(Springfield-jm) -- A new bill aims to increase the amount of all-gender bathrooms in Illinois. State Senator Melinda Bush of Grayslake filed Senate Bill 457. This legislation would allow a multiple-occupancy restroom to become an all-gender restroom. The bill would still allow gender specific multiple-occupancy bathrooms.

 

 

(Springfield-jm) -- The state of Illinois has announced a new pilot program to address obstacles facing rural child care providers in meeting quality of care standards. Thirty-five centers will receive $3.8 million in funding per year to hire additional staff or increase the salaries of existing staff. The initiative is funded by state and federal dollars.

 

 

(Springfield-jm) -- A new bill going through the Illinois General Assembly could help reduce suicides by youth. The bill is sponsored by State Representative Mike Marron of Fithian and supported by the Illinois Education Association. Marron says it would require schools to provide the suicide prevention hotline number…

 

 

State Representative Mike Marron of Fithian. Marron says it came about after a student in his district committed suicide. Friends of the student came up with the idea.

 

 

(Undated-jm) -- The Illinois Department of Public Health reported 1,220 new Coronavirus cases and 22 additional deaths bringing the state’s total number of cases to 1,223,083 and deaths to 21,103. Locally, Champaign County reported 73 new cases bringing their total to 18,651. Iroquois County reported 11 new cases bringing their total to 2,826. Ford County reported 1 new case bringing their total to 1,627. Vermilion County did not have a report Monday. 

 

 

(Buckley-jm) -- Christ Lutheran High School in Buckley will be hosting their pork chop lunch. Executive Director Sandy Spitz talks about the lunch…

 

 

Christ Lutheran High School Executive Director Sandy Spitz.

 

 

(Gibson City-jm) -- A Gibson City woman is dead after she was run over in a parking lot. Champaign County Coroner says 77 year old Carol Leisure died of blunt force trauma after she was run over in the Dollar General parking lot. Gibson City Police and the Champaign County coroner’s office continue to investigate.

 

 

(Champaign-jm) -- The Champaign County Farm Bureau is announcing an upcoming program discussing the Mahomet Aquifer. Manager Brad Uken has the details…

 

 

Champaign County Farm Bureau Manager. More information on the program, as well as past meeting videos can be found on their website cc farm bureau dot com.

 

 

(Iroquois County-jm) -- Governor J-B Pritzker is announcing another round of $250 million in Rebuild Illinois funds have been released for transportation projects around the state. Looking at funds coming to Iroquois County and communities within the county...Iroquois County is receiving $231,031. As for communities...Buckley is receiving $6,540, Cissna Park $9,292, Gilman $19,924, Loda $4,470, Onarga $15,026 and Thawville $2,647.

 

(Champaign-jm) -- Parkland College’s Early College and Career Academy is announcing the launch of a new pathway program. The construction trades program is open to high school juniors and seniors. Those interested can find more details on Parkland College’s website.

 

 

(Washington-jm) -- Today is National Ag Day. Here is a special message from Ag Secretary Tom Vilsack…

 

 

(Springfield-jm) -- With an average effective real estate tax rate of 2.27%, Illinois has the second highest property taxes in the nation, according to a new report from WalletHub. The consumer finance website puts the Land of Lincoln behind only New Jersey. While Illinois ranked No. 1 for having zero vehicle property tax, the state’s median real-estate tax on a $195,000 home is around $4,400.

 

 

(Springfield-jm) -- The state is slowly climbing its way back to pre-pandemic economic conditions. That’s according to an annual state report from the Commission on Government Forecasting and Accountability. The report says Illinois will continue to make steady gains back towards pre-pandemic levels, only slightly lagging behind the national economy. Officials say most industries are facing higher than normal unemployment rates, but tourism and hospitality are currently taking the hardest hit. The report says corporate and income tax revenues, along with sales tax revenues, are all up higher than normal this year.

 

 

(Springfield-jm) -- Government workers, higher education staff and the media may now sign up for the COVID-19 vaccine. This latest subgroup can go ahead and schedule their shot. Governor J-B Pritzker says more than four point seven million doses have already been administered in Illinois so far and that more sites will be coming on line…

 

 

Illinois Governor J-B Pritzker. Next Monday, restaurant and construction workers as well as religious leaders become eligible for the vaccine. Anyone can sign up starting April 12th.

 

(Undated-jm) -- The Illinois Department of Public Health reported 1,220 new Coronavirus cases and 22 additional deaths bringing the state’s total number of cases to 1,223,083 and deaths to 21,103. As for local active and recovered cases, Champaign County reported 18,270 have recovered, 246 are in isolation and 10 are hospitalized. Iroquois County reported 2,751 have been released from isolation, 13 are in isolation and 1 is hospitalized. Vermilion County did not have a report Monday.

 

 

(Paxton-jm) -- Youth soccer is underway for the Paxton Park District but that isn’t the only youth sports being offered this spring. Paxton Park District Director Cody Evans says the registration deadline for more youth sports is fast approaching…

 

 

Paxton Park District Director Cody Evans.

 

 

(Iroquois County-jm) -- The Iroquois County Republican Women is announcing they will be awarding a $500 scholarship to a graduating female high school senior. To qualify you must be a resident of Iroquois County at least 3 years, register to vote if 18 by November 2, 2021, proof of citizenship, letter of recommendation, copy of recent high school transcript and be a member or relation of a member of the group. The deadline to apply is April 15th. Email iroquois gop women at gmail dot com.

 

 

(Gibson City-cf)-- Gibson City is hosting a photo contest, with VIVID Studios. Residents of Gibson City can show off their camera skills with different landmarks throughout the community for different prizes. Spokesperson Suzie Tongate has the details… 

 

 

Gibson City Photo Contest Spokesperson Suzie Tongate.

 

 

(Undated-jm) -- Unemployment rates rose in all 14 of the state’s metro areas in January. Locally, Champaign Counties unemployment rate rose to 6.4 percent in January 2021 from 3.0 percent in January 2020. Ford County’s rose from 4.2 percent to 6.4 percent. Vermilion County’s rose from 4.6 percent to 8.0 percent. Iroquois County’s is now at 6.7 percent, up from 4.8 percent.

 

 

(Buckley-jm) -- The village of Buckley will put in ramps on their sidewalks along Route 45. The village board approved spending $13,973 for the work which will be done by IDOT when the road is resurfaced this summer.

 

Coming up at noon, we continue our series on the Rantoul mayoral candidate race.

 

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