(Undated-jm) -- When the nation’s doctors began moving away from opioid-based pain medication for patients injured on the job, prescribers in many states shifted patients to traditional pain medication while those in Illinois turned patients to significantly more expensive alternatives. In its annual CompScope report, the Workers Compensation Research Institute found that at $192, the average cost of payments per prescription in work-related injury cases in Illinois was the highest among any of the 17 states the organization studies.
(Springfield-jm) -- Gov. J.B. Pritzker said Tuesday that a constitutional amendment voters will decide on next year will help save the state’s finances and dismissed any proposal to reduce the state's pension costs through a constitutional amendment to remove the state's pension protection clause. During a wide-ranging fireside chat at the Economic Club of Chicago Tuesday, Pritzker promoted his constitutional amendment for a progressive income tax. Voters next year will be asked the binding question that Pritzker ushered through the legislature. Pritzker also campaigned on the issue of changing the state's existing flat income tax to a progressive system that has higher rates for higher earners. During a discussion Tuesday in Chicago, Club Chair Debra Cafaro asked Pritzker why lawmakers shouldn't let voters change the state’s pension protection clause to control the growing cost of public sector pensions. Pritzker dismissed the idea.
(Washington-jm) -- There's bad weather news for farmers in the Midwest, who don't need more rain. Stephanie Ho and U-S-D-A Meteorologist Brad Rippey have the details…
(Gilman-jm) -- There’s a new donut shop in the Iroquois County town of Gilman. Dunkin Donuts has opened a location inside K&H. The new Dunkin Donuts will serve coffee and of course donuts.
(Undated-jm) -- Ameren Illinois is handing out free smart thermostats for residents. To be eligible, you must be an Ameren Illinois customer, have your heating source provided by Ameren Illinois and live in a qualifying zip code. For more information visit ameren illinois smartsavers dot com.
(Gifford-jm) -- The annual Gifford State Bank Country Christmas Craft Show is this weekend. Over 300 vendors will be set up at Gordyville Saturday and Sunday says Spokesperson Stacey Huls…
Gifford State Bank Country Christmas Craft Show Spokesperson Stacey Huls. Santa will also be available to take pictures with kids from 9 to 3 and Sunday 10 to 2. There is a dollar donation that benefits local charities.
(Urbana-jm) -- A Rantoul teen who admitted to possessing a gun in his backpack back in September has been sentenced to 2 years in prison. 17 year old Kristopher Mockbee was carrying a revolver in his backpack when he was captured by police. In exchange for his guilty plea, charges of aggravated unlawful use of a weapon, 2 counts of possession with intent to deliver cocaine and armed violence were dismissed.
(Paxton-jm) -- The Christmas holiday season will soon be upon us and the city of Paxton is gearing up for several events. The city’s annual tree lighting will take place on Friday, November 29th at 7 pm at the intersection of State and Market. The parade, themed Chocolate, Gum Drops and Golden Tickets: Imagine the Possibilities will take place the next day, Saturday, November 30th at 1:30 pm and the Business Open House will take place December 6th through the 9th. Pride in Paxton Director Teri Hancock says there will be several opportunities for kids to see Santa…
PRIDE in Paxton Director Terri Hancock. The Wonka bars have sold out at serveral locations and only remain at A picket Fence Florist and Paxton IGA. It’s your chance to win a golden ticket.
(Undated-jm) -- Police and the National Association of Realtors are warning home sellers and realtors of a rising trend. They say drug users and dealers are going to open houses posing as potential home buyers then raiding medicine cabinets when people aren’t looking. The National Association of Realtors advises homeowners remove medications before showing their home.
(Undated-jm) -- There are mixed reactions in Illinois to what appears to be President Donald Trump’s reversal on banning flavored e-cigarette products. In September, following a rash of lung injuries and deaths, Trump announced the proposed ban. The Washington Post reports this week Trump’s reelection campaign saw the outpouring of opposition to the proposed ban and may be reversing course. U.S. Senator Dick Durbin of Illinois, said the president is breaking a promise and the reversal will harm children with addiction and lung problems. But a flavor ban is still possible in Illinois. A measure at the statehouse to do that also included banning flavored tobacco like menthol cigarettes or flavored chewing tobacco, but the tobacco element was removed at the last minute.
(Paxton--dg) --Cox-Knapp Funeral home in Paxton will hold an open house on Sunday November 24th from 1-4 pm. Owner Kendall Cox is inviting the community to see the newly remodeled funeral home…
Cox Knapp Funeral Home Business Owner Kendall Cox
Again refreshments will be served and door prizes will also be given away. Cox-Knapp Funeral Home is located at 142 West Patton Street in Paxton. For more information, contact them through their website, coxknapp.com
(Springfield-jm) -- Gov. J.B. Pritzker will soon have a bill on his desk that he has promised to veto, setting up what will likely be the first legislative clash between lawmakers and the freshman executive. Pritzker has vetoed seven bills thus far, mostly because similar legislation had already been enacted in other bills. He pledged to veto House Bill 3902 as well. He said that the industry should not be receiving a tax break. Thirty other states provide a similar exemption to aviation maintenance companies. Pritzker said companies that work on private jets shouldn’t be getting about $50 million in tax breaks after the House passed the measure, but before the Senate called it for a vote.
(Springfield-jm) -- The deadline to apply to be an Illinois State Trooper is being extended, in hopes of attracting more recruits. Applications are now due by January 31st for the next cadet class that’s tentatively scheduled for August. Master Sergeant Hector Alejandre says it’s truly a great career…
Illinois State Police Master Sergeant Hector Alejandre. New this time around, those applying in January do not need to have a bachelor’s degree. They can have an Associate’s degree or 60 credit hours and still meet I-S-P requirements. Applicants will also have to pass an exam, fitness test and background check. Apply online at: illinois trooper dot com.
(Fisher-jm) -- The village of Fisher will be moving their baseball and softball fields. Village trustees approved spending $12,500 to purchase 3.29 acres directly south of Richmond Park for the new fields. The money will come from surplus funds in the Capital Improvement fund in the 2020 budget.
(Gifford-jm) -- Gifford village trustees have approved a new design for the Main Street water main project. At the October meeting, village trustees heard two proposals. One of the proposals would be to run the water main on the west side of Main Street but would require the encroachment of 19 easements. A second proposal would have ran the water main on the east side of Main Street and require just three easements. Trustees asked the designer if the main could be ran on the east side without the need for easements. That plan is what village trustees approved earlier this month. Work on the project is expected to begin in the spring.
(Undated-jm) -- The fall veto session has ended and local politicians are assessing how the session went. One of the issues lawmakers faced was a request by Chicago’s mayor says 53rd District State Senator Jason Barickman of Bloomington…
53rd District State Senator Jason Barickman of Bloomington. Lawmakers will be back at the state capitol for the spring session in late January.
(Urbana-jm) -- A Rantoul man has been arrested on charges of having sex with a minor. Jorge Elvin-Reyes is charged with aggravated criminal sexual abuse for allegedly have sex multiple times with a 14 year old girl. He was released on bond and is due back in Champaign County court November 21st.
(Watseka-jm) -- A Watseka man is behind bars on sex assault charges. 54-year-old Earl Norris was charged with predatory criminal sexual assault. He remains in the Iroquois County Jail.
(Washington-jm) -- Shoppers are expected to spend more money this holiday season. Gary Crawford reports…
(Springfield-jm) -- While it didn’t pass before lawmakers left for the year, a measure mandating Illinois employers give all employees, even part-time ones, earned sick pay could come up next year. Lawmaker left last week. They won’t be back until late January. State Rep. Jehan Gordon-Booth, D-Peoria, said she plans on amending Senate Bill 471, The Healthy Workplace Act, to require employers to give all employees, including part-time but not independent contractors, mandated sick pay. The measure as it stands now would give an employee five days, or 40 hours each year of paid sick time that would accrue over time.
