(Springfield-jm) -- The Illinois Department of Employment Security is teaming up with the Illinois Department of Financial and Professional Regulation – Division of Banking and Division of Financial Institution to work with financial institutions to seek out and fight back against the fraud. The Illinois Department of Employment Security recently announced they would be cracking down more on unemployment fraud.
(Undated-jm) -- According to the Rape, Abuse, and Incest National Network , they've seen a major spike in minors calling their hotline. The alarming part is three out of four children live with their abuser. With schools being virtual, experts are afraid it could cause more cases to go unreported. Illinois has seen a 50% decrease in the number of calls to the Department of Children and Family Services but it doesn't mean that abuse isn't happening it's just going unreported.
(Springfield-jm) -- Governor J-B Pritzker is continuing to encourage Illinoisans to wear masks and social distance. The Governor is encouraging the use of masks and social distancing as the state continues to see an increase in COVID-19 cases. Governor Pritzker warns if people don’t start taking action, restrictions may be put back into place…
Illinois Governor J-B Pritzker. So far only the Metro East area has been put under increased restrictions. Yesterday, Champaign Mayor Deb Feinen issued an executive order closing indoor dining at restaurants on the University of Illinois campus until after the Labor Day weekend.
(Undated-jm) -- The Illinois Department of Public Health reported 1,740 new cases of COVID-19 and 27 additional deaths Tuesday, bringing the state’s total number of cases to 209,594 and deaths to 7,782. Locally, McLean County reported 3 new cases bringing their total number to 779. Vermilion County reported 1 new case bringing their total to 264. Iroquois County reported 3 new cases bringing their total to 301. Ford County reported 1 new case bringing their total to 81. Kankakee County reported 22 new cases bringing their total to 2,001. Champaign County reported 13 new cases bringing their total to 1,772. Livingston County reported no new cases.
(Washington-jm) -- One analyst says it's hard to make accurate predictions about what's going to happen in the dairy sector, but he's going to try. Gary Crawford reports…
(Paxton-jm) -- The Paxton Market Street Theatre Group is the latest victim of the COVID-19 pandemic. In an announcement on social media Tuesday evening, Tom and Sherry Janowski announced they are putting the theatre building up for sale. The Janowski’s did leave the door open to possible future shows in cooperation with groups in the community.
(Chicago-jm) -- Chicago's Navy Pier is closing again until next spring because attendance has been so low during the coronavirus pandemic. The tourist spot began reopening June 10, but officials say they're only seeing about 15% to 20% of the usual crowds during what's generally the busiest time of year.
(Undated-jm) -- The IRS is extending the deadline to ensure people with children receive their $500 Economic Impact Payments to September 30th. The money is from the first round of stimulus checks passed by Congress. People can provide the information on the IRS’s non-filer tool at: irs dot gov slash coronavirus slash non filers enter payment info here.
(Paxton-cf)-- The Paxton-Buckley-Loda school district has sent out, and made the opening plan official. There is one key piece of information in the document that both students and parents need to go over, and that is the new flow-chart. PBL Superintendent Cliff McClure has the details…
Paxton-Buckley-Loda Superintendent Cliff McClure.
(Champaign County-jm) -- Champaign County Clerk Aaron Ammons is warning residents about a printing error on the vote by mail application. The application has the wrong return zip code. The zip code on some read 61208 when the correct zip code should be 61802. Ammons says you should return it with the correct zip code. Ballots will be mailed out September 24th.
(Ford County-jm) -- Ford County Treasurer Krisha Shoemaker is announcing Ford County 2019 real estate tax bills payable in 2020 were mailed out August 14th. The first installment is due September 18th with the 2nd installment due November 6th. Tax bills can be paid by mail, any Ford County bank or at the Treasurer’s office. If you haven’t received your bill by September 1st, call the office at 379-9465.
(Washington-jm) -- U-S Senators Tammy Duckworth and Dick Durbin have introduced federal legislation to close loopholes to protect domestic abuse survivors. The legislation would restrict those under a temporary restraining order from purchasing or possessing a firearm. Current federal law only restricts access once the court issues a permanent restraining order.
(Springfield-jm) -- It’s unclear how to handle election outcomes if there’s an outbreak at a local county elections office. The question was posed last week during a virtual roundtable discussion amid Illinois elections officials and Congressman Rodney Davis. Green County Clerk Debbie Banhart said her entire staff was sent home for two weeks because an employee contracted COVID-19. Davis said that’s a real threat to the November General Election.
(Springfield-jm) -- Struggling renters now have a little more time to apply for emergency relief assistance. Many people lost power last week as storms swept through the state, so the Illinois Housing Development Authority is extending the deadline for rent relief to August 28th. Spokesperson Andrew Field says the program is for those having a hard time paying their rent during the Coronavirus pandemic…
Illinois Housing Development Authority Spokesperson Andrew Field. Applicants will need to meet certain income eligibility guidelines and landlords will need to sign the form. Visit: era dot ihda dot org to get started.
(Undated-jm) -- The Illinois Department of Public Health reported 1,740 new cases of COVID-19 and 27 additional deaths Tuesday, bringing the state’s total number of cases to 209,594 and deaths to 7,782. As for local active and recovered cases, 622 have been released from isolation in McLean County with 137 in isolation and 4 hospitalized including 1 in intensive care. In Vermilion County, 232 have been released from isolation while 30 remain in isolation. In Iroquois County, 239 have been released from isolation, 39 remain in isolation with 8 hospitalized. In Ford County, 64 have been released from isolation, 14 remain in isolation with 1 hospitalized. In Livingston County, 123 have been removed from isolation with 28 cases remain active and 1 hospitalized. In Kankakee County, 1359 have recovered, 575 cases remain active with 7 hospitalized. In Champaign County, 1640 have recovered, 113 cases are active with 9 hospitalized.
(Gibson City-cf)-- School starts today for the Gibson City-Melvin-Sibley School District. GCMS Superintendent Jeremey Darnell details the reopening plan for the district…
GCMS Superintendent Jeremey Darnell.
(Champaign-jm) -- Parkland College in Champaign will not have to make layoffs after all. The school had announced they would be laying off 65 people because of lost revenue from declining enrollment due to the Coronavirus pandemic. The college offered voluntary separation agreements. Between that, retirements and resignations, the college expects 69 positions to become vacant over the next 3 years. The college says they will not fill 34 of those positions.
(Danville-jm) -- The new plan for a casino in Danville is moving forward. Danville Development LLC plans to build the casino on Eastgate Drive, near the Lynch Road exit off I-74. The site is close to the earlier proposed site. The Illinois Gaming Board will review and possibly approve the new plan next month.
(Washington-jm) -- Corn use for ethanol is expected to expand. That’s according to USDA’s Outlook Board Chairman Mark Jekanowski…
USDA Outlook Board Chairman Mark Jekanowski.
(Champaign County-jm) -- A member of the Sadorus village board will represent the Champaign County GOP on the November ballot for county treasurer. Ted Myhre was selected to run against Democratic challenger Cassandra Johnson to fill the remainder of the term of Laurel Prussing who resigned earlier this year. County democrats selected Marisol Hughes to take over but opted for Johnson instead of Hughes to run on the ticket for the November election.
