(Springfield-jm) – House Bill 4611, which would require auto insurance rates be determined by driving factors and not socioeconomic factors, passed out of an Illinois House committee, under the stipulation the bill would be amended. Illinois Secretary of State Alexi Giannoulias supports the bill. He said the measure will require auto insurance companies to use the individual’s driving record to determine a fair rate, not factors like age or socio-economic status. The Illinois Insurance Association said it is opposed to the original bill. They say there are many factors, like inflation, that drive up the costs of premiums. The association also said, comparatively, Illinois’ premiums are lower than the national average. According to MarketWatch, the average cost of a full-coverage car insurance policy in Illinois is about $128 per month, or $1,541 per year, which is 23% cheaper than the national average of $2,008. Minimum liability coverage in Illinois is around $37 monthly, which is about 29% cheaper than the national average.

 

(Washington-jm) – Farmers are looking to start getting into the fields to start planting. USDA Meteorologist Brad Rippey has a look at the outlook for April…

 

 

USDA Meteorologist Brad Rippey.

 

(Urbana-jm) – Researchers from the University of Illinois will be working hard on April 8, alongside scientists from all across North America. They will record data on how the total solar eclipse affects Earth’s atmosphere and ecosystem. The U of I team will be led by crop sciences and plant biology professor Carl Bernacchi. All the data from the U of I will then be sent to a global database as a contribution to the wide-scale experiment. The incoming findings may help scientists garner a better understanding of what drives mechanical processes. They could also allow for more accurate predictions of how different systems may react to future conditions.

 

(Tuscola-jm) – Illinois State Police Division of Criminal Investigation Zone 5 arrested 30-year-old Jeremy D. Schrock of Tuscola for two counts of Possession of Child Pornography and two counts of Dissemination of Child Pornography. Yesterday, ISP conducted a residential search warrant in Tuscola.  The search warrant was in reference to a CyberTip received from the National Center for Missing and Exploited Children regarding child pornography.  During the execution of the search warrant, Schrock was taken into custody and transported to the Douglas County Jail.

 

(Springfield-jm) – Senate Republicans are calling for reforms to the Prisoner Review Board following the resignation of two members after a man released on parole stabbed an 11 year old to death and injuring the child’s mother, who had an order of protection against him. 53rd District State Senator Tom Bennett of Gibson City is one of those calling for reforms…

 

 

53rd District State Senator Tom Bennett of Gibson City.

 

(Danville-jm) – The Quaker Oats factory in Danville is closing permanently. 

The facility in Danville will close June 8. It’s estimated more than 510 employees will be laid off due to the closure.

 

(Champaign-jm) – Discover what Parkland College has to offer through its academic programs, campus life, support services, and more during the college's Spring Open House, Friday, April 12, from 10 a.m. to noon. The open house will take place in the college's Student Union. Representatives from all academic areas, as well as many of our student services will be present to talk with prospective students.

 

(Paxton–jc)  Todays’ WPXN Business of the Day is Pride in Paxton. The local civic group is currently raising money for the city of Paxton downtown Speaker system. Pride in Paxton President Dawn Glad says two blocks of the project are operating in the downtown area of the city and expansion is coming soon…

Dawn Glad  says the group helps with several events in Paxton, annually…

Pride in Paxton President Dawn Glad

The group is looking for ideas for a theme for the Christmas parade this year. Those with ideas are asked to call Dawn at  A Picket Fence Florist in Paxton. 

 

(Springfield-jm) – Business groups stood in opposition to a couple of measures advancing at the Illinois State Capitol they warn could bring about more lawsuits against the business community. In the House Judiciary-Civil Committee Wednesday, one proposed measure would allow lawsuits to be filed against companies for alleged violations of health care privacy.  State Rep. Ann Williams, D-Chicago, proposed House Bill 4093. She said the measure is necessary. Business groups also oppose the bill for allowing for lawsuits against organizations that allegedly violate the measure if it were to become law. State Rep. Will Guzzardi, D-Chicago, offered up House Bill 2161 in committee Wednesday. “House Bill 2161 adds family responsibilities to the list of protected categories in the Illinois Human Rights Act protection against harassment and retaliation,” he said.

 

(Washington-jm) – The USDA has announced record funding for a popular conservation program. Gary Crawford reports…

 

 

(Champaign-jm) – Parkland College officials sent out a safety message after a previous burglary suspect returned to campus. A series of office laptop thefts ended on March 9 after the primary suspect and an accomplice were reported by an eyewitness, arrested and banned from the premises. However, the suspect visited another campus office with a different accomplice this week. Officials said he opened an ajar office door on the second floor of the C Wing, and asked an employee where he could find the bathroom. The employee then directed him to a bathroom just across the hall. Once the suspect exited the room, the employee closed the office door shut. The suspect’s accomplice soon approached the door and knocked on it repeatedly, but the employee deliberately did not answer. She notified Parkland College Public Safety and the two suspects were quickly caught.

 

(Springfield-jm) – The Illinois House of Representatives this week passed a resolution congratulating Fowler Connell on the occasion of his 100th birthday. The resolution, sponsored by State Representative Brandun Schweizer, commends the longtime sportswriter/broadcaster for his service to the State of Illinois and the nation, and wishes him continued health and happiness…

 

 

State Representative Brandun Schweizer of Danville.

 

(Danville-jm) – The Danville Area Community College Board of Trustees evidently likes the progress they’ve seen at the College…and want at least four more years of it. During the Board’s meeting, DACC Trustees voted unanimously to extend Dr. Stephen Nacco’s presidency through June 30, 2028. His current contract was set to expire this coming June. Nacco’s new contract essentially extends the current contract while maintaining an annual 1- percent salary increase. All other provisions remain the same as the expiring contract except the increase from $4,000 to $6,000 annually in a supplemental fund. Nacco joined DACC as president nearly eight years ago.

 

(Champaign-jm) – The Champaign Police Department is looking for community feedback as part of an on-site assessment of the department's operations.  A team of auditors for the Illinois Law Enforcement Accreditation Program will be in Champaign April 4th and 5th to review the Champaign Police Department's policies, management, operations, support services, and procedures. Members of the community are invited to offer comments to the assessment team by calling 217-403-6955 on Friday, April 5, between 9:30 a.m. and 11:00 a.m. The audit team requests comments addressing the Champaign Police Department’s ability to comply with ILEAP standards. Comments are limited to five minutes.