SPRINGFIELD, Ill. (AP) — The Illinois Department of Public Health is reporting a second state resident has died after being hospitalized for a vaping-related lung injury. The department on Thursday refused to give the patient's identity, age or where they died, citing patient privacy concerns. According to the department, 153 people in Illinois, ranging in age from 13 to 66 years old, with a median age of 22, have experienced lung injuries after using e-cigarettes or vaping.

 

GENEVA, Ill. (AP) — A former northern Illinois bus aide is accused of striking a special needs student, knocking out two teeth. Jean M. Micklevitz, who worked for the Burlington Central School District, is charged with aggravated battery to a child for allegedly dragging him to a seat after he refused to move from the bus steps. Kane County prosecutors said the 63-year-old Burlington woman then struck the boy several times in the face.

 

 

(Springfield-jm) -- Illinois is receiving almost $11 million to combat domestic violence in the state. The funds come from the Violence Against Women Act and will be split among several agencies throughout the state.

 

 

(Springfield-jm) -- The unemployment rate fell in most of the state’s metro areas last month. The state jobless rate was down in 12 of the 14 metro areas compared to year ago levels. Illinois Department of Employment Security Spokesperson Rebecca Cisco says there was some job growth as well…

 

 

Illinois Department of Employment Security Spokesperson Rebecca Cisco. Bloomington and Springfield saw a decrease in jobs last month compared to September of 2017. 

 

 

(Champaign-jm) -- Parkland College is helping those needing career training. The Champaign based community college is creating a $1.5 million Workforce Equity Initiative grant. The grant would provide free short-term career training for underserved populations in the Parkland College district.

 

 

(Rantoul-jm) -- The 2019 World Punkin Chunkin Championships is coming to Rantoul November 2nd and 3rd. Organizer Kevin Thompson talks about what punkin chunkin is…

 

 

World Punkin Chunkin Championship Organizer Kevin Thompson. Tickets are $10 in advance or $15 at the gate the day of.

 

 

(Paxton-jm) -- There will be a contested race for the Ford County Circuit Clerk’s position in the March primary. Former circuit clerk Kammy Johnson Anderson has announced her candidacy for the position. Johnson Anderson served as circuit clerk from 1993-2008. Last week, Suzie Shell announced she was running for the position. Current circuit clerk Kim Evans announced she is retiring at the end of her term.

 

 

(Springfield-jm) -- As the fall veto session begins later this month, a cloud of political investigations hangs over the general assembly. 53rd District State Senator Jason Barickman says the investigations could have a wide impact…

 

 

53rd District State Senator Jason Barickman of Bloomington.

 

 

(Undated-jm) -- A new report from the U-S Department of Transportation shows the number of people dying in car crashes has decreased for the second straight year. The data shows a 2 point 4 percent decline in car crash deaths in the U-S. Last year 36,560 people died. That’s 913 fewer than the year before. In Illinois, 948 people died. That’s down 50 from the previous year.

 

 

(Washington-jm) -- Dairy production is forecast to be up next year. Stephanie Ho reports…

 

 

(Washington-jm) -- Legislation passed in the U-S House would make animal cruelty a felony. The Preventing Animal Cruelty and Torture Act prohibits acts of cruelty when they occur in interstate commerce or on federal property and cracks down on sexual abuse of animals. The bill now goes to the U-S Senate.

 

 

(Springfield-jm) -- A local state senator is co-sponsoring legislation in the Illinois Senate to cap rising insulin prices. State Senator Scott Bennett of Champaign is co-sponsoring the legislation in the state’s senate to cap insulin co-payments to $100 a month for a 30 day supply. The American Diabetes Association says 30 million Americans have diabetes; with one point two million having type 1 diabetes which requires insulin to control their levels. Illinois would become the second state in the country to cap insulin prices if it becomes law.

 

 

(Springfield-jm) -- The Illinois State Police is hearing from the public about proposed gun dealer licensing rules. At a public hearing, about 20 people offered their thoughts on the initial rule recommendations. I-S-P Major Jarod Ingebrightsen (ing-grr-bret-son) says they will take the comments under advisement…

 

 

Illinois State Police Major Jarod Ingebrightsen. Several speakers voiced concerns about how much the rules would cost them saying they can’t afford to add more security cameras in their stores. They also questioned a rule requiring that camera footage be kept for 90 days and expressed concerns about massie data storage costs.

 

 

(Savoy-jm) -- A new report analyzing Willard Airport estimates in contributes $99.75 million to Champaign County. That is an increase of 34 percent since 2016. The report says about 122 people visit the airport daily, while the airport hires 751 people full-time and brings in $14 million in taxes. The airport estimates 212,000 passengers will pass through the airport this year. That’s not the only good news. The airport announced Thursday they are exploring adding two additional flights to Washington’s Dulles airport. That would create 89 additional jobs.

 

 

(Buckley-jm) -- Buckley based Christ Lutheran High School held their annual Knight for Christ in late August. Executive Director Sandy Spitz says this year’s auction was the best one they have had yet…

 

 

Christ Lutheran High School Executive Director Sandy Spitz.

The School is hosting its German Fest Meal at the Buckley American Legion on Sunday.

 

(Elliott-jm) -- The Ford County village of Elliott is working with a non profit to determine whether or not to increase water rates in the village. Village leaders approved working with the Rural Community Assistance Program to determine the villages cost to produce water compared to what it bills. The villages water maintainer says they want to ensure rates are adequate to fund repairs and upkeep of water facilities and pumps in the village.

 

 

(Paxton-jm) -- The Market Street Theatre is gearing up for their fall performance. Spokesperson Brandon Irish says it kicks off this weekend…

 

 

Market Street Theatre Spokesperson Brandon Irish. Showtimes Friday and Saturday are 7pm and Sunday at 2 pm. Tickets are $12.

 

 

(Springfield-jm) -- The Illinois Association of School Boards will be voting on whether or not to support legislation allowing school staff to carry guns in classrooms in the state. The board will decide whether or not to give local school districts the power to allow teachers to undergo special training. Right now, only school resource officers are allowed to carry guns in schools. A vote will take place on November 23rd.

 

 

(Springfield-jm) -- Illinois teachers can now be officially endorsed as dual-credit instructors. Dual credit courses let students earn high school credit and college credit at the same time. The endorsement is available to teachers showing that they are qualified to lead these courses in subjects like math, speech and biology says the State Board of Education’s Emily Fox…

 

 

State Board of Education’s Emily Fox. Fox says the popularity of dual credit classes has really grown over the past few years. Teachers can learn more about the endorsement on the board’s website.