The equalized assessed value of properties within the city of Monmouth is projected to jump 10% next year, allowing the city’s tax rate to drop below $3 per $1,000 of equalized assessed value.

Galesburg author Tom Colclasure set out to document his grandfather’s military service as a World War II paratrooper with the 82nd Airborne — and ended up uncovering a web of powerful stories about local people’s unique experiences during the war.

Investigators arrested Billy R. Ruple, Jr. in March after they found child sexual abuse materials in his home.

At a Friday afternoon hearing, the electoral board took no action and heard no evidence regarding pending challenges to the nominating petitions of five Republican candidates running in the March primary election, but it did schedule another meeting for next week.

An advocate for public education said Illinois voters have twice supported advisory referenda for such a tax.