(Undated-jm) – The Illinois Department of Transportation and Illinois State Police are advising the public that the first significant winter storm of the season will create slick conditions, reduced visibility and slower travel across much of the state. Some areas are expected to receive more than 10 inches of snow, locally 1-4 inches. Wind gusts up to 45 mph will create blowing and drifting, reducing visibility and making snow-removal efforts a challenge. Statewide, IDOT has available more than 1,800 trucks and equipment to treat roads, spread salt, plow snow and respond to weather emergencies.
(Springfield-jm) – No matter how you slice it, the compliance rate for Illinois’ gun ban registry is in the single digits, according to a gun dealer group. A year ago this week, Illinois Governor J.B. Pritzker enacted the ban on certain semi-automatic firearms, magazines and attachments. The measure included a registration requirement for the now banned guns purchased before the law went into effect. But the most recent numbers of those that registered before the Jan. 1 deadline is 1.22% of the total number of Firearm Owners ID card holders. Dan Eldridge of Federal Firearms Licensees of Illinois said other estimates of those who actually own the now-banned guns may bring the compliance rate to somewhere between 4% and 8%. Being found with a banned firearm that is not registered could lead to criminal charges. On the legal front, the U.S. Supreme Court on Monday denied state Rep. Dan Caulkins’ petition in his challenge to the law. Separate federal lawsuits continue. A scheduling conference in the Southern District of Illinois federal court for one case is set for Friday.
(Washington-jm) – This week USDA will give traders a final assessment of the size of this past season's crops. Gary Crawford reports…
(Champaign-jm) – Terrence Shannon Jr.'s legal team filed a temporary restraining order on Monday, in the hopes to get him back on the basketball court with the team. Shannon was suspended from all team activities following rape allegations that were made on December 28, after an alleged incident occurred when Shannon traveled to Lawrence for the Illinois vs Kansas football game on September 8. Shannon's arrest triggered the DIA student-athlete misconduct policy, calling for the original suspension from the team. That policy also dictates that a three-person student-athlete conduct panel convene within 48 hours to determine whether the available information “justifies withholding the student-athlete from some or all athletic activities pending resolution of the charges or allegations.” The details of that process remain unknown. Shannon's first scheduled court date in Douglas County is January 18, the same day that Illinois plays at Michigan.
(Springfield-jm) – Local lawmakers are reacting to the migrant crisis and the state’s response. One of those is 53rd District State Senator Tom Bennett of Gibson City…
53rd District State Senator Tom Bennett of Gibson City.
(Urbana-jm) – The Urbana Police Department released new crime data — comparing the numbers from 2023 and 2022. The study looks at statistics like robbery, assaults, and homicides. Crimes like homicide increased from 3 to 4, and rape cases dropped from 23-16. However, theft has been an issue that hasn’t gone away. In 2023, 36 thefts happened compared to 23 the previous year.
(Rantoul–jc) The price tag for the water and sewer project in the village of Rantoul has gone up. Estimates for the project to help with more demand and expansion, especially on the west side of town were believed to be around 12 million dollars and new estimates are expected to be around 16 millions dollars. The village is committing new resources for the prospect pump area and Rantoul Mayor Chuck Smith says they will look for additional funding opportunities…
Rantoul Mayor Chuck Smith.
(Urbana-jm) – University of Illinois Police and Champaign County Crime Stoppers are asking for help in solving a November 2023 vandalism incident on the U of I campus. Officials said that just after 11:30 p.m. on November 27, a suspect went to multiple different buildings around the Main Quad and vandalized them with spray paint. The Illini Union, Altgeld Hall, Roger Adams Laboratory, Davenport Hall, Institute for Genomic Biology, and the Music Building were all vandalized. The person was recorded on camera taking pictures of the vandalism, which cost over $2,000 to remove. At the time of the crime, the suspect was wearing a black and white hat, a black and white patterned cloth mask, a dark-colored coat with a brown collar, blue jeans, white sneakers and white gloves. They were also carrying a brown satchel.
(Springfield-jm) – The Illinois Department of Public Health has delivered the final versions of the State Health Improvement Plan and the State Health Assessment to the Illinois General Assembly. The documents form the basis of Healthy Illinois 2028, a five-year plan to address major public health concerns and improve the overall wellbeing of people in Illinois. The State Health Assessment identified five major priorities to be addressed over the next five years. The five main priorities in the SHA and SHIP are: Chronic Disease, COVID-19 and Emerging Diseases, Maternal and Infant Health, Mental Health and Substance Use Disorder and Racism as a Public Health Crisis.
(Washington-jm) – Most of us don't keep our New Year's resolution to start and stick with an exercise program? Gary Crawford explains why…
(Undated-jm) – An outbreak of salmonella in Illinois and 13 other states has been linked to charcuterie trays sold at Sam’s Club stores. The U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention reports at least two dozen people have been sickened after eating the items. The charcuterie trays were shipped to Sam’s Club distribution centers in Illinois and seven other states. The items have a “BEST IF USED BY APR 27, 2024.”
(Champaign-jm) – Parkland College recently hosted a visit by Governor J-B Pritzker to show off their construction apprenticeship program. Parkland College President Pam Lau talks about one program in particular that has been very successful…
Parkland College President Pam Lau.
(Champaign-jm) – Champaign Police were dispatched at 1:07 p.m. on January 7, to the 900 block of S. Mattis Avenue for a report of shots fired with potential injury. As officers arrived on-scene and began to investigate, a 27-year-old man from Gary, Indiana, arrived at a local hospital by personal transport suffering from multiple potentially life-threatening gunshot wounds. The victim remains hospitalized in critical condition. The initial investigation indicates that the victim was standing outside near an apartment building when an unknown subject approached him. Following a brief interaction, the subject produced a firearm and fired it multiple times, striking the victim. The subject then fled the area on foot and has not been located at this time. The gunfire was also found to have struck a building in the area.
(Undated–jc) State Police are starting a campaign on “road rage.” WPXN’s Dan Mushrush has the details…
(Gibson City-jm) – Power has been restored after a portion of Ford County went dark Monday. Over 1000 people were without power in portions of Gibson City and over towards Elliott. Ameren Illinois says equipment failure led to the outage.
