(Springfield-jm) – Illinois lawmakers are calling for accountability into the state's handling of unemployment payments during the COVID-19 pandemic after an audit showed $5.2 billion was overpaid, including tens of millions to some who were incarcerated or deceased. The Illinois Auditor General report published Wednesday shows billions of unemployment tax dollars were improperly paid out by the Illinois Department of Employment Security during that time. The audit looks at IDES from fiscal year 2020 to fiscal year 2022. Previous reports from the auditor found at least $2 billion in fraudulent payments, but noted poor record keeping at the agency prevented inspectors from getting the full picture. Wednesday's report shows the state made $5.2 billion in overpayments and made $46 million worth of payments to some who were incarcerated or deceased. The IDES put some of the blame on the Trump administration and their implementation of a "poorly designed and brand new unemployment insurance program" for the state to manage. The $46 million that was paid out to those incarcerated or dead could also be understated due to reporting issues by the agency.

 

(Springfield-jm) – The Illinois Department of Public Health is urging people to watch out for rabid bats and other infected animals. Bats are the most common source of potential rabies infection, and the peak time for exposure is August, says State Public Health Veterinarian Dr. Connie Austin…

 

 

Illinois Public Health Veterinarian Dr. Connie Austin. Austin says if someone wakes up with a bat in their room, that is considered exposure even if they can’t find a bite mark. So far this year, 27 rabid bats have been found in 14 Illinois counties.

 

(Champaign County-jm) – The Champaign County Clerk and Recorder’s office has transitioned to DotGov email extensions and website domain. The Champaign County community will notice a change to the County Clerk website as it is now www.champaigncountyclerkil.gov as well as a change to il.gov e-mail extensions. Please make note of these changes when trying to contact staff or admin at the Champaign County Clerk and Recorder’s office. DotGov domains are only available to legitimate US-government recognized organizations, such as local governments. The credibility associated with the DotGov domain is critical to ensuring that Champaign County residents are engaging with the proper online services provided by the office.

 

(Undated-jm) – This week’s high temperatures and humidity is causing medical professionals to issue warnings about the dangers of heat stroke and exhaustion. OSF Dr. Brian Curtis shares ways to prevent heat stroke and exhaustion…

 

 

OSF Dr. Brian Curtis.

 

(Gibson City–jc)  – A.  Renee will hold a ribbon cutting ceremony for their Grand Opening the first Saturday in August. The business will be located in downtown Gibson City. The ribbon cutting ceremony is set for Saturday August 5th at 9:50 a.m. Gibson City Mayor Dan Dickey will welcome the reopening of  business to the Ford County city after the building they were in caught fire earlier this summer.

 

(Urbana–jc)  –Today at the Champaign County Fair it’s 4-H Day.  The carnival opens at 5 this afternoon with monster trucks at 7.  Champaign County Fair Vice President Bill Alagna says there is a wide variety of food available at the fair, along with a secret for calories…

 

 

Champaign County Fair Vice President Bill Alagna.

 

(Springfield-jm) – More counties impacted by recent severe weather will have tax penalties and interest waived. In addition to eight counties the benefit was announced for last week, Governor J.B. Pritzker included Calhoun, Christian, Clark, Cumberland, DeWitt, Douglas, Logan, Macon, Monroe, Moultrie, Pike, Scott and Vermillion counties to the list. 

 

(Washington-jm) – The importance of school meal programs in assuring more secure food systems around the world was the topic of discussion at a United Nations summit which included U.S. participation. Rod Bain reports…

 

 

(Paxton–jc)  –  A blood drive is set for Paxton this afternoon at the First Lutheran Church in the city. Event Coordinator Kevin Hanson says appointments are still available…

 

 

Impact Life Blood Drive Event Coordinator Kevin Hanson

Those interested are asked to go on-line at blood-center-dot-org

 

(Springfield-jm) – The state of Illinois and AFSCME Council 31, the largest union of frontline Illinois state employees, have announced the ratification of a new contract after membership voted overwhelmingly in favor. The agreement was tentatively reached by negotiators for the state and the union in the early morning hours of July 1. The agreement provides for a 4% pay increase retroactive to July 1. In all, base wages will rise nearly 18% over four years. Other provisions include expanded parental leave to 12 weeks and new joint efforts to improve workplace safety.

 

(Springfield-jm) – Mowing is underway beside highways across the state. The Illinois Department of Transportation is asking drivers to slow down and give crews plenty of room, says Spokesperson Paul Wappel…

 

 

IDOT Spokesperson Paul Wappel. Maintenance mowing includes areas next to culverts, ditches and traffic control devices. The heaviest mowing operations will continue until mid-August.

 

(Champaign-jm) – A Champaign man has been convicted of killing his own daughter during a domestic dispute just over a year ago. It took a jury less than an hour on Wednesday to find 70-year-old Raymond Gwin guilty of first-degree murder. Announcing the verdict, the jury said that the prosecution proved Gwin committed murder by firing a shot at 34-year-old Latoya Gwin, hitting her in the neck and killing her. Sentencing is scheduled for September 7, and he faces a minimum of 45 years in prison.

 

(Springfield-jm) – Does the Illinois State Police have one of the top 12 best police vehicles in the country? Now is your chance to vote, says 53rd District State Senator Tom Bennett of Gibson City…

 

 

53rd District State Senator Tom Bennett of Gibson City.

 

(Champaign-jm) – If you were looking forward to big developments in Champaign, you’re going to be waiting a while longer. The expansion of the Champaign bus terminal, added hotels, and apartments are all on hold until a new agreement with developers is reached. The mega-development, referred to as The Yards, was one of many plans that were put on hold by the pandemic. The rise of building costs, and the hockey arena being off the table caused The Yards’ private developer to get out of the project.

 

(Paxton–jc)  One local civic group has started a fundraiser to help with local school aged children in the Paxton area. The Paxton Masonic Lodge 416 has its annual “get out of Dodge” fundraiser starting.  Masonic Lodge Spokesperson Jim Shearl says the grand prize has been donated by the Grove Brothers and it's a trip to New York City, a Broadway show  and more…

 

 

Paxton Masonic Lodge Spokesperson Jim Shearl. The tickets are one for 40 dollars, 2 for 75 dollars or 3 for 100 dollars. The grand prize will be given away on September 16th 2pm during the Paxton Swine and Dine. 

 

(Potomac-jm) – A man who was killed in a motorcycle crash Sunday has been identified. Vermilion County Coroner Jane McFadden said Rick Mockbee, 63, of Potomac, was killed in the single motorcycle accident at 28220 N 900 East Road in Potomac. An autopsy is scheduled for this week.  The cause of the accident is under investigation by the Vermilion County Sheriff's Office and the Vermilion County Coroner's Office.

 

(Washington-jm) – This last week has produced very few changes in the condition ratings for corn and soybeans. Gary Crawford reports…

 

 

(Loda–jc)  –  The 2023 Loda Good Ole Days are set for this weekend. A parade at 10 Saturday morning, mini-weed wacker pulls, bags tournament to fireworks at night highlight the event.  Loda Truck and Tractor Pull Association Spokesperson Darlene Starkey says the annual pull is set for Sunday on the west side of Loda starting at noon…

 

 

Loda Truck and Tractor Pull Association Spokesperson Darlene Starkey