(Springfield-jm) -- Illinois saw the slowest job growth in over a decade. The state saw growth of 0.7 percent in 2019 and only added 45,000 jobs. That’s the slowest growth since the Blagojevich administration in 2007.

 

 

(Springfield-jm) -- Clean energy is one of the key issues Governor J-B Pritzker hopes to accomplish in his second year as governor. He says he wants a clean bill not influenced by utility companies…

 

 

Illinois Governor J-B Pritzker. 

 

(Springfield-jm) -- Soybean farmers in Illinois cannot catch a break. After a promising trade deal with China last month gave farmers hope amid an intense trade war, the deadly Wuhan coronavirus currently overwhelming China is also damaging its economy. The country’s economic slump is now sowing fears that China might not be able to buy all of the $32 billion of U.S. agricultural goods it promised for 2020, including soybeans from Illinois, America’s top soybean-producing state.

 

(Rantoul-jm) -- The Rantoul Burger King continues to undergo renovations following a fire last year. The restaurant was originally scheduled to undergo renovations next year, but while the restaurant is closed for repairs following the fire, the company decided to do the renovations. The renovations include a new facade and awning, adding a double drive thru lane and updated inside. The restaurant was built 13 years ago. The fire caused $100,000 in damage.

 

 

UNDATED (AP) — Universities all over the world are scrambling to assess the risks to their programs from China's virus outbreak. Some are canceling study-abroad opportunities and prohibiting travel affecting hundreds of thousands of students. In the U.S., the cancellations add to the tension between two governments whose relations were already sour. The scare also threatens to cause lasting damage to growing academic exchange programs that reached new heights over the last decade and a half. China sends far more students to the U.S. than any other country, more than 369,000 in the last academic year. The U.S. sends over 11,000 students to China annually. A potential coronavirus case is suspected in Champaign County. 

 

(Paxton-cf)- February is national heart disease month, and to show awareness for the month the Ford County Public Health Department is urging citizens to look at ways to improve their heart health and make healthy choices to help. Ford County Public Health Department Educator Danielle Walls has more. 

 

 

Ford County Public Health Department Educator Danielle Walls. 

 

 

(Undated-jm) -- Early voting begins today in Illinois for the March primary. Early voting starts  today and runs through Monday, March 16th. The March primary is Tuesday, March 17th.

 

SPRINGFIELD, Ill. (AP) — Red-light enforcement cameras would be banned in some suburban Chicago communities under legislation that won House committee approval Wednesday. The measure is sponsored by Rep. David McSweeney, a Republican from Barrington Hills. It would ban photo enforcement of traffic violations in some Chicago suburbs. McSweeney and other critics complain they are unfair revenue-generators. They were spotlighted last week with the guilty pleas of an ex-state senator who admitted taking bribes in part from a red-light vendor in exchange for being a “protector”of the industry in the General Assembly.

 

 

(Champaign--jc)  -- One winter night takes place in Champaign on Friday evening. WPXN’s Joel Cluver has the story…

 

 

CHICAGO (AP) — Illinois officials say at least one non-U.S. citizen voted after an error in the state's automatic vote registration system mistakenly registered over 500 people who said they weren't citizens. Secretary of State Jesse White's office released the information Wednesday during a hearing in Springfield. On the same day, State Board of Election officials revised their numbers, saying 16 people of 545 registered voters cast ballots instead of 15. Nine voters are likely U.S. citizens since they have long voter histories, leaving six people in question. White says he takes responsibility for the error and put his staff on notice.

 

 

(Paxton-cf)- It started with a quarter of a million dollar donation. That was the donation  to the Paxton Buckley Loda Endowment Fund. The fund continues to grow. Distributions from the money will help out the school district as funds come in says P-B-L Education Foundation President Robin Niewold....

 

 

PBL Education Foundation President Robin Niewold. 

 

(Springfield--jc)0  --Senate Bill 2978, filed earlier this month, would open up the ability for all municipal governments to tack on an extra 3 percent gas tax to the state and federal gas tax. Bill sponsor, state Sen. Bill Cunningham, D-Chicago, said the bill wasn't going to move anytime soon, but it could come up before the end of the legislative session. He said it would open up local control of local gas taxes. If passed into law, gas prices could rise at various parts of Illinois.

 

 

(Rantoul--jc)  Though its a snowy day today, plans for the 20-20 Rantoul Area Chamber of Commerce 4th of July celebration have started. The annual parade steps off on Saturday July 4th at 9-30 at the corner of Maplewood and Champaign Avenues. The two day event starts on July 3rd in the village. Those wanting to help or volunteer are asked to call the Rantoul Area Chamber of Commerce at 893-3323

 

(Undated-jm) -- The Consumer Product Safety Commission is recalling the Graco Little Lounger Rocking Seats due to the risk of babies suffocating. The commission says while no injuries or deaths have been reported with the Graco product, similar products have caused deaths. They say 111,000 of the seats have been sold in the U-S including at stores such as Target.

 

(Washington-jm) -- Establishing year-round availability of e15 fuel at the pumps was just the latest step to encourage more retailers offering this product, and more consumers demanding it. Rod Bain reports…

 

 

(Springfield-jm) -- A tax amnesty program created during the passage of last year’s state operating budget has brought in nearly $240 million — approximately $60 million more than was expected — the Illinois Department of Revenue announced. The Illinois Tax Amnesty Program, proposed by Gov. JB Pritzker and passed as part of Senate Bill 689, allowed qualified taxpayers to pay off any outstanding state tax liability and have corresponding penalties and interest forgiven.

 

(Buckley-jm) -- The village of Buckley has approved renovation work to the Buckley Lake pavilion. The village will spend over $3,000 to enclose the ceiling of the pavilion with tin and update the lighting to LED lights.

 

 

(Sibley-jm) -- The village of Sibley has uncovered two leaks but believe more are occurring. The village has been working to uncover where the leaks are occurring for several months. Last month, the village used over one point three million gallons of water.

 

(Undated-jm) -- The gender wage gap narrowed slightly as more women moved into high skilled jobs. The Pew Research Center reports for every dollar a man makes, women make 85 cents. The gap has decreased from 33 cents in 1980 to 15 cents in 2018.