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Illinois is Bracing for Life Threatening Wind Chills

CHICAGO (AP) — Illinois is bracing itself for record-low subzero temperatures and wind chills that the National Weather Service calls "possibly life threatening." The frigid weather is expected Today through Thursday and comes after a winter storm brought more than 5 inches of snow to northern Illinois on Monday. Chicago's airports canceled more than 1,100 flights Monday with more delays expected today. The weather service issued a wind chill warning for the entire area. Forecasters say the Rockford area could get colder than the record low minus 27 on Wednesday. Chicago looks a few degrees above the all-time record of minus 27 but the forecast high of minus 14 on Wednesday could beat the record coldest high of minus 11. Wind chills could dip to 55 below.

 

 

(Undated--jc)  With the pending snow and dangerously cold temperatures coming on Today and into Thursday, several businesses and county offices will be closed.

Iroquois County officials say the Iroquois County courthouse and the Clifford Bury Administrative Center in Watseka will be closed Wednesday and Thursday.

 

In Ford County, Circuit Judge Matt Fitton has postponed all judicial cases that were scheduled for court on Tuesday and Wednesday. The parties involved will be given the proper notice on the new court dates.

 

In Champaign County,  The Brookens Center, Champaign County Courthouse and the Sheriff’s offices will all be closed on Wednesday with the dangerously cold temperatures.

 

In McLean County,  the law and justice center is closed. A water main break in the area also closed the McLean County courthouse.  Court cases also postponed for today. Those with pending cases will be notified on the rescheduled court dates.

 

A reminder from WPXN news to check first if your event is still scheduled before you head out over the next several days. Keep it tuned to WPXN for the latest information on the weather, local events and other local information.

 

 

(Iroquois County--jc)  Warming Centers will be open in Iroquois County starting today and open through Thursday. They include…

 Watseka Public Library at 201 South 4th Street in Watseka.  10 AM to 6 PM.

 

Trinity Church at 1658 East Walnut Street in Watseka. , 9 AM to 5 PM.

 

Crescent City Community Center at 301 Main Street. 7 AM to 9 PM.  

 

St. Paul’s Lutheran Church at 116 North Thomas Street in Gilman. 8 AM to 5 PM.  

Church of Christ at 103 South Street in Martinton. Tuesday evening through Friday morning, 24/7.

 

These warming shelters are open to anyone who needs a place to stay warm. They are not providing food, cots, or snacks.

 

 

(Rantoul--ab) Winter weather brings additional issues. Frozen pipes are a huge concern during Winter and the extreme  cold brings more issues for pipes in homes and businesses. Rantoul Public Works Department Official Jake McCoy talks about some common sense tips to keep pipes working during cold weather...

 

 

Rantoul Public Works Department Official Jake McCoy

 

(Illinois--ba) Since 2007 corn ethanol production has doubled and there was also a sharp upturn in corn prices. Does that mean more acres  and then a reduction in grasslands and forests. WPXN’s Braedon Arnett has the story...

 

 

 

SPRINGFIELD, Ill. (AP) — A central Illinois woman has been charged with endangering the life and health of a child for allegedly being intoxicated while working at a day care. Regina L. Spencer was working at a Springfield infant care facility last week when a woman picking up her son witnessed Spencer fall to the ground. Spencer was holding an infant at the time. According to a police report, paramedics and police were called. The State Journal-Register reports it was originally believed the 52-year-old Spencer suffered a low blood-sugar episode. It was later determined Spencer was intoxicated.Officers reported noticing 1 1/2 empty bottles of wine at the day care and smelled alcohol on her breath.

 

 

The Agriculture Secretary says USDA worked as much as possible during the recent government shutdown to start planning for implementation of a new Farm Bill.  Rod Bain reports..

 

 

 

 

(Springfield--jc)  53rd District State Senator  Jason Barickman of Bloomington has officially been tapped to continue his role as the lead Republican on the Senate Judiciary Committee, along with being assigned to once again serve on the Executive and Education Committees.

 

The Iroquois County Emergency Management Agency would like to caution residents concerning the impending extreme cold temperatures. Starting Tuesday and lasting through Friday morning, temperatures will be life-threateningly cold. According to the National Weather Service, Iroquois County is in a wind chill warning, with factors reaching as low as -47 degrees F. Temperatures this cold can lead to rapid frostbite and hypothermia. People need to dress appropriately, wearing layers with coats and covering exposed skin, as well bringing pets inside. If you do not need to go out, stay at home, and check on your neighbors. Those intending on driving their vehicles need to check their battery, coolant, and tires, as well as have jumper cables and extra clothing and blankets in the car. Residents should also check their homes for safety, such as furnace units, chimneys, water pipes, and ensuring fire and carbon monoxide detectors are functioning. Heating homes with gas space heaters, grills, or ovens is not safe, and can lead to house fires and deadly carbon monoxide poisoning.

 

 

(Illinois--ba) Some roads will still be slick at the the temperatures drop. WPXN’s Braedon Arnett has driving tips to help you prepare for the winter season.

 

 

 

SPRINGFIELD, Ill. (AP) — Illinois legislators are reviving bills that would raise the legal age to purchase tobacco products to 21.  Democratic Senators Julie Morrison and Michael Hastings are sponsoring the Senate bill, while Democratic Representatives Camille Lilly and Sonya Harper are sponsoring the House bill. Governor  J.B. Pritzker's spokeswoman says he "looks forward to reviewing the legislation." Measures to increase the legal age from 18 passed both chambers last year, but were vetoed. More than 30 Illinois communities have enacted Tobacco 21 ordinances, including Arlington Heights, Lake Zurich and Park Ridge. Morrison says that shows lawmakers that communities want such legislation in place.

 

 

(Rantoul--ab) “What should I pack” is a common refrain for those travelling in these frigid temperatures. Rantoul Police Lt. Justin Bouse gives a good headstart list to prepare.

 

 

Rantoul Police Lieutenant Justin Bouse

 

 

SPRINGFIELD, Ill. (AP) — The Illinois Department of Revenue says the state's tax filing season is underway.The agency begins accepting 2018 state individual income tax returns on Monday. It's the same day the Internal Revenue Service starts accepting federal income tax returns.The state revenue department says the fastest, most secure way to file tax returns and receive refunds is to file online and request direct deposits into checking or savings accounts. The Illinois agency says it's continuing to focus on identity theft and fraud prevention this tax year. Last year its efforts prevented more than $66 million in refund fraud. Illinois officials anticipate direct deposit refunds will be issued about four weeks from the time an error-free electronically filed tax return is submitted.

 

DEKALB, Ill. (AP) — Northern Illinois University has a new enrollment plan that aims to have 18,000 students by fall 2023. N-I-U President Lisa Freeman wants to stem years of enrollment decline. N-I-U enrollment peaked during the 2007-2008 school year at 25,000 students but since then enrollment has declined 30 percent to about 17,100 students. The plans includes ways to expand online course enrollment and diversify the student population. Those steps include new recruitment and branding efforts, identifying more financial aid initiatives and improving the equity gap for students from diverse backgrounds. One goal is to increase the percentage of Hispanic students from 19 percent of the undergraduate population to at least 25 percent by 2023.

 

(Springfield--jc)  The state is reminding that help is available to those struggling to pay their winter heating bills. In updating our story from yesterday, households that meet certain income guidelines are eligible for assistance through the low-income home energy assistance program says program spokesperson Deidre Coughlin…

 

 

LI-HEAP Spokesperson Deidre Coughlin.

LI-HEAP can also help families that have had their heat disconnected. More information is found on-line at LI-HEAP Illinois-Dot-Gov.

 

 

SPRINGFIELD, Ill. (AP) — The Illinois State Fairgrounds Coliseum has a new name and is expected to reopen for this year's fair after being closed for repairs and renovations. The facility that's home to horse shows and other events is now known as the Coliseum of Champions.The Illinois Fairgrounds Foundation held a naming contest that was open to members of Illinois 4-H, FFA and the Junior Horseman's Council. The winning entry was submitted by Emma Eathington of the Fairview Huskies 4-H, Elaina Kessler of the Clay City FFA and Kylie Neisler of Country Roots 4-H Club of Montgomery County. The coliseum was built in 1901. It was closed in 2016 when engineers determined it was structurally unsafe and it hasn't been used for the past two state fairs.

 

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