(Springfield-jm) – The Illinois Supreme Court upheld the state’s ban on assault weapons. In a 4 to 3 decision, the court found a law prohibiting the sale or possession of certain semi-automatic weapons and high capacity magazines is constitutional. Representative Patrick Windhorst of Metropolis says he’s disappointed but not surprised. He’s hopeful another challenge, now before a federal appeals court, has a different outcome…
State Representative Patrick Windhorst of Metropolis. Governor J-B Pritzker praised the state Supreme Court’s decision, calling the law “common sense gun reform to keep mass-killing machines off our streets.” A new state law signed by Governor J-B Pritzker Saturday holds gun retailers accountable. Under the Firearm Industry Responsibility Act, gun manufacturers and retailers can be sued for marketing firearms to people under 18 and for promoting illegal private militia activity. Governor Pritzker signed the legislation at the “Gun Sense University” event at McCormick Place in Chicago…
Illinois Governor J-B Pritzker. The law takes effect immediately.
(Springfield-jm) – Sunday was Veterans and Gold Star Families Day at the Illinois State Fair. The families of fallen soldiers were honored at a special brunch to start off the day. Joe Schaler (shay-ler), Illinois State Commander of the Military Order of the Purple Heart told the crowd that when he was serving, it was all about surviving, not necessarily considering the families back home…
Illinois State Commander of the Military Order of the Purple Heart Joe Schaler. A Veteran’s Day program followed the brunch, with more speakers and the Illinois Army National Guard’s 144th Army Band played music representing each branch of the military. The Illinois State Fair runs through Sunday, August 20th.
(Rural Paxton-jm) – Paxton first responders were called to a two vehicle crash Saturday morning. The accident happened on Route 115 near 700 north around 7:45 am between a car and a semi. No word on if there were any injuries.
(Champaign County-jm) – One central Illinois county is warning pet owners about parvo after seeing a major increase in cases. Experts say most cases are seen during late summer and early fall, but Champaign County is already reporting a higher number of cases than normal. Parvo is a highly contagious disease that mostly affects young puppies, though it can affect older dogs if they are unvaccinated. Parvo is a viral disease that attacks the GI system and bone marrow. To prevent parvo, puppies need to be vaccinated against the disease at 6, 8, and 12 weeks old, with a possible booster around 15 weeks. Vets say t's important for puppies not to be around other animals until they are fully vaccinated.
(Washington-jm) – USDA has just issued its first crop production forecasts based on farmer surveys. Gary Crawford reports…
(Springfield-jm) – Governor J-B Pritkzer is vetoing a bill lifting the current moratorium on building new nuclear plants in Illinois. In his veto message, the Governor cited concerns about the bill such as not having regulations to protect the people who live and work near the plants. Senator Sue Rezin of Morris, who sponsored the legislation, says the state needs access to nuclear power…
State Senator Sue Rezin of Morris. The ban has been in place since 1987. Rezin says she will be pushing for a veto override this fall.
(Gibson City-jm) – First responders and community members are looking back at the last two years of emergencies in one Ford County town. On Saturday, they all came together to honor one another and reflect on their quick, lifesaving efforts. Rain flooded Gibson City two years ago and damaged homes and businesses. That was the beginning of significant events emergency crews would respond to over the next few months. A Fourth of July fire damaged downtown businesses, and it happened again just across the street in May.
(Danville-jm) – VA Illiana is getting a new phone system to enhance telephone access for all Veterans and improve overall communications. Phone numbers will not change at VA Illiana locations of care, but extension numbers will. Veterans can call the main clinic number for their clinic to contact anyone on their Patient Aligned Care Team. All Clinic phone numbers are available online. Veterans are also encouraged to visit My HealtheVet to communicate with their PACT through secure messaging. My HealtheVet offers secure messaging, as well as information about upcoming appointments, health records, and prescription refills.
(Washington-jm) – USDA’s first producer-oriented field surveys show soybean production for this year’s crop down from the previous year. Rod Bain reports…
(Undated-jm) – Two school boards, the Ford County Board and community planning meeting are all taking place around the area tonight. The Gibson City planning committee will meet at 6 to discuss a possible amendment to the Falcon Pointe subdivision plat. In Rantoul at 6, the Rantoul Township High School board will consider a proposal for landscaping at Eagle Academy, consider a weapons detection system and hear an update on the East wing project. The Ford County Board will meet at 7 where they will consider allowing the Probation Department to hire a full time deputy clerk and allow the circuit clerk’s office to have more than one chief deputy. They will also consider using ARPA funding for the courthouse entry security glass wall and adopting a risk management ordinance. Also at 7 tonight in Gilman, the Iroquois West School Board will hear an update on a teacher vacancy grant pilot program, hear a presentation from the district’s math interventionist, consider a sunken garden, approve the tentative FY 24 budget and more.
The City of Paxton will be doing brush pickup this week and flushing hydrants.
