(Chicago--jc)  --The first meeting of the newly formed Joint Commission on Ethics and Lobbying Reform is set for Monday in Chicago.The first hearing will discuss the framework of future meetings.The co-chairs, Democrats from the House and Senate, issued statements saying they will look for “serious solutions” to “rebuild trust with the people of Illinois” in a bipartisan fashion. Senate Republicans opposed the commission’s creation because it was weighted toward Democrats. 

 

 

(Springfield-jm) -- While many people will hold off on house hunting until spring, data from millions of home sales show that closing after Christmas is less expensive. ATTOM Data Solutions compiles data from more than 23 million single-family home and condo sales over the past six years and found only three days of the year consistently offered discounts below what the estimated market value: Dec. 4, Dec. 26 and Dec. 31. In Illinois, December was the best time to buy a home at a discount, on average 5.3 percent below market price, which was the seventh-best discount in the nation.

 

(Springfield-jm) -- The state unemployment rate fell to a historic low last month. Illinois Department of Employment Security Spokesperson Sam Salustro says November was another good month, with the jobless rate coming in at three point eight percent…

 

 

Illinois Depart5809ment of Employment Security Spokesperson Sam Salutstro. The national unemployment rate for November was three point five percent. 

 

(Rantoul-jm) -- The Rantoul man who left the courthouse before the verdicts against him were read is back in custody. James Hunt was taken into custody following a court hearing Thursday. Hunt told the court he felt ill and went home. The Champaign County Judge didn’t buy the explanation and ordered him held until sentencing on January 31st. A jury found Hunt guilty of possession of cannabis and possession of cocaine. 

 

(Rantoul--jc)  -- Congratulations to Rantoul Police Department Officer Nick Pampinella who graduated from the University of Illinois Police Training Institute on Thursday Officer Pampinella completed the 14-week intensive course which provides the foundation for officers to serve their community. Officer Pampinella was also recipient of an academic achievement award which is given to the top 10% of graduating officers. Officer Pampinella will now begin an intensive field training program at the police department.

 

 

(Washington-jm) -- The US/Mexico/Canada trade agreement has cleared another hurdle. The House of Representatives has voted its stamp of approval.  Gary Crawford reports…

 

 

 

(Mahomet-jm) -- Farm Credit Illinois has a new CEO. Aaron Johnson has served as interim CEO following the sudden passing of former CEO Tom Tracy. Wednesday, Johnson was named CEO. Johnson joined Farm Credit Illinois in 1985.

 

 

(Springfield-jm) -- Attorney General Kwame Raoul is warning shoppers to be wary of sales pitches from alternative energy suppliers. Alternative energy suppliers are targeting holiday shoppers at malls, stores and office building lobbies says Attorney General Raoul. They’re trying to get customers to switch energy companies, promising lower rates and other incentives. Raoul says a new law effective January first requires suppliers to release more information about their prices and prohibits termination fees for residential and small business customers. 

 

 

(Undated-jm) -- Ameren Illinois customers will see a reduction in their power bills. The Illinois Commerce Commission approved an overall reduction of $7.05 million on power delivery charges. The reduction should save the typical residential power delivery customer about $1.13 a month.

(Undated--jc)  --Nearly $600,000 in taxpayer-backed grants are going out to for snowmobile trails in Stephenson, Ogle and Winnebago counties. More than $350,000 of that is going to the Illinois Association of Snowmobile Clubs.The Illinois Department of Natural Resources said the funding will be used for development, rehabilitation, operations and maintenance for snowmobile trail projects.

 

 

(Springfield-jm) -- People who have been negatively affected by the war on drugs can apply for $21 million in taxpayer-funded low-interest loans from the state to get started in the cannabis industry. The state’s cannabis legalization law created the Cannabis Business Development Fund, which will make low-interest loans available for qualifying applicants. The funds come from the licensing fees paid by existing dispensaries and cultivators.

 

 

(Springfield-jm) -- The Illinois Department of Transportation reminds that the latest road conditions are right at your fingertips. The website: getting around illinois dot com has up to date information about whether highways are ice or snow covered. I-DOT Spokesperson Guy Tridgell says it’s a good idea to check it before heading out…

 

 

IDOT Spokesperson Guy Tridgell. Again, the website is getting around illinois dot com.

 

 

(Danville-jm) -- A former Vermilion County Board member has been sentenced to two years in federal prison after using his position as an accountant  to operate a check-kiting scheme. Chris Leigh noticed in 2010, two of the three companies he worked for weren’t making enough to keep them all afloat so he began writing checks to fraudulently keep balances up. The bank noticed a pattern of large deposits that weren’t covered. The three banks lost over $1.3 million.

 

 

(Champaign County-jm) -- Champaign County is hiring an accounting firm to help the county’s treasurer's office get caught up. The treasurer’s office is facing a backlog of reconciling 2019 monthly bank statements that must be done by the end of the year. The treasurer’s office has been without their chief deputy who went on FMLA then stepped down. Clifton Larson Allen was hired to help and will be paid out of the county executive’s funds.

 

 

(Washington-jm) -- Before the event that gives us the reason for Christmas, trees were decorated by civilizations during the shortest day of the year. Rod Bain reports…

 

 

 

(Undated-jm) -- With the flu becoming more widespread, many area hospitals are taking precautions to protect patients. The CDC says seasonal flu activity peaks in January and February and ends as late as May. 20 percent of Americans get the flu every year. 1,300 people so far in the U-S have died from the flu with more than 23,000 hospitalized. Precautions being implemented at area hospitals include limiting inpatient visitors to no more than two at one time, they must be over 18 years of age and show no sign of illness. The CDC recommends covering your nose and mouth when sneezing or coughing and to wash your hands frequently.

 

GREEN BAY, Wis. — After more than a year of uncertainty layered on a depressed farm economy, one of the largest dairy cooperatives in the country hailed today’s passage of the United States-Mexico-Canada Agreement by the House of Representatives.The House approval of legislation to implement the trade deal, known as USMCA, moves it to the Senate, which is likely to take up the legislation early next year.The three countries signed the agreement in November 2018, but their legislative bodies needed to approve. Mexico has done so and the Canadian legislature is expected to consider the deal next month. Last week, the Trump administration and Democratic leaders in the House said they had agreed on final details.