(Springfield-jm) – The University of Illinois Flash Index for July rose to 103.2, up from 103 in June. According to the authors, the combination of moderating inflation and an unexpectedly strong second-quarter GDP growth rate of 2.4% has generated a more optimistic view that the economy may avoid what was once thought to be an inevitable recession. The Flash Index is a weighted average of Illinois' growth rates in corporate earnings, consumer spending and personal income as estimated from receipts for various taxes.

 

(Springfield-jm) – Governor J-B Pritzker has been signing dozens of bills into law. Here’s a look at a few of them. One law requires the state to investigate the electronic theft of “SNAP” benefits, while another expands access to Fentanyl test strips. Representative Rita Mayfield of Waukegan sponsored a bill requiring ambulances to slow down and activate both lights and sirens when proceeding through a red light. She explained to her colleagues earlier this year that it was prompted by the 2022 death of D-J Stallworth, who was hit while on his motorcycle…

 

 

State Representative Rita Mayfield of Waukegan. There’s also a law requiring Cook County to set up a vehicle theft hotline as well as one letting someone convicted of a felony serve as an executor of an estate in certain cases.

 

(Springfield-jm) – More than 47,000 people in Illinois have lost their Medicaid coverage after a pandemic-era extension on their eligibility ended last week. The federal government paused the yearly renewal process because of the public health emergency, keeping people on Medicaid throughout the pandemic. But now, the renewal process is restarting, and people have to show they are still eligible. The Illinois Department of Family and Health Services started to send out renewal notices as the pause came to an end. Of the 47,000 who lost coverage, 13,000 were no longer eligible, but 34,000 either didn’t respond and show proof of their eligibility or didn’t provide additional information to the state.

 

(Springfield-jm) – Visitors to the Illinois State Fair can expect to see several improvements this year. After years of deferring projects, nearly 65 million dollars has been pumped into renovations over the last five years. That includes the multi-purpose arena, which was under construction in 2022, says State Department of Agriculture Director Jerry Costello…

 

 

State Department of Agriculture Director Jerry Costello. Phase two of work on the historic coliseum is underway, with most of the new seats in, says Costello. An HVAC system is being installed to enable the coliseum to be used year round and two elevators will make the facility more accessible. Other improvements include repaved roads near the cattle and swine barns and new roofs at the Emmerson and Expo buildings. The Illinois State Fair opens Thursday.

 

(Champaign-jm) – Champaign County Crime Stoppers is looking for tips from the public that can help solve a wallet theft on the University of Illinois campus. Officials said that on June 23, a suspect walked into the Activities and Recreation Center around noon and stole a wallet. Two hours later, the credit card inside the wallet was used in an attempted purchase at Champaign’s Best Buy. The suspect was captured on surveillance footage as he walked out of the ARC. He was a dark-skinned, Black male approximately 30-40 years old. He was between 5′ 11″ and 6′ 3″ in height and weighed 175 to 200 pounds. The suspect was wearing a black t-shirt, bleach-washed blue jeans, white gym shoes and a Chicago White Sox hat. He was driving a gray or silver Buick sedan with tinted windows and a sunroof.

 

(Springfield-jm) – Conditions improved in this week’s crop report. Temperatures were about average but it was wetter than normal this past week. Crop Statistician Mark Schleusener says soybeans were blooming on 93 percent of acres, which is ahead of the five year average…

 

 

State Crop Statistician Mark Schleusener. The condition of the Illinois corn crop also improved to 58 percent in good to excellent condition. The second cutting of alfalfa is nearly complete and 43 percent of the third cutting is done. Average statewide topsoil moisture increased to 9 percent very short, 21 percent short, 59 percent adequate and 11 percent surplus.

 

(Gibson City-jm) – Three buildings damaged by fire in Gibson City this summer are coming down. Demolition crews began the process of tearing down the fire damaged buildings. It’s unknown what the future will hold for the property.

 

(Springfield-jm) – Prices at the pump have jumped 30 cents a gallon over the last month after months of holding relatively flat, which has helped bring inflation down and eased the stress on wallets. The national average for a gallon of gas is $3.83, about 31 cents higher than a month ago, according to AAA. Despite the recent uptick in prices, it is still below the highs reached last summer when gas was over $5 a gallon amid a supply shortage due to Russia’s invasion of Ukraine, sputtering production and a failure to meet quotas from some countries in OPEC.

 

(Springfield-jm) – Have a bunch of old latex paint lying around? There’s now a state law for that problem. The legislation was sponsored by Senator Linda Holmes of Aurora, who says it’s a common household issue…

 

 

State Senator Linda Holmes of Aurora. Holmes says the trouble is, latex paint is not considered hazardous waste, so municipalities are stuck with the can or people toss them in the garbage. Under this new law, Illinois is joining 11 other states in the “Paintcare” program, which will offer free latex paint drop off sites starting in 2025.

 

(Springfield-jm) – Governor J.B. Pritzker has signed into law a requirement that each school board establish a kindergarten program with full day attendance, beginning with the 2027-2028 school year. The law establishes the Full Day Kindergarten Task Force, which will conduct a statewide audit to inform the planning and implementation of full day kindergarten programs. Districts that currently do not offer a full-day program can apply for a waiver to extend the implementation date up to two years if they meet certain criteria.

 

(Springfield-jm) – Governor J-B Pritzker has been signing dozens of bills into law. Here’s a look at a few of them: Among the new laws are ones making it easier to get Fentanyl testing strips and requiring inmates to receive a state ID card upon release. There’s also one protecting freelance workers to make sure they get paid, said then Senator Christina Pacione-Zayas of Chicago…

 

 

Former State Senator Christina Pacione-Zayas of Chicago. Other laws spell out when employers can be held liable for gender-related violence in the workplace and address lewd acts by prisoners to better protect corrections staff.

 

(Gibson City-jm) – Illinois Senate Bill 2340 is in place to keep kids safer while riding school buses to-and-from.  The bill aims to provide safety by reducing the chance of them being struck by a vehicle while getting on or off a school bus.  Any bus is required to be equipped with an extended stop-arm with flashing red lights that partially obstruct the roadway.  It's required on a route where a child must cross the road.  The legislation is co-sponsored by Senator Tom Bennett.  Effective immediately, school buses must meet this new requirement.  The new law also allows schools to operate buses with up to two extended arm-stops to provide additional safety.

 

(Springfield-jm) – Conditions improved in this week’s crop report. Soybean progress is ahead of the five year average with 93 percent of acres blooming and 73 percent setting pods. Crop Statistician Mark Schleusener says 58 percent of the soybean crop is rated in good to excellent condition, better than the previous week…

 

 

State Crop Statistician Mark Schleusener. 43 percent of the third cutting of alfalfa hay is now complete and average statewide topsoil moisture increased to 9 percent very short, 21 percent short, 59 percent adequate and 11 percent surplus.

 

(Kankakee-jm) – Riverside Medical Center is included in the latest “Great Community Hospitals” listing” from Becker’s Hospital review. The 2023 edition lists Riverside on the list of 153 hospitals. Riverside Medical Center is a 312-bed hospital with a full scope of inpatient and outpatient care. It is a nationally recognized, award-winning level II trauma hospital with advanced programs in heart care, cancer care, neurosurgery and orthopedics.