to help. If you have a good time with the kids, the kids will have a good time with you. Powers adds. Kids learn better when they can tell their teachers like them. I'm Ben.