(Springfield-jm) -- Governor J-B Pritzker is announcing “Restore Illinois”, a five phase approach to reopening the state. The plan breaks the state up into four regions. Governor Pritzker says all of Illinois is currently in phase two, where the curve if flattening and a modified stay at home order is in place. He says if certain criteria are met, some areas may be able to move into phase three at the end of the month…

 

 

Illinois Governor J-B Pritzker. Phase four lets restaurants, bars and schools reopen and gatherings of up to 50 people are allowed. The final phase, where large events are permitted, wouldn’t kick in until a vaccine or solid treatment is available.

 

 

(Undated-jm) -- Ford County is reporting one new case of COVID-19 bringing their total to 11 cases. Vermilion County is reporting 3 new cases bringing their total to 25 cases. McLean County is reporting 2 new cases bringing their total to 104. Kankakee County is reporting 40 new cases and one new death bringing their totals to 478 cases and 31 deaths. Iroquois County is reporting 5 new cases bringing their total to 51 cases. Champaign County is reporting 25 new cases bringing their total to 208 cases. Governor Pritzker will hold his daily briefing at 2:30, we will have the latest on our news at 4 and 5.

 

 

(Champaign County-jm) -- As mentioned above, Champaign County is reporting 25 new cases bringing their total number of cases to 208. Of those cases, 43 of them are in Rantoul. 15 new cases are being reported at Rantoul Foods bringing their total 47 at the facility. As for other communities in Champaign County, Ludlow has 1 case, Thomasboro has 2 cases, St. Joseph has 4 cases and Mahomet has 10 cases.

 

(Washington-jm) -- Now that all three nations within the US-Mexico-Canada Agreement have completed necessary procedures, when will this new trade deal go into force? Rod Bain reports…

 

 

 

(Paxton-jm) -- The Ford County Courthouse will remain closed to the public. Sheriff Mark Doran released a statement saying the increase of cases not only in the county but also surrounding counties led to the decision to keep the facilities closed until further notice. 

 

 

(Buckley-jm) -- Christ Lutheran High School in Buckley will hold a pork chop lunch coming up this Sunday. Executive Director Sandy Spitz says the lunch will take place on May 10th…

 

Christ Lutheran High School Executive Director Sandy Spitz.

 

 

(Rantoul-cf)-- In a statement from the Rantoul Recreation Department, they will be the process of refunding all little league registrations. The refund will come in a check from the Village of Rantoul. This does not mean we are giving up hope on having any form of baseball/softball this summer. 

 

(Paxton-jm) -- The City of Paxton has a new alderman. Mayor Bill Ingold says it fills a vacancy for Ward 4…

 

 

Paxton Mayor Bill Ingold.

 

 

(Springfield-jm) -- AAA is reporting as some states begin to reopen, gas prices are on the rise. State gas price averages increased for less than a dozen states in the last week, but they were large enough jumps to push an increase to the national average. The Great Lakes and Central region saw double-digit increases in a few states. However, the majority of the country saw decreases of a nickel or less.  Pump prices are expected to fluctuate across the country in coming weeks as more states reopen amid the ongoing coronavirus pandemic and more people start driving regularly again.

 

 

(Springfield-jm) -- April weather was colder and wetter than average in Illinois. Statewide average precipitation last month was more than four inches. That’s over a half inch above normal. Most of that came at the end of April says State Climatologist Trent Ford…

 

 

State Climatologist Trent Ford. Last month was the 27th coldest April on record in Illinois, with average temperatures three and a half degrees below normal.

 

(Springfield-jm) -- One area state representative is speaking out on the Governor’s plan. Dan Caulkins released a statement calling the Governor’s plan flawed and says the Governor and his advisors are out of touch. Caulkins also says the Governor’s plan to wait for a vaccine or elimination of any new cases to fully reopen is dishonest and unrealistic. 

 

 

(Undated-jm) --  Vermilion County is reporting 9 of their cases have been released from isolation. Ford County is reporting 7 have been released from isolation while 3 are in isolation. McLean County is reporting 85 have recovered, 3 are hospitalized and 13 are in home isolation.  Champaign County is reporting 89 active cases, 113 have recovered and 5 are hospitalized. Kankakee County is reporting 115 recoveries. Iroquois County is reporting 20 have recovered, 4 are hospitalized and 26 are on home isolation. Livingston County is reporting 20 have been released from isolation.

 

 

(Springfield-jm) -- The clock is ticking for state lawmakers to create the next budget. The fiscal year ends at the end of June, however, due to the Coronavirus both chambers of the General Assembly have not met. 106th District State Representative Tom Bennett of Gibson City says lawmakers have a lot to do when they return…

 

106th District State Representative Tom Bennett of Gibson City.

 

 

(Champaign-jm) -- The Target store located on North Prospect Avenue in Champaign has experienced its first COVID-19 case. The employee is now in quarantine and following health department guidelines. The store remains open.

 

 

(Gilman-jm) -- Area communities are keeping an eye on how the COVID-19 pandemic will impact their community. Gilman Mayor Rick Theesfield talks about how the City of Gilman could be affected…

 

 

Gilman Mayor Rick Theesfield.

 

 

(Vermilion County-jm) -- Vermilion County Coroner Jane McFadden is asking for the public’s help in identifying the remains of a man found in rural Indianola. The remains were found on a property April 11th. Anyone with information is asked to call the Vermilion County Sheriff’s Office.

 

 

(Paxton-jm) -- The Paxton Area Chamber of Commerce is seeking sponsors to help put on this year’s Swine n Dine BBQ Competition and Festival. The event takes place on Saturday, September 19th and will feature BBQ, a bags tournament, car show and free concert by Country Music artist Michael Ray. Chamber President Alan Meyer talks about how you can help be a sponsor for this year’s event…

 

 

Paxton Area Chamber of Commerce President Alan Meyer.

 

 

(Springfield-jm) -- More than $37 million for adult use cannabis came in for the month of April, according to the governor's office.  Dispensaries across the state sold 818,954 items over the 30-day period. Sales to Illinois residents totaled over $29 million while sales to out-of-state residents totaled over $7.5 million.

 

 

(Springfield-jm) -- This is Arson Awareness Week and the Illinois State Fire Marshal’s Office is reminding the public about the seriousness of the crime. State Fire Marshal agents and canine teams respond to more than a thousand arson investigations yearly. Spokesperson JC Fultz says it’s a crime that can cause billions of dollars in damage and puts firefighters and others in danger. Let authorities know about suspicious activities via the statewide arson hotline at: 1-800-252-2947.