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Covid-19 has 1,197 new cases and 33 additional deaths in Illinois

(Springfield-jm) -- Illinois lawmakers, citing the state’s pension costs, budget shortfalls, and empty unemployment trust, are asking for more than $40 billion in no-strings-attached aid from the federal government. In a letter to the state's Congressional delegation, Senate President Don Harmon said Illinois state government is projecting significant budget shortfalls in the current, coming and preceding fiscal years.  Illinois could see an estimated revenue loss of $14.1 billion for 2020-2021 due to this pandemic. The loss would deplete approximately one-third of Illinois’ general funds in one fiscal year, significantly impacting state services and long-term obligations.

 

(Springfield-jm) -- Governor J-B Pritzker says he wants things to get back to normal as much as anyone, but it will depend on the data. Each day the Governor is asked if the stay at home order will be extended and when can things open back up…

 

 

Illinois Governor J-B Pritzker. Governor Pritzker says it’s a tough challenge to balance public safety and people’s livelihoods. In his daily briefing Sunday, Governor Pritzker announced 1,197 new cases and 33 additional deaths bringing the total number of cases to 30,357 and total deaths to 1,290. Champaign County is reporting 95 total cases and four total deaths, Ford County is reporting five cases and one death, Iroquois County now has 14 cases after 2 new ones Friday. McLean County is reporting 85 confirmed cases and 3 deaths, Kankakee County has 279 confirmed cases and 18 deaths. Livingston County is reporting their first COVID-19 death. 

 

 

(Springfield-jm) -- Budgetary experts say Illinois is in for some real pain when lawmakers get around to crafting a budget for the coming fiscal year that will be marred by low revenue and higher bills due to the economic fallout over COVID-19 shutdowns. Governor J.B. Pritzker’s office revised its revenue estimate for the remainder of the current fiscal year and the one that begins in July. A predicted $2.7 billion shortfall from the current year will roll into next year’s budget that Pritzker says will hinge on his progressive tax proposal passing ballot muster in November. If the progressive income tax takes effect, the budget gap is approximately $6.2 billion. If the graduated income tax structure does not go into effect, the estimated budget gap is approximately $7.4 billion. Experts say cuts to education, social services and public safety will likely come to address the shortfall. Some experts also say a constitutional amendment to alter the state’s pension debt is needed.

 

 

(Springfield-jm) -- Kids will be finishing out the school year from home. Schools will stay closed through the end of the academic year and students will continue learning remotely says Governor J-B Pritzker…

 

 

Illinois Governor J-B Pritzker. The Governor recommends that grades issued during the pandemic reflect the unprecedented circumstances students currently face.

 

 

(Springfield-jm) -- Last year, the nation’s corn farmers sent more than 5 billion bushels of corn to the ethanol industry. That’s about 40 percent of the product. With people driving less, that 40 percent of the corn market is disappearing. Ethanol is a form of alcohol used as an additive to gasoline, and the gasoline market is tanking fast. A spat between Saudi Arabia and Russia has lowered crude oil prices and the COVID-19 pandemic means people aren’t driving and ethanol plants are slowing or shutting down.

 

(Urbana--jc)  -- Saturday just before 5pm, the Champaign County Sheriff’s Office responded to Dobbins Down, Champaign for a male subject who had sustained a gunshot wound in the 2700 block of Dale Drive. A male subject was located and immediately transported from the scene to Carle Hospital for further medical treatment. This is an ongoing investigation. If anyone has information regarding the shooting or suspect information they’re encouraged to contact the Champaign County Sheriff’s Office @ 217-384-1213 or Champaign County Crime Stoppers @ 217-373-TIPS. 

 

 

(Iroquois County-jm) -- The Iroquois County Emergency Management is promoting resources available during the COVID-19 pandemic. WPXN’s Cale Fleming has the details for those looking for childcare assistance…

 

 

 

(Gilman-jm) -- Could Iroquois West be the next school to leave the Sangamon Valley Conference? The school board will discuss the athletic conference at tonight’s school board meeting. The district will consider contracts with Homefield Energy and Tylex Energy. School board members will discuss the high school bathroom project and roof inspections. The Iroquois West School Board meeting gets underway at 7 pm at the Iroquois West High School cafeteria in Gilman.

 

(Rantoul-jm) -- The Rantoul Village Board approved the purchase of five new switch cabinets for the new $20 million sports complex on the village’s west side. Village Administrator Scott Eisenhower explains what a switch cabinet is…

 

 

Rantoul Village Administrator Scott Eisenhower.

 

 

(Fisher-jm) -- Fireworks are a go at least for now in the village of Fisher. The Fisher village board approved to pay 25 percent deposit to Jamaica Pyrotechnics for the show, currently planned for July 3rd. Because of the wording in the deal, if the village show can’t happen on July 3rd it can be pushed back to later in 2020. If it gets canceled this year, the company would apply as much of the deposit as possible to the 2021 show.

 

(Springfield-jm) -- Illinois’ nursing home residents account for an outsized portion of deaths attributed to COVID-19.  New information released Sunday shows long-term care facilities where residents or staff have contracted the virus and also lists the number of deaths. As of Sunday, 286 long-term care residents have died, presumably due to COVID-19. The information lists more than 1,800 cases but does not discern between cases borne by residents or health care workers. According to the Illinois Department of Public Health, the state has approximately 1,200 long-term care facilities that serve more than 100,000 residents. 

 

 

(Springfield-jm) -- Cases of COVID-19 now exceed 30 thousand in Illinois. Officials report nearly 12 hundred new cases and 33 additional deaths Sunday, bringing the total number of lives lost to the virus to one thousand 290. Governor J-B Pritzker urges people to wear a mask in public to help prevent the spread of COVID-19…

 

 

Illinois Governor J-B Pritzker. The Governor says he may still decide to mandate that everyone wear a mask in public. No word yet on if the stay at home order will be extended past April 30th. Champaign County is reporting 95 total cases and four total deaths, Ford County is reporting five cases and one death, Iroquois County now has 14 cases after 2 new ones Friday. McLean County is reporting 85 confirmed cases and 3 deaths, Kankakee County has 279 confirmed cases and 18 deaths. Livingston County is reporting their first COVID-19 death. 

 

(Springfield-jm) -- The COVID-19 outbreak has put a damper on the 2020 census, which now has been extended until April 2021. The state of Illinois is in the process of losing one House seat and there’s no way we will be able to recover that one, and we’re actually on the fence of losing a second seat. That has big ramifications because it reduces Illinois’ voice in Washington D.C.

 

 

(Springfield-jm) -- A new telehealth program for Coronavirus patients is now available statewide. Anyone who has tested positive is eligible for the telehealth service, regardless of their health insurance says Governor J-B Pritzker…

 

 

Illinois Governor J-B Pritzker. Patients will get daily virtual visits from a health care worker and receive a wellness kit. Find the number for the telehealth program available in your area at: coronavirus dot illinois dot gov, under “resources.”

 

 

(Urbana-jm) -- University of Illinois Police are asking for the public’s help in looking for a man who fled to Illinois after being involved in a shooting in Wisconsin. Ian J. Kearns, 22, of Sandwich, Illinois, and two other men are suspected to have been involved in the March 20 shooting death of a man in Eau Claire, Wisconsin, during a robbery attempt. The University of Illinois Police Department became involved when police in Eau Claire developed information that Kearns may have been staying with his girlfriend near the U. of I. campus. His car and some personal items were located at a Champaign motel.  Kearns is described as a white man, 5’7”, 180 pounds, with short brown hair, brown eyes, and a “VL” or “XL” tattoo on the front of his neck.


(Undated-jm) --  More nonprofits in central Illinois were awarded grants through the fourth round of the COVID-19 Response Fund. The United Way of Central Illinois announced a total of $80,000 was awarded to local nonprofits who are serving the community during the coronavirus pandemic. Big Brothers Big Sisters of Central Illinois and Boys & Girls Clubs of Central Illinois each received $10,000.

 

 

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

 

 

 

(Kempton-jm) -- The Tri-Point School District will discuss several topics at tonight's school board meeting. School board members will be asked to approve participation in IESA and IHSA programs for the 2020-2021 school year, set fees for the 2020-2021 school year, hear an update on summer projects and discuss teacher placement for the 2020-2021 teacher placement. The Tri-Point School Board meeting gets underway at 7 pm.

 

 

(Gilman-jm) -- The Gilman City Council approved their motor fuel tax plan for this summer. Gilman Mayor Rick Theesfield talks about some of the areas that will see work…

 

 

Gilman Mayor Rick Theesfield.


 

(Thomasboro-jm) -- Thomasboro is suspending water disconnections and late payment fees on delinquent accounts because of the Coronavirus. The suspension, which runs until Governor J-B Pritzker ends the public health emergency, applies to residential, commercial and industrial customers.

 

Traffic Alert- Starting today and running through Friday morning, April 24th, you will likely experience traffic delays on I-57 near mile post 316 in Kankakee County. There will be nightly detours, traffic delays, and lane closures between the hours of 6 pm and 5:30 a.m. to remove the Larry Power Rd. overpass beams. Please avoid the area if possible or use Rt. 45/52 or Rt. 50 to detour the traffic congestion. Troopers will be in the area to assist with traffic issues.

 

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