(Springfield-jm) -- Governor J-B Pritzker is announcing additional grant money to expand broadband internet in Illinois. This second round of 50 million dollars is available to internet service providers, rural cooperatives, non profits and local governments. Up to five million dollars is available per project with awardees matching the funding. Having high speed internet across the state is more important than ever says the Governor…
Illinois Governor J-B Pritzker. The first round of grants supported 28 projects statewide. More information is available on the “Connect Illinois” website.
(Springfield-jm) -- Governor J.B. Pritzker has extended the moratorium on evictions, but only for another month. The governor issued the order to extend the COVID-19 order barring evictions of renters who are past due on their rent through November 14. The order also extends more than 30 other previous orders the governor has issued over the past seven months.
(Springfield-jm) -- A nonprofit is reminding Illinoisans struggling to pay utility bills during the coronavirus pandemic to seek help. The Citizens Utility Board said customers should contact their utility provider for specific details on the protection available.
(Springfield-jm) -- Governor J-B Pritzker says he’s resuming daily COVID-19 briefings because every region of the state is moving in the wrong direction. The Governor will speak to the press and the public each weekday, as cases rise all over the state…
Illinois Governor J-B Pritzker. Governor Pritzker’s daily press briefings can be heard live on his twitter and facebook accounts, as well as on some local tv stations. We will bring you the latest from his briefings on our news at 4 and 5.
(Undated-jm) -- The Illinois Department of Public Health announced 3,113 new Coronavirus cases and 22 additional deaths Monday bringing the state’s total number of cases to 347,161 and deaths to 9,236. Since Friday, McLean County reported 76 new cases bringing their total to 3,858. Champaign County reported 150 new cases bringing their total to 5,655. Livingston County reported 28 new cases bringing their total to 570. Ford County reported 19 new cases bringing their total to 251. Vermilion County reported 63 new cases bringing their total to 1,314. Kankakee County reported 93 new cases bringing their total to 3,208. Iroquois County reported 13 new cases bringing their total to 497.
(Undated-jm) -- Area health departments along with the Illinois Department of Public Health are reporting case totals in area communities. 406 are in Rantoul, 215 in Mahomet, 113 in St. Joseph, 86 in Gilman, 67 in Clifton, 65 each in Watseka and Hoopeston, 59 in Paxton, 51 in Fairbury, 49 in Chebanse, 41 in Fisher, 39 in Piper City, 33 in Onarga, 29 in Gibson City, 26 in Forrest, 25 in Potomac, 22 in Cissna Park, 21 in Milford, 19 in Thomasboro, 18 in Ashkum, 17 in Rossville, 16 each in Danforth and Gifford, 12 in Rankin, 11 each in Crescent City and Saybrook, 10 in Cabery, 9 each in Bellflower, Foosland, Wellington and Donovan, 8 each in Buckley and Martinton, 7 each in Loda, Roberts, Chatsworth and Beaverville, 6 each in Ludlow, Sheldon, Kempton and Cullom, 5 in Dewey, 4 each in Colfax and Arrowsmith and 2 in Penfield.
(Rantoul-jm) -- The village of Rantoul is moving forward on demolishing some houses on Illinois Drive. Rantoul Village Administrator Scott Eisenhower talks about the project…
Rantoul Village Administrator Scott Eisenhower.
(Paxton-jm) -- One person was ticketed following a two vehicle rollover accident at the intersection of Union and Patton in Paxton late Friday morning. Paxton police say Elizabeth Mullett was traveling north on Union Street when she failed to yield at the intersection and struck a large SUV traveling on Patton driven by Kirstyn Finkelman. The impact caused the SUV to flip on its side and strike a utility pole on the northwest corner of the intersection. Mullett was cited for failure to yield.
(Urbana-jm) -- For 100 years, the Altgeld Chimes have provided a soundtrack for the University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign campus. The chimes’ 10-minute concerts between classes feature songs ranging from “Illinois Loyalty” to movie themes, and from hymns to pop songs. Starting October 25th, a weeklong series of concerts will celebrate the 100th anniversary of the chimes, with a special livestreamed concert October 30th at 3 p.m.
(Watseka-jm) -- Iroquois County Clerk Breein Suver has announced another temporary polling change for the November election. Suver says Beaver Township voters will vote at the community center instead of at the township building.
(Springfield-jm) -- We are coming closer to the November election when voters will be asked to approve a constitutional amendment changing the state’s tax structure from a flat rate to a progressive rate. 53rd District State Senator Jason Barickman says it will hurt more people…
53rd District State Senator Jason Barickman of Bloomington.
(Normal-jm) -- A team led by Illinois State University’s Dr. Olcay Akman is urging authorities such as the World Health Organization and the U.S. Centers for Disease Control to include N95 masks as a requirement for those traveling by airplane. Unlike homemade masks and surgical masks, N95s are classified as respirators that can filter at least 95 percent of airborne particles. Due to shortages of the N95 masks worldwide, organizations such as the CDC have recommended them solely for health-care workers and first responders. Professor Akman and his group of researchers say people traveling by air are forced to breathe recycled air increasing their exposure.
(Champaign-jm) -- 52nd District State Senator Scott Bennett of Champaign is encouraging women entrepreneurs to sign up for Business Interruption Grants during National Women’s Small Business Month. $636 million in economic relief is available for small businesses affected by the Coronavirus pandemic. Webinars are also available today and October 27th at 2pm.
(Washington-jm) -- The USDA is forecasting tighter corn stocks. Stephanie Ho reports…
(Springfield-jm) -- Southern Illinois is the latest region to be placed under stricter COVID-19 safety measures. Region Five, in Southern Illinois currently has a test positivity rate of over nine percent, and an increase in Coronavirus related hospitalizations says Governor J-B Pritzker…
Illinois Governor J-B Pritzker. Region 1, the Rockford area, is already under the tougher rules and Regions 7 and 8 may soon follow. That includes Kankakee, Will, DuPage and Kane Counties.
(Springfield-jm) -- Governor J.B. Pritzker’s administration captured $219 million in federal funds that Congress and President Donald Trump approved months ago. About 4 percent has been paid to local governments across the state, according to documents from the Illinois Department of Commerce and Economic Opportunity. The money is meant for local governments and is not part of the billions of dollars that went directly to Chicago and other larger governments like Cook County. Most cities have received less than 1 percent. The vast majority of nearly 1,400 local governments have had zero dollars paid out.
(Springfield-jm) -- Illinois state Senator Ram Villivalam plans to introduce a paid family leave bill in the Illinois legislature sometime in 2021. The proposal would give employees full or partial paychecks for three to six months when they have a new baby, need to care for a sick relative or have an illness themselves. The Illinois chapter of the National Federation of Independent Businesses has concerns about the proposal. Thirty percent of members are struggling to stay in business during the pandemic. They say now is the worst time to hit small businesses with a costly government mandate.
(Undated-jm) -- The Illinois Department of Public Health announced 3,113 new Coronavirus cases and 22 additional deaths Monday bringing the state’s total number of cases to 347,161 and deaths to 9,236. As for local active and recovered cases, McLean County reported 3,520 have recovered, 294 are in isolation and 14 are hospitalized. Champaign County reported 5,290 have recovered, 337 are in isolation, 5 are hospitalized. Livingston County reported 508 have been removed from isolation, 52 cases are active with 1 hospitalized. Ford County reported 171 have been released from isolation, 63 remain in isolation and 7 are hospitalized. Vermilion County reported 1,083 have been released from isolation, 214 are in isolation and 8 are hospitalized. Kankakee County reported 2,646 have recovered, 487 cases are active and 28 are hospitalized. Iroquois County reported 428 have been released from isolation, 46 remain in isolation and 4 are hospitalized.
(Undated-jm) -- Sadly 3 more deaths were reported in the WPXN listening area Monday. Ford, Livingston and Vermilion Counties each reported a new death. Ford and Livingston Counties now each have 10 deaths a piece and Vermilion County has 9 deaths.
(Paxton-jm) -- The Ford County Public Health Department is encouraging everyone six months of age and older to get their flu shot. Ford County Public Health Department’s Brandi Williams talks about the importance of getting your flu shot…
Brandi Williams with the Ford County Public Health Department. Get your flu vaccine by calling the health department at 217-379-9281.
(Paxton-jm) -- Ford County will move forward with the farm lease auction. The county board was debating whether to hold the auction given the current pandemic and guidelines or rollover the current leases until next year. There are three county owned farms to be leased. Details on the date and location of the auction will be determined within the next few weeks.
(Champaign-jm) -- The Champaign County Coroner’s office will hold a press conference this afternoon to provide an update on a 1995 murder. Coroner Duane Northrup along with the Champaign County Sheriff’s office will provide the update with new information regarding the identity of Jane Doe. The press conference will be held at 2pm.
(Undated-jm) -- The American Soybean Association is seeking candidates for their soy scholarship. The scholarship is available to high school seniors interested in an ag career. The deadline to apply is December 6th. Application details are available online at american soybean dot wufoo dot com slash forms.
(Gibson City-jm) -- Gibson City is working on the final phase of their combined sewer separation project. Mayor Dan Dickey talks about the project…
Gibson City Mayor Dan Dickey.
(Champaign-jm) -- U of I researchers studied the effects of a 12-week exercise regimen on 148 active-duty Air Force airmen, half of whom also received a twice-daily nutrient beverage that included protein; the omega-3 fatty acid, DHA; lutein; phospholipids; vitamin D; B vitamins and other micronutrients; along with a muscle-promoting compound known as HMB. Both groups improved in physical and cognitive function, with added gains among those who regularly consumed the nutritional beverage, the team reports. The findings appear in the journal Scientific Reports.
(Pontiac-jm) -- The Livingston County Public Health Department is putting on a free flu shot clinic this week. The flu shot clinic will take place on Wednesday from 4-6 pm at the Livingston Family Care Center in Pontiac.
(Washington-jm) -- Tighter soybean stocks mean higher prices. Stephanie Ho and World Outlook Board Chair Mark Jekanowski have the details…
