(Charleston-jm) – Eastern Illinois University confirmed that a shooting occurred at a Domino's Pizza on Lincoln Avenue across from the university. Around 3 p.m. Charleston police responded to the Domino's Pizza on Lincoln to investigate a report of a male subject that had been shot in the arm. Police say that their investigation determined the incident was isolated and stemmed from an argument between two male acquaintances.
(Springfield-jm) – As school starts back up in some areas, the Illinois State Police is urging the public to be extra cautious about roadway safety. Back to school means more vehicle, bicycle and foot traffic says Trooper Josh Korando (co-rondo)...
Illinois State Police Trooper Josh Korando. State police also remind that the speed limit for posted school zones is 20 miles per hour. That’s the effect from 7 am to 4 pm on school days when children are present. Fines increase for talking or texting on a hand-held cell phone while driving through a school zone.
(Springfield-jm) – Just days after Governor J.B. Pritzker signed a measure allowing lawsuits against firearms industry members for a variety of things, the law is being challenged in federal court. House Bill 218 allows lawsuits to be brought against firearm industry members for allegedly making less safe conditions or for advertising to children, or for “unlawful” paramilitary or militia activity. Monday, the National Shooting Sports Foundation filed a challenge to the law in Illinois' Southern District federal court. The foundation alleges the measure doesn't just violate the First and Second Amendments, it also violates interstate commerce and due process rights. Tuesday, United States Magistrate Judge Mark Beatty was randomly assigned to the case in the Southern Illinois federal court district. Beatty was appointed to the position in 2019 during the presidency of Donald Trump.
(Springfield-jm) – Children who work as social media influencers will be getting some protections come next summer. Illinois is the first state in the country to enact a law ensuring so called “kid-fluencers” are adequately compensated. It requires a percentage of any earnings from posts on sites like Twitter and Tik-Tok to be put into a trust fund for the child, said Senator David Koehler (kay-ler) of Peoria this past spring…
State Senator David Koehler of Peoria. This applies to children under 16 and takes effect next July 1st.
(Watseka-jm) – U.S. Senator Dick Durbin Tuesday joined officials from Iroquois Memorial Hospital to announce that the Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services has approved “Critical Access Hospital” status for the Watseka health care facility. The designation pays certain rural hospitals a higher Medicare reimbursement rate, helping to stabilize and provide a critical financial boost for hospitals like Iroquois Memorial.
(Champaign-jm) – Champaign County Crime Stoppers is asking the public for help in tracking down a bicycle rider who they said was responsible for a theft. Officials said the theft happened in the area of Neil Street and Columbia Avenue on July 9. They didn’t provide details about what was stolen or how it happened, but did provide a description and photos of the suspect. The suspect appeared to be a Black man with short hair. He was wearing a pink, white and gray long-sleeved shirt, black pants and light-colored shoes. He was also carrying an orange and black backpack and was riding a red bike.
(Washington-jm) – Export sales receipts for soybeans are up so far this year, but sales volumes are down slightly. Gary Crawford reports…
(Undated–jc) The Farm Progress Show is coming to Decatur later this month. Innovations in Agriculture are keys to the show. WPXN’s Dan Mushrush has the story…
(Chicago-jm) – Chicago Mayor Brandon Johnson says the city of Chicago has had conversations with suburban leaders in Cook and other counties about the possibility of moving migrants into their communities. Thousands of migrant families have arrived in Chicago over the past year. City officials have placed many in police stations, YMCAs and Daley College. Johnson said the city is looking at other towns to help with housing migrants. So far, city and state taxpayers have set aside $94 million for migrant housing. The state budget has $550 million in taxpayer subsidies for health care of migrants over the age of 65.
(Springfield-jm) – A new state law lets businesses offer gender neutral multi-occupancy restrooms. This is not a mandate, but an option for businesses. Opponents argued back in May that men and women don’t want to share a restroom, and worry this could lead to sexual assault. Representative Kelly Cassidy of Chicago said this shouldn’t be a big deal…
State Representative Kelly Cassidy of Chicago. Under the law, gender neutral bathrooms must have fully enclosed stalls and no urinals.
(Springfield-jm) – A new state law requires the Illinois Department of Human Services to launch a public education campaign to bring awareness to the importance of mental health and wellness. The plan will also allow people with most commercial insurance to have one free no-diagnosis mental health and wellness visit each year. Illinois is the third state in the country to implement such a plan. Patients needing further treatment will be able to get referrals to see mental health professionals in their insurance network. However, the free mental wellness visit would not apply to people with a health savings account.
(Springfield-jm) – There’s plenty of free entertainment at the Illinois State Fair this year. First up is: Jump! The Ultimate Dog Show, which features stunts, tricks, frisbee catching and the high jump. Owner and Trainer Lou Mack uses 10 dogs, all with their own specialty. The best part? They are all rescues…
Jump! The Ultimate Dog Show Owner and Trainer Lou Mack. There’s also the high dive show, a long-time fair favorite and “cycle circus live”, billed as the largest FMX freestyle entertainment show of its kind. And of course, there is live music at several stages scattered around the fairgrounds daily.
(Rantoul-jm) – Tuesday, August 29th, 2023, 5:45 pm at the Rantoul Family Sports Complex, Scouts BSA Troop 30 will be hosting a Challenger Baseball Game! This event will bring scouts and local challenger players together to PLAY BALL! There will be an Opening Flag Ceremony at 5:45 pm with a special presentation and then (2) ball games will be held, the first at 6pm, and the second at 7:10pm. The Village of Rantoul has generously provided the use of their facility at no cost and will have concessions open along with the use of their spray playground for the kids to enjoy! Rantoul Scouts BSA Troop 30 will have information at this event on how to join scouting. The troop meets regularly on Monday evenings at 7:00 pm at the Rantoul American Legion Post 287.
(Ford County-jm) – Ford County Treasurer Krisha Whitcomb has emailed county board members to tell them that, if all goes as planned, she tentatively expects to have property tax bills for 2022 printed and mailed to Ford County taxpayers by Tuesday, Aug. 29, with payment of the first and second installments due Friday, Sept. 29, and Friday, Nov. 17, respectively. This is the third time in four years that the county’s tax bills have been delayed. The county’s real estate tax bills are usually mailed in late May with the first payments due in early July. Not only were the tax bills late again last year but Gibson City landowners were accidentally overcharged on the city portion of their bills. This year, they will see a credit on their bills for the amount they overpaid.
(Washington-jm) – Tighter supply numbers reflected in lower production and yield forecasts from the previous month, are found in USDA’s August domestic corn balance sheet. Rod Bain reports…
WPXN News Notes…
The 147th annual Fairbury Fair will take place today through Sunday. Evening entertainment includes: American Idol alum Leah Marlene will perform at 7:30 tonight, golf cart rodeo on the 17th at 6:30, Country Music Group Sawyer Brown will perform on the 18th at 7:30, stock car racing on the 19th at 5:30, the 20th at 1pm its the demolition derby.
Cissna Park Old Settlers Reunion will take place tomorrow through Saturday. The 17th its Bingo at 6:30 and the talent show at 7:30. On the 18th its live music with A Natural High at 7:30 and The Allen Quartet at 8:30. On the 19th, its 5k run/walk at 7:30, parade at noon, kiddie waterball at 2, kiddie tractor pull at 3, Logan Kirby at 8 and the drawing for the 2024 Chevy Trax or $20,000 cash at 11.
