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Chunk Norris set a new World Record with 4091 feet at the Punkin Chunkin event in Rantoul

CHICAGO (AP) — A published report says the son of Illinois House Speaker Michael Madigan invited a suburban mayor to a fundraiser for his father around the time he was trying to convince that suburb’s officials to hire his insurance company. The Chicago Sun-Times cites an Aug. 27, 2018, email from Andrew Madigan to Alsip Mayor John Ryan inviting him to a $500-a-ticket “Mayors for Speaker Madigan” event. The email came after yearlong discussions about how Alsip might hire Alliant/Mesirow Insurance Services, where Andrew Madigan is an executive.

 

 

(Rantoul-jm) -- Thousands of people were in Rantoul this past weekend for the World Punkin Chunkin Championship. This was the first year the championship was held outside of Delaware. Chunk Norris was the winning machine launching a pumpkin 4,091 feet. Event organizers are already planning next year’s event in the village.

 

 

Champaign County Coroner Duane Northrup is releasing the name of a male who has died after he was involved in a semi tractor-trailer crash on Interstate 74 east bound near the 186 mile marker around noon on November 1, 2019. Kenny W. Hill, age 38, of Jacksonville, Illinois was pronounced dead at Carle Foundation Hospital at 1:01 PM on November 1, 2019. An autopsy was performed on November 2, 2019 and inquest may be held at a later date. This death is under investigation by the Champaign County Coroner’s Office and the Illinois State Police District 10

 

(Washington-jm) --  The latest step in the 2019 Farm Service Agency County Committee Election process takes place the first week of November with the arrival of ballots in the mail. Rod Bain reports…

 

 

 

(Rantoul--jc)  -- Rantoul Township High School Board members meet in special session tonight. On the agenda is a student diseplenary case. The meeting comes to order at 6pm

 

 

(Springfield-jm) -- The National Safety Council is telling employers that some jobs have too much of an impact on safety to allow for any marijuana use by employees. As Illinois prepares for recreational adult-use cannabis starting Jan. 1, the National Safety Council said there was no acceptable amount of marijuana use for employee in a safety sensitive position.National Safety Council Vice President of Government Affairs Jane Terry said the organization wants employers to prioritize safety. Terry said that with existing technology, it isn't possible to test for marijuana impairment. That’s why the National Safety Council is asking employers with employees in safety-sensitive positions to have a zero-tolerance policy. 

 

(Springfield-jm) -- Illinois Supreme Court Justice Lloyd Karmeier tendered notice he will resign his seat on the bench effective Dec. 6. 2020. His three-year term as chief justice of the state’s highest court concluded Oct. 25. Chief Justice Anne Burke succeeded him as head of the court beginning the following day, and according to a spokesperson, Karmeier has requested his seat be filled by election, rather than appointment. During his time leading the court as chief, he helped secure its first budget increase in six years this spring. The branch will receive just more than $405 million from the state’s main checking account, a bump of about $60.5 million. That money will be used in part to alleviate costs paid by local governments for probation, court officials said.

 

 

(Springfield-jm) -- After several years of trending downward, the number of children without health care insurance in Illinois and the nation is on the rise again, according to a new report. Mary Schuermann reports…

 

 

 

(Urbana--jc)  --Champaign County Coroner Duane Northrup is releasing the name of a male who has died from complications of injuries sustained in a multiple vehicle crash. David Hooker, age 56, of Sidney, Illinois was pronounced dead at Carle Foundation Hospital at 9:29 AM on November 1, 2019. Mr. Hooker was reportedly the driver of a vehicle that collided with a semi tractor-trailer on County Road 1000 N in Champaign County on the morning of October 30, 2019. No autopsy will be performed however, an inquest may be held at a later date. This death is under investigation by the Champaign County Coroner’s Office and the Champaign County Sheriff’s Department.

 

 

(Paxton--jc)  --The PBL Education Foundation reports 56% of the district’s staff have donated over $8000 to The PBL Endowment Fund. Participating staff made their donations through a payroll deduction plan. President of the PBL Teachers Association, Amy Johnson said, “We have very dedicated teachers and staff in our district. They care deeply for our students so it is not surprising they would be so generous.” These donations will be added to The Endowment Fund’s growing principal. This collective gift will create the staff’s life-long legacy of support as the principal will generate income in perpetuity! The PBL Endowment Fund was created in 2017 to provide a reliable source of income to fund the wide range of quickly changing technology needs within the school district. “

 

 

(SPringfield--jc)  -- Some concerns about college athletes and compensation are being addressed by one area lawmaker. State Representative Dan Brady of Bloomington says the issue raises some red flags from money and regulation…

 

 

State Representative Dan Brady of Bloomington

 

(Springfield--jc)  --Governor J.B. Pritzker could move forward with a campaign plan to create a Medicaid buy-in program after lawmakers failed to override his veto of a bill that would have restricted his ability to unilaterally request waivers from the federal government for health programs.During the fall veto session, lawmakers only addressed one veto and they failed to get enough votes to override it. Pritzker vetoed seven bills that the General Assembly approved. The governor signed nearly 600 bills. He used one amendatory veto.Pritzker vetoed Senate Bill 2026 entirely. State Sen. Sue Rezin, R-Morris, the bill's chief sponsor, said it would have protected people with pre-existing conditions by giving legislators the power to request federal health program waivers, rather than unilateral power to the governor.

 

 

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