CHICAGO (AP) — Illinois Gov. J.B. Pritzker has signed a bill banning the sale of tobacco products to minors. Pritzker on Sunday signed legislation raising the legal age for purchasing tobacco products from 18 to 21. With Pritzker's action, beginning on July 1, Illinois will join six other states and Washington, D.C. in banning sales to those under 21. The legislation also does away with penalties for underage possession. Businesses will face fines for selling to underage customers.

 

(Springfield--jc)  Young farmers in Illinois are getting a chance to develop skills with help from the Illinois Farm Bureau. Mike Doherty, senior economist and policy analyst at Illinois Farm Bureau, says  the bureau’s Young Leaders Program has become popular The program is for young farmers and farm couples and gets them involved in agriculture, exposing them to the decision making and the business of agriculture. The program is  geared toward men and women 18 to 35 years old who have a passion for all aspects of agriculture. Farm Bureau also has similar programing in several universities and community colleges.

 

 

(Roberts--jc)  -- A Car Show and dance is set for one Ford County town this July. The event is sponsored by the Living Word Church of Roberts on Saturday July 20th. The band Statesboro will be performing

 

 

URBANA, Ill. (AP) — A federal judge has denied an ex-University of Illinois student's request to be granted his master's, withheld after allegations he sexually assaulted another student.  A due-process lawsuit was filed last month for the Indian citizen. It said he could lose his job if he didn't have the degree by April 15 and could be unable to extend his visa. The accusations were made after he graduated but before he got the degree. A school panel ended up dismissing him.

 

 

(Springfield--jc)  --Illinois Governor J.B. Pritzker said Friday that the state's Medicaid program will use state and federal funds to cover sex reassignment surgery, but the governor's office hasn't said how much the policy change could cost. Pritzker’s administration said the state’s Medicaid program will begin covering gender-affirming surgeries for members under new policies being established. The proposed rule, the administration said, would allow Medicaid members 21 and older diagnosed with gender dysphoria to be eligible for genital and breast-related surgeries.About 1,400 of the state's 3.1 million Medicaid members are diagnosed with gender dysphoria, according to a news release from the governor's office. Last year, about 2,500 prescriptions for hormone therapy were covered.Coverage could be available starting this summer after a public comment period.

 

(Springfield--jc)  -- This is alcohol awareness month and the Illinois Department of Human Services says help is available for those struggling with addictions. It’s estimated one in every 12 adults suffer from alcohol dependence,which can lead to long term health problems says D-H-S Spokesperson Patrick Laughlin…

 

 

Department of Human Services Spokesperson Patrick Laughlin

 

 

(Watseka--jc) -- Iroquois County leaders will look to approve a resolution and deeds for the sale of property in the delinquent tax process when they meet on Tuesday morning at 9. County leaders are also expected to join the city of Watseka in an electronic recycling event on June 1st.  Lease renewals will also be a topic for Iroquois County board members.

 

 

(Gibson CIty--jc)  106th District State Representative Tom Bennett continues to work from his home in Gibson City. Bennett reminds motorists to be safe and obey Scott’s law…

 

 

106th District State Representative Tom Bennett of Gibson City

 

(Paxton--jc)  Let the negotiations begin. Members of the Ford County Board will meet later this month or in early May to hammer out a new deal for the County’s Sheriff’s department. Local leaders say the state’s rising minimum wage could be a factor in negotiations. Board representatives will be meeting with reps from the Fraternal Order of Police Illini Lodge 17..

 

(Rantoul--jc)  -- Rantoul police continue to investigate reports of shots fired on Saturday morning around 11. Police says the shots were fired in the 15-Hundred block of Kessler Drive. Police believe an hispanic male was the target. Police are searching for a handful of high school aged males in connection with the incident.

 

BLOOMINGTON, Ill. (AP) — A bill that would ban colleges from asking applicants about their criminal history would hurt campus safety efforts, according to police chiefs at several Illinois universities.The Democratic lawmaker who sponsored the Criminal History in College Applications Act said there's no proof that including such a question on college applications improves public safety and that it deters some people from applying. "Everyone deserves a second chance," said state Representative Mary Flowers, of Chicago. Aaron Woodruff, the police chief at Illinois State University, is among those who oppose the measure.

 

(Paxton--jc)  Paxton City Council members will look at the repair project for the Pells Park Pavilion when they meet tonight in monthly session. City leaders will also discuss stop signs at Franklin, High and Meridian Terrace. Motor Fuel tax money and road repair is also on the agenda. The Paxton City Council meeting comes to order at 7, on the second floor of city hall.

 

(Champaign--jc)  -- The local area and the state of Illinois has seen above precipitation since December. Illinois State Water Survey in Champaign Spokesperson Brian Kerschner says that is the main reason that Spring flooding remains a possibility…

 

 

Illinois State Water Survey Spokesperson Brian Kershner

(Rantoul--jc)  It’s Spring, so let the road construction begin. Work along Interstate 57 starts today on northbound and southbound lanes of I-57. The patching work also continues on I-74 in Champaign County. Illinois Department of Transportation officials remind motorists to slow down, do not used mobile devices  and move over so all workers can do their job safely.

 

(Cissna Park--jc)  -- The United Fund Drive begins on Friday in Southern Iroquois County. The Ash Grove, Pigeon Grove and Fountain Creek townships are the area for the drive to fund 10 non for profit agencies. Officials with the United Fund Drive are looking for volunteer help in the Fountain Creek area. The fundraising then will continue through the month of April

 

(Springfield--jc)  -- One area Republican lawmaker is blasting the Democratic majority in Springfield over a measure to give money to all babies for a college tuition program. Republican State Representative Dan Caulkins of Decatur says Democrats have ignored suggestions from Republicans. Caulkins says lawmakers need to cut the budget, and get the Illinois economy back on track. In addition to reforming medicaid, Caulkins says that voters should have the opportunity to amend the state constitution to enact meaningful pension reforms. The Republican also said that raising taxes on everything is not the way to solve our fiscal problems.

 

(Springfield--jc)  -- Illinois Senate Democrats are stressing the need for an accurate cout in the 20-20 census. New legislation would provide 25 million dollars in grants for census education and local outreach efforts says Illinois State Senator Kimberly Lightford of Maywood…

 

 

State Senator Kimberly Lightford of Maywood

(Paxton--jc)  -- With a recommendation from it’s buildings and grounds committee, the Paxton Buckley Loda school board is expected to provide a date for a live auction of items at the soon to be razed Eastlawn School.  The local Ford County Historical Society will also save some items from the school. The PBL School board meets on Wednesday night at 7 at the high school in Paxton.