(Springfield-jm) -- State and federal lawmakers from some of Illinois’ neighboring states say taxpayers there, many of whom left Illinois, should not be on the hook for a federal bailout of the state’s budgetary mess. U.S. Senator Mike Braun of Indiana, joined Missouri state Representative Justin Hill, U.S. Senator Rick Scott of Florida, and others for a call hosted by the Save our Country Coalition to warn against the ongoing negotiations in Washington D.C. that could result in federal dollars being funneled to states without spending restrictions. The $43 billion budget Governor J-B Pritzker enacted for the current fiscal year appropriated more than the Legislature ever has and relies on billions of dollars in federal aid and the passage of a progressive income tax amendment in November.
(Springfield-jm) -- Illinois is getting a failing grade for its financial health, according to a government watchdog. In its “Financial State of the States” report, the think tank Truth in Accounting said Illinois received an “F” for going into the COVID-19 pandemic in dire fiscal health, and will probably come out of the crisis even worse. The report said before the pandemic, Illinois had a debt burden of $226 billion, or $52,000 per taxpayer. According to Truth in Accounting’s rough estimates, the 50 states are projected to lose a combined $397 billion in revenue, with Illinois accounting for $16 billion of that total.
(Undated-jm) -- The Internal Revenue Service is mailing 309,972 letters to people in Illinois, encouraging them to see if they are eligible to claim an Economic Impact Payment this year. The letter urges recipients to register at IRS dot gov using the special Non-Filers: Enter Payment Info tool before the October 15 deadline to get a payment by the end of the year.
(Undated-jm) -- Illinois is reporting 1,531 new COVID-19 cases and 30 additional deaths bringing the state’s total number of cases to 277,266 and total deaths to 8,486. Locally, McLean County reported 13 new cases and 1 additional death bringing their total number of cases to 3,175 and total deaths to 20. Livingston County reported 8 new cases and 1 additional death bringing their total number of cases to 365 and total deaths to 6. Vermilion County reported 16 new cases bringing their total number to 547. Iroquois County reported 1 new case bringing their total to 392. Kankakee County reported 11 new cases bringing their total to 2,689. Champaign County reported 37 new cases bringing their total to 4,336. Ford County reported no new cases Tuesday.
(Springfield-jm) -- This is National Farm Safety and Health Week. Given recent challenges, Illinois Department of Agriculture Deputy Director Kristi Jones says they really want to focus on mental health this year...
Illinois Department of Agriculture Deputy Director Kristi Jones. The department will be hi-liting different health and safety topics all week on its facebook and twitter accounts.
(Urbana-jm) -- The Champaign County Circuit Clerk’s office is hosting their 4th annual Amnesty Week. The program allows residents to avoid collection fees and interest on unpaid traffic tickets and past due criminal case fines. Champaign County Circuit Clerk Katie Blakeman’s office will host the event through October 2nd. More information is available by contacting the Champaign County Circuit Clerk’s office.
(Rantoul-jm) -- A Rantoul group is hosting a healthy voting event this Saturday. The group, Concerned Citizens of Rantoul, will hold the event from 10 to 6 Saturday at the Rantoul Youth Center. Those coming can register to vote, take a COVID test and submit their census forms.
(Gibson City-jm) -- Governor J-B Pritzker recently announced he is ordering state agency directors to begin making budget cuts after the federal government has deadlocked on a bailout for state governments. 106th District State Representative Tom Bennett of Gibson City says he, along with other Republicans, warned about this possible issue…
106th District State Representative Tom Bennett of Gibson City.
(Danville-jm) -- Those wanting to run for office in the April consolidated election in Vermilion County can pick up and start collecting signatures on their petitions soon. Vermilion County Clerk Cathy Jenkins said packets can be picked up starting September 22nd from her office. Packets can be returned starting December 14th. The deadline for all packets to be submitted is December 21st. The consolidated election will take place April 6th.
(Paxton-jm) -- Scott Allen and Paxton Hardware and Rental has donated PPE to the PBL School District. Allen donated 4 gallons of hand soap, 8 gallons of hand sanitizer and 50 KN95 masks. The donation was made possible through True Value Foundation’s Educational Heroes Safety Campaign.
(Champaign-jm) -- Nominating petitions for Parkland College Board of Trustee positions are now available. Those wanting to pick up petitions can do so by calling Krystal Garrett at 217-351-2533.
(Springfield-jm) -- Illinoisans unable to pay their utility bills during the coronavirus pandemic may soon be out of luck. The shutoff moratorium for many state-regulated electric, water, sewer and natural gas utility companies, such as Illinois American Water, Nicor Gas and Aqua Illinois, expires September 30. Ameren and ComEd’s moratorium ended September 10. Governor J-B Pritzker said he plans to put pressure on the utility companies.
(Springfield-jm) -- Illinois’ potentially deepening pension hole, brought about by the pandemic and subsequent government lockdowns of the economy, have reform advocates calling for the state to finally make some tough decisions about its debt. Illinois’ pension liabilities, long underfunded by state lawmakers as a way to balance their books in lieu of spending restraint, are going to come out on the other side of the pandemic with more unfunded debt than ever. Despite this, Illinois lawmakers and Governor J-B Pritzker have discounted the thought of reshaping the state’s arrangements with pensioners as “fantasy.”
(Undated-jm) -- A survey of bankers in Illinois and other Midwest states shows the rural economy remains weak, but includes signs of improvement. The Rural Mainstreet Survey from Creighton University showed slight improvements in rural economies in September. The overall index remained negative at 46.9 in September, but that was improved from August’s 44.7. Professor of Economics Ernie Goss says many factors go into the index. In Illinois, the RMI advanced to 43.6 from 42.9 in August. Compared to the same time last year, Illinois’ Rural Mainstreet economy has lost 8.1% of its nonfarm employment representing 390,000 jobs. The overall index remained negative at 46.9 in September, but that was improved from August’s 44.7. In March, the index hit a low of 35.5. Any score below 50 suggests a shrinking economy, while a score above 50 suggests a growing economy.
(Springfield-jm) -- Governor J-B Pritzker says they are working to make the process of awarding adult use cannabis dispensary licenses fairer. Applicants who didn’t fare well in their bid for one of 75 initial licenses will now get a score sheet to see where they did poorly and get a chance to revise their submission. Recreational marijuana is a new industry for Illinois, and the Governor says the process has been a learning curve...
Illinois Governor J-B Pritzker. After the first 75 licenses are awarded, a disparity study will be conducted.
(Undated-jm) -- The Illinois Department of Public Health reported 1,531 new Coronavirus cases and 30 additional deaths Tuesday. As for local active and recovered cases, McLean County reported 2,918 have recovered, 227 are in isolation, 10 are hospitalized with 1 in the ICU. Livingston County reported 318 have been removed from isolation, 41 cases remain active with 2 hospitalized. Vermilion County reported 452 have been released from isolation, 86 remain in isolation and 5 are hospitalized. Iroquois County reported 356 have been released from isolation, 16 remain in isolation and 1 is hospitalized. Kankakee County reported 2,044 have recovered, 574 cases are active and 8 are hospitalized. Champaign County reported 3,989 have recovered, 327 cases are active and 4 are hospitalized. Ford County reported 124 have been released from isolation and 12 are in isolation.
(Springfield-jm) -- This is Child Passenger Safety Week, and the Illinois Department of Transportation says guidance is available online this year. Vehicle crashes are the leading cause of death for young kids, so it’s important that families use the right car seat for their child and install it correctly. IDOT Spokesperson Paul Wappel remindsus , it’s the law…
IDOT Spokesperson Paul Wappel. The National Highway Traffic Safety Administration has car seat help for parents and caregivers on the website: nhtsa dot gov slash the right seat.
(Urbana-jm) -- After a vote on a special permit by the Urbana city council, the Champaign County Humane Society will be allowed to expand to add an additional facility for training. The expansion will include an education building on the property that will double as a multipurpose room. Construction is expected to begin in the spring.
(Champaign-jm) -- Illinois State Police and the City of Champaign police department are receiving federal funding to help combat human trafficking and help survivors. The Department of Justice awarded the Illinois State Police over half a million dollars while the Champaign Police Department will receive nearly $54,000.
(Paxton-cf)-- The Paxton Masonic Lodge is holding a “Get out of Dodge” raffle. The raffle is for a $2500 voucher to the Peabody Hotel in downtown Memphis Tennessee. You have to be 18 years of age to purchase a ticket, and tickets are $75. Masonic Lodge Member James Sheral has the details on how tickets can be purchased…
Paxton Masonic Lodge Member James Sheral. Tickets will be sold Until October 24th, and will be drawn at 1pm at the Masonic Lodge in Paxton.
(Rantoul-jm) -- A Rantoul restaurant is temporarily closed after a fire Tuesday morning. Firefighters were called to Ott’s around 9:15. The restaurant says damage is minor but they will be closed while they assess the damage.
(Champaign-jm) -- Champaign County Clerk Aaron Ammons is expanding ballot drop box access. Drop boxes will be added to the Brookens Administrative Center, Champaign Public Library main branch and Douglas branch, Champaign-Urbana Public Health Department, Sholem pool, Urbana Public Library and the University of Illinois Quad.
(Buckley-jm) -- A Christ Lutheran High School sophomore has won a state American Legion award. Deanna Auxier came in 1st place in the Legion’s Americanism essay contest.
