FREEPORT, Ill. (AP) — Rising waters along the Pecatonica and Rock rivers have flooded homes in northern Illinois cities like Freeport, Rockford and Machesney Park. The (Freeport) Journal-Standard reports the American Red Cross opened a shelter Friday night for those displaced by flooding in Rockford. The National Weather Service on Saturday said record crests were possible along the rivers. The Mississippi River also saw moderate flooding Saturday at Rock Island south to Gladstone.

 

CHICAGO (AP) — New state data shows Illinois high school graduates have increasingly enrolled in out-of-state colleges and universities in recent years. The Chicago Tribune reports that the Illinois Board of Higher Education figures reveal the exodus continues. More than 48 percent of public high school graduates who enrolled in four-year universities in 2017 decided to attend schools that aren't in Illinois. That figure has climbed from about 46 percent in 2016 and 45 percent in 2015.

 

STAUNTON, Ill. (AP) — An Illinois State Police trooper is recovering after being wounded during a shootout with a suspected carjacker who was killed. Officials say state police were informed Saturday by the Glen Carbon Police Department of an armed carjacking in the city. A suspect was spotted by state police on Interstate 55 in southern Illinois and after driving the auto on the median fled on foot. The man fired his weapon, wounding at trooper who returned fire. The fleeing man was killed. He remains unidentified.

 

CARBONDALE, Ill. (AP) — Southern Illinois Healthcare is hoping to expand access to trauma care in the southern part of the state. The Southern Illinoisan reports that SIH Memorial Hospital of Carbondale has applied to the Illinois Department of Public Health for Level II Trauma Center designation.

 

 

Tobacco 21 legislation is headed to the governor’s desk. The bill just passed by the senate raises the age to purchase tobacco products including e-cigs and vapes from 18 to 21. Senator Laura Fine Of Glenview says 38 communities have already passed similar ordinances.

 

 

Supporters says this will help prevent more teens from smoking and developing a life-long habit. Governor JB Pritzker has said he will sign the measure into law.

 

 

(Springfield--jc)  --A state Senator wants single-occupancy restrooms throughout the state in schools and businesses with public accommodations to have a gender-neutral sign. Amendment One to Senate Bill 5-66 from Senator Melinda Bush, Democrat of Grayslake, would require any single-occupancy restroom to be labeled with a gender neutral designation. Some Democrats are worried the measure may add to what some business owners see as a growing list of regulations that make doing business in the state more difficult. Bush said the measure does not require any new plumbing or new facilities be built, it would only require that if the place of public accommodation has a single-occupant bathroom that it have a gender-neutral label. If passed, such restrooms could only be used by one person at a time, or by a family.

 

 

BLOOMINGTON, Ill. (AP) — A central Illinois judge has rejected a state motion to reconsider granting a new trial to a man who has spent 27 years in prison for his father's 1991 beating and stabbing death. McLean County Judge Scott Drazewski rejected the motion during a hearing Friday for 52-year-old Donald Whalen. The judge last month ruled Whalen should receive a new trial in the killing of William Whalen, who was found stabbed and beaten in his downtown Bloomington bar.

 

 

(Rantoul--jc)  A Rantoul man is set to become the next Illinois V-F-W Commander this Spring. Brad Gould will be taking over as the V-F-W Commander of Illinois on June First. The mission of the V-F-W is to foster camaraderie among veterans, to serve veterans, their families and communities.

 

(Gibson City--jc)  -- 106th District State Representative Tom Bennett of Gibson City is back home after being in a car crash last week and spending time in the hospital. Bennett provides an update…

 

 

106th District State Representative Tom Bennett of Gibson City

 

(Washington--jc)  -- Are there jobs in the Ag sector for those entering the job fields. U-S-D-A Deputy Secretary Steve Censky says a new website is  focused on that subject..

 

 

U-S-D-A Deputy Secretary Steve Censky

 

(Springfield--jc)  -- The Illinois Blue Collar Jobs Program offers tax incentives to companies making significant capital investments in Illinois based on the withholding tax paid to construction workers. These tax credits only become available after the work has been fully completed. One area legislator is introducing a measure to expand the current Edge tax program. 104th district State Representative Mike Marron of Fithian says this is a great idea to help businesses grow in the state…

 

 

104th District State Representative Mike Marron of Fithian

 

 (Springfield--jc)  -- Some state Senators want to tell companies how many women should be on their corporate board, but some Democrats say it’s bad policy. Senate Bill 76 from Senator Cristina Castro, Democrat of Elgin, was heard in a committee last week. The measure would require that by summer 20-20 there be at least one women on corporate boards. By the end of 2022, boards would have to have a minimum of three of six board members be women and at least two of five board members be women, depending on the size of the board. It would also require the publication of such information. “If you’ve looked at this last election, you can see the power of women. And women want equity,” Castro said in committee.

 

(Rantoul--jc)  -- Protecting K9 Heroes is pleased to announce that K9 Wyatt of the Rantoul Police Department , has been granted a K9 Trauma Kit and a Narcan kit. These gifts of protection were made possible by donations to Protecting K9 Heroes. Wyatt is a 3-year-old Belgian Malinois mixed with German Shepherd and is assigned to Officer J. King. He enjoys chasing anything outside like balls and sticks. He loves working and is usually the first to the patrol car. He dislikes going to the vet. He is certified in Patrol, Tracking, and Narcotics.

 

(Washington--jc)  -- U-S-D-A Rural Development was the topic of a  special Farm Bill implementation listening session last week. Rod Bain reports….

 

 

 

(Springfield--jc)  Illinois Governor JB Pritzker calls the mass shooting in New Zealand heartbreaking. Although the terrorist attack on a mosque occurred far away, the governor says it is still a concern here in Illinois…

 

 

Illinois Governor JB Pritzker

 

(Springfield--ab)  -The unemployment rate was up…as were jobs in most Illinois metro areas in January. 13 out of 14 metro areas had an increase in the jobless rate from January of last year to January 2019. The good news is that 11 metro areas saw over-the-year job growth says State Department of Employment Security Spokesperson Bob Gough (goff)...

 

 

I-D-E-S Spokesperson Bob Gough

Metro areas with job losses compared to January of 2018 include Bloomington and the metro east area.

 

 

(Springfield--jc)  -- New legislation addresses the rising number of pregnancy-related deaths in Illinois. A state public health report found that 73 Women die annually within one year of pregnancy and the majority are preventable.State Senator Cristina Castro of Elgin is pushing for mandated insurance coverage of post-partum complications...

 

 

State Senator Cristina Castro of Elgin

 

 

(Farmer City--jc)  -- The 20-19 Farmer City Heritage Days are set from May 30th through June 2nd. The new design logo is ready for this year’s celebration. T-Shirts are ready for pre-order. The cost is 15 dollars. E-mail inquiries may be made at farmer-city-heritage-days-at-hotmail-dot com.