(Springfield-jm) -- An analysis of election data over the last decade highlights where Illinois’ Republican Party lost the competitive swing of Illinois’ electoral fight with Democrats. In 2010, the midwestern states surrounding Illinois saw what the Center for Illinois Politics called a “red wave,” turning formerly Democratic stronghold states such as Wisconsin in a major GOP coup that helped send President Donald Trump to the White House six years later.  But Illinois stands out as a blue island surrounded by Republican-dominated states, thanks to a Democratic takeover of the former GOP strongholds in DuPage, Kane, Lake, McHenry and Will counties. Why did those former Republican strongholds turn blue? The analysis said the key was independent suburban women.

 

 

(Springfield-jm) -- Ahead of this week’s budget address, Governor J-B Pritzker is hi-liting some of the expected savings over the next few years. Governor Pritker says several changes, making the government more efficient will save the state more than 225 million dollars in the next budget year, and at least 750 million dollars over the next three years…

 

 

Illinois Governor J-B Pritzker. Pritzker says the savings come from several areas including union contracts, avoiding late fees by paying overdue bills and merging some agency, board and commission functions to avoid duplication. The Governor will give his budget address on Wednesday.

 

(Chicago-jm) -- The two Chicago residents who were confirmed to have the Coronavirus have been released from isolation. The Illinois Department of Public Health says the couple were released from isolation last week after recovering from the disease. 

 

(Springfield-jm) -- Supporters of college student athlete legislation are urging the Senate to get it passed this week. The bill lets college athletes be paid for their name or likeness and allow them to sign endorsement deals. It’s sponsored by Senator Chris Welch of Hillside…

 

 

State Senator Chris Welch of Hillside. The measure has cleared the House but still needs to be passed by the Senate. Governor J-B Pritzker has said he will sign it into law.

 

(Iroquois County-jm) -- An Iroquois County teen is in a Chicago hospital with serious injuries following a single vehicle crash Friday near St. Anne. Iroquois County Sheriff’s police say the 16 year old from Watseka was traveling east on 3300 north when they lost control on the ice covered road, when they went off the road and struck a utility pole.

 

 

(Urbana-jm) -- A Rantoul man has been sentenced to 30 months probation for having heroin for sale. Lavonte McWilliams pleaded guilty in Champaign County court last week to possession with intent to deliver after he was arrested in August following a search of his home. During the search police discovered approximately 10 grams of heroin for sale and packaging materials. A lesser charge of possession of a controlled substance was dismissed.

 

 

(Undated-jm) -- Illinois Secretary of State Jesse White is announcing all drivers services facilities will be closed for the President’s Day holiday. Facilities open Monday through Friday will be closed today. 

 

 

(Springfield-jm) -- The Illinois State Police says they’ve improved efforts to keep guns out of the hands of those who shouldn’t have them, but that more needs to be done. More than 600 police departments and criminal justice agencies are now taking advantage of a new web database, that lets users search for those who’ve had their FOID card revoked and why. Moving forward, Illinois State Police Director Brendan Kelly says he’d like to see passage of a bill requiring fingerprints to obtain a FOID card…

 

 

Illinois State Police Director Brendan Kelly. The measure is currently awaiting a final vote in the Senate.

 

(Springfield-jm) -- State lawmakers across the country, including in Illinois, are considering new laws that would classify more workers as employees rather than contractors in the growing gig economy. California was the first state to try to regulate companies operating in the gig economy, telling organizations like Uber and Lyft that drivers are employees, not contractors. There is an enormous difference for both workers and for companies. Employees are protected by certain laws, including minimum wage laws, workers' compensation and Social Security. Independent contractors are not subject to those same provisions. The idea that Illinois could follow in California’s footsteps is leading to some uncertainty around the state, said Bryan Gay, chairman of the Illinois Economic Development Association.

 

 

 

(Undated-jm) -- An Illinois congressman is co-sponsoring legislation to expand hospital based violence intervention programs around the country. The bi-partisan legislation co sponsored by Illinois Republican Adam Kinzinger and Maryland Democrat C.A. Dutch Ruppersburger would provide $10 million in federal grants to hospitals that offer services to victims of violent crime while they are recovering from their injuries.

 

 

(Springfield-jm) -- The State Fire Marshal’s Office is stressing the importance of fire safety for older Illinoisans. According to the United States Fire Administration, about one thousand seniors die in home fires each year and another two thousand are injured says Fire Marshal Spokesperson J-C Fultz…

 

 

State Fire Marshal’s Office Spokesperson J-C Fultz. Fultz says another problem is people smoking near oxygen tanks, which should be kept at least five to 10 feet away from any heat source. He urges seniors to keep their glasses and phones next to their bed and to make sure they have a clear route to get out of the house should a fire break out.

 

 

(Thomasboro-jm) -- Questions have arised over the cost to bring a Dollar General to the village of Thomasboro. The company wants to build a store on the northeast corner of Route 45 and Flatville Road. As part of the agreement to build in the village, the village has been asked to extend water and sewer services to the site. The village learned their portion of the bill would be $85,000. Several residents and village trustees are wondering where that money would come from.

 

(Rantoul-jm) -- No injuries were reported after a car caught fire at the Rantoul Walmart. Rantoul Firefighters were called for a fully engulfed vehicle on fire at the store. The car was a total loss.

 

 

(Bloomington-jm) -- You will have another option to escape the cold winters of Illinois. Allegiant Air announced a new non-stop flight to Destin-Fort Walton Beach Florida twice weekly starting in June from Central Illinois Regional Airport in Bloomington.

 

(Springfield-jm) -- State lawmakers are discussing criminal justice reforms, such as ending cash bail in Illinois. Supporters of the idea gave testimony at a hearing in Chicago, suggesting that too many suspects are languishing in jail simply because they can’t afford bail. But DuPage County State’s Attorney Robert Berlin says there are concerns about letting people off without a cash bond in place…

 

 

DuPage County State’s Attorney Robert Berlin. Berlin and other state’s attorneys says there should still be a bail for serious felony crimes and both the defendant and the state should be able to immediately appeal a judge’s decision.