(Springfield-jm) – With challenges of Illinois’ gun and magazine ban pending in state and federal courts, more litigation is possible, especially with the requirement certain gun parts will need to be registered. A memo circulating online confirmed by Illinois State Police said additional requirements of Illinois’ Protect Illinois Communities Act, the state’s ban on certain semi-automatic firearms and magazines, require people with not just the banned firearms, but “assault weapons attachments,” to “have provided an endorsement affidavit signed under oath to the ISP no later than January 1, 2024.” Noncompliance could lead to criminal penalties. State police are set to open the portal for registration beginning October 1. Adding to the concern could be that in August 2021, hackers attempted to breach the ISP Firearm Owners ID database, possibly exposing more than 2,000 individuals’ private information.

 

(Springfield-jm) – A new state law requires all school districts to offer full-day kindergarten by the 2027-2028 school year. The legislation was championed by Senator Kimberly Lightford of Maywood, who said back in May that it gives districts plenty of time to comply…

 

 

State Senator Kimberly Lightford of Maywood. Supporters say this gets kids off to a good start and helps working parents who may have had a hard time getting daycare if their child only goes to Kindergarten for half a day. The new law also creates a task force to study the current state of full day kindergarten in Illinois.

 

(Springfield-jm) – Questions persist on how Illinois taxpayers will be able to afford the subsidies for undocumented immigrant health care. As part of the state's fiscal year 2024 budget that began July 1, Pritzker modified the state's health care program to provide coverage for migrants only over 65 for a total budgeted amount of $550 million. Questions remain on how the state will afford it. 

 

(Springfield-jm) – A new state law takes aim at users of “deepfake” technology. Deepfakes are essentially digital forgeries and are often used to artificially create sexual videos of women without their consent. The bill sponsor, Senator Mary Edly-Allen of Libertyville spoke about the legislation back in May…

 

 

State Senator Mary Edly-Allen of Libertyville. The law lets deepfake victims sue for civil damages. It takes effect in January.

 

(Champaign-jm) – The Champaign Police Department is the latest law enforcement agency in Central Illinois to warn of scammers impersonating them to members of the community. Officials shared on social media that several people in Champaign reported to them that they received a call from a purported Champaign Police Sergeant. The caller claimed the would-be victim had a warrant out for their arrest and requested an immediate payment to avoid arrest. Caller ID records indicate that the call did not use a phone number tied to the Champaign Police Department. People who receive such calls from any organization, law enforcement or otherwise, are encouraged to hang up immediately and contact the organization at their published phone number.

 

(Undated–jc)  The Ford, Iroquois, Vermilion and Champaign County fairs are complete for this year. The selected county queens still have a lot to participate for the next year. Miss Champaign County Fair Queen Katie Landers of Fisher says it’s time for parades, a trip to the state fair next week and the state pageant too, coming in January in Springfield…

 

 

Miss Champaign County Fair Queen Katie Landers of Fisher

 

(Coles County–jc)  Traffic is back to normal along Interstate 57 in Coles and Douglas counties after an accident on Wednesday afternoon and then two additional accidents near the scene. State police and emergency personnel were re-directing traffic around the scene through the early morning hours today. Late last night investigators were looking for the cause of the crashes. 

 

(Melvin–jc)  Now is the time to get your tickets to the annual Knight for Christ Fundraiser to benefit Christian education at Buckley based Christ Lutheran High School. The event is set to start at 4pm on Saturday August 26th at the Ford County Fairgrounds in Melvin. Knight for Christ event spokesperson Larry Abbe says the delicious food stations will be ready…

 

 

20-23 Knight for Christ Fundraiser event spokesperson Larry Abbe. 

A silent auction, live auction, bidding frenzy, to heads and tails are all part of raising money at the event for Christ Lutheran High school in Buckley. 

 

(Danville-jm) – Golden Nugget Casino’s Grand Opening Celebration in Danville promises an unforgettable day of fun and excitement!  This Friday at 11:00 AM will be the highly anticipated official grand opening of the Golden Nugget Casino in Danville, located at 204 Eastgate Drive, Danville. The Danville Golden Nugget casino gaming floor features almost 500 slot machines. The slot mix has plenty of traditional slots and the latest video technology. They have all the favorite table games with 14 Las Vegas style table games including Baccarat, Blackjack, 3-Card Poker, Craps, Mississippi Stud, Roulette and Ultimate Texas Hold ’Em.

 

(Chicago-jm) – As Governor J.B. Pritzker weighs whether to use the National Guard in Chicago to help officers deal with crime, some city officials are speaking out against the possibility. According to Chicago Police statistics, overall crime in the city is up 36% compared to last year. During a recent discussion on how to prevent violent crime in the city, Pritzker answered questions regarding using the National Guard. Pritzker praised state police officers but said due to numbers, they could use extra help. Pritzker said he doesn't plan to use the National Guard to combat crime. The topic has led to different opinions by state and city officials.

 

(Springfield-jm) – Get your bids ready, Treasurer Mike Frerichs’ office is holding a live unclaimed property auction at the Illinois State Fair. All sorts of items are up for grabs include a 14-karat gold women’s ring, rare coins, basketball cards, political memorabilia and more. Treasurer Frerichs says they come from old safe deposit boxes that people have forgotten about and the proceeds are saved…

 

 

State Treasurer Mike Frerichs. The live auction will be held on Saturday, August 19th at 11 am on the Lincoln Stage at the fairgrounds in Springfield. Visitors can preview the items in person starting at 9 am that day.

 

(Springfield-jm) – Unless there are changes, a bill giving Ameren Illinois the right of first refusal to build high-voltage power lines will most likely be vetoed by Governor J.B. Pritzker.  The 18-month right of first refusal would allow Ameren to choose whether they want to build the new power lines, thus eliminating the competitive bidding process for such projects. The utility has testified in other states considering similar legislation, including Missouri, that the competitive bid process leads to delays and cost overruns. Opponents of the proposal said it would reduce competition, leading to higher costs for construction projects and ultimately higher costs to energy consumers.  

 

(Decatur-jm) – A new electric vehicle innovation hub is coming to Decatur. Governor J-B Pritzker and T-C-C-I Manufacturing broke ground on the new facility which will support one of the first made-in-America electric compressor manufacturing facilities…

 

 

Illinois Governor J-B Pritzker. The hub will also house the E-V Plus Energy Workforce Training Academy to get skilled workers into good paying electric vehicle and clean energy jobs with an associate’s degree.

 

(Urbana-jm) – Champaign County Crime Stoppers is asking the public for help in tracking down a man wanted on a drug charge.  Christoper Pope, 35 of Urbana, was charged with possessing over five grams of methamphetamine in November of 2022. He pleaded not guilty and posted bail, but later failed to appear in court the following March. Pope was later caught and was deemed eligible to be assessed for drug court. He later charged his plea to guilty and was sentenced to 180 days in the Champaign County Jail, with 40 days of credit given for time already served.  Pope was also ordered to report to a drug court after his release. He appeared at the first few hearings of drug court, but then missed a court date. Pope is described as being White, 5′ 10″ in height and weighing 125 pounds. He has brown hair and hazel eyes.

 

(Gibson City–jc)  The 3rd annual Summer Bash Concert is set for downtown Gibson City later this month. Officials with Gibson Area Hospital say the band 38 Special will perform live in Gibson City on Saturday August 19th. G-A-H spokesperson Bill Kirby says the free concert started as the area was moving out of the Covid pandemic three years ago…

 

 

Gibson Area Hospital Event Spokesperson Bill Kirby. More about the Summer Bash in Gibson City is found on line or contacting the hospital.

 

(Henning-jm) –  A former Vermilion County pastor is facing sexual abuse charges. Gary Arivett was arrested and is facing three counts of aggravated criminal sexual abuse of a family member under the age of 18. Arivett has been a pastor at Shiloh Apostolic Church in Henning for nearly 30 years. Bond was set at $100,000.