SPRINGFIELD, Ill. (AP) — The Senate has voted to reverse the governor's veto on legislation prohibiting the sale of tobacco products to those under 21. Deerfield Democratic Sen. Julie Morrison's proposal was OK'd 36-19. The veto override required 36 votes. It moves to the House. The ban would include cigarettes and cigars, snuff and chew, e-cigarettes and vaping materials. Morrison says smoking "is not a right or a benefit, it's an addiction."
CHICAGO (AP) — Illinois Comptroller Susana Mendoza says she's running for Chicago mayor. The Democrat announced her bid Wednesday, about one week after she won re-election as the state's top fiscal officer. In a campaign video, the 46-year-old Mendoza says the February election "is about the next generation, not just the next four years." Mendoza joins a field of more than a dozen candidates vying to replace Mayor Rahm Emanuel, who's not seeking a third term.
CHICAGO (AP) — The Chicago-based U.S. attorney has declared that prosecuting cases tied to gun violence is a top priority and that his office has new resources to pursue them. John Lausch told reporters Wednesday that more Chicago federal prosecutors are dedicated to violent-crime cases than ever. The President Donald Trump appointee said that includes 12 additional prosecutors over the past year.
PEORIA, Ill. (AP) — The U.S. Army Corps of Engineers is planning several repairs projects for Illinois River dams that could interrupt barge traffic for much of summer 2020. The six projects announced by the Corps of Engineers extend from the Brandon Road Lock and Dam near Joliet to the LaGrange Lock and Dam near Versailles. Locks near Peoria, Ottawa and Marseilles will face closures.
(Springfield--jc) With the fall veto session underway in Springfield, one new face is 104th district State Representative Mike Marron a Republican from Fithian in Vermillion County. Marron says he was in “awe” when he arrived in Springfield to represent the people of the 104th district…
104th District State Representative Mike Marron. Marron had served as the Vermillion County Board Chairman before being elected to the Illinois House last week.
(Rantoul--jc) -- One local church has set up a worship service and church decorating event. The American Lutheran Church in Rantoul will be the venue for the “Church Family” afternoon on Sunday November 25th. That Sunday the church will have a combined service at 9am. The Church Family event begins in the afternoon with decorating activites, a potluck, cookies and fellowship. More information about the event is found by calling the American Lutheran Church in Rantoul.
(Springfield--jc) -- A bipartisan group of lawmakers is looking to override the governor’s veto of car-share legislation. The measure addresses peer-to-peer car sharing, where people can rent their personal vehicles to consumers. State Senator Tony Munoz of Chicago says it applies many of the same state regulations as car rental companies like Hertz and Enterprise…
State Senator Tony Munoz of Chicago.
The governor has vetoed the measure saying it would stifle an emerging industry
Gibson City, IL—November 15, 2018 – Today, on National Rural Health Day, one local hospital is being recognized for excellence. Gibson Area Hospital and Health Services officials say the local facility has been recognized by The Chartis Center of Rural Health and the National Organization of State Offices of Rural Health for overall excellence in patient perspectives, which, reflect top quartile performance among all rural hospitals in the nation. Gibson Area Hospital C-E-O Rob Schmitt says the award continues to represent yet another example of how the staff, physicians, volunteers, and board live the mission and vision of Gibson Area Hospital and Health Services. Schmidt added the hospital is honored to received this award and recognition.
(Undated--jc) -- Illinois is celebrating its 200th anniversary as a state. Here is today’s Bicentennial minute…
(Paxton--jc) School is expected to back in session this morning for those in the Clara Petersen school in Paxton. The school was closed on Wednesday due to a water main break. Officials say the issue has been cleared up and its back to a normal schedule today.
Pesotum – Illinois State Police District 10 Commander, Captain Louis Kink, announced the results of a Roadside Safety Check held in Vermilion County this past weekend. The roadside safety check was conducted at U.S. Route 150 Eastbound at Henning Road, Danville, by District 10 Troopers. 15 citations were handed out including 5 alcohol violations and 10 driver license tickets.
(Chicago--jc) -- What makes a state a great place to live? A new report narrows it to three factors and ranks Illinois in the middle of the pack at number 21.The financial and opinion website 24/7 Wall Street used three socioeconomic factors to rank all 50 states' livability. Those factors are poverty rate, life expectancy at birth and percentage of adults with a college education.Jeffrey Brown, a former senior economist at the White House Council of Economic Advisers and Dean of the Gies College of Business at the University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign, said education often determines a community’s standard of living. Illinois was ranked 21st on the list with a life expectancy of 79 years and a poverty rate of 12.6 percent. But Brown said the report didn't take into account other economic factors.
INDIANAPOLIS- Foreigner, one of the biggest-selling bands in history and creator of some of rock's most enduring hits, will headline the Miller Lite Carb Day Concert on Friday, May 24, 2019 to conclude one of the most exciting days in the Month of May at the Indianapolis Motor Speedway. The concert starts at 3:30 p.m. on the Miller Lite Stage inside Turn 4 of the IMS oval. An opening artist will be announced in the coming weeks.
(Paxton--jc) -- The merger of the Farmers Merchants Bank has gone smoothly. The local financial institution has a slight name change and also has a sister bank in the western Illinois community of Joy, Illinois. Farmers Merchants Bank of Illinois Vice President Nick Reutter says the merger was a smooth one…
Farmers Merchants Bank of Illinois Vice President Nick Reutter.
Staff remains the same and the addition of the new corporation allows even more services locally at the banks in Paxton, Melvin and Piper City.
CHAMPAIGN, Ill. — Parkland College Board of Trustees approved the 2018 property tax levy during its monthly meeting last night. Trustees approved an increase to the school's property tax levy that will allow the college to capture additional tax revenue generated by an increase in the equalized assessed value within the district. Officials assured the board and community that, based on the projections, district homeowners and businesses should still see an overall decrease in the college's tax rate on next year's bill. Chief Financial Officer Chris Randles say with the proposal, an increase with the new tax and E-A-V overall will see a slight decrease on tax bills for homeowners..
(Washington--jc) -- The U.S. Agriculture Secretary says it's up to China as to if, or when, U.S. and China trade negotiations might resume. Gary Crawford has the details..
(Rantoul--jc) -- The date is today. The time is 5pm to 7pm. The place is the municipal building on Tanner Street in Rantoul. The purpose of the event is a time for the public to meet new Rantoul Village Administrator Scott Eisenhower and his wife Amy. Eisenhower has been on the job as the new Rantoul Village Administrator since earlier this month.
The 9th Annual Ford-Iroquois 4-H auction will take place Sunday November 18th at St. Paul’s Lutheran School in Woodworth. A pork burger meal starts at 1:30 with the Auction starting at 2pm. Proceeds from this auction are used to cover participation fees, totaling over $14,000 for all 4-Hers in Ford and Iroquois County. There will be a wide variety of items to bid on including TV’s, tools, Chrome Laptop, John Deere Toys, seed corn, craft items, food and more. Items for sale are donated by local businesses, individuals, and 4-H Clubs. You can find a list of items on the Ford & Iroquois Counties 4-H Facebook page.
(Champaign--jc) Champaign Unit 4 teaches and the local school board made some progress in a major meeting last night, but the teachers may still file an intent to strike later today. The two sides are expected to meet on Tuesday November 20 to try and reach a new deal. If an intent to strike notice is given, teachers could walk off the job after Thanksgiving.
(Paxton--jc) -- The city of Paxton Christmas parade steps off at 1-30 in the afternoon on Saturday November 24th. The theme for this year’s parade is “Christmas Express in downtown Paxton.” The Christmas parade committee and Pride in Paxton are looking for entries for this year’s event. Information about the parade is found by calling Paxton Pride Director Teri Hancock at 379-4245.
WPXN will be broadcast the parade live on the 24th.
