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Illinois has the most restrictions concerning the COVID-19 pandemic

(Undated-jm) -- A new analysis of how governors have responded to the coronavirus threat indicates that residents in Midwest and Western states are experiencing the least coronavirus restrictions. The exception is Illinois, which has the most restrictions in the U.S. According to the WalletHub report, South Dakota has the least restrictions, followed by Wisconsin, Idaho, Missouri, Utah, Wyoming, Montana, Arizona, North Dakota and Iowa. States with the most restrictions are Illinois, Rhode Island, the District of Columbia, Massachusetts, Vermont, Hawaii, Washington, New Mexico, New York, Connecticut and Michigan. The analysis evaluated 11 metrics including employee personal travel restrictions, restaurant closures and re-openings, and whether a “shelter-in-place” order was imposed and to what extent.

 

 

(Undated-jm) -- A new report published by Pew Charitable Trusts suggests that with the increase of debt collection lawsuits, “debt collectors may seize $1,200 coronavirus checks intended for household expenses.” Before the coronavirus restrictions began, American household debt had already increased by $1.5 trillion between 2008 and 2019. As debt increased, so also did an aggressive approach made by creditors and third-party firms to use state civil courts to pursue collections through debt claims, Pew says. 

 

 

(Springfield-jm) -- The Illinois legislature approved a $40 billion state budget over the weekend. One area of concern for 105th District State Representative Dan Brady of Normal is funding for higher education…

 

 

105th District State Representative Dan Brady of Normal. 

 

 

(Washington-jm) -- 16th Congressional District Congressman Adam Kinzinger of Illinois is sponsoring two pieces of legislation to better protect Americans. The pieces of legislation demand greater transparency from China when it comes to intellectual property, manufactured goods and internet applications originating from China.

 

 

(Bloomington-jm) -- With the shutdown from COVID-19, many people are hearing about the increase in the numbers of those unemployed or businesses permanently closing. But 53rd District State Senator Jason Barickman of Bloomington says there’s another equally and disturbing increase that many people aren’t talking about…

 

 

53rd District State Senator Jason Barickman of Bloomington.

 

 

(Urbana-jm) -- A St. Joseph man has been sentenced to 10 years in federal prison for sharing child pornography. Nathan Ingold pleaded guilty to the charges. He must also serve 10 years probation upon release.

 

 

(Urbana-jm) -- A Gifford woman has been sentenced to 18 months probation after she admitted to possessing a stolen car in Champaign. Additional charges against Mackenzie Flahuat including identity theft were dismissed in exchange for her plea. Flahuat and a passenger, 25 year old Jalen Dixon of Champaign were arrested in March in Champaign in a vehicle reported stolen. Dixon is charged with possession of a stolen firearm, possession of a stolen vehicle, aggravated unlawful use of weapons and unlawful possession of credit and debit cards. His case remains unresolved.

 

 

(Paxton-jm) -- Yesterday was Memorial Day, a day to honor fallen Veterans. Many services and observances around the area were canceled because of the Coronavirus pandemic. Paxton American Legion Commander Tim Hess says those on the front lines of the pandemic have something in common with our fallen veterans…

 

Paxton American Legion Commander Tim Hess.

 

 

(Iroquois County-jm) -- An Iroquois County man flew over several communities in honor of fallen Veterans Monday. Chuck Bohlmann flew his plane over Milford, Sheldon, Watseka, Crescent City, Cissna Park, Buckley, Onarga and Gilman.

 

 

(Washington-jm) -- USDA analysts have made some significant changes in their projections for the pork industry. Gary Crawford has the details…

 

 

(Undated-jm) -- The state of Illinois has 9,176 legal cannabis industry jobs, according to a study by Leafly, a website that provides information about marijuana and connects licensed retailers to consumers.  The state has estimated annual cannabis product sales of $470 million and ranks 10th in the nation in terms of legal marijuana jobs, the report states.  Nationwide, the $10.7 billion legal cannabis industry supports the equivalent of 243,700 full-time jobs, according to the Leafly analysis, as of the beginning of 2020. Such jobs are increasing at a rate of 15 percent per year in the United States, the study said.

 

 

(Springfield-jm) -- A federal judge won’t reconsider a decision to throw out a lawsuit alleging Illinois House Speaker Michael Madigan conspired to put up sham candidates in a 2016 Democratic primary. U.S. District Judge Matthew Kennelly denied a motion Saturday to reconsider a lawsuit brought by Jason Gonzales. Gonzales lost to Madigan by a wide margin and alleges Madigan's team put up phony candidates with Hispanic-sounding names to confuse voters. Madigan spokeswoman Eileen Boyce says the ruling reaffirms Gonzales had a chance to make his case to the voters and lost. Gonzales plans to appeal.

 

(Springfield-jm) -- The State legislature wrapped up their spring session Saturday during a four day session last week. 106th District State Representative Tom Bennett of Gibson City recaps some of the legislation passed during the session…

 

 

106th District State Representative Tom Bennett of Gibson City.

 

(Springfield-jm) -- A new state grant program will provide communities with money and expertise to expand broadband capacity and improve digital access as more people work, shop and go to school online during the coronavirus pandemic. The $150,000 Illinois Connected Communities grant program will provide grants of up to $15,000, on a competitive basis.

 

 

(Danville-jm) -- A Vermilion County man will spend years in prison for possessing fentanyl with the intent to deliver. 30 year old John Forman pleaded guilty to the possession of a controlled substance with intent to deliver, between 15 and 100 grams of fentanyl. Forman was sentenced to 10 years in prison. He will be required to serve three years of mandatory supervised release after his sentence.

 

(Fisher-jm) -- The Fisher village board meets tonight in a special session. Village trustees will be asked to approve temporary outside cafe licenses for restaurants and bars along third street. The move comes after Governor Pritzker allowed bars and restaurants to reopen starting Friday with his phase 3 in reopening the state. The Fisher Village board meeting gets underway at 5pm.

 

 

(Watseka-jm) -- A Watseka man is behind bars on several charges after he tried to steal money from an ATM. Police were called to the First Trust and Savings Bank for damage to the machine. Surveillance footage showed 36 year old Daniel White trying to break into the machine. White was charged with attempted bank robbery, criminal damage to property and was wanted on a warrant out of Indiana.

 

 

(Washington-jm) -- The broiler industry is taking a hit right now , as are all the meat sectors, but will there be an improving situation in the coming year? Gary Crawford has the details…

 

 

 

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Don Shields
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