Illinois quick hits: Cook County president reveals budget; youth waterfowl hunting to begin

Cook County president reveals budget

In what she calls a “good news” plan, Cook County Board President Toni Preckwinkle has unveiled her proposed 2025 budget.

The proposal is a $9.9 billion spending plan, about $628 million more than the county’s 2024 budget. Preckwinkle said there are no new taxes, fines or fees in the new budget.

Youth waterfowl hunting to begin

Numerous Illinois state parks, state fish and wildlife areas, state conservation areas and state recreation areas will be open to youth waterfowl hunting beginning this weekend.

Per federal regulations, youth waterfowl hunters ages 17 or younger may hunt ducks, geese and coots if they are accompanied by an adult at least 18 years old. Youth hunters must have a valid hunting license, youth hunting license or apprentice hunting license.

Endangered mussel found

Over a century after it was last seen, an endangered species has been found alive in Central Illinois.

The salamander mussel was last spotted 120 years ago, but on Oct. 2, two conservation biologists from the Illinois Natural History Survey found both the salamander mussel and its host, the mudpuppy, in the Sangamon River. The salamander mussel is less than two inches long and normally lives under rocks in rivers.