(Springfield-jm) --  A new review of U.S. Census data shows most metropolitan areas of the state have lost population over the past ten years. One of the drivers of declining population is declining manufacturing jobs. Rockford shrank 5 percent, Peoria shrank 4.1 percent and Springfield is 2.4 percent smaller since 2010. Decatur led the declines by shrinking more than 7 percent, according to a review by the Rockford Register Star. Illinois is unattractive to business development with high taxes and workers’ comp costs.

 

 

(Springfield-jm) -- Illinois Secretary of State Jesse White’s Office has launched a new online application for those needing a new driver’s license or ID card. The idea is to save time at the counter when you go in to get your new license by getting everything filled out beforehand says Secretary of State Spokesperson Henry Haupt…

 

Secretary of State Spokesperson Henry Haupt. You will still need to bring any necessary documents when you go in, like if you’re applying for the real ID says Haupt. Visit: cyber drive illinois dot com to access the pre-registration application.

 

 

(Springfield-jm) -- A new analysis ranked Illinois near the bottom of all states in terms of health improvements during the COVID-19 pandemic. The website WalletHub compared the 50 states and the District of Columbia across 11 metrics that reflect the COVID-19 death rate, positive test rates and transmission number, which is an estimate of the average number of people to whom an infected person will transmit the virus. WalletHub's analysis placed Illinois 40th on the list. Death rate and positive testing rate hurt Illinois’ score.

 

 

(Springfield-jm) -- The Illinois Department of Children and Family Services is launching a new campaign to recruit more foster parents. The campaign is called “Can you Foster my Future” and aims to find parents willing to open their homes says DCFS Spokesperson Deborah Lopez…

 

DCFS Spokesperson Deborah Lopez. More information about becoming a foster parent is available on the DCFS website. Click on “loving homes.” The licensing process can take up to six months and includes a background check, home inspection and training.

 

(Urbana-jm) -- Champaign County Treasurer Marisol Hughes is now the face of more controversy. The union that represents 465 county employees has filed a complaint against her for unfair labor practices. The charge was filed by AFSCME. It lists Hughes and County Board Chairman Giraldo Rosales, who appointed her. The union said they started seeing problems after Hughes was appointed. They requested a labor management meeting to help the treasurer become familiar with the union contract and her obligations under law. AFSCME claims she began telling AFSCME members not to call the union about their concerns.

 

(Undated-jm) -- Several area school boards meet tonight. WPXN’s Jason Madden has the details…

 

 

 

(Rural Gifford-jm) -- Gifford firefighters believe burning trash was the cause of a fire that destroyed a shed near Gifford Sunday. Firefighters from Gifford, Rantoul, Potomac and Paxton were called to the fire 4 and a half miles north of Gifford around 11 am. No injuries were reported.

 

 

(Washington-jm) -- What does the latest outlook on Chinese soybean imports indicate in terms of potential U.S. bean export opportunities? Rod Bain reports…

 

 

(Springfield-jm) -- Many states have faced budget strains for years, which became exacerbated by stay-at-home orders causing economic shutdowns, high unemployment and significant loss of tax revenue. Some states fared worse than others and have looked to the federal government for help. Based on a number of factors, Chicago-based Truth in Accounting projects total state revenue shortfalls for fiscal years 2021 and 2022 to be about $397 billion. In response to the economic shutdown, the Federal Reserve for the first time in history created a $500 billion lending program, the Municipal Liquidity Facility, made available directly to cities and counties meeting population requirements, and all 50 states. One stipulation of the program is that the Federal Reserve Bank of New York charges borrowers a “penalty rate” above the typical market rates. That means borrowers will owe the loan amount, plus interest plus the penalty rate. Illinois Governor J.B. Pritzker this week signed a nearly $43 billion budget that relies on borrowing billions from the Fed program with hopes that the state will receive additional federal aid through another stimulus bill that has not been approved by Congress. Illinois announced June 2 it was borrowing an initial $1.2 billion from the MLF.

 

 

(Springfield-jm) -- This summer’s Illinois and Duquoin State Fairs are cancelled due to COVID-19. State Fair Manager Kevin Gordon made the announcement on social media…

 

 

State Fair Manager Kevin Gordon. Gordon says they are already working on the 2021 Illinois State Fair with some new upgrades to grandstand concert tickets and carnival ride passes. If you’ve already purchased a mega pass, coupon booklet or parking pass, visit: illinois state fair dot info for refund details. The Illinois Department of Agriculture will host a junior livestock show in September for kids.

 

 

(Springfield-jm) -- Governor J-B Pritzker has signed workers compensation legislation for front line and essential workers who contract COVID-19. State Representative Dan Brady of Normal was part of the working group that put together the legislation…

 

 

State Representative Dan Brady of Normal. The law took effect immediately.

 

 

(Urbana-jm) -- The University of Illinois Board of Trustees is facing a $7.9 million lawsuit for allegedly breaching a resignation agreement it signed with former U of I professor Joseph A. Petry. According to Petry's legal counsel, the university signed a resignation agreement with Petry in April 2019 following sexual harassment allegations against him. The agreement stated that in exchange for Petry's resignation, the university's Office of Access and Equity would end its investigation into the allegations. However, days after the agreement was signed, the university allegedly sought to renegotiate it to allow the investigation to continue. Petry's lawyers said U of I continued the investigation after Petry refused to renegotiate. The investigation reportedly continued for nearly one year before the university concluded that the initial allegations were not credible and Petry had not violated the sexual harassment policy.

 

 

(Undated-jm) -- Those traveling this week through the area will want to be on the lookout. State Police will be conducting special patrols this week. WPXNs Jason Madden has the details…

 

 

 

(Urbana-jm) -- CU at Home and Austin’s Place are teaming up to provide year round emergency shelter for men and women starting Monday. Last fall both organizations committed to opening year round starting in November. The group says the Coronavirus pandemic expedited the need to open the shelter four months earlier than planned. 

 

 

(Washington-jm) -- A recent resurvey of soybean production in parts of the country has led to some minor changes within the U.S. supply and demand estimates for this marketing year and next. Rod Bain reports…