(Champaign--jc) A car going the wrong way along Interstate 74 near the Interstate 57 interchange this morning struck a semi tractor-trailer around 3-30. Police are not commenting on those involved, but say the semi driver was taken to a local hospital. The accident has closed the eastbound lanes on I-74 and traffic is being rerouted around that area. That closure is expected til around 9 this morning.
(Springfield-jm) -- Illinois Secretary of State Jesse White’s office confirmed this week it denied what appears to be the federal government’s latest attempt to gather data about noncitizens living in the United States, this time through driver’s license information. A spokesperson for White’s office said the agency received a request from the U-S Census Bureau’s Data Acquisition Branch in September and denied the request. The American Association of Motor Vehicle Administrators distributed an email stating the Census Bureau has been seeking driver and identity card information including the name, address, date of birth, sex, race, eye color and citizenship status. Earlier this year, the Department of Commerce, which oversees the Census Bureau, proposed adding a citizenship question to the 2020 census. That was blocked by the U-S Supreme Court.
WOODSTOCK, Ill. (AP) — Congressmen and senators from Illinois are urging a review of health policies after a mumps outbreak at a northern Illinois county jail that houses immigrant detainees. Health officials confirmed six mumps cases at McHenry County Jail earlier this month. In a Wednesday letter the Democrats cite "serious concern" about conditions and urge a "thorough and urgent" policy review. The group also seeks additional details on the outbreak.
(Springfield-jm) -- Secretary of State Jesse White reminds that Real I-D requirements take effect in about a year. Starting October 1st 2020, you will need the Real I-D to fly domestically, a valid passport will also be an acceptable form of identification. Secretary White says you can get the Real I-D at your local driver’s services facility…
Illinois Secretary of State Jesse White
Secretary of State Jesse White. Visit: real id dot ilsos dot gov for more information and a list of documents you will need to get the new license.
(Paxton-jm) -- Paxton’s Emergency Management Agency building will be receiving some repairs. Mayor Bill Ingold outlines the project…
Paxton Mayor Bill Ingold.
(Undated-jm) -- Those who need assistance paying their energy bills can do so starting next week. Low Income Home Assistance Program or LIHEAP, will begin accepting applications on Tuesday. Those in a single family can receive up to $1,561 in assistance, two person family 2,114, three person family 2,666 and four person family 3,219.
SPRINGFIELD, Ill. (AP) — The Illinois State Museum in Springfield has agreed to return 42 culturally significant objects to Australia after nearly a century after they were brought to the United States. The museum says in a news release that it's the first institution in the world to repatriate artifacts as part of the Australian government's Return of Cultural Heritage Project, that is trying to bring back indigenous materials that were taken from the country.
(Springfield-jm) -- The Illinois Department of Labor and State Fire Marshal’s Office are working to make sure haunted houses are safe for the public. All haunted houses must be inspected prior to opening. The state wants to make sure the public has a scary, but safe time when they visit says Fire Marshal Spokesperson J-C Fultz…
State Fire Marshal Spokesperson J-C Fultz. There’s also a limit on the number of dead-end paths a house can have and restrictions on open flames and pyrotechnic special effects. Exits and pathways must be wide enough to account for the maximum number of people in the attraction.
(Undated--jc) --Add another village to local governments banning recreational cannabis sales in their jurisdiction.The Village of Chatham, just south of Springfield, voted 4 to 2 to ban adult-use cannabis sales within the community. Just down the road last week, the city of Springfield voted to approve sales and tax it locally at 3 percent.An effort this week in the Springfield city council to bar sales failed to advance.
(Cissna Park--jc) -- The annual Cissna Park Pumpkins in the park is set for Saturday in the southern Iroquois county town. Cissna Park F F A Advisor Jeff Clifton says the event has been growing over the years..
Cissna Park F F A Advisor Jeff Clifton
(Champaign-jm) -- Registration is underway for the one day Hazardous Waste Collection Event in Champaign. The Illinois Environmental Protection Agency is hosting the event on October 26th from 8-3 at Market Place Mall. You must register first.
(Washington-jm) -- Government payments have helped boost farm income. Stephanie Ho reports…
(Undated--jc) Now is the time to save on Monster Jam World Finals 21. Pre sale tickets are now available Use code PREFERRED before September 30th to be the first to select your seats
