BLOOMINGTON, Ill. (AP) — Fifty wind farms have opened in Illinois since 2003 and more are in the works, but not everyone is on board. The state ranks sixth nationwide with 2,778 operational wind turbines, according to The (Bloomington) Pantagraph, which cited the American Wind Energy Association. McLean County is expected to have four wind farms soon. Illinois could make enough wind energy by 2030 to power the equivalent of 7.2 million average U.S. homes, according to the federal Department of Energy’s Wind Vision Scenario.
(Springfield-jm) -- The unemployment rate was down in nearly all Illinois metro areas last month. 13 out of the 14 metro areas enjoyed a decrease in the jobless rate in November, compared to the same time last year. State Department of Employment Security Spokesperson Rebecca Cisco says some areas set records…
Illinois Department of Employment Security Spokesperson Rebecca Cisco. Nine of the metro areas experienced over the year job growth as well, including Chicago and the Suburbs, Champaign-Urbana and the East St. Louis area. In Ford County the unemployment rate fell from 4 point 8 percent to 3 point 8 percent. In Champaign County the unemployment rate fell from 4 point 3 percent to 3 point 1 percent. In Iroquois County the unemployment rate fell from 4 point 4 percent to 3 point 6 percent.
(Rantoul-jm) -- A Rantoul man who allegedly entered a home last week in the 1800 block of Eater Drive and beat the person inside with a baseball bat faces up to 30 years in prison. Nicholas McMahon was charged with home invasion and aggravated battery with a deadly weapon. He is free on bond. He is due back in court February 11th.
New
(Washington-jm) -- What do USDA's December reports reveal about U.S. beef production, price and export forecasts for next year? Rod Bain reports…
Tri-County Players have set auditions for their next play, “The Last Séance”, by Herb Hassler, for Saturday, January 4th from 10 – noon. The auditions will be held at the Paxton Market Street Theatre, 120 N. Market St., Paxton. We will be looking for 3 men and 6 women to fill the parts in this slick farce: A family-operated séance scam is laid out before us. Attempts to conceal the swindle lead to a number of surprising twists amid frenetic action. The final startling twist of the play reveals to us - and the family - why this must be the last séance.To audition, you will need to read excerpts from the play. We will begin practicing on Monday, January 6th. Practices will be Mondays, Tuesdays, and Thursdays from 6:30 – 8:00 p.m. The show dates are February 14 – 16 and 21 – 23.For additional information or to set up a different time to audition, contact Tammy Belanger at 217-766-1174.
(Springfield-jm) -- When Illinois’ recreational cannabis law goes into effect on Jan. 1, the Illinois State Police officials said the agency won’t revoke Firearm Owners' Identification cards based solely on recreational use, but questions remain. A defense attorney who focuses on Second Amendment cases said the matter remains a question mark. Here’s the conundrum: Recreational cannabis is legal in Illinois. Illinois also is one of the only states that require residents to obtain a card to own a firearm. The governmental entity charged with running that program and its daily background checks will also have knowledge of some people who are using cannabis, a no-no for gun ownership in the eyes of the federal government. While possessing less than 30 grams of cannabis flower has not been a crime in Illinois since 2016, it is still a Schedule I drug in the eyes of the federal government and gun buyers are specifically asked if they use cannabis. A “yes” answer to that question means a denial of the firearm sale. The punishment for lying on an FTR form is a felony. Felons cannot own guns in most cases.
(Springfield-jm) -- Several new traffic safety laws take effect January first. Fines are going up in the new year for reckless driving, passing a stopped school bus and speeding in a construction zone. Another law, explained by Rockford Senator Steve Stadelman during floor debate, makes it illegal to stream movies or watch youtube on your phone while driving…
State Senator Steve Stadelman of Rockford. Additionally, the maximum penalty for hitting a construction worker increases from 10 thousand dollars to 25 thousand.
(Paxton-jm) -- Paxton police have released their recent activity report. On December 26th Dusty Bouchard of Paxton was arrested for aggravated battery and home invasion. On December 23rd Michael Surratt of Paxton was arrested on a Kane County warrant.
(Springfield-jm) -- Minimum wage workers will be getting a raise in the new year. The state minimum wage will go up by a dollar January first from eight dollars 25 an hour to nine 25 an hour. When he signed the law back in February, Governor J-B Pritzker said it was time to pay workers a living wage…
Illinois Governor J-B Pritzker. This will be the first increase in a gradual phase in that will bring the minimum wage up to 15 dollars an hour in 2025.
(Fisher-jm) -- The Fisher School District has received a commendable rating from the state in their recent report card. Juniors SAT scores as well as freshman and sophomore PSAT scores came in above the state average. The district says they are working on a plan to continue making improvements.
