Illinois lawmakers have passed a new state budget. The budget includes over $1.8 billion in tax relief. Some of the provisions are temporary, such as lifting the one percent grocery tax for a year and delaying a scheduled increase in the gas tax until January. The budget also doubles the property tax rebate up to 300 dollars and sends a one-time payment of at least 50 dollars to most individuals and 100 dollars per child. The Earned Income Tax Credit which helps low income working families will be expanded and there will also be a sales tax holiday for back to school purchases in August. The Cisne FFA enjoyed a successful day of competitions Friday at the District V Livestock Judging and Horticulture Career Development Events at SIU-Carbondale. The Varsity Livestock Judging Team of Emma Hedrick, Lexi Weber, Abigail Biggs, Kori Kessell and Myles Levi finished in 13th place. Hedrick finished 2nd overall individual among the 243 students representing 50 schools. The Junior Varisty Livesto