(Springfield-jm) -- Governor J-B Pritzker scored a win in federal court after a panel of judges ruled his 10-person cap on religious gatherings was constitutional.  A panel of Seventh Circuit Appellate Court judges released its opinion in Elim Romanian Pentecostal Church and Logos Baptist Ministries v. Pritzker. The panel affirmed Governor Pritzker’s crowd restriction, which he canceled, does not run afoul of the First Amendment. In the opinion, they say religious institutions holding congregations do not elevate to the level of need as a grocery store or meat market. 

 

 

(Springfield-jm) -- The daily number of new Coronavirus cases in Illinois has been under one thousand for about a week and a half now. The latest daily total is 546 new COVID cases. Governor J-B Pritzker urges everyone to keep protecting themselves and others…

 

 

Illinois Governor J-B Pritzker. Statewide about three percent of tests run are coming back positive for the virus. Public Health officials are also announcing 87 additional deaths, bringing the total to nearly 65 hundred.

 

 

(Undated-jm) -- Locally, Champaign County reported 6 new cases and 1 new death, a man in his 40s, bringing their total number of cases to 755 and deaths to 10. Vermilion County is reporting 1 new case bringing their total number to 46. Kankakee County has 2 new cases bringing their total number to 1,232. McLean County has 1 new case bringing their total number to 243. Iroquois County remains at 142. Livingston County remains at 37. Ford County remains at 23.

 

 

(Springfield-jm) -- Governor J-B Pritzker is announcing 900 million dollars in grants for communities and businesses impacted by the Coronavirus. Two new assistance programs will help struggling Illinoisans pay their rent or mortgage says the Governor…

 

 

Illinois Governor J-B Pritzker. Those programs will launch in August. There are also business interruption grants for owners who haven’t been able to open because of the virus or recent property damage, as well as money for minority farmers, mental health services and food banks.

 

(Urbana-jm) -- The University of Illinois is offering a free online course about race, starting Tuesday. The course is called Race and Cultural Diversity in American Life and History. 

 

 

(Paxton-cf)-- The Paxton Chamber of Commerce launched the Eat, Drink, and Shop Local program just over two weeks ago. The program matched their money in the first 24 hours of the program, which local businesses donated more. Chamber President Alan Meyer says the overwhelming support boosted the program… 

 

 

Paxton Chamber of Commerce President Alan Meyer. 

 

 

(Urbana-jm) -- Carle Hospital has received thousands of face masks and is still in need of more. The masks are all made by about 600 community volunteers who sew the masks for patients and staff at Carle, Christie Clinic, and other facilities. Currently, the hospital has received more than 54,000 cotton masks.

 

 

(Paxton-cf)-- The Grand Old Flag Project has been delayed like numerous other projects by the COVID-19 Pandmeic. The flag pole was supposed to be up in the air on flag day on June 14. Organizer of the Project Denny Kingren gives us an update on the project… 

 

 

Organizer of The Grand Old Flag Project  Denny Kingren

 

 

(Peoria-jm) -- US News and World Report has ranked OSF Healthcare Children’s Hospital of Illinois one of the best Children’s Hospitals for 2020-2021. The hospital’s Nephrology Department was ranked in the top 50 in the country as well.

 

(Springfield-jm) -- As Illinois gets closer to Phase 4 of the Restore Illinois plan, the state's coronavirus case numbers continue to drop. Experts say Illinois is doing well right now because citizens around the state are generally following the state and federal guidelines. They also say the phased approach is greatly helping Illinois keep its COVID-19 numbers low

 

 

(Undated-jm) -- Active and recovered cases rose locally Wednesday. In Champaign County, 680 have recovered while 65 remain active with 9 hospitalized. In Vermilion County, 36 have been released from isolation with 8 in isolation. In Iroquois County, 116 have recovered with 19 isolated and 2 hospitalized. In Kankakee County, 907 have recovered, 264 remain active with 8 hospitalized. In Livingston County, 35 have been released from isolation. In McLean County, 218 have recovered with 12 remaining in isolation. In Ford County, 21 have been released from isolation with 1 remaining in isolation.

 

 

(Springfield-jm) -- Governor J-B Pritzker has signed a new law expanding the state’s vote by mail program. All recent Illinois voters will receive an application to vote by mail in the upcoming election. It’s in response to the pandemic and was sponsored by Senator Julie Morrison of Deerfield…

 

State Senator Julie Morrison of Deerfield. The law also permits curbside voting and expands hours of operations for early voting locations. Voters submitting their application for a mail in ballot by October 1st will receive it by October 6th.

 

 

(Bloomington-jm) -- A roadside scam is affecting drivers in the Bloomington-Normal area, police said.  According to law enforcement, victims are approached and given a scam story by someone who poses as a driver with a stranded family. The person says his vehicle is broken down or out of gas.  The scammer tries to sell the victim gold jewelry or other items. Police said the items are not real gold or diamonds. Bloomington police said they heard of at least three reported incidents.

 

 

(Watseka-jm) -- Iroquois Memorial Hospital in Watseka will be hosting a Know Your Numbers Lab Fair. The lab fair will run through Saturday June 20th at the hospital in Watseka from 7-10 am. Iroquois Memorial Hospital Outreach Director MaryKay Lavicka talks about some of the tests they will perform at the lab fair…

 

 

Iroquois Memorial Hospital Outreach Director MaryKay Lavicka.

 

 

(Normal-jm) -- Campus offices at Illinois State University are back open to the public. Offices reopened with limited staffing to help campus visitors. This is part of Illinois State University's Redbird Return Plan, a phased approach to bringing staff and faculty back to campus ahead of the fall semester. Face coverings are required for employees and visitors in common indoor areas.

 

 

(Paxton-cf)-- The fire that caused heavy damage to the Paxton City Shed behind the Police Building on the City’s north side will not be able to be salvaged. Paxton Mayor Bill Ingold was with the insurance adjuster to determine what was lost due to the fire… 

 

 

There is some equipment in the shed that is able to be salvaged, says Ingold… 

 

 

Paxton Mayor Bill Ingold. 

 

(Gibson City-jm) -- Gibson City police have released their recent activity report. On June 10th, a juvenile was cited for a graduated drivers license offense. On June 11th Dustin Swallow, 24, of Gibson City was cited for driving while on an electronic communication device. On June 14th, David Renfroe, 49, of Gibson City was arrested for retail theft.