(Springfield-jm) – People can now submit an endorsement affidavit online for assault weapons, assault weapon attachments, .50 caliber rifles, and .50 caliber cartridges.  On January 10, 2023, Governor JB Pritzker signed into law the Protect Illinois Communities Act, regulating the sale and distribution of these items in Illinois, along with large capacity ammunition feeding devices.  Large capacity ammunition feeding devices are regulated, but do not require an endorsement affidavit.  Affidavits must be submitted online through a FOID Card account.

 

(Springfield-jm) – During a Friday press conference, Illinois House Republicans, led by House Republican Leader Toni McCombie discussed problems brought forth last week by two Illinois Auditor General reports dealing with state agencies. Leader McCombie talks about the audits…

 

 

House Republican Leader Toni McCombie.

 

(Washington-jm) – U.S. Senate Majority Whip Dick Durbin, U.S. Senator Tammy Duckworth, and U.S. Representative Nikki Budzinski announced $5,000,000 for the University of Illinois Urbana-Champaign through the U.S. Department of Transportation Federal Railroad Administration’s Rail Research and Development Center of Excellence program to establish and maintain a CoE to advance research and development that improves the safety, efficiency, and reliability of passenger and freight rail transportation.

 

(Urbana–jc)  The Biden administration recently said it’s considering a recommendation...that you limit yourself to two alcoholic drinks per week. Tim Ditman of OSF HealthCare has more on how excess booze can drain your health…

 

 

(Paxton-jm) – Paxton will hold their first mapping meeting this  week. It will be held on Tuesday in the PBL Commons area at the junior high starting at 5:30 pm. The purpose of the meeting is to discuss Participation in the Mapping program community planning sessions facilitated by Western Illinois University. It is possible that a majority of a quorum of the Paxton City Council will be present at this meeting. No official action will be taken by the City Council at any of these meetings, and these meetings are not being hosted by the Paxton City Council nor the City of Paxton.

 

(Washington-jm) – The surprise within USDA's Quarterly Grain Stocks Report isn't the corn and soybean stock levels, according to the Agriculture Department's Chief Economist. Rod Bain reports…

 

 

(Rantoul–jc) – Today’s WPXN  Business of the Day is Furniture World downtown Rantoul. The family owned business with the Van Blaricum family has been in business since 1959. Today the store offers brand names like Bemco Bedding and Ashley Furniture.  The 63rd anniversary sale starts today and runs through the month of October. Save Storewide on all items in the store, save an extra 5 percent on items paid by check or cash. Free Delivery 50 miles around Rantoul. Furniture World downtown Rantoul is the WPXN business of the Day, today

 

(Springfield-jm) – The Illinois Department of Public Health has endorsed the recommendation by the CDC’s Advisory Committee on Immunization Practices for the newly FDA-approved vaccine for RSV. The vaccine can be administered during weeks 32 to 36 of pregnancy to protect babies from the virus. IDPH is urging Illinoisans to take advantage of the protection that is available from all three of the respiratory viruses that were responsible for last winter’s "tripledemic" of COVID-19, flu and RSV that they said caused a strain on resources in many hospitals.

 

(Springfield-jm) – The U.S. Securities and Exchange Commission charged Commonwealth Edison and its former CEO with fraud in connection to an alleged corruption scheme involving former Illinois House Speaker Mike Madigan. ComEd agreed to settle the case, paying a penalty of more than $46 million. Charges against former CEO Anne Pramaggiore will move forward. Madigan, who is charged in a separate federal racketeering indictment, will go to trial in April.

 

(Springfield-jm) – A new report out by the auditor general last week shows continuing problems within the Department of Children and Family Services. 53rd District State Senator Tom Bennett of Gibson City shares some of the findings from that report…

 

 

53rd District State Senator Tom Bennett of Gibson City.

 

(Danville-jm) – The Illinois Department of Transportation announced that construction on the Interstate 74 bridges over Griffin Street and Stoney Creek in Danville begins today. The project involves replacing the I-74 bridge over Griffin Street and rehabilitation of wearing surfaces on the bridge over Stoney Creek and will reduce both bridges to one lane in each direction through December 2024.

 

(Cissna Park–jc) Pumpkins in the Park in downtown Cissna Park is set for Saturday in the village. The event is sponsored by the Cissna Park F F A and the Cissna Park Development Board. F F A Advisor Jeff Clifton says the bounce houses are a free part of the day

 

 

Cissna Park F F A Advisor Jeff Clifton. The event is set for Saturday October 7th in the park. An October Shop the Park event is also set for that day.

 

(Rantoul-jm) – The village of Rantoul has been chosen as one of T-Mobile’s Hometown grant recipients. The village will use the grant to preserve the area’s rich railroad, agriculture and military history by incorporating and installing interactive sculptures and murals around Downtown Rantoul, as a part of the Downtown Streetscape Project.

 

(Washington-jm) – USDA’s latest Agricultural Prices Report shows offsetting indexes that led to an overall rise in what producers in August received pricewise for their commodities. Rod Bain reports…