(Springfield-jm) -- Unemployment filings were nearly flat last week from the week before. The U.S. Department of Labor reports about 15,200 people filed initial claims last week, around 300 fewer than the week before. 

 

 

(Springfield-jm) -- The Secretary of State's Office crackdown on uninsured drivers has affected thousands of Illinoisans. Approximately 2,700 license plates are currently suspended due to drivers not having automobile insurance. On July 1, 2021, the office started electronically verifying vehicle insurance to make sure drivers are in compliance.

 

 

(Springfield-jm) -- The Illinois House is taking a big step toward slowing climate change with approval of a compromise clean energy package. The goal is to eliminate carbon emissions by 2050 and keep the state’s nuclear fleet up and running. The legislation includes incentives for purchasing electric vehicles and invests in wind and solar power. Representative Robyn Gabel of Evanston is a big supporter…

 

 

State Representative Robyn Gabel of Evanston. As for one of the biggest sticking points, municipally owned coal fired power plants in downstate Springfield and Marissa will have to reduce carbon emissions by 45 percent by 2035, and then close in 2045 if they can’t reach zero emissions. 

 

 

(Champaign-jm) -- The Champaign Police Department is investigating a shooting that occurred in the area of Neil Street and Arcadia Drive on Thursday in which a school bus carrying kids and an SUV were hit by gunfire. No children on the bus were injured.

 

 

(Paxton-jm) -- The Ford County Republican Women will be holding a ceremony in Paxton coming to remember the 20th anniversary of the September 11th terror attacks. Spokesperson Kim Evans talks about the event…

 

 

Ford County Republican Women Spokesperson Kim Evans.

 

(Springfield-jm) -- Illinois homeowners saw their home equity grow at a slower pace than most of the country. A new report from CoreLogic shows in the first quarter of 2021, while the national average was $33,400 in equity gain, Illinois’ average gain was $14,000, behind nearly every other state. Excluding five states that didn’t have sufficient data, Illinois had the fourth slowest growth.

 

 

(Springfield-jm) -- A San Francisco venture capitalist is the latest Republican to run for the chance to unseat Illinois Governor J.B. Pritzker. Jesse Sullivan, an Illinois native, has nearly $11 million in donations and released a video Thursday kicking off his campaign.However, any candidate faces an uphill battle against Pritzker who is seeking re-election and so far has $35 million set aside for his campaign.

 

 

(Springfield-jm) -- Illinois is about to have a new ethics reform law on the books. On a second attempt, the House voted to accept the Governor’s changes to an ethics package. Opponents argued it only scratches the surface of what really needs to be done to clean up government. But Representative Kelly Burke of Oak Lawn says this is a good start…

 

 

State Representative Kelly Burke of Oak Lawn. The legislation does a number of things such as prohibiting lawmakers from immediately working as lobbyist when they leave office and bans elected officials at all levels of government from engaging in compensated lobbying.

 

 

(Urbana-jm) -- A University of Illinois Urbana Champaign student reported a battery Wednesday night. U of I Police say it happened around 8 p.m. in the 1400 block of  West Green Street. The student told officers two people on bicycles came up to her. One of the bicyclists then told her they had COVID-19 and intentionally coughed on her.

 

 

(Loda-jm) -- The 3rd Annual Team Hope Walk for Huntington’s Disease will take place Saturday September 11th at Lakeview Country Club in Loda. Spokesperson Samantha Cox talks about the event and how to get signed up…

 

 

Team Hope Walk for Huntington’s Disease Spokesperson Samantha Cox. Again that number is 217-249-1421.

 

St. Joseph Fall townwide garage sales will take place through Saturday.

 

The 2021 Gilman Super Saturday will take place tomorrow.

 

Paxton IGA will be hosting their cookout benefiting the Paxton United Methodist Women on Saturday  from 10 to 2.

 

A 9-11 Memorial Ride will take place on Sunday starting at 10 am in Danville. Riders stop in Paxton for lunch about noon. For more information call Dan hudson at 217-474-5177.

 

The Gibson City Sesquicentennial will host an old fashioned hymn sign and ice cream social on Sunday at 2pm. Then at 3:30 there will be a vintage baseball game at McMillian field.