(Springfield-jm) -- An Illinois lawmaker is calling for the repeal of the state’s death penalty. State Representative David McSweeny is looking to introduce the Capital Crimes Litigation Act. The act would undo the repeal of the death penalty implemented by former Governor Pat Quinn in 2011. Criminal justice advocates argue the death penalty does not cut back on crimes.

 

CHICAGO (AP) — A state lawmaker at the Illinois Capitol sought to bribe another state lawmaker, offering $2,500 a month in exchange for the senator’s support of sweepstakes-related legislation, according to a federal complaint unsealed on Monday. Rep. Luis Arroyo, 65, made the offer on Aug. 2 and handed over an initial check on Aug. 22 for the unidentified state senator’s backing of the legislation in the Illinois Senate, according to the complaint. The payments were expected to continue for six months to a year more, it says.

 

 

(Springfield-jm) -- Governor J-B Pritzker is lending his support to a bill letting college athletes sign endorsement deals. Governor Pritzker says schools are profiting off their athletes, yet the students don't receive any of that money…

 

 

Illinois Governor J-B Pritzker. The bill prohibits colleges and universities from taking away an athlete’s playing eligibility if they get an endorsement deal The Governor says he wants this passed during the fall veto session, which would make Illinois the second state in the nation to have such a law. 

 

 

(Springfield-jm) -- Farmers were able to make some decent harvest progress as we hear in the weekly crop report. There were about five days suitable for fieldwork this past week, and average statewide topsoil moisture increased to two percent very short, eight percent short, 71 percent adequate and 19 percent surplus. Crop Statistician Mark Schleusener says 96 percent of soybeans are dropping leaves…

 

 

State Crop Statistician Mark Schleusener. 93 percent of corn is mature, and 54 percent has been harvested. 75 percent of winter wheat has been planted. 

 

 

(Urbana-jm) -- A Rantoul woman has been sentenced to six years in prison for stealing from a co-worker. Jaheenya Evans pleaded guilty in August to theft for stealing cash from a co-workers purse at McDonalds. It was Evans 5th conviction for theft.

 

 

(Springfield-jm) -- The fall veto session is underway in Springfield. Local State Senator Jason Barickman of Bloomington says he believes a lot of focus will be on issues in Chicago…

 

 

State Senator Jason Barickman of Bloomington.

 

 

(Paxton-jm) -- A Paxton resident is asking a judge to halt demolition of Eastlawn Elementary. Attorneys for the resident filed the complaint for injunction in Ford County court for injunctive relief against the Paxton-Buckley-Loda School District. The injunction claims the ballot question was illegal. Demolition is supposed to begin next week.

 

 

(Urbana--jc)  The Champaign County Coroner’s Office and the Champaign County Sheriff’s Office are set to release information on Wednesday afternoon concerning an old homicide investigation.A press conference is set for Urbana at 2-30 Wednesday afternoon. More information will be made available at that time. 

 

 

(Paxton-jm) -- A Paxton nursing home was fined by the state. Accolade Senior Living was fined $22 hundred for failing to respond to a residents request for bathroom assistance using the emergency call system, then left a resident on a bedpan for more than two hours. The former Champaign County nursing home also received a fine from the state.

 

 

(Gibson City--jc) --  Some road and bridge projects are coming to East Central Illinois with the Rebuild Illinois Capital Bill 106th District State Representative Tom Bennett of Gibson City says some improvements are coming into the 106th District…

 

 

106th District State Representative Tom Bennett of Gibson City

 

(Washington-jm) -- An Illinois Senator is pushing Amtrak to improve on their performance after a recent report showed the passenger rail company is facing financial hardships. The report shows Amtrak lost $171 million last fiscal year. That wasn’t the only bad news for the company. Two of their routes in Illinois, the Illini and Saluki, were ranked as one of the worst for on time performance. That performance has prompted Senator Dick Durbin to come out and push Amtrak to fix their issues.

(Springfield-jm) -- The Illinois Department of Natural Resources is warning boaters about slippery ramps. D-N-R officials say boaters should use caution when loading and unloading boats due to algae on the ramps making them slippery. They also say no to back tow vehicle tires into the water as the vehicle may slide.

 

 

(Springfield-jm) -- The Illinois State Fire Marshal’s office has some tips to keep your kids and home safe this Halloween. Fire Marshal Spokesperson J-C Fultz says candles and decorations certainly pose a risk this time of year, quickly igniting if kept too close…

 

 

State Fire Marshal Spokesperson J-C Fultz. Parents are urged to make sure their child’s costume is flame resistant and doesn’t have long trailing fabric that could catch fire. Face paint is recommended over masks, so kids can see well and it’s a good idea to have them carry a flashlight or glow stick to increase visibility. 

 

 

(Kankakee-jm) -- The Illinois National Guard will be honoring those who died this weekend. The National Guard will honor 34 fallen members during a Fallen Heroes Memorial Ceremony on Sunday at 1pm at the Kankakee Army Aviation Support Facility and Readiness Center. Those being honored died during operations Iraqi Freedom and Enduring Freedom.

 

 

(Springfield-jm) -- Farmers were able to make some decent harvest progress as we hear in the weekly crop report. 96 percent of soybeans are dropping leaves and 69 percent of acres have been harvested says State Crop Statistician Mark Schleusener. The condition of the soybean crop improved to 49 percent in good to excellent condition. He says 93 percent of corn is now mature…

 

 

State Crop Statistician Mark Schleusener. 75 percent of winter wheat has been planted and 47 percent has emerged. Average statewide topsoil moisture increased to two percent very short, eight percent short, 71 percent adequate and 19 percent surplus.  

 

 

(Champaign-jm) -- A local state senator is receiving recognition for being an environmental advocate. State Senator Scott Bennett of Champaign received the Prairie Rivers Network Outstanding Public Servant award. The award honors elected officials and public servants that not only advocate for good environmental policies, but also see the problems facing Illinois and become part of the solution. Bennett’s Coal Ash Pollution Prevention Act, which was signed into law this summer, made him a prime recipient for this award. Bennett championed this legislation to be proactive about the hazardous coal ash pollution threatening Illinois lakes, rivers and streams.

 

 

(Paxton-jm) -- PRIDE in Paxton will hold their annual Business Open House December 6th through the 9th. One of the businesses participating is the Market Street General Store. Owner Teri Hancock talks about her business…

 

 

Market Street General Store Owner Teri Hancock.

 

(Ludlow-jm) -- The village of Ludlow is looking to update their ordinances after the village attorney found many of them are not enforceable. Attorney Mark Miller told the board he has a new set of ordinances for small villages and towns at the same cost it would be for him to update about three of the existing ordinances. Trustees will be asked to vote on the $6,500 expense in November.

 

 

(Springfield-jm) -- The fall veto session got underway today but a cloud of political corruption and FBI investigations could make things more difficult. 53rd District State Senator Jason Barickman of Bloomington says the investigations are already impacting the fall session…

 

 

53rd District State Senator Jason Barickman.

 

 

(Ashkum-jm) -- District 21 Illinois State Police troopers have announced several upcoming special patrols in Ford, Iroquois and Kankakee Counties. Troopers will be conducting Occupant Restraint Enforcement Patrols on October 29th, November 19th and November 25th. Troopers will be conducting Special Traffic Enforcement Patrols on November 16th, 17th, 21st, 22nd, 23rd, 27th, 30th and December 1st. Those patrols will focus on the fatal four: DUI, seatbelts, speeding and distracted driving.

 

 

(Washington-jm) -- What's the latest with the nation's meat industry? Stephanie Ho has the details…

 

 

Champaign, Ill. – State Farm Center Theatre will play host to The Price is Right Live™ stage show on Thursday, March 12, 2020. Tickets will go on sale Friday, November 1 at 10 a.m. at StateFarmCenter.com, the Illinois Ticket Office in the west lobby of State Farm Center, or by calling 866-ILLINI-1. The Price Is Right Live™ is the hit interactive stage show that gives eligible individuals the chance to "Come On Down" and play classic games from television's most popular game show. Contestants can win cash, appliances, vacations and possibly even a new car by playing favorites like Plinko™, Cliffhangers™, The Big Wheel™, and the fabulous Showcase! Tickets again go on sale on Friday.

 

(Undated-jm) -- An alarming new report is out about the hidden dangers of law enforcement. The report from the Ruderman Family Foundation shows 647 law enforcement officers committed suicide in the last 3 years including 140 in 2017. The foundation says the increase in suicides is due to higher stress levels on the job and a lack of resources available for officers.