(Springfield-jm) – The Illinois Supreme Court is set to issue its ruling on a state law eliminating cash bail this week. The provision of the Safe-T Act that ends cash bail for those charged with certain crimes was supposed to go into effect January 1st. But it was put on hold after a group of more than 60 state’s attorneys filed a lawsuit. Oral arguments were heard in March, and at the time, Governor J-B Pritzker was asked for his thoughts on how it went…
Illinois Governor J-B Pritzker. Governor Pritzker has said that cash bail is unfair and favors wealthy people who can afford to pay bail. The court’s opinion is scheduled to be released on Tuesday morning.
(Urbana-jm) – Senator Dick Durbin is visiting Champaign-Urbana's transit district to celebrate a $6 million award for purchasing low and no-emission buses. Champaign-Urbana's Mass Transit District will be purchasing ten 40-foot diesel-electric hybrid buses thanks to this grant from the Federal Transit Administration. The district is one of 130 to be selected for this grant. Durbin will be at the transit district at 10 a.m. today to celebrate.
(Georgetown-jm) – Two people were killed, including a 3-year-old girl, in a Vermilion County crash. The Vermilion County Coroner reports a single vehicle crash Saturday on Mill Street in Georgetown claimed the lives of 77-year-old Janice M. Harden and 3-year-old Ella M. Thompson, both of Westville. Autopsies are scheduled for this week. The cause of the accident is under investigation by the Illinois State Police and the Vermilion County Coroner's Office.
(Champaign-jm) – The Champaign Fire Department was called to a fire inside an enclosed porch Sunday. Crews responded to 1010 ½ N. Fifth St. just after midnight. Fire crews quickly extinguished the fire in the single-family residence.
The fire was primarily contained to the enclosed porch. The cause of this fire has not been determined yet. The homeowners were not home at the time of the fire.
(Springfield-jm) – The ABLE program is getting some changes. The changes are sponsored by 53rd District State Senator Tom Bennett in honor of his nephew, the late Senator Scott Bennett…
53rd District State Senator Tom Bennett of Gibson City.
(Paxton-jm) – Pells Park in Paxton will be receiving new upgrades next year. The city got a state grant to upgrade the play equipment. One iconic piece is staying. The city will have the firetruck refurbished.
(Springfield-jm) – The Illinois General Assembly will return to the state capitol in October for the fall veto session. 52nd District State Senator Paul Faraci of Champaign says he’s not sure what to expect when they return…
52nd District State Senator Paul Faraci of Champaign.
(Iroquois County-jm) – Watseka resident Scott Anderson has been tabbed as Iroquois County's Emergency Management Agency Coordinator. He brings a 30-year background in the field of emergency services to the position. Anderson will serve a dual role with the EMA role and the County Public Health department.
(Washington-jm) – Xochitl (so-chill) Torres Small is now officially the number two official at USDA. Gary Crawford reports…
(Springfield-jm) – 2023 is shaping up to be a big year for tornadoes in Illinois. The year kicked off with several tornadoes in central Illinois on January 3rd, followed by another round in February and March. That’s unusual, says State Climatologist Trent Ford…
State Climatologist Trent Ford. Illinois usually averages about 54 tornadoes each year. So far in 2023, there have been at least 111 tornadoes, including the 11 twisters confirmed so far that swept through the Chicago area last week.
(Champaign-jm) – The top chief of the Champaign Fire Department has resigned, the City of Champaign announced. City officials said on Friday that Chief Gary Ludwig submitted his resignation earlier in the day, citing family medical reasons. Ludwig had been Champaign’s chief since 2014. Deputy Chief Gary Gula was named the Interim Fire Chief until a new, permanent Chief can be found.
(Undated-jm) – The Paxton city council will have a special meeting tonight at 7 where they will approve the annual appropriations ordinance. Around the area tonight, also at 7 in Gilman, the Iroquois West school board will consider a cross country co-op and discuss sunken gardens. Over in Cissna Park at 7 the school board will consider a jr high softball co-op with Milford, set prices for lunch and athletics and approve the fiscal year 2024 budget.
(Springfield-jm) – Some Illinoisans could have money in the bank and not even know it. 106th District State Representative Jason Bunting of Emington explains how they can claim it…
106th District State Representative Jason Bunting of Emington.
(Urbana-jm) – University of Illinois Police are addressing campus-area burglaries. Police said burglaries tend to increase in the campus area during the summer while students are away from their apartments and vehicles. Since June 1, more than 30 burglaries have been reported to university police. Officials said unlocked vehicles, vacant apartments, and construction sites have been the main targets for burglars. Police said three people who are believed to have been responsible for at least a dozen or more burglaries have been arrested.
(Springfield-jm) – State lawmakers finished up the spring legislative session in early June and now the focus is on the fall veto session in October. 104th District State Representative Mike Marron of Fithian talks about what he expects in the session…
104th District State Representative Mike Marron of Fithian.
(Fisher-jm) – One small town in Champaign County is prepping for its continuing growth. The Village of Fisher is building new duplexes and adding on to subdivisions. The town went from roughly 1,500 people to more than 2,000 in just two decades and there are no signs of slowing down.
(Washington-jm) – Will the larger than expected wheat crop have much of an effect on prices? Gary Crawford reports…
