MILWAUKEE (AP) — Wisconsin health officials say nearly nine out of 10 cases where vaping led to people developing a severe lung disease involved THC products, such as waxes or oils. Health officials said Thursday that 89% of the 27 people they interviewed who became sick reported using e-cigarettes or other vaping devices to inhale THC, the psychoactive compound in marijuana. Health officials say despite the finding they're still investigating all possible causes for why people became ill.

 

(Champaign--jc)  -- Champaign County Coroner Duane Northrup has released the name of a male driver who was involved in an automobile versus semi tractor-trailer collision near Ogden on Thursday morning.. 42 year old Michael D. Whitman, of Savoy, was pronounced dead at the scene at 8:29AM  Thursday. An autopsy is scheduled for this morning, and an inquest may be held at a later date. This crash is under investigation by the coroner’s office and the Illinois State Police.

 

The PBL/GCMS Game at Gibson City is the WCIA Tackle Hunger Game of the Week. Students representing both schools will be collecting money before the game at the south and east gates and a table will be set up by the concession stand during the game. All money and food taken in by PBL Students will help support Paxton’s Hands of Christ Food Pantry and proceeds for GCMS goes to their account at the Eastern Illinois Food Bank. Please give what you can.

 

 

SPRINGFIELD, Ill. (AP) — Gov. J.B. Pritzker has a hairline fracture on his left thighbone and a doctor has ordered rest for four to six weeks. The Democrat's office said Thursday that Pritzker doesn't know how the injury occurred. It was not a recent injury. But pain in his knee became more significant in recent weeks while attending public events where he stood or walked long distances. A statement says that Pritzker is in "good spirits" and will remain "fully engaged" in government business.

 

(Springfield--jc)  -- Public finance analysts are now poring through hundreds of pages of financial information about how Illinois spent tens of billions of tax dollars from a fiscal year that ended 425 days ago.Truth in Accounting said Illinois’ Comprehensive Annual Financial Report for Fiscal Year 2018 comes 245 days after the standard reporting guidelines urging such reports be published after a fiscal year ends.

 

(Springfield-jm) -- The state now has five dispensaries that are authorized to sell recreational marijuana. The sites approved already sell medical cannabis but will soon be able to add pot to their product list. They are located in Mundelein, Joliet, Naperville, Canton and Effingham says Illinois Department of Financial and Professional Regulation Spokesperson Chris Slaby…

 

 

Illinois Department of Financial and Professional Regulation Spokesperson Chris Slaby. The department will continue to review applications from current dispensaries. There are 55 around the state.

 

 

(Undated-jm) -- Area jobless rates are down compared to one year ago. According to the Illinois Department of Employment Security, the unemployment rate in Ford County fell from five point one percent to four point four percent. In Iroquois County, the rate fell to three point seven percent from four percent a year ago. 

 

(St Joseph--jc)  With the Farm Progress Show in Decatur and, the Half Century of Progress complete in Rantoul and the Thresherman’s Reunion continuing today in Pontiac, some things are new at one local seed company. Sun Prairie Seeds in St Joseph is offering some additional varieties says company spokesperson Jarrod Widdick…

 

 

Sun Prairie Seeds-Champaign County Seed Company-St Joseph Spokesperson Jarod Widdick.

 

(Bloomington--jc)  - The state has put together a property tax task force in place to look at the state’s high rates and potential solutions. 53rd District State Senator Jason Barickman, Republican from Bloomington says the hope is those on the committee can bring forth some solutions..

 

 

53rd District State Senator Jason Barickman-Republican from Bloomington. 

 

 

(Washington-jm) -- USDA Secretary Sonny Perdue has some candid thoughts on progress in reaching a US-China trade deal. Stephanie Ho reports…

 

 

(Springfield--jc)  -- Illinois state lawmakers are eyeing a different governing structure for the state’s public universities after a hearing this week about severance packages for administrators. An attorney for Western Illinois University said former President Jack Thomas's exit package wasn’t a severance agreement, it was a transfer agreement worth more than $570,000.State Sen. Bill Cunningham said that sidestepped the spirit of a law that limited severance payouts.

 

 

(Chicago--jc)  --Forty new sites to care for dementia patients are expected to start becoming available over the next three years in Illinois.The Illinois Department of Healthcare and Family Services said many will be ready in 2020.The Supportive Living Program allows patients to have their own apartment in a community setting. The expansion will help nearly 1,600 Medicaid members with dementia.

 

 

(Washington--jc)  -- The U.S. Department of Defense confirmed surveillance balloon tests designed to locate drug traffickers over several states were part of a Congressionally approved project called COLD STAR, but the department said no tests will be happening over Illinois “at this time.”The Guardian earlier this month reported 25 high-altitude surveillance balloons launched from South Dakota would be coming down somewhere in Central Illinois in September. State Police didn’t know about it. Officials with Scott Air Force Base referred questions to the Department of Defense. A Department of Defense spokesperson said the tests have already been conducted and that no tests impacting Illinois airspace were planned.

 

 

(Washington-jm) -- What are the prospects for U.S. agricultural exports in fiscal year 2020? Gary Crawford has the details…

 

 

(Gibson City-jm) -- The Gibson City city council recently held their meeting. The council approved spending nearly $60 thousand for two pickup trucks from Anderson Ford. The trucks will be used by the streets and alleys department and the sewer department. The council also approved two recent donations to the city. The Ed Day skatepark committee donated $2,000 towards the new skatepark while Gibson Area Hospital donated $3,700 towards construction of a pavilion at the dog park.

 

 

(Springfield-jm) -- New eligibility guidelines are now set for this school year’s free and reduced-price meal programs. Families need to apply each year for the federal school nutrition program that provides healthy meals to low income students. State Board of Education Principal Consultant Tim Murphy says kids shouldn’t have to worry about their next meal…

 

 

State Board of Education Principal Consultant Tim Murphy. Murphy says schools usually hand out the application forms to parents, and families can apply any time during the school year. They will have to meet the new income guidelines to qualify.

 

(Undated--jc)  It’s not ice cubes for the entire upcoming winter, but Illinoisans should plan for plenty of snow and a colder-than-normal winter. That is  according to the Farmers’ Almanac, which is out with its weather forecast for next year. Peter Geiger, the editor of the Farmers’ Almanac, said Illinois can expect to see what the publication called a “Polar Coaster” this winter. Some of the predicted snow and cold is coming in late January into February 20-20.