(Springfield-jm) -- Governor J-B Pritzker and the Illinois Department of Commerce and Economic Opportunity announced the first round of grants awarded through the Downstate Small Business Stabilization Program. The first $1.3 million in grants have been allocated to 65 businesses in 28 downstate and rural communities. The fund was created to support small businesses in downstate and rural areas in Illinois that have been negatively impacted by COVID-19.
(Springfield-jm) -- Spring in Illinois closed out with a cool, wet May. It started warming up towards the end of last month, but the majority of days were fairly cool says State Climatologist Trent Ford…
State Climatologist Trent Ford. Statewide average rainfall in May came in at nearly five and a half inches. That’s nearly an inch above normal, making last month the 25th wettest May on record in Illinois.
(Undated-jm) -- The Illinois Department of Public Health is reporting 22 cases of Coronavirus in Ford County, 37 in Livingston County, 45 in Vermilion County, 136 in Iroquois County, 228 in McLean County, 1,216 in Kankakee County and 691 in Champaign County.
(Springfield-jm) -- Corn planting in Illinois is just about finished. 98 percent of corn acres have been planted says Crop Statistician Mark Schleusener…
State Crop Statistician Mark Schleusener. 88 percent of soybeans have been planted and 67 percent has emerged. The condition of the crop improved to 67 percent in good to excellent shape. 93 percent of winter wheat has headed and average statewide topsoil moisture is rated as one percent very short, 10 percent short, 78 percent adequate and 11 percent surplus.
(Rantoul-jm) -- Rantoul police are investigating a pair of incidents. On June 3rd police were called to the Jimmy Johns on the village’s west side for a report of shots fired. Through their investigation they learned it was a drug deal gone bad. As part of their investigation, yesterday police went and executed a search warrant at a house on Abrams. While executing a search warrant, a dog escaped from a kennel and attacked an officer. The officer discharged a single shot from their weapon killing the dog. The officer was taken to the hospital to be treated for their injuries. Both incidents remain under investigation.
(Undated-jm) -- Several area communities meet tonight. WPXN’s Jason Madden has the details…
(Rantoul-jm) -- The Rantoul City School District is seeking 3 grants to cover the cost of demolishing the former Myna Thompson school and construct a new early childhood center. The three grants total $12 million including a $5 million Build Illinois Fast Track grant.
(Washington-jm) -- There's been a definite recent speedup in Chinese purchases of soybeans, but where does that put this fiscal year's U.S. sales to China, compared to 2019? Gary Crawford reports…
(Springfield-jm) -- Governor J-B Pritzker announced the launch of free online career training to help Illinoisans who have lost their job during the coronavirus pandemic. The state is partnering with Coursera, an online learning platform, to allow people to enroll in free virtual courses that provide training and credentialing. The courses aim to help prepare those unemployed for jobs in information technology and other fields. Illinois is one of the first states in the nation to make free courses available to unemployed residents through the program.
(Undated-jm) -- Active and recovered COVID-19 cases rose Monday. In Ford County 20 have been released and 1 remains in isolation. In Livingston County, 34 have been removed and 1 is active. In Vermilion County, 37 have been released, 5 are in isolation and 2 are hospitalized. In Iroquois County, 103 have recovered, 26 are in isolation and 2 hospitalized. In McLean County, 199 have recovered, 14 are in isolation and 2 hospitalized. In Kankakee County, 635 have recovered, 522 are active and 4 are hospitalized. In Champaign County, 620 have recovered, 64 are active and 10 are hospitalized.
(Springfield-jm) -- Corn planting in Illinois is just about finished. Corn is 98 percent planted and 90 percent has emerged. The crop improved to 65 percent in good to excellent condition this past week. State Crop Statistician Mark Schleusener turns to soybeans…
State Crop Statistician Mark Schleusener. 65 percent of the soybean crop is rated in good to excellent condition. 93 percent of winter wheat has headed and the first cutting alfalfa is now 69 percent complete. Average statewide topsoil moisture is rated as one percent very short, 10 percent short, 78 percent adequate and 11 percent surplus.
(Ludlow-jm) -- Two people were injured following a wreck near Ludlow Monday. Emergency crews were called to the accident at county road 1900 east 3500 north about a mile east of Ludlow. The Champaign County Sheriff’s office says a car traveling on 1900 east struck a truck and trailer at the intersection causing the truck to rollover.
(Gibson City-jm) -- One area state representative continues to push for the state to reopen sooner. 106th District State Representative Tom Bennett says him and several other GOP lawmakers have been reaching out to the Governor’s office trying to persuade him to change his planned approach to reopening. Representative Bennett says he hopes its not too late for some businesses…
106th District State Representative Tom Bennett of Gibson City.
(Rantoul-jm) -- Champaign County Crimestoppers are seeking the public's help regarding a burglary in Rantoul. On May 31st at 10:53 pm Rantoul police were called to Colonial Liquors for reports of subjects exiting the closed business with items in their hands. When police arrived they found the front window broken. Surveillance video showed multiple subjects entering the building through the broken window and taking items. Anyone with information is asked to call Champaign County Crimestoppers at 217-373-8477.
(Washington-jm) -- USDA has announced changes in risk management revenue-based coverage for dairy producers. Rod Bain has the details…
