(Springfield--jc)  -- On the 46th anniversary of roe-v-wade…. Governor J-B Pritzker signed an executive order to make sure the state’s reproductive rights law is being followed. A law that went into effect last year expanded insurance coverage to state employees and medicaid recipients wanting an abortion. The order from Governor Pritzker requires the state to confirm group health insurance companies are following the law.

 

 

Illinois Governor JB Pritzker

The law also makes sure abortion laws remain intact in Illinois…regardless of what happens at the federal level

 

(Springfield--jc)  Illinois’ Republican contingent in the House of Representatives is pushing legislation that members say is Gov. J.B. Pritzker’s chance to show that he supports removing lawmakers from the process of drawing the state’s legislative districts, but some are skeptical.Led by Minority Leader Jim Durkin, Republicans are sponsoring a constitutional amendment that would establish a process for legislative map-drawing that they say is free from partisan influence.State Rep. Tim Butler said this is the new governor’s chance to follow up on his campaign promise to support fair maps.

 

(Champaign--jc)  -- Champaign County Crimestoppers is seeking information concerning a shooting that happened on Monday afternoon at the Red Fox Convenient Store on north Market Street in Champaign. Police believe the shooting was do to an argument between two people. A 20 year old man was taken to a local hospital. Anyone with information about this crime is asked to call Champaign County Crimestoppers at 217-373-8477

 

 

(Undated--jc)  Winter is here, but farmers are already in the planning stages for Spring planting and the 20-19 crop year. Farm Credit Services Mark Jensen says trade tariffs to crops size and profit margins have affected the farm credit outlook…

 

 

Farm Credit Services CEO Mark Jensen

 

 

ORLAND PARK, Ill. (AP) — In Northern Illinois, police say the suspect they are searching for in the fatal shooting of a teenager at a suburban Chicago mall is a 19-year-old acquaintance of the victim. In a news release today, Orland Park Police said they are searching for Jakharr Williams of University Park in the  shooting at Orland Square Mall. The attack Monday left 18-year-old Javon Britten of Richton Park dead and a bystander suffered a graze wound to the leg. Police say Williams should be considered armed and dangerous.

 

BLOOMINGTON — A Saybrook man asked a judge Tuesday to recommend him to the state's impact incarceration program, a request that could reduce his eight-year sentence for residential burglary to a several months 22 year old Derek Roesch, pleaded guilty to home invasion. Roesch and Jaclyn Jones broke into a home in Anchor with the intent to rob the homeowner. The pair initially faced home invasion, drug and weapons charges related to the June 4 incident. Judge Scott Drazewski told Roesch that the Illinois Department of Corrections will determine if he qualifies for the program.

 

(Paxton--jc)  -- The Ford County board is set to meet later this week to talk more about wind farms and their future in Ford County. Setbacks, tower height, flicker and noise are the topics that continue for local leaders.  The special meeting is set for 7pm Thursday at the Ford County Courthouse in Paxton.

 

 

BELLEVILLE, Ill. (AP) — The St. Clair County state's attorney is in line to become head of the Illinois State Police. The  Pritzker administration confirmed the nomination of Brendan Kelly. He'll need approval from the Illinois Senate. Kelly ran for Congress in November but lost to incumbent U.S. Rep. Mike Bost.  As a prosecutor, Kelly worked closely with state police on corruption investigations and drug cases. Kelly has been the St. Clair County prosecutor since 2010. He became a local resident in 1986 when his parents were stationed at Scott Air Force Base.

 

 

(Undated--jc)  -- Winter weather in Illinois will go from freezing rain, to rain, to sunshine and back to negative temperatures and snow for the remainder of this week. Illinois Water Survey in Champaign spokesperson Brian Kersher says to prepare for the changes…

 

 

Illinois Water Survey in Champaign  Spokesperson Brian Kersher

 

 

One cancellation today is a crop insurance meeting at the Farm Bureau Building in Gilman. No make up date was provided.

 

 

 

(Paxton--jc)  -- With the current winter weather, there is time to get a new coach, and local officials want to make a hire soon. The Paxton Park District has started the process to hire a new Paxton Aquatic Wildcats Swim Team Coach. The person hired would take over for Alex Goudy. She retired from the position after last summer. Those interested in the position, are asked to contact the park district or go on line for job description information.

 

(Chicago--jc)  --Illinois Congressman Bill Foster said he plans to renew his push to get the federal government to put more money into state roads because Illinois and other high-population states contribute more revenue.  With talk of massive infrastructure spending plans at both the state and federal level, Naperville Democrat Bill Foster said Illinois is getting the short end of the stick when it comes to how much the state pays into the federal government compared to what it gets in government spending. Foster says the state loses between $20 and $40 billion every year because Illinois pays a lot more taxes than we get back in federal spending.

 

(Farmer City-jc) -- One community and school are set to honor a state police trooper fatally injured on the job. Ryan Albin Day was rescheduled for Saturday February 9th at Blue Ridge High School in Farmer City. The event is sponsored by the Illinois State Police and also features basketball games with the Blue Ridge Knights. The event starts at 1pm.

 

 

(Paxton--jc)  One local car dealer is celebrating an anniversary. Shields AutoMart in Paxton is celebrating its 25th anniversary. The Dealership has just received their 25 year Chevrolet dealer award. Rick Shields, Pete Klein and the entire staff look forward to another 25 years serving the area.

 

(Springfield--jc)  --Lawmakers in Illinois are barely getting a passing grade from the Center for Racial and Gender Equity, but one lawmaker dismisses the criticism as misguided. The Chicago-based group says its goal is to “advance a radical vision for liberation, through leadership development and political engagement.”A report the group released on Martin Luther King Jr. Day, called “Racial Justice Scorecard,” looks at the 100th General Assembly and gave the legislature an overall "D" grade. It looked at various bills it put in categories like criminal justice reform, police accountability, workers' rights, equitable economic opportunity and direct democracy.

 

(Gibson City--jc)  -- One Ford County Church is hosting a paint party on Sunday. The First United Methodist Church is Gibson City has set the event for 1pm and will feature local high school art teacher Casey McCullough. Those attending will be painting and the cost for kids is 10 dollars and the cost for adults is 20 dollars. More information is found by calling the church office.