(Washington-jm) -- A bill to increase funding, training, and support for caregivers passed in the Senate unanimously. The Supporting America's Caregivers and Families Act is sponsored by Senator Dick Durbin of Illinois, and Senator Tim Kaine, of Virginia. The Supporting Older Americans Act of 2020 aims to increase funding for the National Family Caregiver Support Program, increase the use of caregiver assessment, and enhance funding and partnerships with health payers.

 

 

(Springfield-jm) -- Governor J-B Pritzker says the state is on the lookout for price gouging related to the Coronavirus outbreak. Governor Pritzker’s administration has contacted insurance companies, warning them not to jack up prices for patients…

 

 

Illinois Governor J-B Pritzker. The Governor says price gouging will also not be tolerated for things like hand sanitizer, face masks and other products.

 

(Urbana-jm) -- The State Farm Center has unveiled a new art display by local artist John Jansky inside the west main entrance. The new display is titled State Farm Center Icons. The first ten Icons include Garth Brooks, Elton John, Dolly Parton, Elvis Presley and Prince as well as Illini greats Dee Brown, Kendall Gill, Deron Williams and Lou Henson.

 

 

(Paxton-cf)-- If you live in the Paxton-Buckley-Loda School District and have a child that is about to enter preschool or that is 3 or 4 years old, it’s now time to schedule your child’s preschool screening. Screenings will take place Friday April 3rd at the Evangelical Church in Paxton says Clara Peterson Asst. Principal Amanda Styck ...

 

 

Clara Peterson Asst. Principal Amanda Styck

 

 

(Springfield-jm) -- A fifth Illinois resident has tested positive for COVID-19, also called coronavirus. The Illinois Department of Public Health and Cook County Department of Public Health announced the patient is a Cook County resident in his 20s who flew into Chicago O’Hare Airport earlier this month after traveling to Italy.

 

 

(Springfield-jm) -- A surcharge tax could be added for those looking to purchase firearm ammunition in the state of Illinois. The bill is House Bill 5651. It was authored by Rep. Jonathan Pizer. According to the bill, a tax act would impose a 2 percent surcharge on firearm ammunition. The surcharge would help fund the Safe Schools and Learning Environments Grant Fund. 

 

 

(Washington-jm) -- How much will the China trade deal play into USDA's upcoming new supply and demand forecasts? Gary Crawford reports…

 

 

Iroquois West will hold a preschool screening at the Gilman United Methodist Church today from 8:30-3. For more information or to schedule an appointment call 815-269-2230.

 

The Saybrook Sons of the American Legion will hold their spaghetti supper tonight from 5-7 pm.

 

The Elliott Amvets will hold Family Night meals tonight. The meal includes fish and chicken plus two sides for $10. Also available for purchase are $1 sodas, $2 beers and $4.50 mixed drinks.

 

The Melvin Community Hall will have the Dixie Flyers Band at 7pm. Playing classic country and rock favorites. Doors open at 5:30. Adults $10 , Kids 10 and under are free. Food served by the Melvin Christmas decoration Fund. 

 

The Onarga Lions Club will hold their pancake and sausage breakfast on Saturday from 7-11 am at the Onarga Academy Dining Hall.

 

SPRINGFIELD — Illinois’ justice system has a problem, the top court’s chief justice told lawmakers this week. There is no statewide system to track how many people are in jail and for how long, for example, or how quickly judges clear their docket. The Illinois Supreme Court, which has authority over all courts in the state, asked members of the General Assembly for the financial resources in part to acquire technology “capable of accurately capturing and compiling data from each county,” Chief Justice Anne Burke said in separate appearances before House and Senate budget panels.

 

(Chicago--jc)  -- Governor. J.B. Pritzker has confirmed a fifth case of COVID-19 in Illinois. He said Thursday that the patient is a man in his 20s who traveled to Italy. He is in isolation at a Chicago hospital in stable condition. Pritzker and cabinet officials offered reassurance that the risk of widespread outbreak of the potentially deadly illness remains low and that the state is aggressively combating it. Dr. Ngoze Ezike is the state public health director. She says the state now has four labs to speed up testing for the novel coronavirus and is working with hospitals to conduct proactive surveillance tests.

 

(Springfield-jm) -- March is Severe Weather Preparedness Month. Spring weather can include just about anything in Illinois says State Emergency Management Agency Spokesperson Rebecca Clark. That’s why it’s important to stay informed…

 

 

Illinois Emergency Management Agency Spokesperson Rebecca Clark. Clark says they also recommend turning on wireless emergency alerts on your smartphone, which are used to warn the public about dangerous weather, missing children and more.  I-EMA says you should also have an emergency kit in your care and at home. A list of suggested items for your kit is available online at ready dot illinois dot gov or you can reach out to your local emergency management agency.

 

 

(Springfield-jm) -- Illinois' Republican congressional delegation wants Gov. J.B. Pritzker to focus on fixing problems with the state's automatic voter registration program instead of President Donald Trump's personnel decision. Pritzker confirmed he wrote the president a letter Feb. 21 that was critical of Trump’s decision to relieve acting Director of National Intelligence Joseph Maguire. Republicans responded with their own letter to the governor.

 

 

 

(Danville-jm) -- Danville Area Community College received a check from the Hoopeston Area Healthcare Foundation worth $5,000. The donation will go toward the renovation of a former US Army Reserve, which is located on the northeast corner of the Danville campus. The renovation will allow the college to expand its nursing, radiation technology, sonography, and echocardiography programs.

 

 

(Rantoul-cf)-- Save the Date! Wednesday March 12th at the Forum Fitness Center in Rantoul there will be a Health Fair for anyone who wants to get more information on fitness says Director Todd Brooks…

 

 

 

Forum Fitness Center Director Todd Brooks.

 

 

SPRINGFIELD – Legal marijuana sales in the state remained strong in February, with nearly $35 million spent on marijuana and infused products in the second month of adult-use legalization. Customers spent $34.8 million on 831,600 items over the 29-day period. Of that, $25.6 million was spent by Illinois residents, while out-of-staters spent about $9.2 million, according to a news release from the governor’s office. The numbers do not include taxes collected.

 

 

SPRINGFIELD – A bill that would allow the state to cap the prices of certain high-cost prescription drugs stalled in a House committee amid stiff opposition from the pharmaceutical and insurance industries. It was the second straight year House Bill 3493 failed to pass out of the Prescription Drug Affordability and Accessibility Committee. The bill would set up a five-member board that would have authority to conduct cost reviews and set “upper payment limits” for any prescription drug that crosses certain price thresholds.

 

Updated

(Springfield-jm) -- The Illinois State Fire Marshal’s Office is reminding the public to change your clock, change your batteries.” It’s daylight savings time this weekend and a chance to not only spring forward, but to make sure your smoke alarms are working properly says Fire Marshal Spokesperson J-C Fultz…

 

 

State Fire Marshal Spokesperson J-C Fultz. Fultz says you should also make sure your smoke and carbon monoxide alarms haven’t expired, since they last about 10 years. 

 

The Rantoul Area Chamber of Commerce will hold their annual Cash Bash on Saturday from 5-10 pm. Tickets or more information is available by calling Michael Fox at the Bank of Rantoul 892-2943.

 

The Foosland Sportsman’s Club will hold their splatterobard shoot on Sunday,. Breakfast begins at 6  am with the shoot starting at 8.

 

The Rantoul Knights of Columbus will hold their Breakfast on Sunday  from 8 to 11 am at St. Malachy School.

 

The 2nd annual Girls Day Out will take place on Sunday from 2-6 pm at the 103 East Banquet Room in Buckley.