EVANSTON, Ill. (AP) — A Northwestern University journalism professor has resigned after being accused of misconduct by former students and employees. Alec Klein said in an email that he voluntarily resigned effective Friday "because I believe it is in the best interests of all involved as I pursue other endeavors." Klein in February took a leave of absence while the university investigated misconduct charges raised by eight former students and two Medill former Justice Project employees dating to 2011.
SPRINGFIELD, Ill. (AP) — Using tax dollars to settle sexual harassment claims is illegal under a law Gov. Bruce Rauner signed. Rauner acted Friday on the plan by Republican Rep. David McSweeney of Barrington Hills and Democratic Sen. Tom Cullerton of Villa Park. They pushed it after the resurgence of the #MeToo anti-harassment movement last fall. Harassment complaints felled powerful men in entertainment, politics and the media. Media reports revealed that several congressmen had used tax dollars to quiet complaints.
(Springfield--jc) It was Veteran’s Day at the Illinois State Fair on Sunday. Illinois Governor Bruce Rauner signed 6 new laws in honor of the occasion. One law makes it easier for vets to eligible benefits, a second is the silver alert program says governor Rauner…
Illinois Governor Bruce Rauner.
Another new law designates November 4th as G-I Bill of Rights Day in Illinois and two others honors Desert Storm service medal recipients on their license plates.
CHARLESTON, Ill. (AP) — A former Illinois basketball coach who pleaded guilty to sexual assault involving two former players has been sentenced to 60 years in prison. A judge sentenced 54-year-old Barry Wolfe of Martinsville to the maximum sentence Friday, after hearing from victims. One said in a written statement that high school was a living hell because of Wolfe's actions. Wolfe coached the Central Illinois Storm, an American Athletic Union basketball program for girls age 17 and younger in Illinois and Indiana.
(Springfield--jc) Families and outdoor enthusiasts are urged to stop by Conservation World at the Illinois State Fair, going on now through Sunday. Conservation World is a 30 acre park with ponds and grass to shade trees. State Department of Natural Resources Director Wayne Rosenthal…
Illinois Department of Natural Resources Director Wayne Rosenthal.
There is also a Paul Bunyan Lumberjack show and butterfly house.
(Champaign County--jc) -- Several members of a Tennessee family were injured in a one vehicle accident in Champaign County on Saturday afternoon. Police say 33 year old Jamal Halloway of Memphis lost control of his vehicle in the northbound lanes just south of Champaign and the vehicle rolled several times. Halloway, and three family members were treated at Carle Hospital with minor injuries.
(Pontiac--jc) It’s an event that is celebrating 70 years in Central Illinois. The 20-18 run for the Pontiac based annual Threshermans Reunion starts on August 30th. The groups president is Dave Herz and he talks about a plethora of Allis-Chalmers orange…
Pontiac Thresherman’s Reunion event President Dave Herz.
(Springfield--jc) 81 cadets have graduated from the Illinois State Police Academy. They will hit the road as new troopers all over the state. The Cadets made it through a grueling 25 week program in Springfield that included physical challenges, vehicle and firearms training. State Police Director Leo Schmitz says the class has met the initial challenge…
Illinois State Police Director Leo Schmitz
Now the State police is accepting applications for cadet class 129. The classes start next April and applications are due this Wednesday at Illinois-Trooper-Dot-Com.
(Fisher--jc) Could a solar farm be coming to the village of Fisher. Fisher Village leaders were informed that a Minnesota company is looking to build a facility in the south part of Fisher near the grade school. Novel Energy has over a hundred wind farms in Minnesota. State incentives and a lottery for such facilities remain a topic in the state capitol.
(Springfield--jc) Illinois Brewers will have more freedom to expand their businesses under a new state law. Governor Bruce Rauner says this law removes antiquated regulations that were stifling the brewery industry. Illinois Craft Brewers Guild Executive Director Danielle D’Alesandro agrees says it will left breweries serve beer and cider from other business in their taprooms…
Illinois Craft Brewers Guild Executive Director Danielle D’Alesandro.
(Springfield--jc) -- Illinois is celebrating its 200th anniversary as a state. Here is todays Bicentennial Minute…
URBANA, Ill. (AP) — A University of Illinois report is recommending new efforts to support students in the first weeks of school when sexual assaults are most common, especially among freshman. The university's second systematic survey of sexual misconduct on campus recommends targeting resources at specific groups who have a higher risk of sexual assault. The survey is also recommending doubling down on efforts to reduce alcohol abuse.
LERNA, Ill. (AP) — Learn how to dye materials 19th Century style at the Lincoln Log Cabin State Historic Site. The hands-on workshop will be Aug. 25 beginning at 10 a.m. in Lerna. Instructors will show participants the process for dyeing fabric in the tradition of the frontier. They will use materials available at the time such as flowers and bark.
(Springfield--jc) Illinois Brewers will have more freedom to expand their businesses under a new state law. The law strips outdated regulations from the liquor control act of 19-34, C-E-0 Matt Port of Destihl in Normal says one of the most important components helps the whole brew industry….
C-E-O Matt Porter of Destihl of Normal
LISLE, Ill. (AP) — Benedictine University officials say the president of the Illinois-based school has resigned. The Daily Herald reports Michael Brophy stepped down Thursday and is planning a yearlong sabbatical. A spokeswoman says Brophy's future position with the university will be determined next summer. The private, Catholic university is based in the Chicago suburb of Lisle and has campuses in Springfield, Illinois, and Mesa, Arizona. Brophy became president in 2015.
(Paxton--jc) The Paxton Buckley Loda Teachers Union is expected to vote on a proposed new contract for teachers in the school when they meet later this week. The Paxton Buckley Loda School board and negotiators for the local teachers have worked on a tentative new three year deal. If approved by the local teachers union, the P-B-L school board is expected to give their o-k to the new deal. Contract details will be released after a new deal is reach.
(Springfield--jc) She is reigning in Springfield. Rural Cissna Park resident and current Miss Illinois County Fair Queen Samantha Hasselbring started her duties at the Illinois State Fair. The event runs through Sunday. Hasselbring invites you to see her at the fair in the state capitol…
Miss Illinois County Fair Queen Samantha Hasselbring.
(Cissna Park--jc) The 20-18 run for the Old Settlers Reunion begins later this week. The annual event runs Thursday and Friday evening in the park in Cissna Park. Entertainment on Thursday at 8 is the Bellflower Country Opry. Friday its the popular band Back Paiges at 8 and on Saturday night its the Neverly Brothers band. A parade is set for Noon on Saturday and someone will win a brand new car on Saturday night. The annual Old Settlers Reunion is sponsored by the local American Legion Post 527 of Cissna Park.
(Washington--jc) The high corn and soybean forecasts may have surprised many people, but they also may end up being closer than most August estimates. U-S-D-A Chief Economist Rob Johansson says they may be close to the final harvest numbers…
U-S-D-A Chief Economist Rob Johansson
(Gibson City--jc) -- One Ford County school district is getting ready for the start of school with a school supply drop off night this evening. The Gibson-City-Melvin-Sibley Elementary School drop off night begins at 4-30 and runs until 6-30. The school will be open for families to drop off school supplies in classrooms and lockers. Entertainment, free ice cream and books also hi-lite the event in Gibson City.
(Champaign--jc) -- Soil moisture continues to dry, but some mid week rain could help. State Climatologist Jim Angel with the Illinois Water Survey in Champaign says a chance for rain in some parts of the state runs from Tuesday through Thursday…
State Climatologist Jim Angel with the Illinois Water Survey in Champaign.
