(Springfield-jm) – Gun owners are anxiously awaiting rules to be released by Illinois State Police for the registry that is required as part of Illinois’ gun and magazine ban set to open October 1. In less than a month, ISP is expected to open the portal for gun owners to register certain semi-automatic firearms the state has labeled “assault weapons.” As part of the state’s gun and magazine ban called the Protect Illinois Communities Act that was enacted January 10, those in possession of certain semi-automatic firearms from before then are required to register a sworn affidavit with Illinois State Police by January 1, 2024, or criminal penalties apply. The rules from ISP are to be filed with the bipartisan Joint Committee on Administrative Rules. JCAR’s monthly meeting is scheduled for September 12. ISP’s rules for the registry are not yet on the agenda.
(Springfield-jm) – Illinois Treasurer Mike Frerichs’ Office is working to get the word out about the state’s Illinois “ABLE” program. Schools should now be sharing information about the savings program with the parents of individualized education plan students. Treasurer Frerichs says it helps families save money for disability-related expenses…
State Treasurer Mike Frerichs. The money can be used for expenses like therapy, transportation, education, special equipment and more. More details about the ABLE program are available at: illinois treasurer dot gov.
(Springfield-jm) – A new public dashboard has been launched revealing data on unintentional, fatal drug overdoses in Illinois. Northwestern University scientists said the dashboard showed a significant increase in the overdose deaths of older adults 55-64 from 2019 to 2021. About 80% were opioid related, but there was an increase in cocaine-related deaths as well. The number of incidents with cocaine as the cause of death increased from 832 in 2019 to more than 1,100 in 2021.
(Springfield-jm) – August weather was about normal in Illinois, wrapping up a mild and drier summer. According to preliminary numbers, August temperatures were pretty average. That’s even with the heat wave where the feels like temp rose well above 100 degrees. Statewide average precipitation was around an inch above normal last month, but State Climatologist Trent Ford says totals varied locally…
State Climatologist Trent Ford. Rainfall over the summer months also varied. This was the 13th driest summer on record in Moline while it was one of the wettest in far southern Illinois.
(Urbana-jm) – An Urbana man is under arrest in connection to a Monday morning argument-turned-shooting that left both him and another Urbana man hurt. Urbana Police officials said that officers responded to the area of Vawter Street and Harding Drive at approximately 3:19 a.m. for a report of a shooting. When they arrived, officers found a 37-year-old man with a gunshot wound to the stomach. Officers also learned that a second man, age 28, was at the hospital for a gunshot wound to the arm, which he received in the same shooting. Officials said the investigation revealed that the 28-year-old, identified as Anthony Wilkins, was in possession of cocaine and was one of the people who fired shots. Upon his released from the hospital, Wilkins was arrested on charges of aggravated discharge of a firearm and possession of a controlled substance.
(Springfield-jm) – Illinois topsoil moisture levels fell this past week as we hear in the weekly crop report. After a cool and dry week, average statewide levels came in at 22 percent very short, 34 percent short and 44 percent adequate. Crop Statistician Mark Schleusener says 87 percent of corn acres have reached the dough stage…
State Crop Statistician Mark Schleusener. Both corn and soybean conditions declined over the week. 89 percent of soybeans are setting pods and 7 percent of acres are dropping leaves. The third cutting of alfalfa is now 80 percent complete.
(Paxton–jc) The T-Mobile free downtown Wi-Fi project is continuing in the city of Paxton. The project is sponsored locally by the Paxton Main Street group. Paxton Main Street Group Executive Director Donna Pepper says internet access for all in downtown Paxton is the key objective…
Paxton Main Street Group Executive Director Donna Pepper. Site work for the project is underway.
(Springfield-jm) – While some advocates iron out issues they foresee with Illinois taxpayers subsidizing non-citizen health care, lawmakers pushed back. As part of the state's fiscal year 2024 budget that began July 1, Gov. J.B. Pritzker modified the program to only cover those over 65 for a total budgeted amount of $550 million. Questions remain on how the state will afford it. The plan was discussed by advocates from all over the state on Tuesday, who shared their concerns about the feasibility of the plan with the Illinois Department of Healthcare and Family Services. Other issues brought up during Tuesday's meeting included concerns about co-pays Pritzker implemented and the risk of charging non-citizens for health care when many don't have income. Republicans argue taxpayer money shouldn’t go towards immigrants here illegally and there are other programs that should be funded before migrant healthcare.
(Springfield-jm) – The Illinois State Police is making changes to widen the pool of potential troopers. There is now another path for current law enforcement officers to join the ranks of the state police. Sergeant Aldo Schumann says under option three, the education requirement will be waived if the applicant meets certain requirements…
Illinois State Police Sergeant Aldo Schumann. Additionally, option two is being expanded to make more veterans eligible to apply. More information is available online at: illinois trooper dot com.
(Springfield-jm) – The Illinois Supreme Court has issued an order which allows pretrial hearings under the SAFE-T Act to be conducted remotely when necessary. The SAFE-T Act requires Illinois circuit courts to conduct hearings, in many instances within 48 hours of a defendant’s arrest, to determine whether a defendant should be detained or released with or without conditions. Due to the anticipated volume of hearings on pretrial detention with the end of cash bail beginning Sept. 18, the court ruled that compliance with the SAFE-T Act will only be possible with the use of two-way audio-visual communication systems.
(Springfield-jm) – August weather was about normal in Illinois, wrapping up a mild and drier summer. Despite the heatwave last month, average statewide temperatures were pretty close to normal. Rainfall was nearly an inch above normal in August, although far southern Illinois saw a lot more precipitation. Unfortunately some areas are still dry says State Climatologist Trent Ford…
State Climatologist Trent Ford. Ford says the drought peaked in early July but low flow issues especially in the Mississippi River remain a concern. For summer overall in Illinois temperatures were less than a half a degree below normal and rainfall was less than an inch below average.
(Pesotum-jm) – A Champaign County man is behind bars after he was accused of threatening Julia Rietz, the State’s Attorney, and the Champaign County Courthouse. Prosecutors said Glenn Jones of Pesotum has a history of mental illnesses and has been in jail before. This time, he’s accused of making several social media posts directed at Rietz. They were all made on Facebook at the end of August, tagging her professional and personal pages. Some posts he’s accused of making said she owes him money for wrongly putting him in jail. Others said he knows where she lives and he will come with a lynch mob.
(Springfield-jm) – Illinois topsoil moisture levels fell this past week as we hear in the weekly crop report. Rainfall was well below normal, leaving average statewide topsoil moisture levels at 22 percent very short, 34 percent short and 44 percent adequate. Crop conditions declined, with corn falling to 57 percent in good to excellent condition. 15 percent of corn is now mature. Statistician Mark Schleusener says 89 percent of soybean acres are dropping leaves…
State Crop Statistician Mark Schleusener. The third cutting of alfalfa is now complete and pasture conditions dropped to 32 percent in good to excellent condition.
(Urbana–jc) If you’re thinking about sugar substitutes to lose weight, think again. Experts say it can do more harm than good. Tim Ditman of OSF HealthCare has more…
:
You should also carefully read food labels.
