(Springfield-jm) -- S&P Global Ratings called Illinois’ spending plan, which relies on borrowing billions from the Federal Reserve, “precariously balanced” as nonprofit groups weigh in on how federal aid should be distributed to states. Adam Schuster, budget and tax research director with the Illinois Policy Institute, said federal aid to Illinois should include conditions. Governor J.B. Pritzker has said if the federal government doesn’t approve a bailout for states amid the pandemic, lawmakers may have to rework the budget.

 

(Paxton--jc)  --  Six  area fire departments were called to an early morning house fire in Paxton this  morning. Authorities were called to a house fire in the 500 block of South Fall Street just after 1 this morning. No word on damages was provided. Firefighters were on the scene to around 5-30 this morning.  Firefighters from Paxton, Loda, Buckley, Ludlow, Elliott and Rantoul assisted with the blaze

 

(Springfield-jm) -- The grassroots coalition “Vote Yes For Fair Tax” is once again making a push to persuade Illinoisans to approve the progressive tax amendment in November, but business groups are lining up to oppose the income tax. The amendment would scrap the state’s flat-rate income tax for a new structure allowing lawmakers to tax different levels of income at different rates. The National Federation of Independent Business, the Illinois Chamber of Commerce and the Illinois Farm Bureau have come out against the measure.

 

 

(Springfield-jm) -- Governor J-B Pritzker is encouraging those who haven’t responded to the 2020 census to do so as soon as they can. The census count, which is done every 10 years, helps determine representation in Congress and the amount of federal funding the state receives. It’s crucial to make sure everyone is counted says Governor Pritzker…

 

 

Illinois Governor J-B Pritzker. Illinois’ response rate is about 67 percent so far. The Governor says the state is working hard to make sure those often undercounted including college students, young kids, snowbirds and minorities fill out the census form.

 

 

(Undated-jm) -- The Illinois Department of Public Health reported 1,257 new cases of COVID-19 Thursday and 25 additional deaths bringing the state’s total number of cases to 157,450 and deaths to 7,251. Locally, McLean County reported 13 new cases bringing their total number to 350. Vermilion County reported 3 new cases bringing their total number to 94. Kankakee County reported 6 new cases bringing their total to 1,529. Champaign County reported 15 new cases bringing their total to 1,091. Ford, Iroquois and Livingston Counties all reported no new cases.

 

 

(Rantoul-jm) -- A Rantoul man has been arrested following an armed robbery in the village this week. 19 year old Alexander Wilson was arrested for allegedly robbing a man of his cell phone, money and cigarettes at gunpoint Wednesday evening at Colonial Liquors on Maplewood Drive. 

 

 

(Rantoul-jm) -- An 80 year old Rantoul man has been charged with disorderly conduct for allegedly engaging in a sex act at a park in the village. Police were called to a park in the village Wednesday afternoon for an indecent exposure for a man and woman engaging in sexual activity. Glenn Tadlock was identified as the man in the incident. The woman hasn’t been found.

 

 

(Paxton-jm) -- The Paxton Grand Ole Flag project is taking another step forward. Crews have been preparing the site and Paxton Fire Chief and flag spokesperson Denny Kingren says the pole will go up this morning…

 

 

Paxton Fire Chief and flag spokesperson Denny Kingren. A parade and flag raising will take place on September 13th.

 

(Washington-jm) -- The U-S House Ag Committee has approved their Fiscal Year 2021 bill. The bill sets aside $4.2 billion for rural development programs and $1 billion for rural broadband initiatives. It also sets aside $2 billion for international food aid and to promote U-S ag exports overseas, $1 billion in conservation efforts and $3.3 billion in ag research.

 

 

(Champaign County-cf)-- Income has become a concern with many farmers in the area. The Phase 1 Trade Deal with China, Commodity’s not being where they should be, and Trade with other countries are areas of emphasis says Champaign County Farm Bureau Manager Brad Uken… 

 

 

Champaign County Farm Bureau Manager Brad Uken. 

 

 

(Washington-jm) -- The American Soybean Association is urging Congress to include more relief for farmers in future COVID-19 legislation. The group is asking Congress to provide additional funding to the USDA for temporary relief and assistance while replenishing and increasing the cap for the Commodity Credit Corporation by at least $50 billion and establish policies to offer direct and temporary assistance to broaden the ag supply chain.

 

(Springfield-jm) -- On average, the share of residents in Illinois counties deemed most vulnerable to the coronavirus is 24 percent, according to a new study by the U.S. Census Bureau. The analysis is designed to measure how resilient communities are when confronted with disasters or other emergencies, the Census Bureau reports. In Illinois, 46 percent of county populations on average have one to two risk factors, such as being age 65 or older, low income, disabled, lacking health insurance or having serious preexisting conditions, the analysis said. And on average, 30 percent of the state’s county populations have no risk factors.

 

 

(Springfield-jm) -- Illinois ranked in the top half of all states in terms of prosperity, according to a new analysis. The 2020 United States Prosperity Index is an assessment of prosperity and ranked Illinois 21st in the country, up two spots from 2019.The index measures performance across 11 pillars of prosperity using more than 200 indicators grouped into 48 policy-focused elements, according to the Legatum Institute. Illinois scored well in the categories of personal freedom, business environment, market access and infrastructure. Illinois ranked 48th in the country in the economic quality category.

 

(Springfield-jm) -- Just a few days are left for communities to apply for a Restore, Reinvest, Renew state grant. Applications for R-3 grants addressing violence prevention, economic development and other issues are due Monday. Lieutenant Governor Juliana Stratton says the money will go to areas that have been adversely affected by the war on drugs. Her office is trying to spread the word…

 

 

Illinois Lieutenant Governor Juliana Stratton. The grants are funded by the sale of recreational marijuana in Illinois. Visit: r3 dot illinois dot gov for all the details.

 

 

(Undated-jm) -- The Illinois Department of Public Health reported 1,257 new cases of COVID-19 Thursday and 25 additional deaths bringing the state’s total number of cases to 157,450 and deaths to 7,251. As for local active and recovered cases, In McLean County, 279 have recovered, 53 remain in isolation and 3 hospitalized. In Vermilion County 65 have been released from isolation with 27 still in isolation. 36 have been released from isolation and 5 remain in isolation in Ford County. In Livingston County 53 have been removed from isolation and 4 cases are active. 1,074 have recovered in Kankakee County with 392 active cases and 12 hospitalized. In Iroquois County, 162 have recovered, 12 remain in isolation and 1 hospitalized. 950 have recovered in Champaign County with 124 active cases.

 

 

(Rantoul-jm) -- The owners of four American Bulldogs that attacked an animal control officer in Rantoul last week has been cited. Police say the owners were cited for dogs running at large and declaration of vicious or dangerous dog. Animal control was called to the 1400 block of Mather Drive last week after a woman reported the four dogs rushed a neighbor and acted aggressive. The dogs attacked the animal control officer and a Rantoul police officer shot the dogs. Two of the dogs died at the scene, a third died at the U of I vet med. The fourth is being treated but is expected to survive. If that dog is deemed vicious it will have to be put down. If it is deemed dangerous the owners will be required to take safety precautions.

 

 

(Watseka-jm) -- Iroquois Memorial Hospital is announcing the opening of a new outpatient pharmacy. The hospital says the new pharmacy makes it more convenient for people. They also offer delivery services to Watseka, Milford, Sheldon, Crescent City and Gilman. The new pharmacy hours are 6:30 to 5 Monday through Friday and 6:30 to 3 Saturday and Sunday.

 

 

(Fisher-cf)-- Two Fisher residents will be competing at the Little Miss Midwest pageant representing Illinois.  Mackenzie Bottom who was the Little Miss Fisher Fair of 2018, and Jordan Huskason who was Little Miss Champaign County of 2017 says Amy Huskason…. 

 

 

Mother of Jordan Huskason Amy Huskason 

 

 

(Washington-jm) -- The U-S and Kenya have begun negotiations on a free trade agreement between the two countries. Kenya is the largest importer of U-S soy products in Africa at nearly 200 thousand metric tons annually.

 

 

(Gibson City-jm) -- Area communities could soon be receiving much needed federal relief from the COVID-19 pandemic. 106th District State Representative Tom Bennett of Gibson City says the relief comes from the federal CARES Act but there could be some issues for communities…

 

 

106th District State Representative Tom Bennett of Gibson City.

 

 

(Undated-jm) -- The National Center for Missing and Exploited Children is launching a new effort. The group is putting faces of local missing children on gas pump screens in Illinois. The group hopes it reminds the public to look out for missing children in the state.