Listeners Club

Forgot Password

Not a Member? Sign up here!

WPXN Blog

House Republicans say there should be more local input about when to reopen the economy

(Springfield-jm) -- The Illinois Department of Public Health is announcing more than 32 hundred new cases of Coronavirus Thursday. That raises the total number of cases in Illinois to nearly 88 thousand. Governor J-B Pritzker says all four of the regions under his reopening plan now meet benchmarks to move into phase three at the end of  the month. He says we all must do our part to keep it that way…

 

 

Illinois Governor J-B Pritzker. COVID-19 deaths in Illinois now total nearly four thousand. As a reminder Governor Pritzker will hold his daily briefing at 2:30. We will have the latest on our news at 4 and 5.

 

 

(Undated-jm) -- Local cases of Coronavirus rose Thursday. Ford County is reporting 2 new cases bringing their total to 17. Champaign County is reporting 11 new cases bringing their total to 333. Iroquois County is reporting 4 new cases bringing their total to 111. McLean County reported 9 new cases bringing their total to 136. Livingston County is reporting 1 new case bringing their total to 26 cases. Kankakee County is reporting 39 new cases bringing their total to 874.

 

 

(Undated-jm) -- As for cases in some of our area communities as reported by the Illinois Department of Public Health or local health departments, Rantoul is reporting 94 cases, Ludlow has 3, Thomasboro has 2, Mahomet has 11 and St. Joseph has 4. In Iroquois County, Onarga , Watseka and Chebanse have 10 each, Crescent City has 7, Beaverville has 6 and Clifton has 43.


 

(Springfield-jm) -- In just three days, more than 50 thousand independent contractors and gig workers in Illinois have applied for the new Pandemic Unemployment Assistance. The P-U-A portal opened Monday and is getting plenty of use. Governor J-B Pritzker says the state continues to process regular unemployment claims as well…

 

Illinois Governor J-B Pritzker. The Governor reminds that those applying for P-U-A benefits need to apply for traditional unemployment first. Visit: ides dot illinois dot gov for more information. That website again is ides dot illinois dot gov.

 

 

(Springfield-jm) -- More than 72,000 Illinoisans filed for unemployment benefits last week. The U.S. Department of Labor’s Thursday release of job numbers reported that of the 2.9 million people who filed across the country last week, 72,993 claims were filed in Illinois. 

 

 

(Springfield-jm) -- House Republicans say there should be more local input about when to reopen the economy. Representative Tim Butler of Springfield says there are some parts of Illinois that are ready to open in a safe manner, and that it’s time to do so…

 

 

State Representative Tim Butler of Springfield. Butler says they are glad the legislature is convening next week and that they are anxious to get back to work.

 

(Rantoul-jm) -- Two Rantoul businesses are on the move. Jill’s Creative Expressions is moving from downtown Rantoul to a location in Champaign. Anywhere Anytime Journeys is moving from inside Lindsay Lane Bridal into the former Jill’s location. Anywhere Anytime Journeys hopes to reopen at their new location in the middle of June.

 

 

(Champaign-jm) -- Parkland College in Champaign is canceling all their youth summer sports camps because of the Coronavirus. The cancelation affects the boys and girls basketball and softball camps. Families who have pre registered with payment will be refunded.

 

 

(Paxton-jm) -- The Ford County Public Health Department is holding a mask drive to collect masks for area residents. Ford County Public Health Community Health Educator Danielle Walls reminds residents masks are now a requirement…

 

 

Ford County Public Health Community Health Educator Danielle Walls. The health department is accepting all types of mask donations. To donate, call the health department at 217-379-9281 to schedule a time to come donate. If you can’t come to the health department, they can send someone to collect your donation.

 

 

(Danville-jm) -- Vermilion County real estate tax bills have been mailed with an extended penalty free timeline. Tax bills were mailed out May 1st with due dates of June 12th and September 4th. In a release from Treasurer Darren Duncan's office, he says he will not enforce the penalty if you miss the first installment. You can pay online, by mail, by phone or at most Vermilion County banks.

 

 

(Washington-jm) --  USDA analysts have come out with new forecasts for meat production this year and next. Gary Crawford has the details…

 

 

The Loda American Legion will host a chicken/fish fry tonight from 4 to 7pm. Regular Menu items will be served with the exception of French Fries. Coleslaw,  baked beans, and green beans will all be in smaller containers. The Chicken/Fish fry is only for carryout, and persons are expected to maintain a 6 foot distance. You can also call 217-781-6416 for curbside delivery. 

 

(Undated-jm) -- As the number of Coronavirus cases locally rose Thursday, so did the number of active and recovered cases. Ford County is reporting 11 have been released from isolation and 5 are in isolation. Champaign County is reporting 173 have recovered while 153 are active with 3 hospitalized. Iroquois County is reporting 34 have recovered, 69 are in isolation and 5 are hospitalized. McLean County is reporting 101 have recovered, 25 are in isolation and 6 are hospitalized. Livingston County is reporting 23 have been removed from isolation while 2 remain in isolation. Vermilion County is reporting 17 have been released from isolation and none of theirs are hospitalized. Kankakee County is reporting 204 have recovered, 634 are active and 25 are hospitalized.

 

 

(Undated-jm) -- McLean County reported a new death Thursday bringing their number to 4. Champaign County has 7 deaths, Iroquois County has 3 and Kankakee County has 36. Ford, Vermilion and Livingston Counties all remain at 1 death each.

 

(Springfield-jm) -- Governor J-B Pritzker is launching a new website to help workers affected by the pandemic. Get Hired Illinois includes nearly 60 thousand job openings in a variety of industries says the Governor…

 

 

Illinois Governor J-B Pritzker. The website also helps unemployed workers explore new career options, with an emphasis on training for information technology jobs. Visit: illinois dot gov slash get hired. Again the website is illinois dot gov slash get hired.

 

 

(Springfield-jm) -- Colleges and universities in Illinois will have to make difficult decisions for the upcoming budget year amid uncertainty. Revenues have plummeted because of the coronavirus, so some schools are looking at making budget cuts of up to 20 percent. Northwestern University recently announced a series of staff and budget cuts as the school braces for a budget shortfall of about $90 million for the fiscal year. About 250 staff members will be temporarily furloughed, and university leaders will take a 20 percent pay cut. Illinois State University President Larry Dietz has asked department heads to prepare budget scenarios with 10 percent and 20 percent reductions compared with the fiscal year that ends June 30. The University of Illinois has not yet announced any plans budget wise.

 

 

(Springfield-jm) -- Lawmakers will be returning to Springfield next week for the first time this legislative session. 106th District State Representative Tom Bennett of Gibson City talks about what to expect during the session…

 

 

106th District State Representative Tom Bennett of Gibson City.

 

 

(Undated-jm) -- Meijer will be adjusting its store hours to allow more time for customers to get their shopping for essential items done. Beginning today, stores will close at midnight and reopen at 6 am each morning. Stores will extend dedicated shopping times for senior citizens and customers with chronic health conditions on Tuesdays and Thursdays from 6 to 8 am. stores will extend dedicated shopping times for essential service workers on Mondays and Wednesdays from 6 to 8 am. 

 

 

(Mahomet-jm) -- The Freedom Fest at Lake of the Woods in Mahomet is the latest event to be canceled because of COVID-19. Other area events canceled are the Champaign Freedom Celebration, Fisher Lucky Foot Festival, Sibley 4th of July 5k, Saybrook’s Freedom Fest, Onarga’s 4th of July, Gilman’s Old Boys Reunion, Crescent City’s Fire Ball Fest and the Ford County and Vermilion County Fairs.

 

 

(Gilman-jm) -- Gilman will not waive the local motor fuel tax fee. A proposal to waive the fee was brought before the council at this month’s meeting. Mayor Rick Theesfield says the city would lose a significant amount of money if they waived the fee…

 

 

Gilman Mayor Rick Theesfield.

 

 

(Bloomington-jm) -- McLean County property taxpayers will see an increase on their bills. The county treasurer's office says they billed $351.9 million compared to $347.9 million last year. The county’s estimated assessed valuation also increased to 3.974 billion from 3.922 billion.

 

 

(Undated-jm) -- How has the first four months of 2020 compared to last year? State Climatologist Trent Ford has the answer…

 

 

State Climatologist Trent Ford.

 

American Legion Post 551 in Onarga is hosting a Community Fish Fry tonight at the Legion Building in Durham Park.  It's a FREE event -- the Legion is providing the free dinner for community folks in need during this difficult COVID--19 crisis.  Visitors can pull up to the west side of the Legion Building from 4:30 pm until the food runs out.  The Fish Fry is usually held the 3rd Friday of the month as a fundraiser, but due to the uncertain times, Legion volunteers are reaching out to the community for the Free Meal to Go !. 

Get our App

Facebook

On Air Now

Regular Programming
10:00am - 11:00am
Regular Programming

Listen on Alexa

Weather

Share This Website