CHICAGO (AP) — Health officials said Sunday that a hospitalized Chicago man in his 60s is believed to be Illinois’ first community transmission case of COVID-19. The man, in serious condition, had not traveled recently. His case marked the seventh overall in Illinois.
(Springfield-jm) -- Illinois homeowners, whether they’ve paid off their mortgage or not, have an additional “shadow mortgage” averaging $90,000 that they’re on the hook for in the coming years, according to a new report. Policy researchers at the nonprofit Wirepoints came to that estimate by adding up and dividing the future liabilities owed by the state, county and local municipalities in the form of pensions and retiree healthcare costs by household.
(Springfield-jm) -- A new website aims to answer the public’s questions about recreational mariuana. The Let’s Talk Cannabis webpage is easy to use and features several fact sheets with helpful information says the Illinois Department of Human Services Dani Kirby…
Illinois Department of Human Services Dani Kirby. The website is: lets talk cannabis il dot com.
(Rantoul-jm) -- The Champaign County Clerks office has released early voting hours in Rantoul. Early voting will take place at the Rantoul United Methodist Church beginning today through the 13th from 10 am to 6 pm, March 14th from 10 am to 1 pm, March 15th from 1 to 4 pm and March 16th from 10 am to 6 pm.
(Gibson City-jm) -- An area golf course and restaurant is closing at the end of the month. In a post on Facebook, Bluefish at Railside Golf Course in Gibson City announced the end of March will be the last for both the golf course and the restaurant. The post says the group that owns the course, grounds, clubhouse and restaurant made the decision to close after there was no one to sign the lease. Bluefish says they will continue to operate the restaurant for lunch and dinner until the ownership group closes the door. There’s no word on what will happen to the site in the future.
(Iroquois County-jm) -- Heavy load haulers in Iroquois County take note. Beginning today through the 15th, the county has issued a hauling notice. That means you must contact the township road commissioner for approval to use township roads.
(Washington-jm) -- USDA analysts will be formulating its new global commodity supply and demand forecasts in an unusually uncertain market. Gary Crawford reports…
(Paxton-jm) -- The Ford County Board is expected to approve a pair of new hires at tonight’s county board meeting. County board members will be asked to approve the hire of a full time senior service specialist for the health department and a part time deputy for the Supervisor of Assessments and Treasurer's office. In addition, county board members will also be asked to approve bids for motor fuel tax work. The Ford County Board meeting gets underway at 7pm in the basement of the Ford County Jail.
(Gilman-jm) -- Gilman city leaders are expected to discuss and possibly approve a couple of project related expenses at tonight's meeting. Council members will be asked to approve an engineering agreement for the North Central Street streetscape project as well as approve a payment for the North Thomas/East Second Street project. The Gilman city council meeting gets underway at 7pm.
(Rantoul-cf)-- The Spring Fling and Meat Raffle for the Community Service Center of Northern Champaign County will be held at the Rantoul VFW on April 28 says Director Andy Kulczycki(KUL- chiscki)...
Community Service Center of Northern Champaign County Director Andy
Kulczycki
(Paxton-jm) -- The Paxton Buckley Loda FFA Chapter has been awarded a $500 Empowering Education Grant from Eastern Illini Electric Cooperative. The grant will go towards the purchase of a PlasmaCam CNC Plasma Table System that will provide students a modern hands on learning opportunity in metalworking, design and fabrication.
The national act coming to the Ford County Fair in June is the Eli Young Band. Joe Diffie will also perform.
SPRINGFIELD — The chairman of the House Revenue and Finance Committee said that a task force set up last year to provide proposals for reforming the state’s property tax system was unable to reach a consensus. State Representative Michael Zalewski, of Riverside said there's no real one solution that is going to offer comprehensive, one-size-fits-all relief. And as a result of that, you have things like the Property Tax (Relief) Task Force where you have all these ideas that come together and no one can gain a majority to author a finalized report.
(Springfield-jm) -- Several measures at the Illinois statehouse dealing with vaccination requirements face opposition. One measure, House Bill 4870, would require students to get the HPV vaccine before they can go to school. Another proposal to eliminate the religious exemption for vaccine requirements, Senate Bill 3668, could be pared back as discussion continues. Those in opposition believe it takes away a parents right to raise their child as they see fit.
(Springfield-jm) -- It’s problem gambling awareness month and the state has several resources for those who think they may have a gambling addiction. Illinois Department of Human Services Spokesperson Patrick Laughlin says the website: we know the feeling dot org, has information on where to get help, and a quiz to see if you might have a problem…
Illinois Department of Human Services Spokesperson Patrick Laughlin. The state also has a hotline for those struggling, the number is 1-800-gambler.
(Urbana-jm) -- A University of Illinois student has been arrested after police say he broke a window and tried to set a building on fire. Police say 20 year old Ethan Dye of Champaign is accused of breaking out a window at the Granger College of Education building and using a torch at the window. Dye is charged with criminal damage to state supported property.
(Rantoul-jm) -- Rantoul fire officials believe smoking material caused a Sunday morning house fire. Firefighters were called to the house fire in the 1100 block of Briarcliff Drive around 7 am. Damage was estimated at $10,000. Fire officials say the house is uninhabitable.
(Washington-jm) -- USDA has additional measures it will take if African Swine Fever is ever detected in this country. Stephanie Ho reports…
(Gibson City-jm) -- Gibson City leaders are expected to have a short meeting tonight. On the agenda is appointing Alexandria Kafer as junior alderman. The Gibson City city council meeting gets underway at 7pm.
(Rantoul-jm) -- Rantoul Township High School school board members are expected to approve a handful of items at tonight's school board meeting. One of the items school board members are expected to approve is several updated policies. Another item is the renewal of membership to the IHSA. The Rantoul Township High School school board meeting gets underway at 7pm.
(Rantoul-cf)-- The Rantoul Health Fair used to take place every year until about 15 years ago. Todd Brooks joined the staff at the Forum as Director last year and was tasked with bringing the fair back…
Director Todd Brooks
(Paxton-jm) -- The City of Paxton is moving forward with the purchase of a new truck. The city is buying a truck with a dump bed and plow. The truck will cost the city nearly $60,000 with $46,000 coming from the city’s vehicle replacement fund and $13,500 from the curb and sidewalk fund.
