(Springfield--ba) -- Governor JB Pritzker  signed legislation expanding the state’s medical marijuana program. One measure makes the pilot program permanent, and adds 11 new conditions like chronic pain, anorexia, migraines and autism to the list of those eligible for medical cannabis. Governor Pritzker says it’s important to provide relief to those suffering...

 

 

Illinois Governor JB Pritzker

 

(Undated--jc)  ---A federal court says Facebook users in Illinois can join a class-action lawsuit against the social media giant, potentially collecting thousands of dollars per account. A federal appellate court ruled unanimously Thursday that Illinois-based users who want to sue Facebook for allegedly breaking state law by collecting biometric data may do so as one large class-action lawsuit. Facebook told Forbes that it plans to appeal the ruling. Google had a similar case dismissed. The lawsuit alleges Facebook broke Illinois’ Biometric Information Privacy Act, which requires companies to ask to collect facial, fingerprint or other physical characteristic data and then explain how they plan to use the data.

 

 

(Paxton--jc)  -- It’s new to a business in Paxton. It’s a product featured on the T-V Show Shark Tank. It’s backed by businessman Mark Cuban. The Vortex Vault Bed raised to a height of nearly 5 feet, the safe room has been approved by the Texas Tech Wind Institute to withstand an E-F-5 tornado. Illinois Distributor Jim Allen says the safe room is available at 3 sizes….

 

 

Illinois Distributor for the Vortex Vault Bed Jim Allen

 A sample of the Vortex Vault Bed may be seen at Paxton Hardware and Rental in Paxton.

 

(Rantoul--jc)  -- Some Scammers are using  a local police number Rantoul Police say they received several calls on Tuesday about spoofing the local number. Residents have told the local police department they received a call, allegedly coming from the police department. The scammer tells the person on the phone they have an outstanding warrant and to provide a social security number. Rantoul Police say if you receive this type of call, hang up. Do not provide any personal information.

 

ST. PAUL, Minn. (AP) — An FBI agent testified the accused Illinois militia leader charged with organizing the bombing of a Minnesota mosque kept a cache of guns, including assault rifles that were altered to be fully automatic. The latest is the case against 48 year old Michael Hari of Clarence was a pre trial hearing. The Star Tribune says, special agent Joel Smith said he found four shotguns and four rifles with serial numbers scratched off in a duffel bag tied to 48-year-old Michael Hari at the home of the defendant's friend in Clarence in February 2018. Federal prosecutors  allege Hari and two others drove from Clarence to bomb a mosque in Bloomington, Minnesota, in hopes of scaring Muslims into leaving the U.S. No one was injured in the attack two years ago at the Dar al-Farooq Islamic Center. Hari has pleaded not guilty.

 

(Springfield--jc)  -- Many public employees are now required to disclose the number of sick days they plan of cashing out in their final years before retirement. It’s , a move that could help public employers better plan for pension costs. Governor J.B. Pritzker signed the bill into law.The measure immediately requires any non-union worker who plans to collect a pension via the Illinois Municipal Retirement Fund to tell the public body they work for how many sick days they’re holding. 

 

(Champaign--jc)  Police in Champaign are investigating a shooting along Crescent Street near Centennial High School. The incident happened around 10 last night. 

One person was taken to a local hospital. No other information was available.

 

SPRINGFIELD, Ill. (AP) — The Illinois Department of Public Health says a Chicago resident in his 70s is the first confirmed human case of West Nile virus in the state this year. It said Tuesday the man became ill in late July. The department says 74 counties in Illinois last year reported a West Nile virus positive mosquito batch, bird, horse, or a human case. It reported 176 human cases, including 17 deaths.

 

URBANA, Illinois –Eastern Illinois Foodbank and Eastern Illinois University are teaming up to offer new students at E-I-U a unique volunteer opportunity. On Saturday, approximately 60 new E-I-U students will travel to the foodbank warehouse as part of Prowl, EIU’s new student orientation program.During the volunteer event, students will repackage bulk food into smaller portions that will be distributed to  food pantries and soup kitchens. The foodbank serves 18 counties in Central Illinois.

 

(Manteno--jc)--  Illinois State police say that Interstate 57  southbound lanes near Manteno were closed for several hours last night after a multi vehicle accident. The accidents happened around 2  on Tuesday afternoon. The road was to re open after the vehicles were cleared from the Interstate. 

 

 

(Champaign--ba) -- Champaign County R-C Club’s annual Large Scale plane Fly-In on Saturday, August 24 9am to 5pm and Sunday, August 25, 9am to 1pm. R/C planes will be performing various stunts, and the flying field is located at 3616 West  Bloomington Road in Champaign.

 

(Paxton--jc)  An ordinance concerning a local tax on recreational marijuana purchases made in Paxton is on hold. City council members will continue to look for more input on the issue. City leaders may address a 3 percent sales tax in September. Recreational use of marijuana will become legal on January First in Illinois. Sales tax sign up dates and other state issues remain on the topic of legal marijuana sales. Severa other towns and cities that are looking at legal marijuana sales include Gibson City, St Joseph, Rantoul and Monticello. El Paso and Morton have voted down marijuana sales in their two cities. 

 

SPRINGFIELD, Ill. (AP) — A consultant has determined that a casino in Chicago would not be profitable enough. The study by Union Gaming Analytics released Tuesday concludes that Illinois casino tax and fee structures are too "onerous" to allow a developer to make more than 1% or 2% profit.. Under Illinois law, a casino operator must pay a $250,000 application fee, a $15 million "reconciliation" fee when the license is issued and gambling position fees. Other state casinos are being planned, including one in Danville in Vermilion County.

 

(Springfield--jc)  -- Illinois farmers want a trade agreement between the U.S., Canada and Mexico. They also want to use an agreement as a bridge to get past the 2020 election and the ongoing trade dispute between the U.S. and China. During Ag Day at the Illinois State Fair on Tuesday, Illinois Farm Bureau President Richard Guebert said farmers have been patient during the ongoing trade disputes lead by President Donald Trump, but their patience is wearing thin. Guebert saysChina has got the willingness and the ability to push things off until after next November’s presidential election period.

 

 

(Washington--jc)  -- What information can we gain from the crop report from Monday afternoon. Gary Crawford has the story…

 

 

 

(Paxton--jc)  Paxton Buckley Loda School board members are expected to put the new fiscal year budget on display when they meet tonight in monthly session. Awarding contracts for electric and gas and also purchase a van for the local school district. Setting staff orientation and opening day agendas is also on tonight’s agenda. The Paxton Buckley Loda School board meets at 6 tonight in Paxton.

 

(Rankin--jc)  -- A presentation concerning a marijuana cafe and dispensary was held in Rankin last night. Rankin resident Davian Kayne Michael Emling, is considering locating his proposed cannabis cafe, bakery and dispensary Some attending were in favor of the project, others cited some concerns. . Recreational marijuana becomes legal in Illinois on January First. The issue moves to the local Rankin board. They are expected to deal with the issue at some future meetings.

 

 

(Paxton--ba) Two area residents were part of the Illinois State Fair Sale of Champions on Tuesday evening. They included the Grand Champion Poultry Meat Pen, owned by Faith Foster of Paxton. The Grand Champion Meat Goat and Land of Lincoln Grand Champion Steer were animal projects of Tara Hummel of Cabery. Illinois Governor JB Pritzker was outbid by his wife for the Grand Champion Steer, owned by Cole Caldwell of Elmood…

 

 

Illinois Governor JB Pritker.

 

Faith Foster of rural Paxton  talks about her experience in this competition.

 

 

 Faith Foster of rural Paxton

Fosters chickens sold for 5 thousand dollars.

 

(Cissna Park--jc)  The initial day of a three day event in Cissna Park starts on Thursday. On the stage Thursday night at 7 is a talent show. The three day event also features Sywear Amusements on the midway and someone will win a 20-19 Ford vehicle on Saturday evening. The annual Old Settlers Reunion is sponsored by the Cissna Park American Legion Post 527.

 

 

(Mahomet--jc)  The Mahomet Seymour school board finance committee is set to meet tomorrow afternoon. Topics include long term debt planning and budget issues. The Mahomet Seymour School Finance committee meets at 2 on Thursday afternoon. 

 

(Fairbury--jc)  -- Today at the Fairbury Fair is a country music show featuring JoDee Messina. The opening act is Kelsey Hickman. General admission tickets are 20 dollars and the V-I-P Zone is 30 dollars. The first act goes on stage at 6-30 with Messina taking the stage at 8pm The Fairbury Fair starts today and runs through Sunday.