(Paxton-jm) -- The Ford County Republican Women and the Gov. Thomas Ford Chapter of the National Society of Daughters of the American Revolution are inviting the public to attend the annual 9/11 memorial service at the Paxton firehouse on Wednesday, Sept. 11. Music will be provided by PBL High School’s Panther Regiment marching band beginning at 5:30 p.m., followed by a ceremony at 6 p.m. The featured speaker will be Chief Edmund J. Enright, a retired deputy district chief from the Chicago Fire Department. The event is an opportunity to remember, recognize and honor first responders, including police officers, firefighters, ambulance personnel, EMS personnel, ERS personnel, paramedics and EMA volunteers.
CHICAGO (AP) — Illinois has joined over a dozen states in asking the federal government for more information on a decision to stop considering requests from immigrants seeking to remain in the country for medical treatment and other hardships. Illinois Attorney General Kwame Raoul says the lack of information has left sick patients and their families "afraid, traumatized, and uncertain of their future health and well-being."
(Bloomington--jc) --A new Illinois High School Association rule could lead to new football schedules around the state .A policy announced last year and implemented with the start of this season limits all prep football players to one game per night and bans playing on back-to-back days. The state previously had no limits on how much football an athlete could play. IHSA Assistant Executive Director Sam Knox says in the past, you could have a student who plays in nine J.V. football games and nine varsity football games. One change is not holding JV or Freshmen contests on Friday nights. Knox says some school districts are moving Freshmen and Sophomore games to Mondays or Tuesdays. Student safety is the main concern. The change came after the recommendation of the IHSA’s sports medicine advisory committee.
(Springfield-jm) -- People who support alternatives to detention for kids in trouble say the state is set to bring lasting reforms to Illinois’ juvenile justice system. Mary Schuermann (Sherman) has the details…
(Urbana-jm) -- A deputy township assessor in Champaign County has been arrested on domestic battery charges. William Harris the third of Rantoul was charged in Champaign County court this week with domestic battery and unlawful interference with reporting domestic battery. Harris is accused of grabbing his wife by the neck during an argument and knocking the phone out of her hand when she attempted to call 9-1-1. If convicted he faces a maximum one year in the Champaign County Jail.
(Rantoul-jm) -- The Luke Remington Cancer Walk is this Saturday at the Rantoul Township High School track. Spokesperson Sue Sawyer says there will be a silent auction at the event…
Luke Remington Cancer Walk Spokesperson Sue Sawyer.
(Springfield--jc) --A key measurement of the U.S. and Illinois economy has begun to slide.The University of Illinois Flash Index dropped to a year-low of 105.1. The measurement factors in individual income and corporate tax receipts.The Illinois economy appears to be slowing slightly from its recent moderate pace but experts say any Index reading above 100 still denotes growth.
(Chicago--jc) -- Thanks to a new law, passed with bipartisan support from the legislature, active-duty and former military personnel who live in other states within commuting distance of Illinois can pay in-state tuition rates to attend Illinois public universities, colleges and community colleges.
(Springfield-jm) -- School safety is a major focus at the Illinois Emergency Management Agency’s training summit in Springfield and state officials are providing an update on what’s being done to target the problem. After last year’s Parkland school shooting, an Illinois School Safety working group was formed and came out with 13 initial recommendations. Group leader Mike Chamness says he’s pleased to report many of the ideas are being implemented, including handing out “stop the bleed” kits…
Illinois School Safety Working group leader Mike Chamness. Additionally, a new online program called “Safe 2 Tell Illinois” will kick off in January, giving students a way to report classmates threatening to hurt themselves or others. The training summit wraps up today.
(Paxton-jm) -- The 2019 Paxton Swine n Dine will take place on September 21st in downtown Paxton. Paxton Area Chamber of Commerce President Alan Meyer says there’s a full days worth of activities…
Paxton Area Chamber of Commerce President Alan Meyer. Capping off the evening is a free concert provided by country music star Jerrod Niemann.
(Springfield--jc) A lawsuit attempting to invalidate a number of loans taken out by the state of Illinois is moving to the next level.Acting as a private citizen, John Tillman of the Illinois Policy Institute has formally appealed Tuesday a ruling that tossed out his lawsuit challenging a number of bonds the state took out.He said the bonds to pay down bills and shore up budgets were unconstitutional.State officials discounted the suit as a waste of the court's time.
(Springfield--jc) State Rep. David McSweeney wants an independent investigation of Leader Jim Durkin’s House operation He said a founded misconduct report about a member of the General Assembly” that former Legislative Inspector General Julie Porter hinted at in an op-ed earlier this year should be released. Durkin's office denied any wrongdoing.
