(Undated-jm) – While the White House expects a new vaccine for the latest COVID-19 variant to come out sometime next month, Illinois Governor J.B. Pritzker doesn't expect more COVID-19 mandates. The U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention shows a 21.6% increase in hospital admissions in the most recent week with a 21.4% increase in COVID-19 deaths. Over the weekend, President Joe Biden said he approved a proposal for more funding from Congress for a new vaccine. Illinois, according to the CDC, is still a low transmission state. Governor J.B. Pritzker was asked Monday if he’ll mandate a new vaccine for some state employees. Pritzker said despite what people read online, there is no discussion of bringing back certain mandates such as school closures or mask mandates as was the case more than three years ago at the onset of the pandemic. 

 

(Washington-jm) – Condition ratings for corn and soybeans are down this week. Gary Crawford reports…

 

 

(Champaign-jm) – Three people are accused of stealing more than $800 worth of clothes from Market Place Shopping Center in Champaign, and Crime Stoppers is asking for help in identifying them. Officials said that on April 24, the trio entered Old Navy around 6 p.m., collected numerous clothing items and began stacking them at the back of the store. As one suspect distracted an employee, the other two began hiding the clothes on their person and in a stolen bag. The three suspects then walked out the store without paying for the clothes. The suspects were captured on store security cameras as they were leaving. One appeared to be a Black man wearing a blue denim jacket, a white shirt and black pants. The other two suspects were Black women; one was wearing a pink sherpa-type jacket and blue shorts while the other was wearing a silver puffer coat and black pants.

 

(Rantoul-jm) – A Rantoul man will spend the next 58 years in prison for murder. Quionte Chaney received the sentence after being found guilty of shooting and killing a man assisting in the eviction of Chaney out of an apartment.

 

(Loda–jc)   The Huntington’s Disease “Team Hope” event is coming up in early September at Lakeview Country Club in Loda. Event Coordinator Samantha Cox says the day starts with the walk registration in the 7am hour, the walk at 8am. Other events are a scramble golf tournament, silent auction, kids zone. Cox provides more information on a dinner at the club on September 9th…

 

 

Huntington’s Disease Team Hope Event Coordinator Samantha Cox

 

(Paxton-jm) – Ford County Public Health Department is hosting a ‘Going Away Open House’ and card shower for outgoing Administrator Lana Sample on Wednesday August 30th from 11-2 at the Health Department, 235 N Taft Street. The public is invited. Cookies will be served. Sample is leaving her role as Administrator, as she has taken another position in another state. Please join their staff in wishing her good luck on her new endeavors.
 

(Springfield-jm) – After the most recent conviction in what federal prosecutors called the “Madigan Enterprise,” Governor J.B. Pritzker said more can and should be done on ethics reforms. Last week, former House Speaker Michael Madigan’s chief of staff and House Clerk Tim Mapes was found guilty of lying to investigators and obstruction of justice. Mapes’ guilty verdict last week followed guilty verdicts earlier this year for a former ComEd utility official and three lobbyists including a close confidant of Madigan. Prosecutors allege a nearly decade-long scheme of the utility giving little- to do-nothing jobs to Madigan associates in exchange for favorable legislation. Pritzker said there aren’t many lessons to learn from Mapes’ trial that should lead to legislative action. One lesson Pritzker said is clear for anyone in the future that wants to act corruptly that they will be caught eventually. Madigan, who has pleaded not guilty to 22 federal crimes, faces trial in April.

 

(Washington-jm) – Soybeans are continuing to mature as we hear in the latest USDA report. USDA Meteorologist Brad Rippey…

 

 

USDA Meteorologist Brad Rippey.

 

(Champaign-jm) – Firefighters from Champaign, Savoy and other towns and agencies were among those who responded to a two-alarm fire at a Bondville storage facility on Monday. The fire happened at the Frazier Properties on Tiffany Court, just off West Springfield Avenue.

 

(Urbana-jm) – OSF Heart of Mary Urbana’s birthing center is closing today. Services are going to be moved back to OSF in Danville starting September 1st. Nurses are either transferring to Danville or joining other units in Urbana.

 

(Springfield-jm) – A recent report by the state’s auditor general has found several state agencies for waste, fraud and abuse. 53rd District State Senator Tom Bennett of Gibson City…

 

 

53rd District State Senator Tom Bennett of Gibson City.

 

(Undated-jm) – Illinois Environmental Protection Agency Director John Kim announced a third funding opportunity of $10 million to assist communities in meeting the requirements outlined in the Lead Service Line Replacement and Notification Act. Paxton is receiving $39,168. Homer is receiving $29,874. Watseka is receiving $40,000.