(Springfield-jm) -- Some daycare providers in Illinois say their businesses can’t remain open unless the state makes changes to capacity limits. Childcare workers are essential workers in Illinois. On September 21, Governor J-B Pritzker announced $156 million in Business Interruption Grants to 4,686 licensed childcare centers across the state.The money is designated to help the centers follow COVID guidelines, which means smaller classes and a higher child-to-teacher ratio. In a statement announcing the grants Pritzker emphasized the importance of safe childcare to the health of Illinois’ economy.
(Springfield-jm) -- Revenues flowing into state coffers from legalized gambling operations plummeted during the fiscal year that ended June 30 as casinos, racetracks and other video gambling venues were forced to close during the COVID-19 pandemic. Many people also slowed down on buying lottery tickets, according to a new report by the Commission on Government Forecasting and Accountability which said total state tax revenues generated through legalized gambling fell 13.4 percent, or about $200 million, compared to the previous fiscal year.
(Springfield-jm) -- The State Board of Education is teaming up with teacher’s unions to provide support for first year teachers. High quality mentoring programs are designed to reduce turnover among new teachers and give them a shoulder to lean on. This is especially important during the pandemic, says the Board’s Executive Director for Teaching and Learning Jennifer Kirmess (kir-miss)...
State Board of Education Executive Director for Teaching and Learning Jennifer Kirmess. The mentoring program is being funded with a six and a half million dollar federal COVID relief grant.
(Undated-jm) -- The Illinois Department of Public Health announced 1,853 new Coronavirus cases and 14 additional deaths Monday bringing the state’s total number of cases to 303,394 and deaths to 8,805. Since Friday, McLean County reported 78 new cases bringing their total to 3,424. Champaign County reported 162 new cases bringing their total to 5,003. Livingston County reported 15 new cases and 1 additional death bringing their total to 457 and total deaths to 8. Ford County reported 2 new cases bringing their total to 169. Vermilion County reported 82 new cases bringing their total to 835. Kankakee County reported 46 new cases bringing their total to 2,887. Iroquois County reported 6 new cases bringing their total to 412.
(Paxton-jm) -- This week is Fire Prevention Week and the Paxton Fire Department is encouraging you to be prepared in case of a fire. Paxton Firefighter Alan Meyer talks about the importance of smoke detectors…
Paxton Firefighter Alan Meyer. Tune in tomorrow and the rest of this week in the morning for more safety tips from the Paxton fire department.
(Mahomet-jm) -- Mahomet-Seymour High School is announcing four of their students have been commended in the 2021 National Merit Scholarship Program. The students commended are Alexander Headley, Tony Huang, Amber Marshall and Daniel Renshaw.
(Springfield-jm) -- Voters will be asked to approve a change to the state’s constitution in the November election. The change would affect the state’s tax structure, whether to change it from a flat rate to a progressive rate. 53rd District State Senator Jason Barickman of Bloomington talks about the amendment and voices his concerns…
53rd District State Senator Jason Barickman of Bloomington.
(Rantoul-jm) -- A Rantoul school has received a grant to support healthy eating and physical activity. Pleasant Acres Elementary received $2,900 as part of the Fuel Up to Play 60 program. The program is sponsored by the National Dairy Council and the NFL.
(Springfield-jm) -- Harvest progress continues ahead of last year’s pace as we hear in the weekly crop report. This past week was cooler and drier than normal, with nearly six days suitable for fieldwork. Crop Statistician Steve Parn says 89 percent of corn acres are mature…
Crop Statistician Steve Parn. 81 percent of soybeans are dropping leaves and 25 percent of the crop has been harvested. 29 percent of winter wheat has been planted and average statewide topsoil moisture is rated at seven percent very short, 23 percent short, 68 percent adequate and two percent surplus.
(Springfield-jm) -- A report by the National Safety Council is giving Illinois favorable marks on its COVID-19 response, but said the state's testing program was "lagging." Eleven other states received an “on track” rating from the NSC, with New Mexico, New York and California leading the pack with the highest overall ratings. Ten states received an “off track” rating, with Mississippi and South Dakota received the lowest overall rating.
(Springfield-jm) -- A task force studying the issue of sexual abuse of Illinois students in school settings has issued its findings. The panel was created last year in response to reports of an increase of abuse cases in the Chicago Public School district. Its mission was to review the best practices for preventing the sexual abuse of students, how to best address that abuse, and the proper support for students who have suffered from that abuse. In all, the report includes 21 recommendations for best practices in addressing and preventing abuse and supporting victims statewide.
(Springfield-jm) -- Local officials are having trouble getting their share of federal aid from the state of Illinois but the agency responsible for divvying up the funds says the process is underway. Illinois received $815 million from the federal government to distribute under the CARES Act. Of that, $250 million is to go to smaller communities and units of government for expenses related to the COVID-19 response via the Local CURE program, which began in August. The deadline, initially October 1, was pushed back to the end of the year. The Department of Commerce and Economic Opportunity said, as of Sept. 24, it had distributed $1.3 million of the $250 million. Money not used will go into the state's coffers.
(Springfield-jm) -- The Illinois Emergency Management Agency is urging the public to participate in the world’s largest earthquake drill next week. The annual shakeout event will be held next Thursday, October 15th at 10:15 am. IEMA Spokesperson Rebecca Clark encourages everyone to sign up to participate and learn how to drop, cover and hold on in the event of an earthquake. She reminds that earthquakes don’t only occur in California…
IEMA Spokesperson Rebecca Clark. You can sign up to take part in the Great Shakeout online: at shakeout dot org. Families will find toolkits available for kids who are remote learning as well as other resources.
(Undated-jm) -- Illinois now has 303,394 Coronavirus cases and 8,805 deaths according to the Illinois Department of Public Health. Livingston County reported their 8th Coronavirus related death. As for local active and recovered cases, McLean County reported 3,191 have recovered, 202 are in isolation, 8 are hospitalized with 2 in the ICU. Champaign County reported 4,605 have recovered, 375 cases are active with 6 hospitalized. Livingston County reported 419 have been removed from isolation, 30 cases are active with 2 hospitalized. Ford County reported 143 have been released from isolation, 21 cases are active and 2 are hospitalized. Vermilion County reported 660 have been released from isolation, 163 are in isolation and 7 are hospitalized. Kankakee County reported 2,508 have recovered, 307 cases are active and 10 are hospitalized. Iroquois County reported 377 have been released from isolation, 14 are in isolation and 2 are hospitalized.
(Champaign-jm) -- The Champaign County Chamber of Commerce will be hosting a scarecrow contest. Champaign County Chamber of Commerce Marketing Director Lindsay Quick talks about the contest…
Champaign County Chamber of Commerce Marketing Director Lindsay Quick. The contest begins October 19th through November 2nd.
(Urbana-jm) -- Three teens were taken into custody Monday after allegedly robbing an elderly man in Urbana. The Champaign County Sheriff's Office says the robbery was reported in the 1500 block of North Broadway Avenue in Urbana Township. The 88-year-old victim told officers three teen boys came up to him while he was on a porch and asked for money. When the victim refused to give them any money, he said the suspects surrounded him and took his money by force. The suspects are 13,14 and 16 and were taken to the Champaign County Juvenile Detention Center.
(Paxton-jm) -- The Ford County Public Health Department will be hosting a pair of flu clinics this week. Ford County Public Health Department Spokesperson Brandi Williams gives the details for this week’s flu clinics…
Ford County Public Health Department Spokesperson Brandi Williams. If you can’t make it to those flu clinics you can always schedule an appointment at the health department by calling 217-379-9281.
(Watseka-jm) -- Iroquois Memorial Hospital is announcing they have received a $10,000 grant. The Knapp Burn Foundation provided the grant for the hospital to install a new fire alarm panel.
(Springfield-jm) -- Harvest progress continues ahead of last year’s pace as we hear in the weekly crop report. 26 percent of corn acres have now been harvested, compared to 10 percent the previous year but behind the five year average. Crop Statistician Steve Parn says 81 percent of soybeans are dropping leaves…
Crop Statistician Steve Parn. 29 percent of winter wheat has been planted and nine percent has emerged. Average statewide topsoil moisture is rated as seven percent very short, 23 percent short, 68 percent adequate and two percent surplus.
(Paxton--jc) Those traveling along Interstate 57 from northern Champaign County through Ford County, will see some slow downs due to road construction. A road project in that area begins today.
.(Springfield-jm) -- Illinois will be the 6th worst-represented state on election day, according to WalletHub. The consumer finance research website compared the distribution of the 50 states’ voters to the distribution of their electorates using demographic characteristics like age, race and gender. Illinois ranked No. 45.
