(Springfield-jm) -- Illinois’ industries are reacting to new U.S. Census Bureau data that shows Illinois led the nation in population loss over the past decade. The state lost nearly 160,000 residents in just six years, which could mean fewer members in Congress representing the Land of Lincoln. Over the six consecutive years of population losses, the rate of decline accelerated year-to-year with more than 51,000 fewer people in the 12 months that ended July 1, 2019. Demographers say it’s likely Illinois will lose one U.S. congressman, if not two, come the next reapportionment. Illinois had 25 congressional districts in 1948, but lost a seat after the 1950 census. Today, there are 18 congressional seats. Illinois lost it’s 19th congressional seat in 2013 after the 2010 reapportionment. The next reapportionment will occur after the 2020 Census and before the 2022 elections. If Illinois loses more congressional representation because it’s bleeding population to other states, U.S. Rep. Darin LaHood, R-Peoria, warns that will mean lost representation for rural areas. 

 

 

(Undated-jm) -- Last month was the 18th warmest December on record in Illinois. The statewide average temperature was 35 point two degrees in December, which is about five degrees above normal. State Climatologist Trent Ford says it was the second half of the month that was the warmest…

 

 

State Climatologist Trent Ford. Precipitation was below normal in December. Ford says the short term outlook calls for increased chances of warmer and wetter conditions in Illinois. 

 

CHAMPAIGN, Ill. (AP) — Owners of Illinois glass pipe shops are elated to begin selling bongs after the state’s law legalizing recreational marijuana took effect. Recreational marijuana users will be able to get equipment to use cannabis at several local stores. Traditional tobacco shops such as Jon’s Pipe Shop will not sell marijuana equipment, but some other smoke and vape shops intend to sell. Vapors Plus will sell water pipes, hand pipes, bubblers and other equipment. Meanwhile, a dispensary based in Champaign is focusing on marijuana products, such as joints, edibles, concentrates, tinctures and vape cartridges, instead of the equipment to use cannabis, such as pipes, bubblers and grinders.

 

 

(Washington-jm) -- USDA is collecting data for a special study called the 2019 Census of Horticulture. Officials are asking that if you get a Census form, please respond. Stephanie Ho reports…

 

 

 

(Champaign County-jm) -- Champaign County will be looking for a new treasurer. Current Treasurer Laurel Prussing announced Friday she is stepping down at the end of the month. Prussing was elected to the position in 2018.

 

 

(Undated-jm) -- The Illinois Farm Bureau is teaming up with Country Financial to host a series of farm legacy seminars around the state. The seminars will provide current and prospective Illinois Farm Bureau members and Country Financial clients with tools, protection and ongoing support essential to legacy planning, in order to allow them to keep their farm in the family amid today’s financial challenges. Locally, a seminar will be held on February 26th from 5 to 7 pm at the I-Hotel and Conference Center in Champaign.

 

 

(Undated-jm) -- Farm Credit Illinois is hosting a series of learning programs for members this winter. On Monday, January 13th from 9:30-noon at their Mahomet location will be a program on crop insurance updates. A similar topic will be discussed in Milford on Tuesday, January 28th from 12:30 -2:30 at Imagine. A Freshroots forum will be held Tuesday, February 11th at the I-Hotel and Conference Center in Champaign from 9:30-3.

 

 

(Paxton-jm) -- Many school districts across the state continue to deal with funding issues from the state. Paxton Buckley Loda School Superintendent Cliff McClure talks about how the district is doing financially…

 

 

PBL Schools Superintendent Cliff McClure.

 

 

(Undated-jm) -- For anyone who travels domestically or plans on entering federal facilities or nuclear power plants, they may need what the government is calling a REAL ID. Beginning on Oct. 1, 2020, the federal government will require people to either have a valid U.S. passport, a REAL ID driver's license or  REAL ID card to fly domestically. It's an initiative of the U.S. Department of Homeland Security to improve the credentialing process.

 

 

(Undated-jm) -- Police are warning people to write 2020 when signing legal documents instead of abbreviating the year. Writing “20” for the year 2020 could lead to potential fraud. Police say  someone could add additional digits to the abbreviated year. For example, a person could add the digits “17” or “19” to make it look like 2017 or 2019.

 

(Rantoul--jc)  There is another fire in the Rantoul area this morning. Officials say the fire was reported around 1 this morning in a building one mile south of Rantoul. No injuries have been reported. WPXN news will update this story as it develops.

 

(Rantoul--jc) The third fire in a week happened on Sunday morning in Rantoul. A fire apparently started in the kitchen in a home at 11-0h-5 Fairlawn Drive around 10 yesterday morning. Fire Chief Ken Waters says around 100 thousand dollars damage was done to the home. Firefighters were at the scene for around 2 hours.

 

 

SPRINGFIELD, Ill. (AP) — Last June, as the Illinois General Assembly wrapped up its spring session, first-year Gov. J.B. Pritzker was asked whether he would simply kick back and wait for his re-election campaign. After all, he had accomplished virtually everything on which he had campaigned: A balanced budget, a multi-billion-dollar statewide construction program, legalization of marijuana for recreational use, a $15 minimum wage and more. But there is more work to do. Voters will be asked in November whether they want to move to a progressive income tax, lawmakers face ethics, pension and property tax reform and work on the next fiscal budget will begin.

 

 

(Springfield-jm) -- Small businesses in Illinois are urged to apply for a new minimum wage tax credit. The credit is available to businesses and nonprofits with 50 full-time employees or less says State Department of Revenue Spokesperson Sam Salustro…

 

 

Illinois Department of Revenue Spokesperson Sam Salustro. The maximum credit amount allowed is 25 percent of the difference between the new minimum wage and each worker’s previous wage. It will end in 2026 for most small businesses. 

 

 

(Springfield-jm) -- A yearly measurement of cell phone taxes and fees found Illinoisans pay more than residents in any other state and the costs are increasing, according to a report. The nonpartisan Tax Foundation compiled state taxes and local taxes from each state’s largest city and capital city. This is how the foundation determined that Illinoisans pay an average of 31 percent, or $331 a year, for the average bill. The national average was 19 percent. Illinois charged a 7 percent excise tax on cell phones, but there were more costs at the local level.

 

(Springfield-jm) -- The Illinois Department of Labor is reminding minimum wage workers to check their paychecks for a raise. The Illinois minimum wage rose from eight dollars 25 cents an hour to nine 25 an hour on January first and workers need to make sure they got the increase says State Labor Director Michael Kleinik…

 

 

State Labor Director Michael Kleinik. The increase will only be for hours worked in 2020. It’s been 10 years since the state increased the minimum wage and this gradual phase in will bring the minimum wage up to 15 dollars in 2025. 

 

 

(Springfield-jm) -- Illinois Secretary of State Jesse White is reminding the public it is still illegal to drive high in Illinois despite recreational marijuana being legal. White says if you do drive high and get stopped you could face charges of Driving Under the Influence. 

 

(Gibson City-jm) -- Gibson Area Hospital is announcing the first baby of 2020 born at their hospital. Ellie Nicole Good of Buckley was born around 7:30 am New Year’s Day. Good is the daughter of MicKayla Parker and Dakota Good of Buckley. The family was presented with a gift basket filled with baby items donated by the Gibson Area Hospital OB Department. They also received $100 in Paxton Bucks from the Gibson Area Hospital Administration.

 

 

(Watseka-jm) -- The Iroquois County Public Health Department is reminding residents that temporary food permits are needed when food is made for the public at a temporary event. The health department says temporary events include fairs, festivals, carnivals, auctions and fun days. The application for a temporary food permit can be found on their website and must be submitted at least two weeks in advance. Cost for a permit for an event lasting 1-3 days is $25. It’s $75 for an event thats 4-14 days. For more information or to find out if you need a temporary food permit call the Iroquois County Public Health Department at 815-432-2483.

 

(Buckley-jm) -- One area high school is starting to take applications for the upcoming school year. Christ Lutheran High School in Buckley will hold an open house in January says Executive Director Sandy Spitz…

 

Christ Lutheran High School Executive Director Sandy Spitz.

 

 

(Springfield-jm) -- A DCFS Inspector General’s report documents the death of 123 children who had contact with DCFS within 12 months of their death. The Department's Inspector General, Meryl Paniak, says this number should be unacceptable to every Illinois citizen. From July 1, 2018 to June 30, 2019, 123 children died. That's more than a 25% increase to the 98 child deaths in fiscal year 2018. The Inspector General said many of the problems she identified this year, are the same problems from 2004. One of those including the department leaving children with abusive parents and children sleeping in DCFS offices. The report also documents every child's death and recommendations for how the department can prevent similar deaths. The report is given to the Governor and the General Assembly.

 

(Undated-jm) -- It's been safer on the roads for drivers this holiday season. Illinois State Police said they reported exactly 120 fewer crashes on Illinois’ highways and interstates over the New Year’s holiday. ISP said they've had more troopers patrolling this holiday season, as well as year-round. Their goal in 2020 is to get that number even lower for this year's holiday season.