(Springfield--jc)  --Restrictions on home cultivation and a tightened process for clearing past pot convictions helped move the plan to passage. The Democratic-led chamber approved it 38-17 Wednesday night.The measure would allow residents 21 and older to buy marijuana from licensed dispensaries. Possession of up to once ounce (30 grams) would be allowed for residents. Non-residents could possess 15 grams.

 

(Urbana--jc)  -- A Rantoul man was sentenced to 6 years in prison for his 15th conviction for driving under revocation.  Judge Brett Olmstead sentenced 34 year old Edward Duckworth to the prison term on Wednesday in Champaign County court.

 

(Rantoul--jc)  -- The cost of a sports court in Rantoul will be 150 thousand dollars. 30 thousand dollars has been given by Rantoul City Schools. The new courts will be for tennis, volleyball and pickleball. The local Rotary club has also pitched in 5 thousand dollars. Rantoul Park Board officials say they will be issuing 120 thousand dollars in bonds to help pay for the project.

 

(Washington--ba)-The newest USDA forecast continues to project a small price hike for grocery store food this year. USDA’s Gary Crawford reports...

 

 

 

(Buckley--jc)  The 67th Buckley and Buckley Loda High School Alumni Banquet takes place on June 8th at the 103 Restaurant and Bar in Buckley. Tickets are 25 dollars. A social hour starts at 5 with dinner at 6. Tickets are available by calling the Buckley State Bank. Reservations are needed by June First.

 

 

URBANA, Ill. (AP) — The parents of a visiting University of Illinois scholar who disappeared two years ago have arrived in Illinois from China for the trial of the man accused of abducting and killing her.  Ronggao Zhang and Lifeng Ye arrived in Champaign with their son. Their daughter, Yingying Zhang, vanished from the Urbana-Champaign campus in June 2017. Former student Brendt Christensen is charged with killing Zhang, whose body hasn't been found.. Christensen is due back in court today.

 

(Sibley--jc)  -- The Sibley Burr Oaks Area Tractor Drive is set to make another run this summer. The event takes place on July 7th. Event Spokesperson Russ Tjarks says this year’s run will take the drive to the Fairbury area…

 

 

Sibley Burr Oaks Area Tractor Drive Spokesperson Russ Tjarks.

More information is found by calling 217-249-2377

 

 

(Springfield--jc) -- Continued wet weather is leaving corn and soybean planting more than 50 percentage points behind the 5 year average. One day was suitable for fieldwork this past week says State Crop Statistician Mark Schleusener…

 

 

State Crop Statistician Mark Schleusener

14 percent of soybeans are now planted. Last year 89 percent of soybeans were planted by this date.

 

(Rantoul--jc)  The Rantoul Area Chamber of Commerce is hosting several free movies this Spring and Summer. The first movie is set for June 12. The feature film is “Ralph breaks the Internet-2.” Those attending the showing at Willow Pond Golf course have the opportunity to win a cool prize from WPXN radio. One lucky person will win 4 passes to Knight’s Action Park in Springfield.

SPRINGFIELD, Ill. (AP) — Illinois lawmakers are winding down their spring session facing several outstanding issues. The General Assembly is scheduled to adjourn Friday until the fall. Legislators must adopt a budget for the fiscal year that begins July 1. Other prominent issues include a multibillion-dollar state construction plan and proposals for sports betting. Lawmakers also want to set rates for a proposed graduated income-tax structure that goes to voters late next year.

 

(Springfield--jc)  -- Some Illinois lawmakers want to change how much money fired college coaches can collect.A bill has been approved in the House and the Senate that would amend the state’s Government Severance Pay Act, signed into law last August by then Gov. Bruce Rauner. The measure came in the wake of large exit packages for former Northern Illinois University President Doug Baker and former College of DuPage President Robert Breuder.The existing law ends severance for executives fired for misconduct and limits severance packages to 20 weeks’ salary for others. The pending proposal would exempt from that provision any college athletic department employees who are paid through non-state-appropriated funds. University officials who support the bill have said the change would only apply to employees who are not paid via taxpayer dollars. Jonathan Lackland, director of governmental relations for Illinois State University, said the amendment helps to close “loopholes” in severance packages.

 

 

(Springfield--jc)  The Illinois Senate has voted to legalize recreational  marijuana. The bill allows Illinoisans 21 and over to possess up to 30 grams of pot starting in January of next year. Those with a medical marijuana card could grow their own marijuana at home. The bill is supported by 53rd District State Senator Jason Barickman of Bloomington…

 

 

53rd District State Senator Jason Barickman of Bloomington. The issue now goes to the Illinois House for consideration today

 

(Onarga--jc)  An idea garden is the focus of an open house in June in Onarga. The Ford  Iroquois Master Gardeners are holding the event from 10am until noon on Saturday June 22nd at the Onarga Library. Those attending the open house will learn about things like composting, weed control and bees. More information is found by contacting the extension office in Onarga.

 

 

(Rantoul--jc) --  The World Punkin Chunkin Championship is coming to Rantoul. In updating our story from Wednesday, the event will take place on the location of the former Chanute Air Force Base in November.  Officials with the event say it will draw tens of thousands of spectators and participants from around the world. The event will run November first, second and third. Reaction to the news from Rantoul Area Chamber of Commerce Executive Director Belynda Allen…

 

 

Rantoul Area Chamber of Commerce Executive Director Belynda Allen

 

 

(Rantoul --jc)   The village of Rantoul received more positive news on Wednesday. Rantoul Village Administrator Scott Eisenhauer says Rantoul was chosen as one of 15 supersites for its 500 acre tract to get help in development…

 

 

Rantoul Village Administrator Scott Eisenhauer

 

 

(Watseka--jc)  The 20-19 Iroquois-Ford Relay for Life event is set for Friday June 7th. The event takes place in Watseka at the high school track. The day begins at 5pm. A luminaria ceremony, survivor lap, and caregiver walk will be part of the event. Several Ford County teams are raising money for the event including those with the Farmers Merchants Bank of Illinois, Gibson Area Hospital and the Sibley Burr Oaks Tractor Drive team. Help your favorite individual or team by donating on line today.