(Springfield-jm) -- In less than a month, adults 21 and older will be able to legally buy and use cannabis in Illinois. While the number of locations where consumers will be able to buy cannabis products will be limited, the first phase of the rollout begins Jan. 1. State officials have approved 29 medical cannabis dispensaries to sell recreational cannabis starting Jan. 1. Adults will be able to buy and carry up to 30 grams of cannabis flower. There are lesser amounts allowed for edibles and oils. With limited supplies expected, the law requires retailers to keep a 30-day supply in reserve for medical users. Gov. J.B. Pritzker said more licenses will be awarded a few months after the first round.
(Springfield-jm) -- A state lawmaker doesn’t want taxpayers to pay a lawmaker’s full monthly salary if that person resigns after working for only a single day during that month. When state Sen. Martin Sandoval steps down from office on Jan. 1, he will get paid for the entire month. State Rep. Mike Murphy, said the legislation he filed would change that. House Bill 818 remains in the House Rules Committee where it’s been since it was first filed.
(Undated-jm) -- Safety experts have some tips to keep kids warm while they wait for the bus. Kids should wear layers, hats and gloves while waiting for the bus. They also recommend if possible, for kids to remain in a warm vehicle until the bus arrives. Experts say kids lose heat faster than adults.
(Washington-jm) -- The nation's corn harvest progress remains well behind schedule. Stephanie Ho reports…
(Rantoul-jm) -- Rezoning of the former auto dealership building in Rantoul will be before the village board at tonight’s study session. Taco Bell is looking to build on the east side of the McDonalds but needs to be rezoned from residential to commercial. Village trustees will also review an ambulance contract with OSF Pro Ambulance and review and discuss the possible sale of some property on the former Chanute Air Force Base to the University of Illinois. The Rantoul village board study session gets underway at 6pm.
(Savoy-jm) -- More than $20 million in construction is planned at Willard Airport in Central Illinois during the next two years. The work includes reconstruction of a runway, an added taxiway and a redone entrance road to the University of Illinois-owned airport in Savoy. Airport officials also expect a new U.S. Customs and Border Protection facility to be completed and opened early next year. Long term, airport officials hope to secure federal funding to renovate the terminal which was built in 1988 and add an air control traffic tower.
(Paxton-jm) -- PRIDE in Paxton is gearing up for the Christmas holiday season. Happening again this year is the Business Open House says PRIDE in Paxton Director Terri Hancock…
PRIDE in Paxton Director Terri Hancock.
(Undated-jm) -- Once MRSA gets into households, the deadly superbug can take hold and spread easily, a study published shows. And more often than not, the bacteria hitched rides into the homes on children. Researchers found that in households of people with a MRSA infection, the bacteria can be found on surfaces including refrigerator handles, bath towels, light switches, video game controllers and even pets, according to the study in The Lancet Infectious Diseases. MRSA, or methicillin-resistant staphylococcus aureus, is a bacterium that’s resistant to several antibiotics, including methicillin. People can become infected with MRSA if the bacteria enter the body through a break in the skin. Indeed, when people get MRSA outside of health care settings, the infections most often show up as skin infections, according to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. Symptoms can include redness, swelling, pain and pus, and oftentimes, fever.
URBANA, Ill. (AP) — The University of Illinois has joined more than 200 higher-education institutions worldwide in a letter declaring a “climate emergency” ahead of a major United Nations global warming conference in Madrid. The “SDG Accord” is an effort by colleges and universities to support global sustainable development goals and urge action to prevent climate change. The News-Gazette reported on Sunday that the university system’s president, Tim Killeen, signed on to the plan. The strategy includes mobilizing more resources for “action-oriented” studies, going “carbon neutral” by 2030 or 2050, and expanding environmental and sustainability education.
(Springfield-jm) -- At least three elected positions in the Illinois statehouse won’t be chosen by voters, rather party leaders will select the replacements and doing so could prove contentious in one case. State Rep. Luis Arroyo resigned in October after he was arrested on bribery charges. He has pleaded not guilty. As a local party official, Arroyo had a role in selecting his replacement, but House Speaker Michael Madigan threatened to challenge the selection if Arroyo participated in the process. If the House rejects Arroyo's replacement, the seat would be vacant.
(Washington-jm) -- Soybeans still need to be harvested in the northern Corn Belt. Stephanie Ho reports…
(Undated-jm) -- The American Red Cross is urging people to give a life-saving gift this holiday season, by making an appointment to donate blood or platelets. By donating, this would ensure a sufficient supply is available for patients who are needing blood transfusions throughout the holiday season. Blood donations impact over 1 million people and all blood types are needed to ensure a reliable supply for patients.
DANVILLE— Conservative Vermilion County Treasurer Darren Duncan, a seventh-generation farmer from Rossville and advocate for reduced spending and common-sense government is formally launching his campaign for the GOP nomination for the 15th Congressional District in the March 2020 primary. The 48 year old, made his formal announcement in a campaign video on Monday and in a speech to Vermilion County Republicans in Danville. Duncan has served as Vermilion County Treasurer since 2017, improving technology in the office, getting tax bills out on time for the first time in years, and making distributions to local school districts and townships earlier than ever. He previously worked to stop unnecessary spending as a member of the Vermilion County Board. He also served two terms on the Rossville-Alvin school board, where he worked to reduce the district’s reliance on debt.
(Springfield-jm) -- Lawmakers will have several issues to address when they return to the state capitol in 2020. One of the main issues is ethics reform. But that’s not the only issue state lawmakers will be dealing with. 53rd District State Senator Jason Barickman of Bloomington says they will also be faced with creating the new budget…
Local State Senator Jason Barickman of Bloomington.
(Undated-jm) -- A new Inspector General audit of the Social Security Administration found that it paid $1 billion in benefits to individuals who do not have Social Security numbers. Because the audit was of a sampling, the actual amount is estimated to be much higher. It also found that unless corrected, the Social Security Administration will continue to make a combined $372 million in improper payments annually because it is not following regulatory guidelines in doing so. The audit includes recommendations and a 60-day deadline to respond. The law requires the Social Security Administration to obtain Social Security Numbers of representative payee applicants. Social Security Numbers are required to verify identification, benefit eligibility, and to determine if the applicant is a felon or has a history of poor payee performance or misuse of the program.
