(Springfield-jm) -- Worries about a surge of child abuse cases in Illinois persist as the state begins to reopen during the COVID-19 pandemic. Calls to report suspected child abuse and neglect during the pandemic dropped by 57% in Illinois compared to the same time last year, according to the Illinois Department of Children and Family Services. According to Illinois DCFS data, one in five children is abused or neglected before they turn 18 and 70 percent of child abuse is not reported. Anyone who suspects a child may be at risk is encouraged to call the Child Abuse and Neglect Hotline at 800-25-ABUSE.
(Undated-jm) -- More than $266 billion in stimulus payments was given out to Americans. In Illinois, nearly $10 billion was distributed to 5.9 million people. The payments were issued based on information from the 2018 and 2019 tax returns or social security benefits. There could be another round of stimulus checks coming. Congress could take up the issue as early as the end of this month.
(Springfield-jm) -- Secretary of State Jesse White’s Office is unveiling a new organ and tissue donation ad campaign. This year’s ad tells the story of a woman who received her life saving heart from her friend’s daughter. Secretary White urges the public to consider giving the gift of life…
Illinois Secretary of State Jesse White. There are six point nine million Illinoisans currently signed up to be organ donors, but about 300 people still die waiting for an organ each year. Watch the ad and sign up today at: life goes on dot com.
(Undated-jm) -- The Illinois Department of Public Health reported 614 new cases of Coronavirus and 6 additional deaths bringing the state’s total number to 147,865 cases and 7,026 deaths. Locally, Iroquois County is reporting 6 new cases bringing their total to 168. Ford County is reporting 3 new cases bringing the total number to 40. Vermilion County is reporting 3 new cases bringing their total to 76. McLean County is reporting 7 new cases bringing their total number to 279. Kankakee County is reporting 10 new cases bringing their total number to 1,383. Champaign County is reporting 27 new cases bringing their total number to 958. Livingston County reported no new cases Monday leaving their total at 54.
(Undated-jm) -- As for cases in area communities, 203 are in Rantoul, 61 in Mahomet, 53 in Clifton, 20 in Watseka, 17 in Fisher, 16 each in Chebanse and Onarga, 15 in St. Joseph, 13 in Paxton, 11 each in Gibson City and Ashkum, 9 in Hoopeston, 8 in Gilman, 7 each in Danforth and Crescent City, 6 each in Ludlow and Milford, 3 in Thomasboro, 2 in Foosland and 1 each in Dewey, Gifford and Penfield.
(Undated-jm) -- The condition of Illinois corn and soybean crops dropped this past week. 22 percent of soybeans are blooming and one percent of the crop is setting pods. 63 percent of soybeans are rated in good to excellent condition, down from 68 percent the previous week. State Crop Statistician Mark Schleusener looks at corn…
State Crop Statistician Mark Schleusener. Average statewide topsoil moisture decreased to 3 percent very short, 26 percent short, 66 percent adequate and 5 percent surplus. The second cutting of alfalfa is now 38 percent complete.
(Rantoul-jm) -- Rantoul police are investigating an armed robbery at a business in the village over the weekend. Police say two men entered the Dollar General around 6:15 pm Saturday evening, displayed a gun and demanded cash. The suspects are described as black males between 5 foot 9 and 6 feet tall, wearing brown hooded sweatshirts, masks and gloves. Anyone with information is asked to call Rantoul police.
(Ludlow-jm) -- The Ludlow man who eluded U-S Marshals over the weekend who were trying to arrest him for murder and attempted murder in Kentucky, turned himself in Monday. Justin Hardin fled from his mother's house in Ludlow Friday as U-S Marshals arrived to arrest him. Officers attempted to search for him for about six hours before it was called off. Hardin is due in court this afternoon.
(Champaign-jm) -- The first phase of the reconstruction of the I-57/I-74 interchange in Champaign will begin tomorrow. Construction will begin on the Bloomington Road bridge over I-57. In August both Mattis Road bridges will undergo construction. The bridges will be rebuilt higher and longer to accommodate the new ramps for the interchange.
(Undated-jm) -- It was a hot and dry 4th of July weekend. But how does the forecast look for the rest of the month? State Climatologist Trent Ford has the details…
State Climatologist Trent Ford.
(Ford County-jm) -- A Ford County road will be closed for about a month. The Illinois Department of Transportation announced Monday, Route 115 between Roberts and Piper City will be closed for a bridge replacement. Work is expected to be completed in August.
(Chicago-jm) -- People traveling to Chicago from out-of-state may have to undergo a two-week quarantine. The states include: Alabama, Arkansas, Arizona, California, Florida, Georgia, Idaho, Louisiana, Mississippi, North Carolina, Nevada, South Carolina, Tennessee, Texas and Utah. Those who don’t follow the order could be fined $500 per day.
(Springfield-jm) -- Casinos that fail to follow guidelines aimed at limiting the spread of the coronavirus could be disciplined, including loss of their license, Illinois regulators warned. Requirements include face coverings in gaming establishments and casinos and social distancing along with regular hand washing.
(Springfield-jm) -- The Illinois Department of Transportation is urging the public to be on the lookout for buckling roads as high temperatures persist. Extreme heat and humidity like the state is experiencing right now can cause the pavement to expand and buckle says IDOT Spokesperson Paul Wappel…
IDOT Spokesperson Paul Wappel. Wappel says they are asking people to report any road buckling they see by calling 1-800-452-IDOT or 9-1-1.
(Springfield-jm) -- The condition of Illinois corn and soybean crops dropped this past week. State Crop Statistician Mark Schleusener says 10 percent of corn is silking and 61 percent of the crop is rated in good to excellent condition. That compares to 67 percent the previous week. Turning to soybeans…
State Crop Statistician Mark Schleusener. 82 percent of winter wheat has been harvested. Average statewide topsoil moisture is a little drier and now stands at 3 percent very short, 26 percent short, 66 percent adequate and 5 percent surplus.
(Rural Fisher-jm) -- Multiple people were taken to the hospital following a single vehicle rollover accident near Fisher Monday afternoon. The accident occurred 600 East just south of Fisher around 4:15. At least two people were airlifted to the hospital.
(Champaign-jm) -- The Champaign Goodwill will be closed for a few days after an employee tested positive for the Coronavirus. The store closed Monday for cleaning and is expected to reopen on Thursday.
(Hoopeston-jm) -- The 2020 Hoopeston Sweetcorn Festival is the latest event to be canceled because of the Coronavirus. Organizers say the 77th National Sweetcorn Festival will take place September 2 through the 6th in 20-21.
(St. Joseph-cf)-- The Village of St. Joseph has made changes to their swimming pool and hot tub ordinances. The old ordinances were outdated and needed modifications. You must now call the village office before you install the pool to make sure that the location where the pool will be on your property is not covering any gas or sewer lines, or any other major line underground, says Mayor Tami Fruhling…
St. Joseph Mayor Tami Fruhling.
(Gibson City-jm) -- Gibson City police have released their recent activity report. On July 1st, 30 year old Nathaniel Stokes of Gibson City was arrested for theft of a motor vehicle.
