CHICAGO (AP) — Illinois Gov. J.B. Pritzker is endorsing legislation that would allow college athletes in the state to make money from endorsements. During a Sunday interview on WGN-Radio, Pritzker said college athletes deserve the same opportunity as everyone else to earn compensation based on the use of their name and their image and likeness. Democratic state Rep. Emanuel Welch of Hillside has introduced legislation that would put Illinois in line with California.
CHICAGO (AP) — Kentucky launched a marketing campaign to coax Illinois companies to move across the border with promises of lower taxes and better weather. Kentucky Republican Gov. Matt Bevin and the Kentucky Cabinet for Economic Development designed the billboards, which attack Illinois’ taxes and regulations, the Chicago Tribune reported. The first billboard proclaims, “Illinois isn’t pro-business, Kentucky is.” Eight more billboards are expected to go up before the end of the month as part of the six-month campaign.
(Washington-jm) -- If you are a farmer and your harvest is going to be delayed, contact your crop insurance agent to see if you can get an extension on your harvest deadline. Stephanie Ho reports…
(Rural Paxton-jm) -- Paxton first responders were called to a two vehicle accident Saturday evening south of Paxton. The accident happened just before 7:30 pm on Route 45 at the Ford/Champaign County line. No word on if there were any injuries.
(Springfield-jm) -- When lawmakers return for the fall veto session one issue they will look into is a pension consolidation proposal by Governor J-B Pritzker. 53rd District State Senator Jason Barickman talks about the proposal…
Local State Senator Jason Barickman of Bloomington.
(Rantoul-jm) -- The Community Service Center of Northern Champaign County is gearing up for their annual Holiday Bureau to help those less fortunate this holiday season. Families who need assistance can sign up between October 28th and November 15th. They must show proof of income for the past 30 days and proof of residency. Toy and food distribution will take place in early December.
(Paxton-jm) -- Business is booming in downtown Paxton. PRIDE in Paxton Director and local business owner Terri Hancock says it’s encouraging to see…
PRIDE in Paxton Director and local business owner Terri Hancock.
(Paxton--jc) -- A City of PaxtonPublic Works Committee meeting to be held on Tuesday night at 7. The purpose of the committee meeting is to discuss burning ordinance changes or updates. Any recommendations will be given to the full city council.
(Washington-jm) -- Two Illinois lawmakers are introducing legislation in Washington to lower drug costs. Senator Dick Durbin and Congresswoman Jan Schakowsky are sponsoring legislation to lower drug costs in Medicare by creating an administered plan to compete with private plans to drive down drug prices.
CHICAGO (AP) — Census officials are preparing to battle the spread of fake news by internet trolls and foreign powers for the first time in the count's 230-year history. The stakes are huge. Who participates in the 2020 census count could influence how U.S. congressional seats and billions of federal tax dollars to educate children, help low-income families and pave new roads are divvied up. Facebook will use a mix of people and artificial intelligence to spot, review and remove troublesome posts.
CHICAGO (AP) — Illinois is providing almost $3 million in state funds to help crime victims deal with their trauma. Gov. J.B. Pritzker and the Illinois Criminal Justice Information Authority announced that $2.8 million in grants will be distributed to trauma recovery centers across the state. They say research shows the centers provide much-needed services to people in underserved communities who face barriers to getting help.
SPRINGFIELD, Ill. (AP) — The Illinois State Museum returned 42 culturally significant items to representatives of two Aboriginal communities in Australia after the artifacts spent decades on U.S. soil. An Australian delegation collected spears, shields and boomerangs during a ceremony at the Illinois State Museum’s Research and Collections Center in Springfield. Secret, sacred, secular and ceremonial objects were also returned along with necklaces and body ornaments, said Brooke Morgan, the museum’s curator of anthropology.
(Springfield-jm) -- 57 new Illinois State Troopers are hitting the road. Cadet Class 129 has graduated after more than six months of intensive training at the state police academy in Springfield. Governor J-B Pritzker spoke at the ceremony, recognizing their commitment…
Illinois Governor J-B Pritzker. Training at the academy covered everything from firearms and pursuits to cultural diversity and domestic violence. New troopers will now be paired with more senior officers for 14 weeks of field training on the road.
(Iroquois County-jm) -- Several offices will be up for election in the March primary in Iroquois County. Seats up include circuit clerk, coroner and states attorney. Also up are 10 county board members and 37 precinct committeemen. Those seeking nominations began circulating their petitions on September 3rd. Paperwork can be filed with the Iroquois County Clerk's office between November 25th and December 2nd.
(Rantoul-jm) -- Pumpkins will take to the sky in Rantoul November 2nd and 3rd as the 2019 World Punkin Chunkin Championship will be in town. Dozens of machines will attend to chunk a pumpkin the furthest distance. Organizer Kevin Thompson has how you can get your tickets…
Punkin Chunkin Championship Organizer Kevin Thompson
(Gibson City--jc) -- Gibson City leaders will look to pass an agreement for professional services with the Fehr-Graham group when they meet tonight. The council is also expected to act on an ordinance regarding “No Parking” on West Street from 329 North West Street to the Corner of 10th Street. The Gibson City Council meets at 7 tonight in city hall.
(Thomasboro-jm) -- The head of the Thomasboro school board has announced she is stepping down. Jane Sprandel is resigning at the end of the month after 11 years because her family is moving to rural Homer. Her term would have ended in April 2021.
One local FFA Chapter will be holding an auction that is their main fundraiser. Cissna Park FFA Advisor Jeff Clifton talks about when the auction will be held.
Cissna Park FFA Advisor Jeff Clifton
(Mahomet-jc) Mahomet Seymour School board members are expected to approve some changes with their superintendent contract when they meet tonight in special session. The local board has been working on contract additions for several months. The board meets tonight at 7-30.
CHICAGO (AP) — An Illinois task force that examined the safety of pharmacy practices in the state is recommending that pharmacists take breaks and take more time when dispensing medications. State officials created the task force after a 2016 Chicago Tribune investigation found that 52% of 255 Chicago-area pharmacies failed to warn customers about combinations of drugs that could cause harm or death. Task force chairman Philip Burgess told the Tribune that the panel examined why pharmacists didn’t catch dangerous drug interactions. He says the recommendations focused on easing the stress of heavy workloads and extra distractions such as the need to reach company quotas for giving immunizations to customers. Current Illinois law doesn’t require pharmacists to take breaks.
CHICAGO (AP) — More than 300,000 Chicago students will miss another day of classes as teachers in the nation's third-largest school district remain on strike.As contract talks between Chicago Public Schools and the striking teachers continue, CPS announced late Sunday afternoon that classes and after school programs scheduled for Monday are canceled. City officials say a large gap remains between he two sides.
