(Springfield-jm) – The charitable arm of the Illinois Farm Bureau, the IAA Foundation, is awarding over $151,000 in scholarships to 89 students pursuing degrees in agriculture-related fields. Students are selected based on their activities and leadership, their community involvement, professional career goals and their overall commitment to success. Annually, Illinois Farm Bureau and county Farm Bureaus combine to award more than $1 million in scholarship support.

 

(Springfield-jm) – Illinois students could get the opportunity to take part in periodic relaxation activities, including meditation, 20 minutes a week if a measure advancing at the Illinois Statehouse becomes law. Some pushed back against the bill, in particular about whether parents can opt students out of things like yoga exercises. Others argued schools should focus on getting proficiency rates up.

 

(Springfield-jm) – The Illinois State Rifle Association recently held a rally at the state capitol. 53rd District State Senator Tom Bennett of Gibson City shares why the rally was so important…

 

 

53rd District State Senator Tom Bennett of Gibson City.

 

(Paxton-jm) – Dozens of kids were out enjoying the new play structure at Pells Park in Paxton over the weekend. More equipment including the fire truck still need to be added. There’s also plans for a sidewalk.

 

(Gilman-dm) – Planting season is here. Ford Iroquois Farm Bureau is wanting you to be safe. Ford Iroquois Farm Bureau Manager Kacie Claire shares some tips…

 

 

Ford Iroquois Farm Bureau Manager Kacie Claire.

 

(Urbana-jm) – Despite the ongoing encampment on the University of Illinois campus, the university’s commencement ceremony is still a go. Questions surrounding commencement have been raised after universities across the country saw pro-Palestine encampments be set up on their campuses, demanding that the universities divest from companies supporting Israel. In one case, the University of Southern California canceled its commencement. The university said they are aware that the Class of 2024 didn’t get a high school graduation because of COVID-19, and the university wants to make sure the graduates and their families can celebrate.

 

(Undated–jc)  With weather warming up, the Illinois Department of Public Health is urging the public to get educated about how to protect themselves from ticks and Lyme disease. Lyme disease sickens an estimated 500,000 people each year in the United States. If you become ill with fever and/or rash after being in an area where ticks may have been, you are being asked to contact your healthcare provider immediately. May is National Lyme Disease Awareness Month.

 

(Chicago–jc)  Demolition of the exterior and atrium of the Thompson Center has begun as Google's plans to convert the former state government building into its Chicago headquarters progresses. Crews used excavators to tear off lower exterior portions of the building, marking an unofficial start to Google's $280 million renovations of the 17-story building. Google bought the 39-year-old building, which many called an “eyesore,” for $105 million in 2022.

 

(Springfield-jm) – There’s still a lot of talk around the Governor’s proposal to eliminate the state’s grocery tax. 106th District State Representative Jason Bunting of Emington has the latest…

 

 

106th District State Representative Jason Bunting of Emington.

 

(Buckley-jm) – Crews say the cause of a garage fire in Buckley Friday night remains undetermined. It happened just before 7:30 pm in the 100 block of West Main Street. Buckley and Loda firefighters responded to the fire. Onarga and Paxton were called to assist but were disregarded before they arrived. Two nearby homes also received slight damage.

 

(Paxton–jc)  The new patio area at Market Street Grill in downtown Paxton will open later this month. Market Street Grill Manager Ryan Galey says the upgrades in the kitchen and the opening of the patio this month provide a great dining experience in downtown Paxton…

 

 

Paxton Market Street Grill downtown Paxton Manager Ryan Galey.

 

(Paxton-jm) – Some children in Ford County, Loda and Buckley are getting the opportunity to receive free books. The Gibson Area Service Association partnered up with the Dolly Parton Imagination Library to send one free book a month to eligible children. It’s open to any child in Ford County under the age of five is eligible. Anyone interested who meets the requirements must submit an official registration form. Each month, a new book — the first of which is always The Little Engine that Could — will be shipped to participants’ homes for free. The first books are expected to arrive eight to ten weeks after registration and will continue until the child turns five or the family moves out of the area. The PBL School District made the announcement Friday afternoon on their Facebook.