(Iroquois County-jm) -- The primary election may not be for another six months but candidates will soon be able to start circulating petitions. Candidates for established political parties can begin circulating nominating petitions for the primary election on September 3rd. Paperwork must be turned into the county clerk’s office between November 25th and December 2nd. The primary election in Illinois is March 17th.
SPRINGFIELD, Ill. (AP) — Illinois Gov. J.B. Pritzker has signed legislation raising teachers' minimum salary to $40,000 over four years to address a statewide shortage of classroom leaders. The current minimum teacher salary ranges from only $9,000 to $11,000. The new law signed by Pritzker Thursday raises the minimum to $32,076 for the 2020-2021 school year, $34,576 in 2021-2022, $37,076 in 2022-2023 and $40,000 in 2023-2024. It was needed says the governor...
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Illinois Governor JB Pritzker
(Springfield-jm) -- Jobs were up last month in all Illinois metro areas for the first time in 19 years. July nonfarm jobs increased over the year in the state’s 14 metro areas, building on recent momentum says Illinois Department of Employment Security Spokesperson Sam Salustro…
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Illinois Department of Employment Security Spokesperson Sam Salustro. Areas with the most growth compared to a year ago include Chicago, Rockford and the suburbs, but also downstate communities like East St. Louis and Champaign-Urbana. The unemployment rate dropped in 11 metro areas last month.
(Rantoul--jc) Four days of agriculture began Thursdays morning in Rantoul. The village will see between 25 and 30 thousand people attending the Half Century of Progress each day. Event spokesperson JC Reitmeir says one reason for the show is the farm equipment…
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Half Century of Progress Show Spokesperson JC Reitmeir
Today, the flag raising at 8am with the largest U S Flag on the east side of the event. Field demonstrations in the morning and afternoon. 1pm parades also hilite the event. On the grounds find the Licorice Guy Booth, the lady from Minnesota that does farm embroidery and the license plate sign lady from Grant Park There is plenty of food from Spring Creek Barbeque to Mission’s R Us. On Saturday at 3pm it’sOrion Samuelson and Max Armstrong on the stage .
(Kankakee--jc) State Police are reminding motorists that the Interstate 57 construction zone from mile marker 308 to mile marker 315 is slowing traffic in that area. Those who can, are asked to take alternate routes during the construction period around Kankakee. State Police continue to tell motorists to slow down in construction zones and always turn off your cell phone.
(Rantoul--jc) Monday nights are Pickleball nights in Rantoul. The Pickleball courts were finished earlier this month and Rantoul Recreation Department officials say the contests begin at Wabash Park on Monday nights at 7.
(Bloomington-jm) -- A Gibson City business is expanding into the Bloomington-Normal market. Hustedt Jewelers bought William MarKen Jewelers and will rebrand the store. Hustedt Jewelers opened in Gibson City in 1983 and opened a second location in Pontiac in 2013.
DU QUOIN, Ill. (AP) — The Du Quoin State Fair is about to start. The fair that runs through Sept. 2 will open this afternoon with a 5:30 p.m. ribbon cutting followed a half hour later with a Twilight Parade inside the fairgrounds.
(Paxton--jc) -- It’s time for the annual Pork Chop Kickoff at Paxton Buckley Loda High School’s Zimmerman Field at I-57 Stadium. The public eats at 5 this afternoon and the football team scrimmages at 7-30. The Panthers open the season in Gibson City, one week from today against the defending state champion Falcons of Gibson City Melvin Sibley. Our pre-game begins at 6-05pm next Friday night.
(Paxton-jm) -- Today is the day for a back to school supply drive at a Paxton bank. The Frederick Community Bank is collecting donations from 11 to 2 at their drive up facility at the corner of Pells and Market. The donations will be distributed to the Paxton-Buckley-Loda School District.
(Springfield--jc) -- 3 new criminal justice reform laws are now on the books in Illinois. The first law lets inmates given a long sentence prior to 1998 to earn good time credit for taking college courses or completing substance abuse programs. Reaction from Illinois Lieutenant Governor Juliana Stratton…
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Illinois Lieutenant Governor Juliana Stratton
The other 2 bills ensure those being held while awaiting trial can cast a ballot and the other educates soon-to-be released prisoners about the voting process
(Loda--jc) -- A benefit for a 7 year old heart transplant patient is set for Murdocks Restaurant in Loda on Saturday. The “heart strong” benefit will raise money for on-going medical bills for Macie Marie Meier. Just an Angel Spokesperson Dale Puls says the event starts with registration at Murdock’s in Loda at 10 tomorrow morning…
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Just an Angel Spokesperson Dale Puls. Again, the event starts with sign in at 10 tomorrow morning. The donation for the cruise is 15 dollars per person or 20 dollars per couple. The event also features raffles, a silent auction, food and music.
(Loda-jm) -- Another area community is considering whether or not to allow recreational marijuana businesses. Loda village leaders are expected to discuss the issue at their September meeting. Recreational marijuana will be legal to buy and use by adults starting January 1.
LIVINGSTON COUNTY, IL: A traffic stop made by an Illinois State Trooper on Thursday morning, led to the arrest and the seizure of suspected cannabis weighing more than 38 pounds. A District 6 Illinois State Trooper stopped a passenger vehicle after observing a traffic violation. Upon investigation, suspected cannabis was detected. Arrested for possession of 38 pounds of cannabis, cannabis Trafficking and , Delivery of Cannabiswas 45 year old Anita L. Williams, of Peoria. Williams has been incarcerated in the Livingston County Jail in Pontiac
(Springfield--jc) A recent sexual assault law puts more protections for victims. The bill was sponsored by 53rd District State Senator Jason Barickman, Republican from Bloomington. Barickman says protecting and helping victims of assault is the main focus of the new law…
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53rd District State Senator Jason Barickman, Republican from Bloomington
(Gibson City--jc) When Gibson City leaders meet on Monday night, they will look at special licenses for several groups and businesses in conjunction with the upcoming Harvest Fest. Special license requests have been made by Burgers and Beer, Railside Golf Course and the Gibson City American Legion. Selling a police squad car and looking at truck bids are also on the agenda. The Gibson City Council meets at 7 on Monday night.
(Central Illinois--jc) The owner of a number of coal-fired plants wants Illinois lawmakers to take action after the company announced it plans to close four plants.
Vistra Energy announced this week it will close four facilities in Central Illinois. The company cited the Illinois Pollution Control Board’s June decision requiring it to shut down two gigawatts worth of coal-produced energy facilities by 2020.
(Paxton--jc) The cookout at the Paxton IGA on Saturday will feature pork chop sandwiches, chips and pop. The money raised will go to the Paxton Girl Scouts. The cookout runs from 10am until 2pm..
