BENTON, Ill. (AP) — The chief federal judge for Southern Illinois says if a partial government shutdown continues past early February the court may run out of money to pay jurors and employees and may place a moratorium on civil trials. Chief Judge Michael Reagan of the Federal District Court for the Southern District of Illinois says a lapse in funding could undermine the judicial system. Reagan says the court's roughly 100 employees have been getting paid but if the shutdown continues they'll receive one week's salary in their Feb. 8 paycheck rather than two. After that they won't receive a salary until the government fully reopens.

 

ROUND LAKE PARK, Ill. (AP) — An arrest warrant has been issued for a northern Illinois man who police say allowed an 11-year-old relative to drive herself to school in a stolen rental car while he rode along. Employees at a Round Lake Park elementary school saw the girl pull up to the school's drop-off point Jan. 9.She and a 9-year-old girl who was in the back seat exited the car. Police say 31-year-old Khafilu Oshodi of Round Lake then moved into the driver's seat and drove away.Oshodi is wanted on two counts of child endangerment and driving with a suspended license.Police Chief George Filenko says the drop-off area is very busy and the incident could've "resulted in any number of tragic scenarios" if the child lost control.

 

 

(St Joseph--jc)  How about a paint ball park. That is one agenda item for the St Joseph village board when they meet tonight. St Joe leaders will also hear a report on community park, look to approve this years board meeting schedule and also set a meeting day for St Joseph’s village goal setting meeting. Buying bases for the sports complex and obtaining  mosquito abatement materials are also on the agenda. The St Joseph board meets at 7 tonight.

 

 

(Rantoul-jc) Wanted, young beginner chess players. The Rantoul Public Library is hosting a chess tournament on February 23rd starting at 10am. The event is free for kids in grades 1 through 5. More information is found by contacting the Rantoul Public Library

 

 

(Chicago--jc)  -- New Illinois Governor JB Pritzker was a speaker at a Martin Luther King Junior event in Chicago yesterday morning. The governor says he has a do it now approach to expanding freedoms… 

 

 

Illinois Governor JB Pritzker

 

(Paxton--jc)  -- A first-aid/CPR/AED certification class is set for  Saturday February 23, at the Paxton Civic Center in Paxton. The first-aid class  starts at 10-30 that morning with the C-P-R and A-E-D class beginning at 1pm. Cost for both classes is 25 dollars each. If one gets into both classes the cost is 40 dollars. Call the Paxton Park District for more information.

 

 

Gibson City, IL, January 21, 2019– The whirlwind of the holidays is over. The tree is down and the decorations are put away for another year.  It’s time to put your feet up and let out a sigh of relief to release all the tension of the holiday blur. So, why do you feel so blue? You can’t quite put your finger on it, but you just don’t feel like yourself. Many people experience blues after the holiday rush. The blues during the cold, daylight-shortened January days can be related to post holiday “letdown” or even seasonal affective disorder. The National Institute of Mental Health describes seasonal affective disorder as “a type of depression that comes and goes with the seasons, typically starting in the late fall and early winter and going away during the spring and summer. The sadness is presumably linked to a lack of sunlight; however, the exact cause is unclear.

 

 

(Paxton--jc) The Paxton Grand Ole Flag project continues to gain momentum. Organizer Denny Kingren has been meeting with city leaders, Paxton Buckley Loda School officials and a group of volunteers to see how the project can succeed. At issue is placing a giant flag on Paxton’s west side near Interstate 57 and near P-B-L High School. Denny Kingren says the flag that is proposed will make it seen by passers by on the Interstate and also visable to those in the city…

 

 

Paxton Grand Ole Flag Project Organizer Denny Kingren.

 

 

(Melvin--jc)  -- One Ford County church is celebrating its 150th birthday in mid-February. The Melvin First United Methodist Church has a worship service set for 10-30 in the morning on Sunday February 17th. The Pastor Liz Reis is preaching. A chicken dinner will follow the anniversary services. Organizers would like those planning to attend to R-S-V-P for the meal by January 31st.

 

(Springfield--jc)  Illinois Governor J-B Pritzker is calling for an audit of the Illinois Department of Veterans’ Affairs to better protect those living in the states Veterans homes. After visiting a home in Manteno, the governor signed an executive order that requires the agency to produce a report within 120 days detailing procedures…

 

 

Illinois Governor J-B Pritzker

 

(Gilman--jc)  -- Iroquois West school board members will look at the use of school fields for spring and summer soccer with the local soccer group when they meet tonight in monthly session. Boiler issues, approving the senior trip and a look at the school handbook are also agenda items. The Iroquois West School board meets at 7 tonight in Gilman.

 

(Springfield--jc) --  Legislators will be back next week to begin spring session and there’s a lot of work expected in balancing the state’s budget, but Democrats and Republicans are likely to continue to clash over taxes and regulations for businesses. Illinois is a good place to do business, but more can be done to help employees says one State Representative. Representative Will Guzzardi, Democrat from Chicago says state leaders have to make sure Illinois provides the proper climate for businesses and their employees. Guzzardi says helping Illinoisans success is the top priority for state leaders when they meet in Springfield this month.

 

(Buckley--jc)  -- Organizers with the St Johns’ School in Buckley are looking for donations for their annual carnival, chicken dinner and live and silent auction. The event is set for February 17th and donations are key to the success of the event says spokesperson Kari Stachura…

 

 

St Johns School Fundraiser spokesperson Kari Statchura.

 

 

(Paxton--jc)  The Illinois Sheriff’s Association will be giving away a total of 50 thousand dollars in scholarships this year. Ford County Sheriff Mark Doran has announced that his office is giving away a 500 dollar scholarship. Deadline for application is March 15th and more information is found online at i-l-sheriff-dot-org or by contacting the Ford County Sheriff’s department in Paxton.

 

 

(Springfield--jc)  More snow today, rising temperatures then more snow again this weekend. Get that emergency kit for your car and make sure to take extra time in travels during the times of snowfall and winds says Illinois Emergency Management Agency Spokesperson Rebecca Clark…

 

 

I-EMA Spokesperson Rebecca Clark

 

 

SPRINGFIELD, Ill. (AP) — A special counsel to former Illinois Gov. Bruce Rauner says his administration reclassified thousands of state jobs that were once exempt from anti-patronage protections. Joe Hartzler says the Rauner administration likely made changes to 2,500 positions so an applicant's political loyalty and connections may no longer be considered during the hiring process. The U.S. Supreme Court ruled in 1990 that political affiliations shouldn't play a role in most government jobs, but exemptions were created for some policy-making positions. Hartzler says reclassifying jobs means an outgoing administration can't saddle a succeeding administration with political appointees. The move follows controversy over hiring in the Illinois Department of Transportation under former Govs. Rod Blagojevich and Pat Quinn. An investigation found people with political connections were hired for jobs that shouldn't have been exempt from typical state hiring rules

 

 

(Paxton--jc) -- The Paxton Buckley Loda F F A Chapter is hosting its annual farm toy show on February Second. One part of the event is the jackets through the years area says P B L F F A Member Jade Miles…

 

 

PBL FFA Member and PBL Toy Show Spokesperson Jade Miles

 

 

(Rantoul--jc)  Rantoul Area Chamber of Commerce officials are inviting you eat at local restaurants next week to celebrate Champaign County restaurant week. Chamber leaders say the village of Rantoul offers a wide variety of restaurants ranging from Butcher Boys Burgers and T K Cheesesteaks to restaurants that have been around for decades like Otts to new restaurants like E T’s in the downtown area. Champaign County restaurant week is January 25th through February 2nd.