(Springfield-jm) -- For the second time in less than a week, the daily COVID-19 death toll in Illinois has surpassed 40. The latest figures show 42 people, ranging in age from 40’s to 90’s died from the Coronavirus in the past day. There were 47 deaths last Friday, the highest number since late June. State Public Health Director Dr Ngozi Ezike urges everyone to do their part to help stop spread of the virus…
State Public Health Director Dr Ngozi Ezike. The state is reporting more than 26 hundred new cases, and over 16 hundred COVID patients are currently in the hospital.
Locally, Champaign County reported 33 new cases bringing their total 5,071. Livingston County reported 8 new cases bringing their total to 472. Iroquois County reported 8 new cases bringing their total to 422. Kankakee County reported 15 new cases and 1 additional death bringing their total number of cases to 2,912 and deaths to 73. Vermilion County reported 34 new cases bringing their total to 948.
(Springfield--jc) -- Illinois’ comptroller Susana Mendoza says President Donald Trump is holding Americans hostage by not continuing talks on another COVID-19 package. Critics of Democratic proposals in Congress say they include bailouts for poorly run states. Illinois Comptroller Susana Mendoza said the state is not looking for covering legacy debt, but is requesting coverage of lost revenues. State and local government tax revenue took a hit when leaders ordered businesses closed amid COVID-19 concerns.
(Springfield--jc) -- If Illinois voters were to change the state’s flat income tax to a progressive income tax, the nonpartisan Tax Foundation says it would lower the state’s ranking to near the bottom of all states, from 36th to 47th. Such a change could tax corporate income at nearly 10.5 percent, the second highest in the nation, the group said.
(Paxton-jm) -- This week is Fire Prevention Week and the Paxton Fire Department is offering tips to keep you and your family safe in the event of a fire. Paxton Firefighter Alan Meyer talks about the importance of closing your bedroom door when you go to bed…
Paxton Firefighter Alan Meyer. Tomorrow we wrap up Fire Prevention Week talking about dryers and how you can prevent that from becoming a fire source.
(Gilman-jm) -- Firefighters from several departments were called to a brush fire in Gilman Wednesday afternoon. The fire was at 1810 N. US 45 on Gilman’s east side. Buckley, Ashkum, Thawville, Onarga, Gilman, Crescent City and Danforth are among the departments that responded.
(Urbana-jm) -- A Champaign County election judge has tested positive for the Coronavirus. The Champaign County Clerk’s office said the election judge was working at the Brookens Administrative Center Gymnasium when they received their positive test result. The election judge notified the clerk’s office who initiated cleaning procedures and worked with the Champaign Urbana Public Health Department to make sure proper cleaning procedures were followed. The Champaign County Clerk’s office and Champaign Urbana Public Health Department both do not believe the public or anyone at the Brookens Center were at risk.
(Paxton-jm) -- Those wanting to get their flu vaccine can do so at the Ford County Public Health Department office in Paxton. The health department is doing the vaccine by appointment only because of the pandemic. Spokesperson Brandi Williams has what you need to do when coming to get your flu vaccine…
Ford County Public Health Department Spokesperson Brandi Williams. Schedule your appointment by calling the health department at 217-379-9281.
(Fisher-jm) -- The Fisher school district is facing a major deficit. The district is looking at a $509,000 deficit in the main funds of education and operations and maintenance. The district has $5.3 million in reserves.
(Washington-jm) -- New USDA forecasts for ag. commodity exports will be coming out this week. Gary Crawford has the details…
(Springfield-jm) -- More than six million COVID-19 tests have now been run in Illinois. Governor J-B Pritzker says the state is now averaging nearly 60 thousand tests a day and that testing is available if you feel you need it…
Illinois Governor J-B Pritzker. Local testing sites include Marketplace Mall in Champaign and the Interstate Center in Bloomington.
(Undated-jm) -- As for local active and recovered cases, McLean County reported 3,256 have recovered, 176 are in isolation, 12 are hospitalized with 2 in the ICU. Champaign County reported 4,701 have recovered, 347 cases are active with 2 hospitalized. Livingston County reported 424 have been removed from isolation, 40 cases are active and 4 are hospitalized. Iroquois County reported 380 have been released from isolation, 20 are in isolation and 3 are hospitalized. Kankakee County reported 2,524 have recovered, 316 cases are active with 11 hospitalized. Vermilion County reported 701 have been released from isolation, 233 are in isolation and 9 are hospitalized. Ford County reported 143 have been released from isolation, 22 are in isolation and 2 are hospitalized.
(Springfield--jc) - - Elections officials in Illinois say local authorities are doing their due diligence to keep Illinois’ voter rolls clean, and ballots correct, but there may be mistakes from time to time. In Bloomington, voters who already sent in their ballots weren’t being asked about certain judge retentions.In Madison County, some voters got their mail-in ballots and it had their party affiliation publicly labeled.
(Springfield-jm) -- Illinois homeowners are encouraged to prepare for colder weather. Among many tips are to clean out air filters and airflows of heating sources, test smoke and carbon monoxide detectors, and check gutters to prevent ice dams that could cause other damage.
(Springfield-jm) -- The Illinois Department of Natural Resources says the number of hunters in Illinois has been declining for the past two decades and the goal of HuntIllinois.org is to promote hunting and streamline getting licenses and permits. The website has useful information, no matter what species individuals want to hunt or what season someone plans to go.
(Gibson City-jm) -- Gibson City is moving forward with the final phase of their combined sewer separation project. Mayor Dan Dickey says they hope to complete the project next year…
Gibson City Mayor Dan Dickey.
(Gilman-jm) -- A Gilman man has been sentenced to two years in prison for a drug offense. David Blair pleaded guilty in Grundy County court to unlawful delivery of a look alike substance. Police say Blair met an undercover officer in Grundy County and attempted to sell $200 worth of heroin. A test revealed Blair actually sold ibuprofen to the undercover officer.
(Rantoul-jm) -- A Rantoul business is officially closed. Family Video announced in late August they would be closing their location at 136 and 45. The store closed this week after having a sale on all their videos.
(Springfield-jm) -- The investigative committee looking into House Speaker Michael Madigan’s involvement in the ComEd corruption scandal continues. 53rd District State Senator Jason Barickman of Bloomington recaps everything so far…
53rd District State Senator Jason Barickman of Bloomington. The committee announced Tuesday the next hearing won’t be until November 5th because of the upcoming election.
(Watseka-jm) -- The Illinois Environmental Protection Agency is resuming household hazardous waste collections this fall. The agency stopped collections due to the COVID-19 pandemic. Saturday, October 10th, will be the closest recycling event in the WPXN listening area in Watseka at the Administrative Center. Oil based paints, antifreeze, motor oil, gasoline, kerosene, insecticides and pesticides are allowed. Items such as latex based paints, explosives, propane tanks, fire extinguishers, smoke detectors and ag chemicals are not accepted.
(Washington-jm) -- When the final agricultural trade numbers for the 2020 fiscal year are released, will they fall below the 2019 year? Will they match USDA's previous forecast for the year? Gary Crawford reports from Washington…
