(Ashkum--jc) - State Police District 21 troopers, based in Ashkum, were very busy on the coldest day in recent memory on Wednesday. From midnight to around 4pm yesterday, district 21 troopers assisted over 100 motorists. State police officials continue to remind motorists to stay off roads when they can during severe weather episodes. State police continue to perform increased patrol sweeps searching for broke down vehicles throughout the area.
SPRINGFIELD, Ill. (AP) — Some business advocates now resigned to the likelihood that Illinois will soon adopt a $15-an-hour minimum wage are urging legislators to at least make it a tiered approach based on geography. They say that would recognize vast cost-of-living differences between Chicago and downstate areas. New Gov. J.B. Pritzker has signaled he wants to sign a minimum wage law by late February.
( Springfield--jc) -- The new head of the Illinois Department of Agriculture is discussing some of the big issues facing the agency. Acting Director John Sullivan says growing industrial hemp could give producers some options…
Illinois Department of Agriculture Acting Director John Sullivan
(Springfield--jc) -- Illinois Democrats have jumped to the defense of some Obama-era federal education rules they say are under attack by President Donald Trump’s Administration.The proposed rule changes introduced last fall would bring about changes that the Department of Education says will make harassment complaints more transparent, consistent and reliable in their processes and outcomes.Of the most significant changes is the allowance for cross-examination of an accuser by a lawyer representing the accused, something supporters say would stem the tide of large court settlements by universities for wrongfully punishing a student.
(Springfield--jc) Illinois Governor JB Pritzker says Illinoisans need to take the frigid weather conditions very seriously. The governor says the numbers are warmer this morning but the air temperature is minus 10 now...
Illinois Governor JB Pritzker
(Paxton--ab) The extremely cold wind chills and temperatures can lead to some major consequences for your body says local Paxton Clinic Doctor Richard Foellner.
Paxton Clinic Doctor. Richard Foellner
(Washington DC--ab) Producers eligible for disaster assistance under several Farm Service Agency programs now have more time to sign-up. Rod Bain has the report.
(Chicago--jc) -- Type "Chicago corruption" into Amazon.com's search engine and expect to find pages and pages of book listings.If the online retailer were a big box store, it'd need an entire department of shelves to hold all the available items about the topic.The point?That's why the recent bombshell headlines from Chicago City Hall in recent weeks should come as no surprise.The federal government charged longtime Alderman Edward Burke with using his powerful elected position to strong-arm a local businessman into using his private law firm for property tax matters.The feds also have enough on Alderman Daniel Solis to have prompted him to agree to wear a wire during conversations with his colleagues in attempts to nail more corrupt politicians.And this week we found out that the FBI has a secret recording of a conversation between Solis, a developer who wanted political help on a hotel project, and powerful Illinois House Speaker Michael Madigan. Madigan has not been charged with a crime and, through his attorney, says he is not under investigation. At least not as far as he knows.
(Rantoul--ab) The Midwest Ag Expo began on Wednesday and continues today at Gordyville U S A near Gifford. There was something new at one booth at this years show. The innovation has nothing to do with machinery itself but the farmer. Lowman-Ray Insurance agent Todd Harris has a new line of Health Insurance for Farmers is available...
Lowman Ray Insurance Agent Todd Harris
The Midwest Ag Expo Continues today from 8-30 til 3 at Gordyville USA near Gifford
(Bloomington--jc) -- Bloomington police are continuing to investigate a train versus parked car accident from late Tuesday night. The accident happened just northeast of Allin and Grove Streets. Police say the car was unoccupied. No one was injured
(Springfield--jc) A suburban Republican is trying to gather support for a bill that would prohibit new lawmakers from participating in a state pension system that he says is too expensive for taxpayers. State Representative David McSweeney a Republican from Barrington Hills, introduced House Bill 293, which would make lawmakers elected or appointed after November 2020 ineligible for the General Assembly Retirement System. McSweeney has opted out of the system. Currently, the General Assembly Retirement System is only 15 percent funded, which is the worst funding ratio of the states 5 pension systems.
(Springfield--ab) The state’s public health veterinarian says pet’s need to stay inside during the extreme cold. While some dogs love winter…temperatures this low can be harmful to even the hardiest of breeds says Doctor Connie Austin…
State Public Health Veterinarian Doctor Connie Austin
(Washington--ab) Employees of USDA's Statistics Service are working hard to make up for the delays in publishing reports that were put on hold due to partial government shutdown. Gary Crawford reports...
(Springfield--jc) --A set of legislative rules that gives a five-member committee in the Democrat-controlled Illinois House broad authority to decide how legislation moves through the statehouse has frustrated not only Republican lawmakers, but also Illinois residents who want to change things. When lawmakers come back next week, the House will have rules that Republicans have said prevent taxpayers from getting legislation they want. The Democratic supermajority under House Speaker Michael Madigan’s leadership passed rules this week without Republican support, 20 days after being sworn in. The Senate passed its rules when new members were sworn in Jan. 9.After this week’s vote in the House, state Rep. Mike Zalewski, D-Riverside, said that as the chairman of the Revenue and Finance Committee, he’ll have an open door to everyone. He dismissed the rule changes Republicans had sought.
(Rantoul--jc) -- An event that was set for Martin Luther King Junior Day will now be celebrated during Black History month in the village of Rantoul. Weather postponed the event sponsored by the Concerned Citizens of Rantoul. The new date is Saturday February 9th at 2pm at J W Eater Junior High School in the village.
(Paxton--jc) -- Add breakfast burritos and calzones to one Paxton business. Mareci’s Bakery is expanding from scones, donuts and cookies to breakfast and lunches. The business is located along Route 9 in Paxton. The business hours are also expanding from 6-30 am to 7pm during the week and 7am to 3pm on Saturdays.
(Paxton--jc) -- The 31st annual toy show sponsored by the Paxton Buckley Loda F F A is set for Saturday at the high school in Paxton. PBL F F A member and event Spokesperson Mikayla Jones says to make sure to find the hall of jackets..
PBL FFA Member and Toy Show Spokesperson Mikayla Jones.
(Springfield--jc) -- The Illinois State Police is urging motorist to continued to be prepared for extreme temperatures and winter weather. State Police Acting Director Brendan Kelly says more than 300 troopers are out on the roads, ready to assist motorists in harms way…
Illinois State Police Acting Director Brendan Kelly
(Gifford --jc) -- The 2019 Midwest Ag Expo continues today at Gordyville USA just west of Gifford along US Route 136. The event is dubbed as “everything agriculture. The event runs from 8-30 this morning to 3 this afternoon. Day one of the event saw a large crowd despite the frigid cold temperatures. The event is free to attend, free parking too. One booth to stop by is Illiana Insulation at this years expo. The current cold weather reminds homeowners to check their insulation. Illiana Insulation Owner Sam Stoller talks about a process to keep homes warm…
Illiana Insulation of Cissna Park Owner Sam Stoller
Today is the second day of the Midwest Ag Expo at Gordyville USA near Gifford.
(Potomac--jc) -- A carnival is set for tomorrow at one area grade school. The Potomac P-T-O is hosting its 6th annual event from 5-30 til 8 tomorrow night at the grade school. Games for kids, raffles, food and “The Strongman” hi-light the event. The public is invited to the fundraiser that supports efforts by the local parent-teacher-organization.
