(Undated-jm) -- You can expect to pay more at the pump in July. As part of Governor J-B Pritzker’s $45 billion capital plan approved by lawmakers last year, the state’s gas tax doubled to 38 cents per gallon. Also included in that was a yearly automatic increase every July 1st by the rate of inflation. That means come July 1st, the gas tax will be 38.7 cents per gallon. Analysts say that if prices go up at the same rate they did this year, by 2025, the tax will be 42.4 cents per gallon.
(Springfield-jm) -- Vote by mail applications will now be provided to all recent voters in Illinois. Governor J-B Pritzker signed the new legislation on Tuesday to expand the vote by mail program. The bills, Senate Bill 1863 and House Bill 2238, also expand early voting hours at permanent polling places, improve the signature verification process, and make election day a state holiday.
(Springfield-jm) -- The Illinois Department of Public Health is offering some tips for guarding against the West Nile Virus this summer. It’s that time of year again, mosquitos are out and are potential carriers of West Nile. State Public Health Director Doctor Ngozi Ezike says preventing infection begins around your home…
Illinois Public Health Director Dr Ngozi Ezike. Mosquitos are most active at dusk and dawn so if you’re out, Ezike recommends using an insect repellant with either deet, picaridin, oil of lemon eucalyptus or IR 35 35.
(Undated-jm) -- Local coronavirus cases rose Tuesday. Iroquois County reported 3 new cases bringing their total number to 142. Champaign County reported 12 new cases bringing their total number to 749. Kankakee County reported 2 new cases bringing their total number to 1,230.
(Undated-jm) -- The Illinois Department of Public Health along with area health departments are reporting cases in local communities. In Ford County, 8 cases are in Paxton. In Champaign County, 181 are in Rantoul, 6 in Ludlow, 2 in Thomasboro, 5 in St. Joseph, 19 in Mahomet and 1 each in Fisher, Gifford and Penfield. In Iroquois County, 48 are in Clifton, 14 in Onarga, 13 in Watseka, 12 in Chebanse, 10 in Ashkum, 7 in Crescent City and 6 each in Gilman, Danforth and Beaverville. In Livingston County, 18 are in Pontiac and 6 are in Fairbury.
(Champaign-cf)-- Planting Progress in Champaign county is almost complete for most farmers. There may be a few replants from heavy rains in late May and Early June. Champaign County Farm Bureau Manager Brad Uken has the details…
Champaign County Farm Bureau Manager Brad Uken
(Onarga-jm) -- The Onarga Pool will not open this summer. The village board made that decision earlier this month. Village leaders say input from health department officials along with the possible financial feasibility of opening the pool later in the summer led to the decision.
(Paxton-jm) -- No changes will be coming to Paxton’s chicken ordinance. Mayor Bill Ingold says there was not enough support to make the changes...
Paxton Mayor Bill Ingold.
(Ford County-jm) -- Bids for a copier contract with Ford County are due soon. The Ford County IT Committee is accepting sealed bids for the contract until June 19th. The contract would cover all the copiers at the courthouse and other county owned facilities. If the committee recommends one of the bids, the county board could approve it at their July 13th meeting.
(Washington-jm) -- Corn emergence is way ahead of last year. Stephanie Ho reports…
(Springfield-jm) -- Illinois’ Democratic governor is being sued by the state’s Republican Party, which is seeking exemption from the 10-person limit on public gatherings issued on May 29. The GOP says in the lawsuit filed in U.S. District Court in Chicago that Governor J.B. Pritzker’s limit on in-person gatherings to battle the coronavirus curtails people’s First Amendment rights. The GOP wants the court to exempt political parties from the cap on gatherings and seeks permission to hold meetings without size restrictions during the time leading up to the November election.
(Springfield-jm) -- Illinois Attorney General Kwame Raoul announced on Tuesday he's tested positive for COVID-19. He says it started with minor symptoms over the weekend. After using telehealth services, he was tested on Monday and received the positive test results on Tuesday.
(Springfield-jm) -- The state’s latest “Life or Death” campaign focuses on crash victims and their families. The campaign, from the Illinois Department of Transportation, aims to put human faces to the sobering statistics of road fatalities says Spokesperson Guy Tridgell…
Illinois Department of Transportation Spokesperson Guy Tridgell. The campaign utilizes social media, radio and tv ads and the website: life or death illinois dot com to tell the stories of those who have been lost. Last year more than one thousand people died on Illinois roadways.
(Vermilion County-jm) -- Vermilion County reported their 2nd COVID-19 death Tuesday. The Vermilion County Health Department says the person was a man in his 70s.
(Undated-jm) -- Active and recovered cases rose Tuesday. In McLean County 216 have recovered with 13 in isolation. In Vermilion County, 36 have been released from isolation while 7 remain in isolation. In Iroquois County, 112 have recovered, 21 are in isolation with 4 hospitalized. In Ford County, 21 have been released from isolation while 1 remains in isolation. In Champaign County, 676 have recovered, 64 remain active with 10 hospitalized. In Kankakee County, 895 have recovered with 274 active and 7 hospitalized.
(Champaign-jm) -- The Champaign County Chamber of Commerce is helping those looking for a job by hosting a webinar series. The series is held every Thursday in June from 8:30-9:30 and is hosted by local experts, says Marketing Director Lindsay Quick…
Champaign County Chamber of Commerce Marketing Director Lindsay Quick. More details including how to register can be found on the chamber’s website: champaign county dot org.
(Watseka-jm) -- The Iroquois County Public Health Department is offering assistance to seniors during the COVID-19 pandemic. The COVID-19 Emergency Senior Service Program helps seniors get essential items. For more information, call Emily Shay at the Iroquois County Public Health Department at 815-432-2483.
(Gibson City-cf)-- The City of Gibson City approved another proposal to move forward with the Water Tower Project. Mayor Dan Dickey has the latest…
Mayor of Gibson City Dan Dickey.
(Ashkum-jm) -- District 21 Illinois State Police in Ashkum are releasing results of recent patrols. During Special Traffic Enforcement Patrols, 65 citations were given out for speeding while none were given out for DUI, seatbelt violations or distracted driving. During Occupant Restraint Enforcement Patrols, 24 citations were issued for seatbelt violations and 1 was issued for child restraint violation.
(Washington-jm) -- The pace of soybean planting is ahead of the average and last year. Stephanie Ho reports…
