(Springfield-jm) -- For every Illinoisan who moved a trailer of belongings into Illinois, two others moved out. United Van Lines, the nation’s largest mover, released their annual National Migration Study. Despite the pandemic upending many industries and untethering workers from a corporate office, the company found Illinois has remained one of the nation’s most pronounced exporters of people. In the 44th installment of its study, United Van Lines found Illinois tied with New York and New Jersey with 67% of customers in those states moving out compared to those moving in. In terms of raw numbers, the company reported 5,782 total moves in Illinois, with 3,840 of those being outbound.
(Springfield-jm) -- The variant COVID strain found in the United Kingdom is now being confirmed in Illinois. The new strain was first found in Colorado about two weeks ago and has been popping up in several other states. State Public Health Director Dr Ngozi Ezike says it’s not unexpected, but cautions…
Illinois Public Health Director Dr Ngozi Ezike. Ezike says this new variant will likely become the predominant strain in coming months.
(Springfield-jm) -- The Illinois Department of Public Health is reporting the state’s total number of COVID cases is now at 1 million 68 thousand 829 and deaths are at 18,208 after the state reported 5,343 new cases and 130 additional deaths Saturday and 4,162 new cases and 29 additional deaths Sunday. The seven day positivity rate is down to 7.1 percent. 3,408 in Illinois were reported to be in the hospital with COVID-19. Of those, 720 patients were in the ICU and 387 patients with COVID-19 were on ventilators and just over 487,000 vaccines have been administered.
(Champaign County-jm) -- The Champaign Urbana Public Health Department is encouraging the community to get the COVID vaccine once it is widely available. The health department held their first vaccination clinics last week with more to come. Champaign Urbana Public Health Administer Julie Pryde talks about the importance of becoming immunized…
Champaign Urbana Public Health Administrator Julie Pryde.
(Urbana-jm) -- A Woodworth man has been sentenced to 2 years in prison for cutting a man with a knife in Urbana. James Munson pleaded guilty in Champaign County court to aggravated battery. Police say Munson slashed a man in the face in November with a kitchen knife after an argument.
(Rantoul-jm) -- A Rantoul man has been sentenced to 4 years in prison for possessing cocaine. Antoine Dorris received the sentence after pleading guilty to possession of a controlled substance. Dorris admitted to having half a gram of cocaine on him when police stopped to talk to him about a suspected theft at Walmart. In exchange for his guilty plea, 8 other cases against Dorris for either theft or burglary were dismissed.
(Paxton-jm) -- The Ford County Public Health Department is launching a social media challenge. Community Educator Megan Reutter (Righter) talks about this months challenge…
Ford County Public Health Department Community Educator Megan Reutter.
(Champaign County-jm) -- Champaign County's Committee of the Whole met for the first time this year and it is starting to address the growing concerns surrounding animal control. Champaign County State’s Attorney Julia Rietz was brought in to investigate the county’s animal control and review its policies and procedures. She reviewed the policies and procedures and offered some suggestions such as increased funding, enhancing some of the policies and possibly creating a social media page to display animals they have received.
(Mahomet-jm) -- An iconic landmark at Lake of the Woods in Mahomet is coming down. The Swiss Valley Shelter is being demolished because of structural deterioration and its location within the Sangamon River floodplain. The Swiss Valley Structure was constructed in 1958.
(Washington-jm) -- How did 2020 rank on the list of warmest years? The official numbers have just been released. Gary Crawford reports…
(Washington-jm) -- Latest agricultural export numbers are spurring some optimism about the year ahead. Gary Crawford reports…
(Springfield-jm) -- New research at an Illinois college is taking a look at how the COVID-19 pandemic has affected the mental health of Illinoisans. Three psychology students at Monmouth College researched how social distancing and other measures caused by the pandemic has influenced the mental health of college students and the general public. 138 participants, primarily college students were surveyed for the research. Social distancing along with the elimination of many team sports and organizations has had a negative effect on the mental health of students.
(Springfield-jm) -- Three of the state’s 11 designated regions are now able to lift a few COVID-19 mitigations, but no indoor dining is allowed yet. Due to declining numbers, Regions 1, 2 and 5 are dropping from Tier 3 mitigations, the strictest COVID rules, to Tier 2. That includes counties in Northern, North-Central and Southern Illinois…
Illinois Governor J-B Pritzker. Governor Pritzker says most of the state’s other regions are on track to move to Tier 2 in the coming days. He is also announcing that when areas move to Tier 1, limited indoor dining will be allowed. Test positivity rates, hospitalizations and ICU bed availability will dictate when regions can move to a different tier and eventually to Phase 4 of the Governor’s “Restore Illinois” plan.
(Springfield-jm) -- Illinois’ COVID total now stands at 1 million 68 thousand 829 and deaths are at 18,208. The seven day positivity rate is down to 7.1 percent and 487,040 vaccines administered. 3,408 in Illinois were reported to be in the hospital with COVID-19. Of those, 720 patients were in the ICU and 387 patients with COVID-19 were on ventilators.
(Paxton-cf)-- The COVID-19 vaccine will be administered in phases to the general public, health care workers, and immunocompromised individuals. After the healthcare workers are vaccinated, the next phase will be immunocompromised individuals, or individuals over 65 says Hudson Drug and Hallmark Owner Andy Hudson...
Hudson Drug and Hallmark Owner Andy Hudson.
(Urbana-jm) -- A Rantoul woman who was allegedly driving a stolen vehicle while under the influence of drugs has been charged. Lanee Winston was charged with possession of a stolen vehicle and driving under the influence of ecstasy. State police say they received multiple calls about a Jeep almost hitting several other vehicles on I-74. Troopers stopped the vehicle and found Winston under the influence with two young children in the car. The vehicle police learned had been reported stolen in Rantoul. Bond was set at $10,000. She is due back in court February 25th.
(Paxton-jm) -- An area sheriff is speaking out and thanking local legislative leaders for voting against the recently passed criminal justice and police reform bill. Ford County Sheriff Mark Doran released a statement thanking Senator Jason Barickman and State Representative Tom Bennett for voting against the measure. Sheriff Doran says the legislation makes lives and property less safe.
(Springfield-jm) -- The Coronavirus pandemic has caused issues with not just the backlog of unemployment claims and subsequent fraud but also delays in the renewal of FOID cards. 106th District State Representative Tom Bennett of Gibson City says those two topics were the most complaints his office has received…
106th District State Representative Tom Bennett of Gibson City.
(Rantoul-cf)-- Mediacom has moved to downtown Rantoul. Mediacom will open their doors at their new location today. As part of its move, Mediacom will add Saturday hours to provide customers with in-store assistance from 10am to 2pm. The new location is 211 E Sangamon Ave. which was previously occupied by the Goodyear Tire Center.
(Champaign-cf)-- Parkland College and Giertz Gallery will host a virtual art competition for District 505 kids aged 7 to 18. The Celebrate the Arts! Youth arts competition will run until Thursday March 3rd. Students have a chance to win full summer 2021 scholarships for either College for Kids camp or a Summer Discovery Camp. Each of the three age categories will have a 1st, 2nd, and 3rd place winners, as well as honorable mentions. A full list of rules can be found at parkland.edu/youthartcompetition.
(Washington-jm) -- What will 2021 hold for the ethanol industry? Gary Crawford reports…
(Washington-jm) -- What is one of the hottest agricultural commodities right now? Gary Crawford has the details…
