GREEN OAKS, Ill. (AP) — An Illinois State Police trooper was killed early Saturday when a wrong-way driver struck his squad car, the third death of a state trooper this year and second in three days. The driver of the other vehicle also was killed, said acting Illinois State Police director Brendan Kelly. The driver wasn't identified. State police say 36-year-old Trooper Gerald Ellis was driving home Saturday when he was hit at about 3:25 a.m. in Green Oaks.
CHICAGO (AP) — The U.S. Department of Agriculture says Illinois could lose more than $18 million in funding if it doesn't speed up processing times on food stamp applications within the next month. The USDA, which runs the food stamp program, sent the Illinois Department of Human Services a letter saying that the agency has until April 21 to improve timeliness or develop an effective strategy to make it happen. Illinois is among the 10 worst states for timeliness rates.
WILLOWBROOK, Ill. (AP) — A new state report has found women and girls living near a suburban Chicago plant had higher than expected rates of certain cancers associated with ethylene oxide exposure. The Illinois Department of Public Health released the data Friday. It's the first tally of cancer cases in west suburban communities near the Sterigenics facility. Sterigenics says the state lacks information about other potential cancer factors. The state shut down the plant last month.
(Springfield--jc) Some Republican Senators in Springfield continue to try bring a proposal concerning any new tax on Illinoisans. 53rd District State Senator Jason Barickman says the state should use a supermajority vote not just a majority vote to raise taxes on Illinoisans…
53 District State Senator Jason Barickman of Bloomington
(Urbana--jc) A pair of Rantoul men are expected to be formally charged later today for possession of cannabis and ecstasy. After a traffic stop along Interstate 57, 24 year old Stephon Austin and 21 year old Buddy Tackett-Anderson are due back in Champaign County court today.
(Springfield-jc) -- Illinois lawmakers are closer to sending Governor J.B. Pritzker legislation that would allow for more college students at public universities to unionize. Former Governor Bruce Rauner vetoed similar legislation last year. State Representative Will Guzzardi’s legislation would classify research assistants working in Illinois’ public universities as formal employees.State Rep. Mark Batinick, R-Plainfield, said Guzzardi’s bill would push the cost of college tuition higher for Illinois’ public schools. The University of Illinois system has had two graduate student strikes in the last year. This legislation would allow research assistants to unionize and, potentially, strike if they cannot come to terms with the school on issues related to their working.
(Rantoul--jc) -- One Rantoul business is set for a ribbon cutting for its new location next week. Insurance Providers Group of Rantoul is moving to a larger location along Murray Road on the west side of the village. The ribbon cutting is set for 11-30 Tuesday Morning. Along with representatives from the business, Rantoul village leaders and chamber officials will help with the ceremony on Tuesday morning.
(Washington--ba)-How can you keep your freezer food safe in a power outage? USDA’s Gary Crawford reports.
(Watseka--jc) Some new jobs are on the way in the Iroquois County city of Watseka. T and D Metals has purchased the former Big R building along route 24. The company plans to use the facility for a manufacturing project. Between 30 and 35 jobs are expected with the new facility.
(Rantoul--jc) One Rantoul township High School Class used their expertise to help the track team. Mr Bud Root’s metal class constructed some hurdle carts to make it easier to transport hurdles. The track coaching staff and members of the Eagle track team thanked the class for the carts.
(Springfield--jc) Snap benefits are ready. Kim Howard reports…
(Rantoul--jc) On Friday, Rantoul Police Detectives continued the investigation into the shooting reported on March 28. As a result, the METRO SWAT team executed a search warrant in the 200 block of W. Frost Avenue in the village. In addition to the METRO SWAT team, Rantoul Police were assisted in the investigation by members of the Champaign County Street Crimes Task Force. No arrests have been made to this point and the investigation continues.If anyone has information on the identity of the suspect or vehicle used in this crime they are encouraged to call the Rantoul Police Department at 893-5600 or Champaign County Crime Stoppers at (217) 373-8477.
WARREN, Ill. (AP) — Funeral services are set for an Illinois State Police trooper who was struck and killed by a truck last week during a traffic stop. A visitation for Trooper Brooke Jones-Story will be held Tuesday at Warren High School in the northwestern Illinois community of Warren. Funeral services for the 34-year-old officer will be Wednesday, also at the high school, followed by a private burial. Jones-Story was fatally struck Thursday by a truck as she was inspecting a commercial motor vehicle in Freeport.
(Champaign County--jc) -- Local Fire departments were busy battling several fires including two house fires in northern Champaign County over the weekend. On Saturday afternoon, firefighters were called to a Penfield home. The two story house was a total loss and initial reports say the blaze was caused by a furnace issue. One resident of the house, Jim Evans, was taken to a local hospital suffering smoke inhalation. On Sunday, Rantoul firefighters were called to a home on Maplewood Drive on the east side of town. The call came in around 4-30 Sunday morning. The home, owned by Jerry Glazik, was fully engulfed when firefighters arrived. A fireplace heater is believed to be the cause of that house fire.
URBANA, Ill. (AP) — Fifty years after the University of Illinois opened an African-American cultural program, the group is moving into a permanent home. The News-Gazette reports that construction of the $5.9 million glass-and-brick structure for the Bruce D. Nesbitt African American Cultural Center is nearly complete. The center's director says a "soft opening" is planned this spring. A grand re-opening event will be held in the fall to commemorate the center's 50th anniversary.
(Paxton--jc) -- Preserving items at Eastlawn School in Paxton will be one topic for the Paxton Buckley Loda School Board Buildings and Grounds committee tonight. The committee is also expected to hear an update on the demolition of the aging facility as students will move into a new school next fall. Lee Farms Excavating of Thawville has been hired to tear down the Eastlawn school later this summer. That project is set to begin around August 26th with asbestos abatement and the demolition to follow. Cost to tear down the nearly 100 year old building is one point 5 million dollars.
(Rantoul--jc) -- Rantoul Chamber officials have announced an addition to this summer’s Freedom Celebration. Hall Brothers Racing of Rantoul will be participating in the local event. Hall Brothers Racing will be offering rides in the Raminator Monster Truck. All of the money raised for the rides will benefit The Rantoul Veteran’s Memorial. Plans continue for the annual celebration set for the 4th of July holiday this year.
SPRINGFIELD, Ill. (AP) — A former Springfield man has been sentenced to two years in federal prison for Medicaid fraud. A federal judge sentenced 53-year-old Kevin Schaul on Friday. He must also pay restitution of nearly $583,000. Schaul now lives in Augusta, Missouri. He pleaded guilty in August to five counts of health care fraud related to his business. Childrite Medical Supply Inc. sold incontinence products to Medicaid recipients.
SPRINGFIELD, Ill. (AP) — A graduated income tax could narrow Illinois' growing income disparity, cut property — as well as income — tax bills and deliver billions of dollars in extra annual revenue to combat state deficits and underfunded public schools and infrastructure, according to a study released. The peer-reviewed exam by the Project for Middle Class Renewal and the Illinois Economic Policy Institute constructed eight scenarios based partly on progressive income tax structures among Illinois neighbors. The Associated Press obtained the study in advance of its release.
(Watseka--jc) The Iroquois County management committee will look at some county farm management issues when they meet this morning in Watseka. Building efficiencies, a panic button discussion and some leases contracts are all on the agenda. The committee meets at 9 this morning at the administrative center in Watseka
(Ludlow--jc) -- Ludlow Grade School is looking for its next class of kindergarten students. Parents or guardians are asked to call the school office at 27-396-5261 to pre register those kids who will be five years of age by September First. The pre registration runs from April 1st to May 17th.
