(Springfield-jm) -- Hay rides, train rides and haunted houses are no longer allowed this fall. The state updated guidelines Friday ordering them closed because of the Coronavirus pandemic.
(Springfield-jm) -- Members of Illinois' House Special Investigating Committee into House Speaker Michael Madigan’s involvement in a bribery scheme with ComEd could hear Tuesday from executives from the utility. Chicago Public Radio reported the update from a letter House Minority Leader Jim Durkin sent Democrats. Madigan declined to testify. The committee could forward charges to a disciplinary committee.
(Springfield-jm) -- The debate over the proposed graduated income tax is heating up in Illinois. In the election, voters will be asked to support a change in the state’s income tax structure, taxing people based on how much they make instead of at a flat rate for everyone. Democrats say this system would be fairer and generate much needed revenue for the state. If not passed, they say a general tax increase of up to 20 percent will be needed. GOP Representative Tom Demmer of Dixon responds…
State GOP Representative Tom Demmer of Dixon. Governor J-B Pritzker says Republicans should indicate which areas of government should be cut if the graduated income tax isn’t passed.
(Undated-jm) -- Illinois reported 2,514 new Coronavirus cases and 25 additional deaths Friday bringing the state’s total number of cases to 283,885 and deaths to 8,563. Locally, McLean County reported 19 new cases bringing their total to 3,227. Champaign County reported 72 new cases bringing their total to 4,507. Vermilion County reported 15 new cases bringing their total to 603. Ford County reported 3 new cases bringing their total to 146. Kankakee County reported 14 new cases bringing their total to 2,734. Livingston County reported 6 new cases bringing their total to 390. Iroquois County reported 3 new cases bringing their total to 399.
(Springfield-jm) -- Senate lawmakers are looking at lowering the compulsory school age in Illinois. Children must start attending school by age six, but last week a Senate committee discussed lowering that to five. Dr Brenda Dixon with the State Board of Education says they support the idea…
State Board of Education’s Dr Brenda Dixon. Dixon says kids that don’t start school until first grade often struggle and find it hard to catch up to their peers.
(Rantoul-jm) -- Another area newspaper is shutting down. The News Gazette announced this week will be the final week for the Rantoul Press. The Rantoul Press has been around for 145 years. The News Gazette cited the closure as a business decision.
(Champaign-jm) -- University of Illinois testing numbers will no longer be included in the Region 6 of the Restore Illinois plans totals. The University tests about 10,000 people a day with the 20 county region averaging a total of about 13,000 a day. Health officials say the high number of tests is skewing the region’s positivity rate lower and could be impacting the actual impact in the region. Data will now show numbers with and without the U of I’s data.
(Undated-jm) -- Some places could see their first frost this week as a cold front pushes through the area. State Climatologist Trent Ford says that would be earlier than normal…
State Climatologist Trent Ford.
(Undated-jm) -- Area first responders were busy over the weekend. Saturday, Sibley firefighters were called to a field fire Elliott first responders were called to a car vs tree accident Saturday afternoon. Also Saturday afternoon, Piper City first responders were called to a FedEx vehicle vs car accident. Early Sunday morning, traffic on I-57 southbound was detoured at Paxton after a truck pulling a camper crashed at the bridge south of Paxton.
(Gilman-jm) -- Iroquois Memorial Hospital will be hosting an open house for their Gilman clinic. The open house will take place tomorrow from 1-5 pm at their new location along Route 45 next to the CVS.
(Washington-jm) -- Legislation in Congress is being proposed to help those who have lost their health insurance due to the Coronavirus pandemic. The legislation is sponsored by U-S Senator Dick Durbin of Illinois…
U-S Senator Dick Durbin of Illinois.
(Champaign-jm) -- Champaign County home sales rose 23 percent in August. 322 homes sold last month compared to 260 in August 2019. The median price also rose although slightly last month. The median price rose from $165,500 to $169,900.
(Paxton-jm) -- Some sidewalks and alleys in Paxton will receive some upgrades. The city set aside $40,000 for the work. The city will likely hire a contractor to do the work while the city will provide materials.
(Washington-jm) -- The numbers in USDA's latest report on cattle feedlots are generally higher than most industry analysts expected. Gary Crawford reports…
(Springfield-jm) -- Peoria U.S. Representative Darin LaHood introduced a bill designed to make sure federal bailout funds are used for essential services and not to eliminate existing debt. The bill authorizes state and local governments to seek forgivable loans from the federal government, with loan forgiveness available only to states with sound pensions, truly balanced budgets and sufficient rainy-day funds.
(Springfield-jm) -- An economic report by the website Yelp is painting a dire picture for businesses in Illinois and the rest of the country. Yelp notes that businesses already well suited for takeout service, such as pizza places, fast food and delis, are treading water better than other restaurants. Sam Toia, president of the Illinois Restaurant Association, said a fifth of all dining establishments in the state are expected to close, eliminating a lot of jobs.
(Undated-jm) -- Illinois reported 2,514 new Coronavirus cases and 25 additional deaths Friday bringing the state’s total number of cases to 283,885 and deaths to 8,563. As for local active and recovered cases as of Friday...McLean County reported 2,993 have recovered, 202 are in isolation, 10 are hospitalized with 2 in the ICU. Champaign County reported 4,124 have recovered, 363 cases are active and 4 are hospitalized. Vermilion County reported 496 have been released from isolation, 95 are in isolation and 8 are hospitalized. Ford County reported 131 have been released from isolation and 10 remain in isolation. Kankakee County reported 2,241 have recovered, 422 cases are active and 9 are hospitalized. Livingston County reported 341 have been removed from isolation, 43 cases are active with 3 hospitalized. Iroquois County reported 359 have been released from isolation, 20 remain in isolation with 1 hospitalized.
(Springfield-jm) -- The Illinois Department of Public Health says it’s more important than ever to get your flu shot this year. Flu season is coming soon and won’t be put on hold just because we’re in the middle of a pandemic. That’s why everyone six months and older should get the flu vaccine says State Public Health Director Dr Ngozi Ezike…
State Public Health Director Dr Ngozi Ezike. The vaccine is available as either a shot or nasal spray. Ezike says many of the symptoms of the flu and COVID-19 are the same, so it’s vital to protect yourself by getting immunized and continuing to wear a mask.
(Urbana-jm) -- A Fisher man who pleaded guilty to aggravated battery and fleeing from police has been sentenced to 30 months probation. Devon Todd received the sentence after pleading guilty to the charges in two separate cases. The aggravated battery charge stems from an incident in March after he entered a home in Mahomet and attacked a person. In late April he was charged with fleeing from police after they attempted to stop him as they were investigating an individual flashing a gun. In exchange for his pleas more serious charges were dismissed. The court also ordered Todd to undergo substance abuse treatment.
(Champaign-jm) -- Some area Goodwill stores will be extending their hours. The Goodwill stores in Champaign, Savoy and Bloomington-Normal will be open Monday through Saturday 10 to 8 and Sunday noon to 5 starting October 1st.
(Gilman-cf)-- October is almost here and that means that harvest is underway in the WPXN listening area. Are yields on pace from last season? Ford-Iroquois Farm Bureau Manager David Treece has the details…
Ford-Iroquois Farm Bureau Manager David Treece.
(Champaign-jm) -- Those wanting assistance in lowering their utility bills can do so later this month. 52nd District State Senator Scott Bennett of Champaign will be hosting a virtual clinic with the Citizens Utility Board on Wednesday, September 30th from 5:30-7:30 pm. More details are available by calling Senator Bennett’s office at 217-355-5252.
(Iroquois County-jm) -- Iroquois County Sheriff’s police have released their recent activity report. On September 23rd, Joshua Schnaiter of Peoria was arrested on an outstanding warrant. On September 24th, Izabelle Danields was arrested on an outstanding warrant in Vermilion County and Adam Martin of Chicago was arrested on an Iroquois County warrant. On September 25th, Kenny Pheifer of Onarga was arrested for DUI and failure to reduce speed to avoid an accident and Harold Alliss of St. Anne was arrested for violating an order of protection.
(Bloomington-jm) -- Illinois voters will be asked to change the state’s tax structure through a constitutional amendment when they head to the polls in November. 53rd District State Senator Jason Barickman of Bloomington talks about the amendment…
53rd District State Senator Jason Barickman of Bloomington.
(Gibson City-jm) -- The Jordan Industrial Park in Gibson City will be receiving some upgrades. The upgrades include adding a half mile path with either mulch, till/compact or seed with grass, 4 new benches and planting 3 Norway Spruces. Connor Ray will be doing the upgrades as part of his Eagle Scout project.
(Buckley-jm) -- Buckley village leaders are warning residents about a recent scam. The scam involved 2 people posing as a utility or service workers. The individuals stole valuables from the residents. They remind residents to report suspicious activity to the village or police.
(Washington-jm) -- What does beef production and cattle prices look like for 2020 and 2021? Rod Bain has the details…
