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Illinois gun owners frustrated with delays are getting a reprieve

(Springfield-jm) -- Illinois gun owners frustrated with delays are getting a reprieve. Even before the COVID-19 pandemic brought things to a virtual standstill, Illinois State Police officials said they were working through a backlog of tens of thousands of Firearm Owner Identification card renewal requests. Some applicants said they have waited months. On Thursday, the Illinois State Police filed emergency rules effective immediately that made expired cards valid during the disaster and for 12 months after. The new rules also say CCL renewal applicants won’t have to file proof of three-hours of additional training through the emergency, but they will have to file them within a year of the end of the emergency order.

 

(Springfield-jm) -- More than 500 people in Illinois have lost their lives to the Coronavirus. Total COVID-19 cases are now over 16 thousand, and 528 patients have died. State Public Health Director Dr Ngozi Ezike says now is not the time to become complacent…

 

 

Illinois Public Health Director Dr Ngozi Ezike. State officials say the curve is starting to bend in Illinois, but that is because of current precautions. They urge everyone to continue staying home and social distancing. Iroquois County is reporting their 8th confirmed case. Champaign County is announcing their 2nd COVID-19 death, a Champaign man in his 70s. 


 

 

(Springfield-jm) -- Governor J-B Pritzker says organizers of large summer events should consider canceling. The current stay at home order lasts until April 30th and the Governor says he doesn’t expect that to end early. He says we will need to be careful as well during the summer months…

 

Illinois Governor J-B Pritzker. Governor Pritzker says he knows that’s hard to hear but that they want to prevent another spike in cases in Illinois. Some local summer events have already been canceled including the Champaign County Freedom Celebration and the Crescent City Fireball Festival.

 

 

(Springfield-jm) -- Unemployment claims in Illinois jumped nearly 13% last week, with 201,041 new claims largely attributable to the spread of the coronavirus. The jump in Illinois, breaking a record set just a week earlier at 178,421, comes as new claims nationally dipped slightly, according to the Labor Department. State officials increased the number by 101 from an earlier federal estimate. Nationally, new claims totaled 6.6 million, a dip of 3.8% from the previous week, the Labor Department said.

 

 

(Washington-jm) -- USDA says export prospects for most U.S. crops are much dimmer than it appeared just a month ago. Gary Crawford reports…

 

 

 

(Rural Paxton-jm) -- Traffic was diverted from I-57 through Paxton yesterday afternoon following an incident on the interstate south of town. Illinois State Police say a wide load truck disregarded the approved route provided by IDOT. The truck was unable to make it through the construction at the bridge south of Paxton and had to back all the way up to Paxton. While the semi had to back up to Paxton, the southbound lanes were shut down and traffic rerouted to Route 45. 

 

 

(Ford County-jm) -- The Illinois Department of Transportation is issuing a weight restriction on a portion of Ford County road. The weight restriction affects a bridge over a culvert on Route 115 about 5.6 miles south of Route 24. The load restriction is 41 tons and is due deteriorating conditions of the existing structure. IDOT says the bridge is expected to undergo replacement soon.

 

 

(Springfield-jm) -- Non-profits are suffering during the COVID-19 pandemic. The good news is that there are grants available to non-profits through the Charitable Trust Stabilization Fund. The great news is that non-profit organizations now have until April 30 to submit their paperwork to get the grant. Illinois State Treasurer Michael Frerichs says $375,000 in grants is available. The next application cycle runs from July 1 to September 30, 2020. Visit illinois treasurer dot gov to complete the application.

 

 

(Buckley-jm) -- Those looking for an Easter meal can do so this Sunday in Buckley. Christ Lutheran High School will be hosting a drive thru Easter meal says Executive Director Sandy Spitz…

 

 

Christ Lutheran High School Executive Director Sandy Spitz.

 

 

(Rantoul-jm) -- Weather has delayed site prep work for the new sports complex in Rantoul. The village planned additional days into the construction schedule. The $20 million sports complex is expected to open in 2021.

 

(Springfield-jm) -- The COVID-19 recession could be worse than the Great Recession, according to a University of Illinois task force. The University of Illinois's Institute of Government and Public Affairs assembled more than four dozen faculty experts from the three system universities to serve on the task force. The findings predict the COVID-19 crisis will likely squeeze the finances of all local governments and have a “trickle-down” effect. The crisis will squeeze the finances of all local governments, counties, municipalities, school districts and transit agencies. The report emphasizes there will be no easy answers, but suggested that policymakers focus on 5 basic principles: transparency, protection of the vulnerable, economic efficiency, minimizing borrowing for operating purposes and flexibility.

 

 

(Undated-jm) -- Infants and toddlers with disabilities or delays will now be able to have Early Intervention services through live video visits. An EI provider and family will need to be present during the visit. EI services include help with movement, learning, interacting, behavior, and self-help skills. The COVID-19 social distancing guidelines led to EI services being suspended on March 16. Families can access EI services through the Illinois Department of Human Services website.

 

 

(Washington-jm) -- Amidst social distancing, Farm Service Agency offices around the country are still open -- just pick up your phone instead of going in person. Stephanie Ho reports…

 

 

 

(Bloomington-jm) -- State Farm is one of the latest car insurance companies to give drivers a break on their insurance because of the COVID-19 pandemic. The Bloomington based company says customers will see a 25 percent policy credit. State Farm joins Allstate, American Family Insurance, Geico, Liberty Mutual and USAA in offering similar discounts.

 

(Champaign-jm) -- The State Farm Center and Assembly Hall at the University of Illinois as well as Soldier Field in Chicago were lit in blue last night. It was part of project Light it Blue to show support for healthcare, frontline and essential workers during the COVID-19 pandemic.

 

 

(Rantoul-jm) -- The Rantoul City School board has selected a new board member. The school board held a special meeting this week to interview potential candidates to replace Kevin McCallister who resigned. The new board member will be announced and introduced at the school boards April 16th meeting.

 

 

(Ashkum-jm) -- District 21 Illinois State Police in Ashkum will be conducting Alcohol Countermeasure Enforcement Patrols in April. WPXN’s Jason Madden has the details…

 

 

 

(Champaign-jm) -- $250,000 in COVID-19 relief money has been redirected to the Champaign County United Way. The money is part of the state’s COVID-19 Response Fund, which has distributed more than $5.5 million in funding to 30 nonprofits in Illinois. The fund prioritizes swiftly deploying resources to local community foundations and nonprofits in support of residents in need of: emergency food and basic supplies; interim housing and shelter; primary health care services; utility and financial assistance; supports for children and other vulnerable populations, and nonprofit safety and operations assistance.

 

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