SPRINGFIELD, Ill. (AP) — The field director for Republican U.S. Rep. Rodney Davis's re-election campaign has been charged with felony aggravated battery after he allegedly got into a physical altercation at a campaign event for Davis' opponent. The (Decatur) Herald & Review reports that its media partner WCIA obtained a video that appears to show Levi Lovell confront Davis' Democratic opponent, Betsy Dirksen Londrigan, and her husband at a Wednesday night fundraiser in Springfield.
SPRINGFIELD, Ill. (AP) — Illinois Democrats gathering for their annual state fair rally on Thursday matched the verbal salvos launched by Republican opponents a day earlier in the informal launch of the fall election campaign, even without former Vice President Joe Biden. The Indiana fill-in for the ill Biden criticized Republican Gov. Bruce Rauner's handling of the state budget and Rauner's Democratic opponent, J.B. Pritzker, said Rauner has divided Illinois and his own party.
URBANA, Ill. (AP) — Agreements are almost finalized with city officials in Champaign and Urbana for the area's first dockless-bike-share service. The active transportation coordinator for the University of Illinois says VeoRide has given her serial numbers for 500 bicycles, which is the largest fleet size that's allowed. Each bike features a GPS, a self-locking mechanism on the back wheel and can be accessed with a phone app. VeoRide charges 50 cents for 15 minutes.
(Springfield--jc) -- July’s jobless rate came in at four point 2 percent, down from four point 3 in June. Illinois Department of Employment Security Spokesperson Bob Gough says 37 Hundred jobs were added last month…
Illinois Department of Employment Security Spokesperson Bob Gough.
MAHOMET —Governor Bruce Rauner Thursday signed legislation that requires gas storage field owners to notify local communities if natural gas leaks threaten to expose residents and businesses to contaminated water. The new law also mandates annual storage field inspections by the Illinois Department of Natural Resources. State Senator Chapin Rose of Mahomet says the new law requires notification to local offices and homeowners…
State Senator Chapin Rose of Mahomet
The issue is in response to a gas leak near the Mahomet Aquifer in 2016. Local officials and area residents were not informed about the leak that contaminated private wells and was so severe that residents reported being able to light their water on fire.
(Springfield--jc) Illinois Governor Bruce Rauner used his amendatory veto concerning the Illinois Secure Choice Retirement Savings program. State Treasurer Michael Frerichs blasted the governor saying its politics…
State Treasurer Michael Frerichs.
Officials will the governor’s office say a mandatory participation in the measure was one reason Governor Rauner vetoed the measure back to lawmakers. Frerichs says Democrats will look to override the veto this fall.
(paxton --ab) Thursday kicked off the first day of school for the Paxton Buckley Loda School district and by all facets it was success. P-B-L School Superintendent Cliff McClure says it’s a great start to the new year...
P-B-L School Superintendent Cliff McClure
(Cissna Park--jc) It’s day number two for the Cissna Park Old Settlers Reunion. On the free entertainment stage in the part at 8 tonight is the popular band Back Paiges. Swyear Amusements is on the midway and cod fish sandwiches is the special in the pavilion. Cash prize drawings will also be held tonight. On Saturday, WPXN will be broadcasting the annual parade live at noon and someone will win a brand new Chevrolet car on Saturday night.
(Champaign--jc) You can learn and get a good walk in too. Join T.J. Blakeman, President of the Champaign County History Museum, and local history enthusiast on a widely acclaimed trip back through time to explore the rich history of Downtown Champaign. This 1.5-hour walking tour takes a leisurely route through the streets of Downtown discussing the buildings, people, and events of today and yesterday. So put on your favorite walking shoes and join the Champaign County History Museum as we bring history to life! Participants should wear comfortable shoes and dress for the changing August weather. The walk is set for Friday evening and Saturday afternoon. More information is found on line on the museums website.
POTOMAC — Lola’s Bar and Grill in Potomac will host a fundraiser beginning at noon on Saturday and going til 1 am Sunday for John Reardon, a longtime Potomac resident and U.S. Army veteran. Reardon is battling a serious illness. Donations will be accepted at the door, and food will be served from 1-5 p.m. The music lineup is Dixie Flyer at 1pm, the Parrish Duo at 3:30, the . Sound Choice DJ Karaoke at 6pm with the Zack Dable Experience from 8:30 until close.
(Undated--jc) Illinois is celebrating its 200th anniversary as a state. Here is today’s Bicentennial Minute…
OMAHA, Neb. (AP) — The economy is expected to continue growing slowly in rural parts of 10 Plains and Western states, but the ongoing trade disputes remain a concern.Creighton University economist Ernie Goss says grain prices have fallen even lower since the trade disputes erupted.The overall economic index for the region increased slightly to 54.8 in August from July's 53.8.That score still suggests growth because it is above 50, while any score below 50 indicates a shrinking economy.Bankers from Colorado, Illinois, Iowa, Kansas, Minnesota, Missouri, Nebraska, North Dakota, South Dakota and Wyoming were surveyed.
(Springfield--jc) -- The jobless rate fell a tenth of a point to four point 2 percent in July. Illinois Department of Employment Security Spokesperson Bob Gough says it is a positive trend…
Illinois Department of Employment Security Spokesperson Bob Gough
BLOOMINGTON — In one of the largest drug busts involving the alleged sale of methamphetamine in Bloomington, two men were charged Thursday with possession and delivery of about 12 ounces of the drug The Pantagraph reports that 40 year old Jeremy Cagle, of Marquette Heights and 24 year old Charles Guilliams of Bloomington were arrested by Bloomington police in Carlock, following what authorities said was Cagle's sale of meth to a confidential police source. The drugs have an estimated street value of 27 thousand dollars
(Paxton--jc) The cost to repair the historic pavilion at Pells Park in Paxton could cost around 150 thousand dollars. City of Paxton leaders continue to discuss how to get the dollars to pay for the restoration. One suggestion is to involve the Ford County Historical Society or Paxton Foundation to help fundraise. Another suggestion from the city council is to save up city funds to complete the project. The Pavilion in Pells Park in Paxton was built in 1907.
(Mansfield-dg)-The Mansfield Homecoming celebration is this weekend, Friday Saturday, and Sunday. The Carnival will be open on Friday and Saturday. Live music with the Feudin Hillbillies on Friday night and Wreckless Whiskey on Saturday night. The IPA Tractor Pull starts at 6pm on Friday. The antique tractor pull starts at noon on Sunday. A parade, car show, Lawn Mower pulls and Power kids Derby hi lite the activities on Saturday. Check out a full list of activities on Facebook.
(Buckley--jc) One local Christian School has their annual dinner and auction fundraiser tomorrow at the Garden Hotel in Urbana on Saturday. It’s the annual knight for Christ for Buckley based Christ Lutheran High School. Event spokesperson Larry Abbe says hundreds of items will be auctioned off to raise money for the local school…
Christ Lutheran High School Knight for Christ Spokesperson Larry Abbe.
(Rantoul--jc) The village of Rantoul owns around 20 parcels of land they want to place back on the taxing roll. They range from blighted properties and tax lien properties within the village limits. Village leaders are taking with their legal team on how the move forward with the sale of the properties. Property owners near the properties in question are expected to be contacted about buying the parcels.
ANN ARBOR, Mich. (AP) — The Great Lakes Commission says it will divide nearly $900,000 among seven local organizations to help cut runoff of sediment, nutrients and other water pollutants. Runoff feeds harmful algae blooms and oxygen-starved "dead zones" where fish can't survive. Recipients of the grants will install best-management practices for limiting soil loss and applying fertilizer in ways intended to keep it on the land instead of washing into the Great Lakes.
(Champaign--jc) The Taste of Champaign opens today and the event runs through tomorrow. The event is sponsored by the Champaign County Park District and takes place at Westside Park. 30 vendors are featured at the two day event. Taste tickets are one dollar.
(Paxton--jc) One local church is hosting a free family movie night tonight at 6-30. The Paxton Church of Christ is showing the film “Wonder.” The movie features the true story about August Pullman. Rootbeer floats also hilite the evening
The Paxton IGA is hosting a parking lot cookout from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. Saturday. Money from the cookout will benefit the Loda American Legion. Menu is Ribeye steak sandwiches, chips and pop.
