(Springfield-jm) -- Another 23,000 Illinoisans filed for initial unemployment claims last week, down more than 4,200 from the week before. More than 1.4 million Illinoisans have filed for the benefits since the beginning of March. Locally the unemployment rate in Champaign County rose from 3.9 percent to 7.6 percent. Ford County’s rate rose from 4.3 percent to 6.7 percent. Vermilion County’s rose from 5.5 percent to 9.3 percent. Iroquois County’s rate rose from 3.9 percent to 5.9 percent.

 

 

(Springfield-jm) -- Of the $64 million in legal cannabis sales in Illinois in August, $17.2 million was to out-of-state residents. That’s nearly double the $8.6 million sold to consumers with out-of-state residency in January. It's unclear how much of that went across state lines. The Illinois cannabis business group CannaBiz said Illinois dispensaries have signage and inform out-of-state buyers of the limits and the law against taking marijuana products across state lines.

 

 

(Springfield-jm) -- Illinois Senate Republicans unveiled a package of ethics proposals Thursday which they say is targeted to stop the type of corruption that has led to the indictment of four legislative Democrats in recent months. To enhance the ability to enforce laws, Republicans are backing bills to: allow the state attorney general to impanel a statewide grand jury to investigate, indict and prosecute bribery and misconduct by members of the General Assembly; provide state’s attorneys with wiretap authority; and grant the legislative inspector general the ability to investigate members of the General Assembly without first receiving approval from the Legislative Ethics Commission, while changing the composition of the commission to make its members part of the general public, rather than legislators.

 

(Springfield-jm) -- Early voting is underway across most of the state. If you don’t want to mail in your ballot but still want to avoid the polls on election day, early voting is a good option, says State Board of Elections Spokesperson Matt Dietrich…

 

Illinois State Board of Elections Spokesperson Matt Dietrich. Dietrich says while most early voting typically occurs shortly before election day, they are hoping voters take advantage of it now.

 

 

(Undated-jm) -- The Illinois Department of Public Health is reporting 2,257 new Coronavirus cases and 30 additional deaths bringing the state’s total number of cases to 281,371 and deaths to 8,538. McLean County reported 9 new cases and 2 additional deaths bringing their total number of cases to 3,208 and deaths to 22. Champaign County reported 65 new cases bringing their total to 4,435. Vermilion County reported 19 new cases bringing their total to 588. Kankakee County reported 15 new cases bringing their total to 2,720. Livingston County reported 16 new cases bringing their total to 384. 9 of their 16 new cases were reported at the Pontiac Correctional Center. Iroquois County and Ford County both reported no new cases.

 

 

(Undated-jm) -- The Gold Star 500 will take place this Saturday across the area. The Gold Star 500 is a fundraiser and endurance ride for Gold Star Missions. Spokesperson Chris Milchuck talks about this weekend’s ride…

 

 

Gold Star Missions Spokesperson Chris Milchuck.

 

(Rantoul-jm) -- A former Rantoul bank teller has received 2 years second chance probation for stealing from her former employer. Andrea Taylor pleaded guilty to stealing over $500 from her teller drawer at Busey Bank. If she successfully completes probation, she will not have a conviction. 

 

 

(Champaign-jm) -- Parkland College will be adding a COVID-19 Dashboard to its official website to better track coronavirus cases. The Parkland College COVID-19 Dashboard displays cases that have been self-reported within Parkland’s faculty, staff, and student population.  Data reflected in this dashboard is provided by the Parkland College COVID Response Team. The dashboard will be updated every Friday with the previous week’s data.

 

 

(Undated-jm) -- Not only is this week Farm Safety Week, it is also Rail Safety Week in Illinois. 106th District State Representative Tom Bennett of Gibson City has some statistics…

 

 

106th District State Representative Tom Bennett of Gibson City.

 

 

(Paxton-jm) -- The City of Paxton will be replacing every water meter in the city by the end of 2021. The existing water meters are not working properly causing the city’s water billing department to estimate water usage. The new water meters should resume water bills back to actual usage. The existing water meters are still under warranty.

 

 

(Rantoul-jm) -- A popular Rantoul Haunted House will not open for thrill seekers. Necrosis Haunted House announced on their social media page that due to unforeseen circumstances they will not open this year but looks forward to a bigger and better show in 2021. The haunted house, located off of Route 45 in Rantoul, was named the 2019 Top Overall All Attraction in Illinois by Illinois Haunted Houses dot com. 

 

 

(Washington-jm) -- If you want to update your yields for the Price Loss Coverage program, you have very little time to get it done. Gary Crawford reports…

 

 

The American Red Cross will hold a blood drive at the Arc of Iroquois County in Watseka today from 8 to noon.

 

Relay for Life of Ford and Iroquois Counties will be held virtually on Friday, tonight from 8:30 to 10 pm.

 

The Buckley St. John’s Ladies Aid will be hosting a bake sale at the Buckley Lake Pavilion on Saturday from 8 to 11 am.

 

Paxton IGA will be hosting a cookout benefiting Accolade on Pells on Saturday from 10-2.

(Springfield-jm) -- Check that Facebook notification, it may be worth some money. Facebook is notifying users in Illinois through its notification system that it has settled a class action lawsuit that claimed the social media company violated the state’s biometric security laws. The notification said Facebook users located in Illinois for whom Facebook created and stored a face template after June 7, 2011, are eligible for payments of up to $400 to be paid from a $650 million fund.

 

 

(Springfield-jm) -- Illinois households spend the lowest amount per household income than neighboring states, according to a review by Filterbuy.com. The company looked at state utility bills and found Illinoisans spend no more than 20 percent of household income on utilities. Neighboring states spend between 20 percent and 30 percent.

 

 

(Undated-jm) -- Public Safety agencies across the state are participating in If you see something, say something campaign. The awareness day is today and is a national campaign on the indicators of terrorism and terror related crime.

 

 

(Springfield-jm) -- Ballots started going out yesterday for more than one point eight million Illinois voters who have requested to vote by mail. That number is shattering records, with mail in voting appealing to those hoping to avoid exposure to COVID-19 says the State Board of Elections Spokesperson Matt Dietrich…

 

 

Illinois State Board of Election Spokesperson Matt Dietrich. Dietrich urges the public to fill out and return their ballot as soon as they can to help ensure the most accurate results come election day. Some areas have drop boxes for your mail-in ballot.

 

 

(Undated-jm) -- Illinois now has over 280,000 Coronavirus cases and 8,538 deaths. As for local active and recovered cases, McLean County reported 2,960 have recovered, 216 are in isolation, 10 are hospitalized with 2 in intensive care. Champaign County reported 4,088 have recovered, 327 cases are active and 4 are hospitalized. Vermilion County reported 475 have been released from isolation, 102 remain in isolation and 7 are hospitalized. Kankakee County reported 2,229 have recovered, 420 cases are active and 9 are hospitalized. Livingston County reported 341 have been removed from isolation, 37 cases are active and 3 are hospitalized. Iroquois County reported 356 have been released, 20 remain in isolation and 1 is hospitalized. Ford County reported 126 have been released and 12 are in isolation.

 

 

(Undated-jm) -- Thousands of Illinoisans are receiving additional help when it comes to assistance during the Coronavirus pandemic. 106th District State Representative Tom Bennett of Gibson City says the state has received millions of dollars from the Lost Wages Assistance Program…

 

 

106th District State Representative Tom Bennett of Gibson City.

 

 

(Rural Elliott-jm) -- Elliott first responders were called to a single vehicle rollover accident Thursday afternoon. Emergency crews were called to the accident along Route 9 between 1400 and Route 115 around 3:45 pm. No word on if there were any injuries.

 

 

(Rantoul-jm) -- The village of Rantoul will be flushing hydrants over the next couple of weeks. The village says hydrant flushing will take place September 27th through October 4th from 10 pm to 5 am.

 

 

(Paxton-cf)-- The Paxton Masonic Lodge is holding a “Get out of Dodge” raffle. The raffle is for a $2500 voucher to the Peabody Hotel in downtown Memphis Tennessee. Tickets are $75 and only 300 will be sold. The Drawing will be on October 24th at he Masonic Lodge in Paxton. If you are interested in becoming a member of the Masonic Lodge, there will also be a tour of the building that day so you can learn more. Masonic Lodge Member James Sheral has the details… 

 

 

Paxton Masonic Lodge Member James Sheral. 

 

 

(Danville-jm) -- The Vermilion County Public Health Department will be hosting a series of drive thru flu clinics. The clinics will take place September 25th from 2-6, September 26th from 9-1, September 29th at St. Mary’s in Westville from 9-1, October 1st from 8-11, October 2nd from 2-6, October 3rd from 9-1 and October 8th from 8-11. Those coming to get their flu shots must bring their insurance card.

 

 

(Buckley-jm) -- Starting in January, Buckley residents will see an increase in their water bills. Village trustees approved adding a $5 drain maintenance fee on water bills. The increase was approved by a 4-2 vote.

 

 

(Washington-jm) -- For farmers and for USDA's Farm Service Agency, Fall, and particularly October, is a busy time. Gary Crawford has the details…

 

 

The Moyer District Library in Gibson City will be holding a Women’s Suffrage Centennial today from 2-5, Saturday from 10-12 and Sunday from 2-4.

 

Rantoul will host a clean up day on Saturday from 8 to noon.

 

The Community Service Center of Northern Champaign County is hosting a drive thru food distribution on Saturday from 9 to 10:30.

 

Danville Area Community College will host a day trip to the Myers Dinner Theatre to see The Overtones on Sunday. Cost is $55. For more information or to sign up to go call 217-554-1667.