(Springfield-jm) -- As lawmakers prepare to come back to the Illinois State Capitol this week, some Republicans want to address delays in renewing Firearm Owners' Identification cards. A measure the Senate could still take up from last year, Senate Bill 1966, would increase the FOID fees and require applicants to provide fingerprints moving forward. Supporters have said there needs to be more checks in place to keep guns away from criminals. 

 

 

(Springfield-jm) -- Governor J-B Pritzker is announcing a new initiative to invest 12 million dollars in opportunity zones across the state. There are 327 opportunity zones in Illinois, defined as distressed or economically underserved areas. Governor Pritzker says the idea is to create jobs and development…

 

Illinois Governor J-B Pritzker. The grants offer matching funds that can be used towards affordable housing, community development and commercial real estate projects.

 

 

(Springfield-jm) -- Illinois soybean farmers got good news this month when the U.S. Department of Agriculture predicted average prices of $9 a bushel, a 15-cent per bushel increase from last month. But Michael Doherty, senior economist and policy analyst for the Illinois Farm Bureau, cautions that these estimates can fluctuate widely, even day-to-day. Doherty said the announcement that the United States and China were nearing a trade agreement likely influenced the USDA’s projections.

 

(Rantoul-jm) -- A Rantoul man has been arrested on weapons and drug possession charges. Samuel Hall was arrested in Urbana last week following a traffic stop. Hall was charged with unlawful use of weapons by a felon, possession of a stolen firearm and possession with intent to deliver. Hall is due back in court February 18th.

 

 

(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  on Thursday says Executive Director Sandy Spitz…

 

 

Christ Lutheran High School Executive Director Sandy Spitz.

 

 

(Paxton--jc)  -- The Paxton Buckley Loda Education Foundation announced on Monday that the Frederick Community Bank has joined the list of area businesses and private donors participating in The P-B-L Education Foundation’s Pillar Campaign to jumpstart their endowment fund. This most recent gift brings the PBL Endowment Fund total to 616 thousand dollars. The Foundation distributes the income generated from this fund to the school district which in turn uses the monies to maintain and update technology within grades K-12. Formerly, First National Bank in Paxton, The Frederick Community Bank has a long history of support for The Foundation and our communities. Bank President and PBL Alumnus, Justin Swan, said he strongly encourages all area businesses to do what they can to support The Foundation. Swan added that the strength of the P-B-L school district is the backbone of the community.

 

(Undated-jm) -- Ameren Illinois is warning about a scam going around. Businesses are getting a call from someone claiming to be from Ameren. The individual demands money be sent or their power will be shut off in 30 minutes. Ameren Illinois says if you receive a call like that hang up and notify them at 1-800-755-5000.

 

(Springfield-jm) -- Former Illinois state Sen. Martin Sandoval, a Chicago Democrat, was charged with bribery and filing a false tax return Monday in a manner that suggested he plans to cooperate with prosecutors.  From 2016 to around September 2019, the former lawmaker from Gage Park “corruptly solicited, demanded, agreed to accept, and accepted things of value, namely money, intending to be influenced and rewarded in connection with a business transaction, and series of transactions of the State of Illinois involving a thing of value of $5,000 or more, namely, continued support for the operation of red-light cameras in the State of Illinois, including opposing legislation adverse to the interests of the red-light camera industry,” according to the information filed in court documents. 

 

 

(Undated-jm) -- New data is providing fresh hope in the fight against cancer. Mary Scheurmann reports…

 

 

 

(Springfield-jm) -- The state of Illinois has committed $25 million to programs that bring more people into the construction industry. The average construction worker in Illinois is approaching age 50. That’s coming at a time when the development market is booming, leading contractors and labor unions to worry there will soon be too much work and not enough people to do it.

 

 

(Urbana-jm) -- Marijuana will still not be allowed on the University of Illinois campus. Despite recreational marijuana being legal in Illinois, it’s still illegal on campus property including dorms and apartments.

 

 

(Springfield-jm) -- Governor J-B Pritzker is taking a tough stand when it comes to the recent political mess in Springfield. From the coverup of a possible rape in Champaign to political corruption involving several members of the state legislature, Governor Pritzker says lawmakers need to take a look at themselves and see if they are part of the problem or the solution…

 

 

Illinois Governor J-B Pritzker.

 

 

(Gibson City-jm) -- The Gibson City Chamber of Commerce is seeking nominations for three awards. The awards include Outstanding Citizen of the Year, Outstanding Junior Citizen of the Year and Lifetime Achievement. The winners will be announced at their chamber banquet March 12th at the Kruse Center. Nominations are due to the chamber by February 14th.

 

 

(Gilman-jm) -- The Gilman Fire Department is expanding. The Gilman city council approved the 30 by 56 foot structure to be added to the current station. The new addition will add bays to the firehouse.