(Springfield-jm) – The Protect Illinois Communities Act bans the possession and sale of assault weapons and requires assault weapons people already own to be registered. Illinois State Police said registration forms will be available by October for people to register guns that were deemed as assault weapons by the state and that they owned before the law was passed. If an individual has lawfully owned an assault weapon before January 10, 2023, they can continue to have them as long as they provide an endorsement affidavit to ISP. ISP said that will be available on October 1 and it must be signed under oath and submitted before January 1, 2024.
(Springfield-jm) – Governor J-B Pritzker is signing the new Illinois Grocer Initiative into law. The program includes a 20 million dollar investment to help alleviate “food deserts” across the state, says the Governor. He notes that a grocery store anchored and run by people in the neighborhood is more likely to survive…
Illinois Governor J-B Pritzker. Up to 20 percent of the program funding can be used by grocery stores to make energy efficiency upgrades. More than three million people in Illinois currently live in food deserts. Governor Pritzker says more information will be available when the state starts accepting grant applications.
(Ford County-jm) – Emergency crews in Ford County were busy over the weekend. Saturday evening, Paxton first responders were called to an accident on I-57 about a mile south of Paxton. Later that night, Sibley first responders were called to an accident on Route 47. The coroner and medical helicopter were called to the scene. Roberts and Melvin firefighters were called to an abandoned structure at 18550 north 1300 east on fire Sunday night. They were assisted by Piper City fire.
(Undated-jm) – Hot and humid weather returns this week with potentially record breaking heat. School is beginning across the WPXN listening area. OSF’s Dr Brian Curtis explains kids and older adults are more commonly affected by the high temps…
OSF Dr. Brian Curtis. Highs this week could reach the upper 90s with heat index values pushing 115. Heat advisories and excessive heat warnings are already in effect for most of the week.
(Watseka-jm) – The man accused of a shooting that left two people dead and another injured in Watseka last week is charged with first degree murder. 44 year old Scott Peterson of Kankakee is charged with 4 counts of first degree murder in the shooting deaths of 42 year old Amanda Peterson and 38 year old Joseph Robinson. A 21 year old man was also shot and was taken to the hospital for treatment. Bond was set at $7 million. Peterson is due back in court Wednesday.
(Washington-jm) – What are the latest numbers for milk production and price forecasts with USDA's latest outlook? Rod Bain reports…
(Cissna Park–jc) Members of the Cissna Park Legion Post 527, The Sons of the American Legion and Legion Auxiliary and volunteers would like to thank everyone that attended this past weekend's Old Settlers Celebration. Huge crowds enjoyed the entertainment, food, and parade. Also congratulations to Don Reutter Junior of Cissna Park. Reutter was the winner of the 20-24 Chevrolet Trax at the conclusion of the event on Saturday night.
(Springfield-jm) – As school districts across Illinois prepare to welcome back students, a school official is raising concerns regarding a lack of personnel. The Illinois Association of Regional Superintendents of Schools conducted an Educator Shortage study and found that 76% of school districts reported problems with staffing shortages. The Illinois General Assembly passed legislation to address teacher shortages, including increased pay and retention bonuses and a measure to increase the number of days a substitute teacher can stay in the classroom.
(Springfield-jm) – Vets and pets are the subject of a new state law. The law waives the fees for veterans to adopt a dog or a cat from a shelter or animal control facility. Fees vary across the state but can range from 30 dollars to 275. It was supported back in May by Senator Steve McClure of Springfield…
State Senator Steve McClure of Springfield. The law takes effect January 1st.
(Mahomet-jm) – Firefighters were called to battle a huge fire that broke out at Main Street Fencing in Mahomet Saturday night. The Cornbelt Fire Department was called at 11 p.m. to the business in the 500 block of W. Hickory Street. Heavy fire was showing throughout the structure. Crews reported explosions occurring due to combustible materials on property. The cause of the fire has not yet been determined. No injuries were reported. The Cornbelt Fire Department was assisted by Bondville Fire, Seymour Volunteer Fire Department, Sangamon Valley Fire Protection District, Arrow Ambulance, Mahomet Police Department, and METCAD.
(Springfield-jm) – Governor J-B Pritzker vetoed a bill that would have lifted the state’s moratorium on building new nuclear energy facilities. 53rd District State Senator Tom Bennett of Gibson City supported the legislation and urged legislative leaders to call up the bill in the fall veto session…
53rd District State Senator Tom Bennett of Gibson City.
(Milford-jm) – A Milford man is dead following a single vehicle crash. 24 year old Tyler Fanning died in the crash Friday on 1050 north near 2540 east in rural Milford. Police say Fanning was driving on 1050 eastbound when for an unknown reason his truck left the roadway twice, went airborne both times, with the second time causing the truck to roll. Fanning was pronounced deceased on scene. The accident remains under investigation.
(Washington-jm) – USDA’s latest meat production forecasts show varying changes in categories for this year and next. Rod Bain reports…
(Gibson City–jc) Officials with Gibson Area Hospital would like to thank all those who attended the Gibson Summer Bash on Saturday in the city. The 38 Special and Winger concert was a huge success. The crowd of concert goers filled several blocks of downtown Gibson City on Saturday. The two bands delivered on another great concert in the city.
