(Springfield-jm) – Several pieces of legislation passed during the spring session of the Illinois General Assembly dealt with opioid overdoses, and now two more will become law.  Governor J.B. Pritzker signed a measure that amends the Overdose Prevention and Harm Reduction Act and allows pharmacists and retail stores to sell fentanyl testing strips over the counter beginning January 1. Another law requires schools to carry opioid antagonists on campus beginning next year. 

 

(Springfield-jm) – State Treasurer Mike Frerichs is launching the new “Illinois First Steps” college savings program. The goal is to entice families to start saving for future expenses right away, says Treasurer Frerichs…

 

 

State Treasurer Mike Frerichs. Families receiving the 50 dollar seed money will then need to open a 529 college Bright Start or Bright Directions savings account. Claims must be submitted before the child’s 10th birthday. You can learn more online at bright start dot com.

 

(Paxton-jm) – The onetime owner of the now-shuttered Doug’s Compounding Pharmacy in downtown Paxton was ordered by a Ford County judge Monday to reveal the locations of all items she removed from the building in the last six months so that the county’s sheriff can obtain the items from her or anyone else who still has them. According to our partners at The Ford County Chronicle, the immediate forfeiture of those items was among several stipulations ordered by Judge Matt Fitton in a preliminary injunction he entered against Dr. Jenna Vogel following a brief hearing in Ford County Circuit Court. A motion for the injunction was filed Wednesday, July 26, by attorneys for the Arkansas-based First Financial Bank, which earlier secured judgment in its favor in a foreclosure case the bank filed last August against Vogel, who allegedly defaulted on a $1.75 million mortgage she secured to acquire the pharmacy in 2019. 

 

(Savoy-jm) – U.S. Senator Dick Durbin, U.S. Representative Nikki Budzinski , and U.S. Department of Transportation Secretary Pete Buttigieg Monday joined local officials to announce that the Village of Savoy will receive more than $22.6 million through the U.S. Department of Transportation’s Rebuilding American Infrastructure with Sustainability and Equity grant program for the Curtis Road Grade Separation and Complete Streets Project. The Curtis Road Grade Separation and Complete Streets Project will create a new railroad grade separation and improve two miles of railroad from Windsor Road to Old Church Road by relocating the railroad track.  The work will include constructing a roadway underpass by raising the railroad tracks by 15 feet and lowering Curtis Road by five feet.  Additionally, the project will reconstruct one mile of Curtis Road to add two additional lanes, on-street bicycle lanes, and new traffic signals with pedestrian countdown signals, drainage improvements, and enhanced transit stops.

 

(Springfield-jm) – There was a slight improvement in Illinois corn and soybeans this past week. It was a hot week, with 89 percent of soybean acres blooming and 9 percent setting pods. Crop Statistician Mark Schleusener takes a look at corn…

 

 

State Crop Statistician Mark Schleusener. 49 percent of corn and 46 percent of soybeans are considered to be in good to excellent condition. The 2nd cutting of alfalfa hay is now 91 percent complete and average statewide topsoil moisture is now rated as 17 percent very short, 30 percent short, 51 percent adequate and 2 percent surplus.

 

(Paxton–jc)  A Picket Fence Florist has a new owner. Dawn Glad of Paxton has purchased the store from the Hancock Family. Former owner Teri Hancock passed away earlier this summer. Glad has been  a manager at the store for several years.  Glad will continue to offer flowers, gifts and more at the downtown Paxton location. 

 

(Undated-jm) – Another local politician is leaving the political arena. 104th District State Representative Mike Marron of Fithian has announced he will not seek re-election. This comes after 53rd District State Senator Tom Bennett of Gibson City announced his retirement last week. State Representative Dan Caulkins of Decatur also announced earlier this year he too would not seek re-election.

 

(Springfield-jm) – Governor J.B. Pritzker signed five bills Monday expanding protections for veterans, active-duty soldiers and military dependents. One measure creates the “Veteran Service Organization State Charter Act.” This act lays out specific requirements organizations must meet in order to be considered state-chartered veterans service organizations. Another bill eases the process of obtaining a civil no contact order of protection for victims and survivors of military sexual assault.

 

(Springfield-jm) – Governor J-B Pritzker is announcing a series of new initiatives to increase access to reproductive healthcare in Illinois. First up is the Complex Abortion Regional Line for Access or “CARLA” program, to help patients with complex medical needs navigate local hospital systems…

 

 

Illinois Governor J-B Pritzker. Governor Pritzker says CARLA will also help arrange transportation and childcare for treatment. Additionally, there will be a family planning program for low-income Illinoisians who earn just a little too much to qualify for Medicaid and a grant program for overwhelmed reproductive care facilities to make repairs or expand.

 

(Champaign-jm) – Registration for the fall semester at Parkland College continues with weeks to go until the first day of class, Monday, August 21. The college's academic advising and admissions offices are offering Walk-in Wednesdays and Enrollment Express services through Wednesday, August 2. Enrollment Express will also take place the week of August 14, with special hours Saturday, August 19 from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m.  The last day to register for fall classes is August 20 as the full-semester and first eight-week classes will begin Monday, August 21. The last day to register for 13-week (late-start) classes is September 10.

 

(Gibson City-jm) – Gibson City Police have released their recent activity report. On July 19th, Morgan Liska of Gibson City was arrested for aggravated assault and domestic battery. On July 27th, Shane Ziegenhorn of Chatsworth was arrested for disorderly conduct, resisting a peace officer and public indecency. 

 

 

(Champaign-jm) – August is National Breastfeeding Month. The Champaign-Urbana Public Health District is announcing the second annual breastfeeding supplies drive. The drive will take place throughout August. Supplies donated will be given to parents enrolled in the WIC Breastfeeding Peer Counselor Program. The program provides support to expectant and postpartum parents to help them learn about breastfeeding and overcome obstacles they may face. According to the 2022 CDC Breastfeeding Report Card, 84.9% of babies born in Illinois in 2019 were breastfed at least once. At six months, only 58.7% continued to breastfeed, with less than half of those babies being exclusively breastfed.

 

(Paxton–jc)  –  It’s official, the 20-23 Paxton Christmas parade is set for Saturday November 25th at 1-30pm in downtown Paxton. This year’s theme is Christmas Trees and Memories. The parade will honor Founding Pride Member Teri Hancock who passed away this summer. Hancock was also longtime chair of the Paxton Christmas Parade Committee. Entry forms are being sent to those who have participated in past years.