(Springfield-jm) -- Illinois is receiving a $4.5 million grant to fight the opioid crisis in the state. The funds will be used to increase substance abuse services under Medicaid. More than 130 people die every day in the U-S from opioid overdoses. In 2017, 2,202 deaths from opioid overdoses were reported in Illinois.
(Springfield-jm) -- The state climatologist is taking a look at when Illinois might see the first fall freeze. Farmers especially are wondering when the first hard freeze will hit. State Climatologist Trent Ford. Ford says the Climate Prediction Center is calling for above normal temperatures over the next two weeks, so a freeze is probably not imminent.
(Buckley-jm) -- The village of Buckley will receive financial help for their water tower renovation project. The village was awarded a $180,000 loan from the Illinois Environmental Protection Agency for the work. Crews will be washing and recoating the interior and exterior of the water tower among other projects. Work is expected to be completed in December. The village does qualify to have $108,000 of the loan forgiven.
(Paxton-jm) -- The Paxton-Buckley-Loda School District will show off the new renovation at Clara Peterson this Saturday. Superintendent Cliff McClure says the district is excited to show the public the new building.
SPRINGFIELD, Ill. (AP) — FBI agents carried materials in bankers’ boxes and grocery bags out of the Illinois Capitol building on Tuesday, and multiple media outlets reported that and other raids were linked to a Democratic state senator. FBI spokesman John Althen said the agents were in the building for “law enforcement activity” but declined to elaborate. Multiple media outlets reported that the raids were conducted at Sen. Martin Sandoval’s Capitol office in Springfield, his district office in the Chicago suburb of Cicero and other locations linked to him. The Chicago Tribune reported that a man who answered the door at Sandoval’s Chicago home said he was not home.
(Springfield-jm) -- As lawmakers consider tougher vaping laws, one big question remains. What exactly is making people so sick? The more than 500 patients across the country who have fallen ill all vaped, but the next common denominator has yet to be found. At least 75 percent of the patients in Illinois vaped T-H-C. Another possibility being considered is Vitamin E Acetate which isn’t harmful when ingested or applied to the skin but may cause problems if it’s inhaled.
(Watseka--jc) -- The Iroquois County Sheriff’s Department is taking back unwanted prescriptions drugs on Saturday October 26th at the county jail in Watseka.It is the 18th time over a 9 year period that the public will be able to rid their homes of potentially dangerous expired, unused, and unwanted medicine.. The event is set for 10 until 2.
(Springfield-jm) -- Governor J-B Pritzker is creating a task force to tackle discrimination in schools. The Affirming and Inclusive Task Force is made up of two co-chairs and 25 selected members. Their goal is to create strategies and practices to ensure students feel welcome, safe, supportive and included in the school environment.
(Undated-jm) -- U-S Representative John Shimkus is accepting applications from high school seniors and college students interested in attending one of the military academies. Requirements include being a U-S citizen, at least 17 years of age but not more than 23, not married, under no legal obligation to support a child and must reside in the 15th Congressional district. Applications can be found online. The deadline to submit is November 1st.
(Paxton-jm) -- Traffic was backed up on I-57 yesterday following a multi-vehicle accident south of Paxton. The accident occurred near the 259 mile marker. No word on if there were any injuries. A second accident also pushed traffic going south on Interstate 57 into Paxton and down along Route 45. That accident was a jack knifed semi. Traffic was heavy into Paxton for about one hour.
CHICAGO (AP) — Five Illinois residents have joined the ranks of young people nationwide to sue the makers of e-cigarettes that allege the companies’ marketing tactics targeted them when they were minors. The Chicago Tribune reports the plaintiffs are suing in federal court top e-cigarette producer Juul Labs and its parent company, Altria Group, and Pax Labs. Altria Group also owns tobacco giant Phillip Morris. The five — all between 18 and 20 — contend in their federal lawsuit that vaping caused shortness of breath and other health problems and caused their addictions to nicotine. Their attorneys say the five aren’t among the hundreds of people hospitalized nationwide in recent months for respiratory illness linked to vaping.
(Springfield-jm) -- The Illinois Department of Transportation is looking for winter snow plow drivers. The snowbirds program makes sure the state has plenty of people to man snow plows on Illinois highways once winter arrives. Those interested must have a commercial driver’s license and pass a criminal background check. I-DOT Spokesperson Guy Tridgell says there are openings in many areas. Farmers and veterans often take advantage of the seasonal work. Learn more online at: idot dot illinois dot gov.
