(Springfield-jm) -- A new proposal in Springfield would create a uniform standard to prepare schools and daycare facilities for handling severe allergic reactions. House Bill 3983, sponsored by Northbrook Democratic state Rep. Jonathan Carroll, would require state officials to establish anaphylactic policies for school districts and daycare centers. They would include procedure and treatment plans, a training course on how to respond to a severe allergic reaction, strategies for reducing exposure to specific foods or other allergens known to cause anaphylactic reactions, and other measures.
(Washington-jm) -- What's the outlook for U.S. net cash farm income this year? Gary Crawford reports…
(Gilman-cf)-- The Iroquois West FFA Alumni is hosting their Alumni Auction Feb. 22 at IW High School in Gilman. Bill Bretzman, IW FFA Advisor Bill Bretzman says the proceeds from the auction go to funding SAE grants for the students, and other funding for the FFA program…
IW FFA Advisor Bill Bretzman
(McLean County-jm) -- A Gifford man has been arrested on drug charges in McLean County. Jonah Wankel is charged with unlawful possession of a meth precursor. Police say Wankel had pseudophedrine with the intent to manufacture meth. He also faces two counts of obstructing justice by giving police a false name. He was release don $20,000 bond.
(Buckley-cf)-- The St. Johns Winter Carnival will be this Sunday Feb 16th in Buckley. Starting at 3:30pm, each game will cost one ticket and tickets can be purchased for .50c each, Spokeswoman Keri Satchura has more…
St Johns Winter Carnival spokeswoman Keri Satchura St. Johns in Buckley
(Springfield-jm) -- Illinois can expect a year of slowing job growth, according to economic and business magazine Kiplinger’s. The magazine forecasted job growth of 0.5 percent for Illinois in 2020. That’s down from 1.1 percent in 2019.
(Springfield-jm) -- A bill in the Illinois House would require students entering the 6th grade to receive the HPV vaccination in order to attend school. In addition, House Bill 4870 would require confirmation of the vaccination upon entering 9th grade. If approved, the law would be enacted beginning the 2022 school year.
(Springfield-jm) -- Governor J-B Pritzker is promoting his Rebuild Illinois infrastructure improvement plan. The governor discussed the plan during his State of the State address…
Illinois Governor J-B Pritzker.
The Saybrook American Legion will hold a chicken and fish fry tonight from 4:30-6:30 pm.
Big Brothers Big Sisters will hold a Glow Bingo on Saturday from 6-11 pm at the Rantoul Knights of Columbus. Tickets are $25 a piece.
(Springfield-jm) -- Illinois voters decide whether to change the state’s flat income tax to a progressive one this November, but the chief proponent and opponent have been separately debating what it could mean for Illinois' high property taxes. Illinois has a flat income tax. Lawmakers have changed the flat rate several times over the past decade. Those changes affect all taxpayers the same, regardless of income. Democrats in the Illinois Legislature passed a proposed constitutional amendment to voters this November to change the flat income tax to a progressive structure with higher rates for higher earners. Illinois has among the highest property taxes in the country.
(Springfield-cf)--New legislation creates a statewide drug take back program in Illinois. The measure is sponsored by Representative Jennifer Gong-Gershowitz of Glenview who says one third of medications go unused, and often end up in the hands of addicts or flushed down the toilet and harm the environment. She says the Illinois Drug Act will change that…
Rep. Jeffifer Gong-Gershowitz. The Bill requires drug manufacturers to fund a statewide drug collection effort and educate the public about why it’s important to properly dispose of medications. We will update this story as it allows.
(Washington-jm) -- A bill allowing active duty military to have access to the system for mailing absentee ballots is now law. The Count All Military Votes Act, sponsored by U-S Representative Rodney Davis of Illinois would expand the system to expedite and track absentee ballots for military bases.
(Buckley-cf)-- The 2nd Annual Girls Day Out will be taking place this year on March 8th. Event Organizer Missy Smith talks about the massive turnout last year, with over 20 vendors, and the amount of ladies that participated….
103 East of Buckley Organizer of the Girls Day Out Event, Missy Smith.
(Gifford-jm) -- A Danville company will provide construction services for a water main project in Gifford. Bob Brown Construction won the bid at a cost of $297,560 to replace water mains on Main Street in the village. Bob Brown Construction was the lowest bidder out of seven for the project.
(Springfield-jm) -- A new report said schools emotionally scar students by conducting unannounced active shooter drills. In the 2015-2016 school year, 95 percent of schools conducted active threat training, according to the U.S. Department of Education data. The National Education Association, International Federation of Teachers and Everytown for Gun Safety Support Fund jointly released a report that criticized the practice of simulated school shooting drills conducted without first notifying teachers and students.
(Springfield-jm) -- While adult-use cannabis has legal in Illinois since Jan. 1, some remain concerned that high prices are keeping people from moving to the legal market. Illinois legalized medical cannabis five years ago. Starting Jan. 1, dozens of medical dispensaries around the state began selling cannabis products to adults 21 and older. Cannabis buyers in Illinois spent nearly $40 million in January, according to state regulators. State officials haven't released official revenue totals from the sales, but the state taxes can add up to more than 40 percent, depending on the potency of the product. The Los Angeles Times reported in September that California’s black market for cannabis was at least three times the size of the state’s regulated industry and the same thing is happening in Illinois.
(Springfield-jm) -- Applications for more licenses in the Illinois cannabis industry are now available. State Department of Agriculture Bureau Chief of Medicinal Plants Jeff Cox says the license apps are for marijuana transporters, infusers and craft growers…
State Department of Agriculture Bureau Chief of Medicinal Plants Jeff Cox. Those interested can submit an application between February 14th and March 16th. Visit agriculture dot illinois dot gov for all the details.
The Ludlow Fire Department will hold their pancake and sausage breakfast on Sunday from 8 to 1 at the firehouse.
St. John’s PTL Chicken dinner, silent auction and winter carnival will take place on Sunday from 3:30-7 pm at St. John’s Lutheran School in Buckley.
