(Springfield-jm) -- The special investigative committee that is investigating Illinois House Speaker Michael Madigan is set to meet for a second time. The committee will meet at 2pm today. This comes after Madigan was implicated in a federal bribery scheme involving Chicago utility company Commonwealth Edison.
(Springfield-jm) -- A national judicial watchdog group has sued the state of Illinois and Illinois elections officials over voter roll access. Judicial Watch this month filed the federal lawsuit, claiming officials failed to allow meaningful public access to its voter roll data after a request in 2019. The group says in Illinois, it found more registered voters than citizens over 18 in 14 of 102 counties with a total of 660,000 inactive registrants.
(Springfield-jm) -- Federally Qualified Health Centers in Illinois and other health facilities that have been on the front lines in the state’s battle against COVID-19 are in line to receive $140 million in grants to help them maintain operations. Federally Qualified Health Centers have accounted for a large part of the state’s COVID-19 testing program where tests are available free of charge, regardless of a person’s ability to pay or citizenship status.
(Springfield-jm) -- It was another dry week for Illinois farm fields as we hear in the weekly crop report. Rainfall was nearly an inch below normal this past week, leaving average statewide topsoil moisture at 11 percent very short, 25 percent short, 62 percent adequate and two percent surplus. State Crop Statistician Mark Schleusener gives an update on the soybean crop…
State Crop Statistician Mark Schleusener. 73 percent of corn is mature and 13 percent has been harvested. Eight percent of winter wheat has been planted.
(Undated-jm) -- Illinois reported 1,709 new Coronavirus cases and 13 additional deaths bringing the state’s total number of cases to 289,639 and deaths to 8,614. Locally, since Friday, McLean County reported 63 new cases and one additional death bringing their total number of cases to 3,290 and deaths to 23. Champaign County reported 142 new cases bringing their total to 4,649. Ford County reported 9 new cases bringing their total to 155. Vermilion County reported 52 new cases bringing their total to 655. Livingston County reported 32 new cases bringing their total to 422. Iroquois County reported 5 new cases bringing their total to 404. Kankakee County reported 40 new cases bringing their total to 2,774.
(Bloomington-jm) -- One area lawmaker is speaking out against a proposed constitutional amendment before voters in the November election that would change the state’s tax structure from a flat tax rate to a progressive income tax. 53rd District State Senator Jason Barickman says the Governor’s proposed plan is not in the best interest of the state…
53rd District State Senator Jason Barickman of Bloomington.
(Rantoul-jm) -- Rantoul police are investigating a report of shots fired in the village over the weekend. An officer was in the area of Klein Avenue, heard gunshots and found several shell casings in the area of Congress and Century. A vehicle was struck by the gunfire. No injuries were reported.
(Champaign County-jm) -- Champaign County is seeking applicants for several vacancies. The vacancies include positions on cemetery boards and drainage districts as well as on the Eastern Prairie and Pesotum Fire Boards and the counties Zoning Board of Appeals. Details are available on the counties website.
(Washington-jm) -- Politicians on both sides of the isle continue to debate another round of Coronavirus relief. One of the major sticking points is money for state and local governments. U-S Senator Dick Durbin of Illinois says not approving money could cause other issues…
U-S Senator Dick Durbin of Illinois.
(Champaign-jm) -- 52nd District State Senator Scott Bennett of Champaign is encouraging local small businesses to apply for the 2nd round of Business Interruption Grants from the Illinois Department of Commerce and Economic Opportunity. The grants can help businesses with expenses related to COVID-19 or civil unrest. More details are available on the Department of Commerce and Economic Opportunities website.
(Paxton-jm) -- Paxtons former public works director was recognized recently. Mark LeClair retired after 42 years with the city. LeClair was named Wastewater System Operators Specialist of the Year. He started in 1978. LeClair will stay on as a consultant.
(Springfield-jm) -- Officials are moving forward with a lawsuit against Governor J-B Pritzker regarding the executive orders he issued in response to the COVID-19 pandemic. The lawsuit was filed by Christian County Board Member Ray Koonce. He filed the lawsuit as a private citizen, not as a member of the Christian County Board. The lawsuit alleges that Illinois residents' " fundamental rights to associate with friends and family have been unjustifiably infringed" by Pritzker's executive orders 2020-10, which issued the stay at home order, and 2020-18, which extended the stay at home order.
(Washington-jm) -- U.S. Sen. Dick Durbin of Illinois, plans to introduce a bill this week that would expand protection for dogs. The Puppy Protection Act would create stronger standards for housing, veterinary care, and breeding for dogs. The legislation would ensure that dogs within a breeder's care have access to outdoor areas, suitable and safe enclosures, and regular interaction with other dogs and humans.
(Springfield-jm) -- Hayrides and haunted hayrides with capacity restrictions are allowed amid COVID-19 concerns after the Pritzker administration reversed course. Documents showed hayrides were prohibited, but an update said the events can proceed with distancing and masking guidelines. Haunted houses must remain closed.
(Springfield-jm) -- It was another dry week for Illinois farm fields as we hear in the weekly crop report. Precipitation was below normal, leaving plenty of time for harvest in the fields. 60 percent of soybeans are dropping leaves and 11 percent has been harvested. State Crop Statistician Mark Schleusener says 72 percent of soybean acres are in good to excellent condition. Looking at corn...
State Crop Statistician Mark Schleusener. 73 percent of the corn crop is in good to excellent condition and eight percent of winter wheat has been planted.
(Undated-jm) -- Illinois now has 289,639 Coronavirus cases and 8,614 deaths according to the Illinois Department of Public Health. As for local active and recovered cases, McLean County reported 3,074 have recovered, 186 are in isolation and 7 are hospitalized including 1 in the intensive care unit. Champaign County reported 4,292 have recovered, 337 cases are active with 5 hospitalized. Ford County reported 137 have been released from isolation while 13 remain in isolation. Vermilion County reported 551 have been released from isolation and 100 cases are active. Livingston County reported 375 have been removed from isolation, 41 cases are active with 3 hospitalized. Iroquois County reported 362 have been released from isolation, 21 remain in isolation and 2 are hospitalized. Kankakee County reported 2,448 have recovered, 255 cases are active with 9 hospitalized.
(Undated-jm) -- As students attend school remotely this fall, the National Fire Protection Association is urging added caution around using and charging laptops and other electrical devices at home. WPXN’s Jason Madden has the details…
(Hoopeston-jm) -- Six vehicles were damaged following a two vehicle accident in Hoopeston. The accident occurred on south Dixie Highway. The impact of the collision sent one of the vehicles into the parking lot of the Ford dealership where it struck four other vehicles. One person was taken to the hospital with unknown injuries.
(Urbana-jm) -- University of Illinois police are investigating after a student had her car stolen. The student was walking from her car in lot D6 near the intersection of Goodwin and Illinois when a man asked her what time it was before stealing her keys and leaving with her car. The vehicle was later recovered however the suspect is still at large.
(Gibson City-jm) -- Last week was Child Passenger Safety Week in Illinois. 106th District State Representative Tom Bennett of Gibson City explains state requirements when it comes to child seats…
106th District State Representative Tom Bennett of Gibson City.
(Gibson City-jm) -- Gibson City Police have released their recent activity. On September 24th, Glenda Wittemann was arrested for allegedly driving under the influence of drugs. On September 25th, Justin Durham of Saybrook was arrested for an in state warrant.
(Danville-jm) -- The Vermilion County Public Health Department will be hosting a series of drive thru flu clinics this week. The clinics will take place October 1st from 8-11, October 2nd from 2-6, October 3rd from 9-1 and October 8th from 8-11. The flu clinic scheduled for today at St. Mary’s in Westville is postponed due to a shipping issue. Those coming to get their flu shots must bring their insurance card.
