(Undated-jm) -- New research from the Illinois Policy Institute shows moms suffered three times the job loss than dads in Illinois during the pandemic. Moms saw a 16.3 percent drop compared to 5.7 percent for dads. Researchers say the decrease could increase the likelihood more women will leave the workforce altogether.

 

 

(Springfield-jm) -- According to a new report out of the state Criminal Justice Information Authority, teen drinking is down in Illinois, but still concerning. The data shows that alcohol consumption by teens dropped by about eight percent between 2008 and 2017 says Acting Research Director Jessica Reichert…

 

 

Illinois Criminal Justice Information Authority Acting Research Director Jessica Reichert. Alcohol-related arrests were also down in Illinois by about 25 percent from 2005 to 2019. Despite the decreases, Reichert says alcohol use by youth remains an important health and safety issue, since drinking can lead to risky behavior, affect schoolwork and alter brain development.

 

 

(Urbana-jm) -- A Rantoul man has been sentenced to 30 months probation for his role in a scrap metal scheme. Patrick Henderson pleaded guilty in Champaign County court to theft for stealing brass fittings from a place in Champaign and attempted burglary for trying to dismantle an air conditioner unit at a Rantoul factory.

 

 

(Undated-jm) -- Temperatures this weekend were in the 70s and 80s bringing much needed relief from the hot weather. State Climatologist Trent Ford has a look at the next couple of weeks…

 

 

State Climatologist Trent Ford.

 

 

(Undated-jm) -- The Ford Iroquois 4-H Foundation has announced their scholarship winners. The winners are: Anna Ritter of the Milks Grove Challengers 4-H Club, Brooke Beyers of the Prairie Fire 4-H Club, Carson McGill of the Ashkum Go-Getters 4-H Club, Cyrus Cook of the Danforth Blue Ribbon 4-H Club, Erin Anderson of the Fountain Creek Stitch n Do 4-H Club, Karlie Wilken of the Ashkum Go-Getters 4-H Club, Kaylee Warren of the Sheldon Square Shooters 4-H Club, Nikolaus Hanson of the Ashkum Go-Getters 4-H Club, Seth Bishop of the Donovan Ag 4-H Club and Spencer Meenen of the Town and Country Helpers 4-H Club.

 

 

(Bloomington-jm) -- One Illinois lawmaker says state leaders need to be careful when issuing mandates to combat the Coronavirus. 53rd District State Senator Jason Barickman says while some of the mandates may help to slow the spread of the Coronavirus pandemic there may be some unintended consequences…

 

 

53rd District State Senator Jason Barickman of Bloomington.

 

 

(Paxton-jm) -- Paxton’s Public Works Director will be leaving at the end of August. Mark LeClair announced he is retiring after 42 years with the city on August 31. LeClair started with the city in 1978.

 

(Undated-jm) -- Illinois is the slowest state in the Midwest to get workers unemployed by the Coronavirus pandemic back to work. Research by the Illinois Policy Institute shows the state is second behind North Dakota in getting people back to work. 

 

 

(Springfield-jm) -- A new effort to transform the state’s juvenile justice system is underway. The three phase plan aims to reduce the harm of being locked up says Illinois Department of Juvenile Justice Director Heidi Mueller…

 

 

Illinois Department of Juvenile Justice Director Heidi Mueller. The plan will transition youth offenders to smaller, regional centers, with intervention support from community organizations. They will be more of a dorm setting instead of a prison and it will be easier for kids to see their families.

 

 

(Urbana-jm) -- A 17 year old Rantoul teen who had a gun and cannabis in his possession will remain in custody at the Juvenile Detention facility until at least his next court appearance. Rantoul police were called to a home in the 600 block of East Wabash Avenue for a welfare check on July 17th. Officers found the 17 year old and two others in a vehicle in the driveway. An officer detected the odor of cannabis coming from the vehicle and a search found cannabis and a loaded handgun. The teen is due back in court August 12th.

 

 

(Undated-jm) -- The Illinois Department of Transportation announced their six year road construction plans. WPXN’s Jason Madden has the details on projects happening in the next year…

 

 

(Gibson City-jm) -- Gibson City has adopted their new budget and appropriations. The general fund shows expenditures topping $2.5 million. Water expenditures also jumped this year to $4.149 million. $3.3 million is for a new water tower for the city.

 

 

(Cissna Park-cf)-- Cissna Park Students that have to ride a bus to school will be temperature checked before they can enter the school bus, and they can’t have any Covid-19 symptoms to enter the bus. The temperature checks should be performed by parents, but if that can’t happen the bus driver will scan the child's temperature says Superentined Dan Hylbert… 

 

 

Cissna Park Superintendent Dan Hylbert. 

 

 

(Roberts-jm) -- Roberts has a new village trustee. Taylor Behrens stepped down from his position in July. Mary Ager was appointed to fill the remainder of Behrens term which expires in April of 2021.