(Springfield-jm) -- While a measure to require gas station attendants to pump gas in Illinois was tabled, other bills at the statehouse have been catching the attention of Illinois taxpayers. One would ban gas-powered leaf blowers. Another would require gun owners to get a $1 million insurance policy. state Sen. Laura Fine, D-Glenview, filed  Senate Bill 3313 would require that beginning in 2022 “a person may not operate or sell at retail a gas-powered leaf blower” and any violation would “be subject to a civil penalty not to exceed $500.” State Rep. Jennifer Gong-Gershowitz, D-Glenview, filed House Bill 5170 to require gun owners to obtain a $1 million insurance policy. 

 

 

(Springfield-jm) -- The trade dispute with China, a disease that halved its hog herd, and thus the demand for U.S. grains to feed them, and robust competition from South America all have had Illinois soybean farmers dealing with a reduction in demand. Phase 1 of the new trade deal with China was expected to help alleviate some of those issues, with China’s agreement to buy $32 million in U.S. agricultural products in 2020. But the coronavirus epidemic has put a wrench in the works, said Joseph Camp, manager of AgriVisor and an analyst specializing in grains.

 

 

NORMAL, Ill. (AP) — Illinois State University’s president has created a new position focused on diversity and inclusion on campus. President Larry Dietz appointed Doris Houston as the university’s first assistant to the president for diversity and inclusion, The Pantagraph reported. Houston is currently the interim director of the university’s School of Social Work and she called the new role a natural fit with her background.

 

 

(Springfield-jm) One area of funding inscreases from the governor is higher education. Illinois Governor JB Pritzker says the future of the state relies on educational opportunities in Illinois…

 

 

Illinois Governor J-B Pritzker.

 

 

(Undated-jm) -- Area healthcare providers are warning about an increase in flu cases. Doctors say they are seeing more cases of the flu this year compared to this time last year. The flu is now considered widespread in Illinois according to the CDC. 

 

 

 

(Roberts-Flessner)- The Village or Roberts will be hosting an electronic recycling event in 2021. Ford County reached out to the Village to see if they would like to host. Mayor Rick Flesnsner has more.. 

 

 

Mayor of Roberts Rick Flessner 

 

 

(Urbana-jm) -- A University of Illinois student has been diagnosed with bacterial meningitis. The Champaign-Urbana Public Health Department says the unidentified student lives in off campus housing and is being isolated at an area hospital while receiving treatment.

 

(Springfield-jm) -- To compete with record low unemployment, the U.S. Census is offering higher wages than it has ever offered. With Illinois’ unemployment rate at 3.7 percent in December, Ellisa Johnson deputy regional director for the Chicago Regional Census Bureau, said the bureau needs thousands of additional temporary workers. According to its website, the Census is now offering jobs paying up to $29.50 per hour in the Chicago area, $23.50 an hour in the Peoria area, and $21 an hour in Springfield. Hourly pay in each county is at least $17 per hour with reimbursements. Johnson said these workers are necessary to ensure all Illinoisans are counted this spring. 

 

 

(Springfield-jm) -- The Illinois Associated Builders and Contractors have raised concerns about a measure to require private contractors working in refineries or ethanol processing plants to pay prevailing wage would destroy the group's Community Builders apprenticeship program. Senate Bill 1407 would require certain safety provisions for work done at refineries or ethanol production plants. But it would also require private contractors to pay prevailing wage rates. It passed the Senate in 2019 and is up for final passage in the Illinois House.

 

 

(Champaign--jc)  Funding for the C=U at Home group continues through Friday. WPXN’s Joel Cluver has the story…

 

(Springfield-jm) -- A national organization says Illinois is the best state in the country when it comes to animal protection laws. The annual study, compiled by the Animal Legal Defense Fund, assessed the strengths and weaknesses of each state’s animal protection laws and ranks them accordingly. Kathleen Wood, staff attorney with the organization, said it was no surprise the state topped the list for the 12th straight year.

 

(Springfield-jm) -- More college age students in Illinois will be able to stay in state to get a higher education. In his last budget, Governor J-B Pritzker allotted more money for things such as MAP grants to entice more students to stay in state…

 

Illinois Governor J-B Pritzker.

 

 

(Thawville-jm) -- A Thawville man is applying for a state marijuana growing license in Ford County. The man owns five acres in Ford County where he would operate a craft growing business employing 10 to 15 people. He needs the county boards permission for the state permit. The county zoning committee will discuss the issue on February 19th.

 

CHAMPAIGN, Ill. (AP) — Three law enforcement officials will be honored for their work investigating the killer of a visiting Chinese scholar at the University of Illinois. Sgt. James Carter, Detective Eric Stiverson and telecommunicator Kenny Costa of the University of Illinois Police Department will be awarded the Chancellor’s Medallion at a ceremony Feb. 24 in Champaign. The award is the highest honor given by the university and has been awarded seven times.

 

 

(Gilman-cf)-- The Iroquois West FFA ALumni Auction will be Feb. 22 at IW High School in Gilman. The auction will kick off at 4pm with a FREE porkchop dinner says Iroquois West FFA Advisor Bill Bretzman…

 

 

Iroquois West FFA Advisor Bill Bretzman.