(Springfield--jc)  -- Illinois Governor. J.B. Pritzker signed legislation Friday that makes Illinois the eighth state to remove time restrictions on prosecuting crimes of sexual violence.The Democrat signed into law a measure that lifts a 10-year statute of limitations on pressing charges in felony cases of sexual assault and sexual abuse. The law takes effect January First. 

 

 

CHICAGO (AP) — Hundreds of Illinois National Guard members are being deployed to Afghanistan, the largest such deployment in a decade. About 400 members of the 1st Battalion, 178th Infantry Regiment of the National Guard, headquartered on Chicago's South Side, will begin a more than yearlong deployment in support of counter-terrorism efforts says Illinois Governor JB Pritzker…

 

 

Illinois Governor JB Pritzker

. The soldiers will first spend a few weeks undergoing training in Fort Bliss, Texas, before heading to Afghanistan in late September.

 

 

BISMARCK, N.D. (AP) — An agricultural economist says the Trump administration's decision to base new handouts to farmers hit by the trade war with China on how many acres they've planted might be a fairer way to distribute the cash. U.S. Agriculture Secretary Sonny Perdue announced Thursday that the government will pay another $16 billion in aid to farmers affected by the president's trade war with China. Scott Irwin, a University of Illinois agricultural economist says per acre payments are fairer than per bushel.

 

 

(KKK-jc)  -- An Amtrak train bound for Champaign derailed near Monee after colliding with another vehicle. Amtrak says the driver of a box truck was killed, but  no passengers on board were seriously hurt. Emergency responders helped out at the scene for hours late into the night.

 

(Springfield--jc)  -– Illinois schools now have more options for long-term student records that could save taxpayer funds, due to legislation sponsored by State Senator Jason Barickman. The republican from Bloomington sponsored the measure, he believes is a common-sense answer to a problem that many  schools face. The measure updates a set of rules for how schools handle, store, and potentially destroy long-term student records. The measure is now law.

 

(Washington--jc)  -- The USDA has issued a number of state grants to help fight food assistance fraud. An advocate for SNAP reform says Illinois could be more vigilant. The U.S. Department of Agriculture announced that $5.1 million in SNAP Fraud Framework grants were awarded to fund state projects designed to reduce recipient fraud in the Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program, or SNAP.

 

(Springfield--jc)  -- With the tougher texting laws in place, the Illinois State Police say it is important to know what you can and can not do with your phone while driving When talking on the phone, you must be completely hands free, not just holding the phone and having it on speaker. Illinois State Police Sergeant Joey Watson says when using the phone for directions, the tips are these…

 

Illinois State Police Sergeant Joey Watson

 

(Washington--jc)  What is the latest forecast for retail grocery store food prices. Gary Crawford has the story…

 

 

 

(Paxton--jc)  A former Paxton Buckley Loda student, athlete, collegiate football player, honor student and WPXN employee has accepted a position with the N-F-L. Jordan Anderson has accepted a position at N-F-L H-Q as a media assistant. Congratulations to Jordan on the new job. He will be moving to Los Angeles.

 

 

(Cissna Park--jc)  One area school has set school registration for one week from today. Those in the Cissna Park school district will have registration on Monday August 5th and Tuesday August 6th. The first full day of classes in Cissna Park is Tuesday August 20th.

 

(Springfield--jc)  -- Illinois Governor. J.B. Pritzker issued his first veto of the 47 bills the governor acted on Friday. Pritzker vetoed Senate Bill 2026, a measure to alter the process of how the state applies for certain federal waivers for various taxpayer funded programs. It is unclear if the sponsors will seek an override.

 

(Undated--jc)  -- Motorists filling up in Illinois have been paying double the gas tax all month, but there are ways they can save money if they do some research. Governor. J.B. Prtizker signed an infrastructure package that doubled the state’s gas tax from 19 cents a gallon to 38 cents last month. It went into effect July 1. The measure, along with an increase in vehicle registration and other driving fees, is supposed to help pay for a $45 billion, six-year infrastructure plan. GasBuddy.com petroleum analyst Patrick DeHaan said Illinois motorists are definitely feeling the increased gas tax, especially those who don’t live close to a border to fill up in another state.

 

(Paxton--jc)  -- The Christmas in July fundraiser for the city of Paxton Christmas parade committee was another success on Saturday in the city. Volunteers gathered 635 dollars in donations. The money raised will help with expenses for this year’s Paxton Christmas parade. The theme for this  year’s parade is Willy Wonka and the Chocolate Factory. The parade steps off at 1-30pm the Saturday after Thanksgiving.

 

(Loda--jc)  Loda Good Ole Days is now complete for another year. The three day event featured pageants, a parade, kids games, talent show and a huge truck and tractor pull. Organizer Alecia Whitcomb says the town is proud of its efforts in the village park…

 

 

Loda Good Ole Days Organizer Alecia Whitcomb

 

 

(Watseka--jc)  -- Do you remember the show “Hee Haw”. Some of the living members of the hit television show are set to perform in Watseka in August. The Watseka Theatre production takes place on Saturday August 10th. The 4 cast members performing are Jana Jae, Misty Rowe, Buck Trent and Lulu Roman.

 

(Undated--dg)  -- Piper City will be celebrating its 150th Anniversary this Friday and Saturday. Opening ceremony will be at 5on Friday afternoon with a reveal of a 1969 time capsule to follow. Games on the midway, bingo, bounce houses, and live music featuring a barbershop quartet and the Esh Van Project will provide entertainment for all ages. A grand parade steps off at 1 Saturday afternoon. A show and shine car and tractor show, games and contests will take place at Branch Park. The Sesquicentennial Celebration will conclude Saturday evening  an Alumni Dinner, along with games on the midway, bingo, bounce houses, and live music featuring The New Relation.

 

 

(Gifford--jc)  Let the junior high softball practice begin. Those in the Gifford area along with a coop with Potomac and Armstrong schools have I-E-S-A softball practice starting this afternoon at 4. Physicals are required before athletes can participate.