(Springfield-jm) -- Illinois government employees should not travel for work to states that “criminalize reproductive health,” a northwest suburban Democrat said. Rep. Daniel Didech, from Buffalo Grove, proposed legislation that would prohibit the state from requiring staff to travel to states with laws effectively banning abortion or requiring investigations into the cause of a miscarriage. It would also bar the government from reimbursing an employee for travel to one of those states. In the first six months of 2019, 12 states passed some form of a law restricting access to abortion. They include neighboring Indiana, Missouri and Kentucky. If enacted, his bill would apply to all three branches of government. It would additionally apply to all states with statutes barring access to abortion procedures or with miscarriage investigation requirements, until those states either repeal them or a court strikes them from their books.
(Undated-jm) -- The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention says deer that have tuberculosis can transmit the bacteria to people. The CDC began investigating the possibility after a Michigan hunter contracted tuberculosis in 2017. The hunter had no exposure to people or countries with an endemic of TB. During the investigation, the CDC discovered the hunter inhaled the bacteria while field dressing a deer carcass and removing diseased parts. The CDC recommends wearing protective gear when field dressing.
(Paxton-jm) -- Paxton police are investigating a broken window at the Pells Park Pavilion. The broken window was discovered Friday evening, likely caused by a small object thrown at it. Anyone with information is urged to call Ford County Crime stoppers at 217-784-4173.
(University of Illinois-jm) -- University of Illinois football hall of famer Dick Butkus will join Red Grange in having a statue outside Memorial Stadium. The statue will go outside the main entrance to the Henry Dale and Betty Smith Football Center. The dedication takes place at 2pm on October 11th and is open to the public.
(Paxton-jm) -- Two public hearings on an ordinance regulating solar energy in Paxton will be held in October. The planning commission will hear comments from the public on the ordinance on October 3rd while the city council will hear comments during the city council meeting on October 8th. The proposed ordinance would not charge a fee or building permit for a 0-2 kw system, however, a 2-10 kw system would cost $50, 10-100 kw would cost $100 and 100 plus kw would cost $200. Both meetings get underway at 7pm in the city council chambers.
(Springfield-jm) -- Three area lawmakers are being recognized for their efforts to protect the environment. Senator Scott Bennett and Representatives Carol Ammons and Mike Marron received the Milestone Achievement Award for their efforts in passing historical coal ash regulations. The regulations were signed by Governor J-B Pritzker back in July.
(Rantoul-jc) -- Rantoul VFW post 67-50 needs your help. The local military group is gathering monetary donations on Wednesday in the village. Rantoul VFW Spokesperson Joe Manka says the money raised on Wednesday will go to the group’s honor guards. The group will have volunteers at the Family Video location at the corner of Route 45 and U-S Route 136 in Rantoul from 6am until 7pm on Wednesday.
(Undated-jm) -- Food delivery service Door Dash is reporting nearly 5 million users, delivery drivers and vendors data have been exposed to a data breach. The company says an unauthorized third party accessed the information in May. Names, emails, delivery addresses, phone numbers, the last four digits of payment cards and the last four digits of bank accounts were exposed. The company says they are reaching out to those affected.
(Undated-jm) -- CVS Pharmacy is announcing they are suspending the sale of Zantac and CVS brand ranitidine products until further notice. The move comes after the FDA announced that ranit-idine products have low levels of nitro-sodim-ethyl-amine, an ingredient that can cause cancer. The FDA continues to evaluate whether those levels pose a risk. So far, there has not been a recall on the products and the FDA is not recommending that patients stop taking the medications at this time.
(Rantoul-jm) -- Rantoul police are teaming up with the Rantoul Area Chamber of Commerce to host Coffee with a Cop this week. The event takes place tomorrow from 7:30-9:30 am at the chamber office in downtown Rantoul. The chamber and police hope the event will break down barriers between police and the public.
The Rantoul Area Chamber of Commerce is eager to announce an initiative to showcase our local schools by hosting a Teacher and Class of the Month, “T & C”. The initiative was created to promote group effort and teamwork. This initiative softly ran for the month of September and over 40 submissions were received. The winning “T & C” for the month of September is Dr. Joni White’s class of JW Eater Junior. High School. The Chamber will choose a winning Teacher and Class on the third Thursday of every month. Please have submissions returned on the third Tuesday of every month to be considered. Submissions can be emailed to dir@rantoulchamber.com or dropped in our mailbox at 120 E Sangamon, Rantoul. The winning Teacher and Class for the month will receive a pizza party from Papa Johns. As always, we would like to thank our Chamber Members for continuing to support our community efforts and initiatives. Contact the RACC office with any questions:
(Fisher-jm) -- The village of Fisher is looking to strengthen the enforcement language in their nuisance ordinance. The move comes after several residents brought their concerns to the village board. Village police say they will increase enforcement while the village administrator says he will research ordinances in other nearby communities.
(Washington-jm) -- Marijuana dispensaries are one step closer to having more avenues to handle their cash flow. The U-S House passed the Safe Banking Act which ensures marijuana businesses have access to banking services. Because marijuana is still illegal at the federal level, federal banks can’t accept the money. The U-S Senate must still approve the legislation.
