(Undated-jm) – Another round of winter weather is making its way through the area today. This time snow is not the main concern but ice. Freezing rain is expected for most of the day today. Check getting around illinois dot com for the latest road conditions. Many area schools are either e learning or have canceled classes for today. 

 

(Springfield-jm) – While more than half of the counties in Illinois remain at an elevated level for COVID-19 hospitalizations according to CDC data, the state’s overall respiratory illness level has decreased in recent weeks. The Illinois Department of Public Health said while respiratory illness activity appears to have peaked and is now trending downward, it is important to remember that respiratory virus season can last into the spring and additional increases in illness rates are still possible.

 

(The Center Square) – A former state legislator has formed a group that is launching a statewide effort to put parents' rights on Illinois' November 2024 ballot. Former State Representative Jean Ives says they are gathering signatures from Illinois voters to put the question of parental notification concerning medical procedures on their children. Ives says their goal is to gather a half million signatures by the end of March…

 

 

Parents Matter Coalition Spokesperson Jeane Ives. Those that want to learn more about the issue or sign their petition can find the group on line.

 

(Urbana-jm) – Authorities are investigating the death of a University of Illinois student over the weekend. Police say the student's roommate reported him missing early Saturday morning. A university employee found him around 11 am Saturday on the back porch of a building near Nevada and Goodwin. The Champaign County Coroner’s office identified the student as 18 year old Akul Dhawan. U of I police and the coroner’s office ruled Dhawan’s death as accidental.

 

(Champaign-dm)---Parkland College Theatre announced its 2024-2025 performance calendar. The first production is 12 ANGRY JURORS scheduled for October 3-6 and 11-13 followed by IRVING BERLIN’S WHITE CHRISTMAS with performances December 5-8 and 12-15.  Then THE MISER by Moliere will be performed February 20-23.  The WEDDING SINGER rounds out the schedule with performances April 17-19, April 25-27 and May 2-4. Season tickets will be available starting in July.  For more information visit, parkland.edu/theatre.

 

(Gifford–jc)  – It’s Everything in Agriculture,  coming to Gordyville USA near Gifford Wednesday and Thursday. Midwest Ag Expo Spokesperson Gary Manke says the show starts Wednesday morning at 8-30…

 

 

Midwest Ag Expo Spokesperson Gary Manke. WPXN will be broadcasting live on Wednesday from Gordyville USA at the show starting at 9am

 

(Loda-jm) – A Fort Wayne, IN truck driver escaped injury when her parked-semi trailer was hit by a freight train in Loda.  Nedra Holder parked her rig for the evening Wednesday, having backed into a private lot near Washington and Oak Street in Loda. Unaware that her trailer had crossed onto the railroad track, a southbound Canadian National freight train was unable to stop on time to avoid a collision - after the engineer noticed Holder's trailer on the track. Iroquois County Sheriff's Police report Holder was inside the passenger cabin of the semi when the collision happened, but no injury was reported to either Holden or the train crew.   Police cited Holder for illegal parking on railroad property.

 

(Springfield-jm) – The Illinois Supreme Court unanimously ruled combining local firefighter and police pension funds is constitutional. In 2019, Gov. J.B. Pritzker enacted a measure consolidating about 650 first responder pension funds into a fund for police and a separate one for firefighters. On Friday, the state's highest court unanimously ruled this move was constitutional, despite pushback from others. The pushback came from several local police and fire pension officials who filed a lawsuit against Pritzker, claiming the consolidation was unconstitutional. 

 

(Springfield-jc) – As small town newspapers go by the wayside in Illinois, a new task force is studying ways to incentivize a revival of local journalism, including through the use of tax credits. Since 2005, the task force found that Illinois has lost 86% of journalist jobs at newspapers, and 232 local newspapers have folded. Illinois State Senator Don Dewitte of St. Charles says any taxpayer monies need to be without politics involved…

 

 

State Senator Don Dewitte of St. Charles.

 

(Champaign County-jm) – Officials from Champaign County are asking to hear from local seniors on how to serve them better. The Champaign County Public Health Department with the help of Advocates for Aging Care is surveying resident seniors age 60 or older and their caregivers to ask about access, interest and utilization of rehabilitation, long-term and nursing-home care facilities in our county. The survey asks for information on seniors’ medical conditions, living situations, and use of health services in the county. Officials estimate the survey will not take longer than 10 minutes, and is completely anonymous.

 

(Iroquois County-jm) – Iroquois County Clerk Breein Suver is reminding citizens there is  less than a month to register to vote before the March 19, 2024 Primary Election. In order to be able to vote at the polls, the last day to register or change an address before the Primary Election is Tuesday, February 20, 2024. People may register in the office of the Iroquois County Clerk at the Iroquois County Administrative Center, weekdays between 8:30 am and 4:30 pm.

 

(Springfield-jm) – Lawmakers returned to the state capitol last week for the spring legislative session. 106th District State Representative Jason Bunting of Emington shares his thoughts on some hot topic items in the upcoming session…

 

 

106th District State Representative Jason Bunting of Emington.

 

(Rantoul–jc)  –  Rantoul Township High School board members are set to meet in a special session tonight at the high school.  The agenda item is the adoption of a settlement agreement. The board may go into executive session tonight. The meeting comes to order at 6pm at the high school. 

 

 (Champaign-jm) – The University of Illinois Board of Trustees have approved renovations to Memorial Stadium. Officials said the joints on the east stands are failing, and new joints would prevent water from seeping through and causing more rust on the structural steel. Renovations are budgeted to cost $3.7 million. Memorial Stadium will be celebrating its 100th anniversary later this year.  They also approved $21,400,177 to replace the roof at the Illini Union, an increase of $6,365,000 from the previous budget, which the board voted to approve.

 

(Undated–jc)-- Do you know an area Senior citizen that helps the community, a long time business person or a favorite teacher?  The Illinois Department of Aging needs help with their Hall of Fame. WPXN’s Dan Mushrush has the details…