(Gilman-jm) -- A Memphis, Tennessee couple was arrested after police say one of them shot at a vehicle on I-57 near Gilman. State police say the victim reported an individual in a black Nissan pointed a firearm at his vehicle and fired. Less than an hour later, the vehicle was located near Peotone. Police say a one year old was in the vehicle at the time of the incident. Dieon Kerr was arrested for Aggravated Discharge of a Firearm, Aggravated Unlawful Use of a Weapon, Unlawful Use/Possession of a Firearm by a Felon, Child Endangerment, and Driving While License Suspended. The passenger, Jessica Fields was arrested for child endangerment.
(Springfield-jm) -- A bill in the Illinois Senate counts mental health days as an excused absence for students. The measure excuses kids from class for up to five days because of a mental health or behavioral issues. It’s sponsored by Senator Robert Martwick of Chicago who says it aims to further remove the stigma about mental health concerns. He was asked about students taking advantage of the change…
State Senator Robert Martwick of Chicago. Others suggest this shouldn’t apply to kids who are chronically truant. The bill was passed out of committee and now heads to the Senate floor for a vote.
(Springfield-jm) -- Illinois taxpayers are getting a little more time to file their income taxes. The state is giving people until May 17th now to finish up their taxes says Illinois Department of Revenue Spokesperson Terry Horstman…
Illinois Department of Revenue Spokesperson Terry Horstman. Horstman says two point four million Illinoisans have already filed their taxes, with 79 percent expecting a refund. You can file your IL 10-40 for free online at my tax dot illinois dot gov.
(Undated-jm) -- A representative of Congresswoman Mary Miller’s office will be making a pair of stops around the area today. The representative will be at the Paxton City hall from 10 to noon and the Rantoul Area Chamber of Commerce Office from 2 to 4.
(Rantoul-cf)-- OSF Hospitals will be opening an OSF urGO location in Rantoul. The location will be on Broadmeadow Road. Director Molly Barnes has the details…
Director of OSF urGo Molly Barnes
(Undated-jm) -- Two school boards and a city council meet tonight. The Gibson City-Melvin-Sibley school board will meet at 6:15 where they are expected to approve an agreement with Russ Leigh and Associates for the next audit, consider fees for the 21-22 school year and consider a feasibility study for the high school heating and cooling system. At 7, also in Gibson City, the city council will hear their FY 19-20 audit and consider an ordinance vacating the alley at 628 South Sangamon and Church Street. Also at 7, the Mahomet Seymour school board will consider purchasing devices for staff and consider approving fees for the Early College and Career Academy. The GCMS School Board meeting gets underway at 6:15 with the Gibson City city council and Mahomet Seymour School Board meetings both get underway at 7.
(Roberts-cf)-- The Village of Roberts will be coordinating an event throughout the spring named Operation CHALK, in which residents of the village can sign up to have their sidewalks decorated with sidewalk chalk artwork. Mayor Matt Vaughn has the details on how you can sign up…
Roberts Mayor Matt Vaughn.
(Springfield-jm) -- Illinois State Police issued more than 13 hundred tickets to drivers violating the state’s Move Over law during a special enforcement effort. Over 11 hundred details were conducted statewide from February 18th to March 7th, catching quite a few people who did not change lanes when they saw flashing lights along the side of the road. State Police Director Brendan Kelly...
Illinois State Police Director Brendan Kelly. Troopers also issued about 73 hundred tickets for speeding and 892 for distracted driving during the details.
(Springfield-jm) -- The Illinois House is voting to expand some of the changes made to accommodate COVID-19 concerns during last fall’s election. The legislation lets local election authorities continue to use ballot boxes and curbside voting and requires them to accept mail in ballots even without the correct postage. It’s sponsored by Representative Katie Stuart of Collinsville…
State Representative Katie Stuart of Collinsville. Opponents argue that while the ballot boxes aren’t a bad idea, the bill does not set any standards about the size and security of the boxes or where they will be located.
(Champaign-jm) -- The Champaign Urbana Public Health Department will be hosting a virtual expo coming up in April. The expo will focus on pregnancy and postpartum health. The virtual expo will take place on Saturday, April 10th starting at 10 am on the health department’s facebook page.
(Paxton-jm) -- Paxton’s streetscape project continues to move forward. Mayor Bill Ingold talks about the next step in the process…
Paxton Mayor Bill Ingold. Mayor Ingold says the project consists of resurfacing Market Street from Orleans to Holmes, redoing sidewalks in the 100 block of North Market and upgrading street lights.
(Rantoul-cf)-- The Rantoul Chamber of Commerce usually holds their cash bash during the spring. However, with the ongoing COVID-19 pandemic, Chamber Director Amanda Vickory says that the event has been postponed, and the date will be set in May…
Rantoul Chamber of Commerce Executive Director Amanda Vickory.
The Moyer District Library in Gibson City will hold a Consumer Fraud Prevention presentation on Thursday, March 25th at 6pm. Reservations must be made ahead of time by calling the library at 217-784-5343.
Coming up at noon today we will continue our series with the Rantoul mayoral candidates.
