(Springfield-jm) -- There won’t be any indoor bar or restaurant service allowed in the northwestern-most counties of Illinois, per the Pritzker administration’s COVID-19 mitigation efforts. State lawmakers in the region question the state using the COVID-19 positivity rate as the trigger. They also question why bars and restaurants are being targeted when the outbreaks are happening at congregate settings. The Pritzker administration says they are targeting the industry they say they can control.

 

 

(Springfield-jm) -- The State Department on Aging is urging older Illinoisans to get their flu shot. The flu vaccine is especially important for seniors and those with underlying medical conditions says Department on Aging Director Paula Basta…

 

 

State Department on Aging Director Paula Basta.  Basta says getting your flu shot and preventing complications also reduces the strain on the healthcare system and leaves hospital beds open for COVID-19 patients.

 

 

(Springfield-jm) -- Illinois House Republicans on a committee investigating House Speaker Madigan have sent ten draft subpoenas to the Democratic chairman for consideration. The subpoenas include one for Madigan and six others asked to voluntarily testify. Three other names were revealed in testimony from ComEd earlier this week where they admitted to paying $1.3 million over nearly a decade in an effort to influence the speaker.

 

 

(Champaign-jm) -- Fall is off to a cool start in Illinois. Temperatures have been a little lower than usual says State Climatologist Trent Ford...

 

 

State Climatologist Trent Ford. September statewide precipitation was slightly above normal, and varied widely across Illinois. The U-S Drought Monitor shows central, southern and most of the eastern portions of the state as abnormally dry, with spots of moderate drought in a few areas. Ford says the eight to 14 day outlook calls for warmer and drier conditions than normal.

 

 

(Ford County-jm) -- A Hoopeston man is in the Ford County jail for allegedly attacking his brother in his home in Melvin. Harrington Matherne Jr is charged with two counts of home invasion. Police say Matherne allegedly barged into his brother's house, started an argument before striking him several times with his fist and keys and damaging a vehicle before leaving. Bond was set at $250,000. If convicted he faces 6 to 30 years in prison for each charge.

 

 

(Urbana-jm) -- Investigators are still working to determine what caused a house to explode in Urbana Friday. Firefighters were called to the house on Willow Drive, next to the Urbana Cracker Barrel. Patrons of the restaurant pulled an elderly man from the home. He was taken to the hospital with non life threatening injuries.

 

 

(Paxton-jm) -- Fire Prevention Week is this week and the Paxton Fire Department is encouraging residents to be prepared in the case of a fire. Paxton Firefighter Alan Meyer talks about the importance of having a plan…

 

 

Paxton Firefighter Alan Meyer. Throughout the week we will be hi-liting safety tips from the Paxton fire department.

 

 

(Paxton-jm) -- Paxton will be flushing hydrants this week. The city says they will flush hydrants on Monday, October 5th starting on the west side of town. Residents may notice some discoloration or loss of water pressure.

 

 

(Washington-jm) -- President Donald Trump used his executive powers to defer payroll tax to help those during the Coronavirus pandemic. The order was frowned upon by Democrats in Congress like U-S Senator Dick Durbin of Illinois, who question whether people will be able to handle the situation at the beginning of the year…

 

 

U-S Senator Dick Durbin of Illinois.

 

The Community Service Center of Northern Champaign County is hosting a drive thru COVID-19 clinic today from 11 to 7.

 

(Springfield-jm) --  Education advocates said it’s imperative to get students back in classrooms because virtual learning is negating months of education and could cost students nearly a year’s earnings in adulthood, according to one analysis. Advance Illinois, a nonprofit education advocate, presented findings from a number of studies to the Joint Senate Education and Higher Education. A June study by McKinsey and Co. that estimates that, even with remote learning, the average student “could lose $61,000 to $82,000 in lifetime earnings, or the equivalent of a year of full-time work, solely as a result of COVID-19–related learning losses.”

 

 

(Springfield-jm) -- State and industry officials are kicking off manufacturing month in Illinois. Illinois is the fourth largest state for manufacturing in the country, with over 18 thousand companies employing more than half a million workers says Department of Commerce and Economic Opportunity Director Erin Guthrie…

 

 

Illinois Department of Commerce and Economic Opportunity Director Erin Guthrie. Guthrie says Illinois needs to attract those companies and new jobs by providing ample training to students interested in the field. DCEO will be holding several virtual events to call attention to the manufacturing industry this month. Follow “at illinois dceo” on twitter for more details.

 

 

(Springfield-jm) -- President Donald Trump signed a measure to keep the federal government operating through the rest of the year. The bill includes billions for nutrition assistance, Medicare payments and funding for health centers to address COVID-19. The Illinois Farm Bureau said the measure also replenishes funds in the Commodity Credit Corporation as the state’s farmers begin harvest.

 

 

(Undated-jm) -- Illinoisans who step up to give the gift of life and donate blood right now could very well learn something new about their own health. Mary Scheurmann reports…

 

 

 

(Paxton-jm) -- The 2nd annual Wine and Chocolate walk took place Saturday in Paxton. The winner of the grand prize, a night at Cobblestone Inn and $75 in chamber bucks was Kelli Breymeyer. The best beverage winner was Hudson Drug and Hallmark. The best dessert winner was Simply Pat’s Hats. 18 businesses participated in the event. Next year’s event will be held the first Saturday in October.

 

 

(Washington-jm) -- Congressman John Shimkus is accepting applications for military service academy nominations. To be eligible: applicants must be American citizens at least 17 but not more than 23 years of age, not married or have legal obligations of child support and must live within the 15th Congressional District. Applications are due by October 30th and can be obtained by calling his office at 618-288-7190.

 

 

(Watseka-jm) -- Early voting is underway in Illinois. Those wanting to cast their ballots ahead of the November 3rd election can do so now either by vote by mail or at the county clerk’s office. Iroquois County Clerk Breein Suver says they have seen an increase in people voting before election day…

 

 

Iroquois County Clerk Breein Suver.

 

 

(Ford County-jm) -- The Ford County Public Health Department will be offering a pair of drive thru flu clinics this week. The first drive thru flu clinic will take place tomorrow from 9 to 11 am at Piper City Rehab. The second will take place later this week on Thursday from 1-3 pm at the American Evangelical Lutheran Church in Gibson City. Those getting their flu shot must either show proof of insurance or pay a $30 fee.

 

 

(Ashkum-jm) -- District 21 Illinois State Police in Ashkum will be conducting Alcohol Countermeasure Enforcement Patrols in the month of October. WPXN’s Jason Madden has those details…