(Springfield-jm) -- Illinois will be challenged to maintain its investment grade credit rating, according to Fitch Ratings. About $850 million in bonds that Illinois is putting out this month has a near-speculative grade credit rating, according to Fitch Ratings. The state's overall rating has been affirmed, but with continued negative outlook. The credit rating agency gave several bonds Illinois put out this month a BBB- rating, which is one notch above BB, a rating the agency says is speculative grade. Others say that’s junk bond status.
(Springfield-jm) -- Illinois Gov. J.B. Pritzker got an “F” grade on a report that evaluated the nation’s governors on their fiscal restraint. The Cato Institute’s Fiscal Policy Report Card on America’s Governors uses statistical data to grade the governor’s on taxing and spending records. Governors who have cut taxes and spending the most receive the highest grades, while those who have increased taxes and spending receive the lowest grades, according to the institute. Pritzker signed into law $2.7 billion in net annual tax increases in 2019. He hiked vehicle registration fees, doubled the gas tax to 38 cents per gallon, and expanded online sales taxes. One good move, according to the report, was enacting a phase-out of the state’s corporate franchise tax, which is a burden on businesses in addition to the state’s corporate income tax.
(Springfield-jm) -- House Minority Leader Jim Durkin has some harsh words for Democrats postponing meetings of the special investigating committee. Durkin called for the hearings in response to the Com-Ed bribery scheme, but only two have been held so far. Democratic Chairman, Representative Chris Welch, has suspended meetings until after the November election, saying this is all about politics. Durkin responds…
House Minority Leader Jim Durkin. Speaker Madigan has not been charged with any wrongdoing. House GOP members want him to testify before the committee, and ultimately face disciplinary action over the scandal.
(Rantoul--jc) Police continue to search for a suspect that robbed the T-Mobile store in Champaign. The robbery happened around 5-30 Thursday afternoon. State police attempted to stop a vehicle with the suspect. The investigation led to an abandoned car in Rantoul. Police continue to search for the suspect.
(Springfield-jm) -- Illinois continues to outpace all other states in the number of firearm background checks. According to FBI NCIS Firearm Checks data, there were more than 421,000 checks in September, far outpacing any other state. Indiana was a distant second with 203,000 checks for the month. So far this year, there’ve been 5.6 million checks in Illinois, far more than Kentucky’s total to date of 2.3 million.
(Springfield-jm) -- A Senate committee is discussing potential changes to Black history curriculum for students. Members of the Black Legislative Caucus have been pushing to revamp social studies lessons, to emphasize the contributions of minorities throughout history and provide black and brown students a message of empowerment. Maywood Senator Kimberly Lightford says she was never able to relate or feel a sense of inclusion in social studies class…
State Senator Kimberly Lightford of Maywood. The group also heard from education experts who say computer science needs to be emphasized more in school, since most jobs require some digital skills.
(Undated-jm) -- The Illinois Department of Public Health reported 3,059 new Coronavirus cases and 32 deaths Thursday bringing the state’s total number of cases to 310,700 and deaths to 8,910. Locally, McLean County reported 15 new cases bringing their total number of cases to 3,482. Champaign County reported 32 new cases bringing their total number of cases to 5,103. Livingston County reported 9 new cases bringing their total number of cases to 481. Ford County reported 4 new cases to 176. Kankakee County reported 22 new cases bringing their total number of cases to 2,934. Vermilion County reported 34 new cases bringing their total cases to 982. Iroquois County reported 5 new cases bringing their total to 427. McLean, Champaign, Livingston, Kankakee and Vermilion Counties all reported at least one new death Thursday.
(Undated-jm) -- The Illinois Department of Public Health along with area health departments are reporting cases in area communities. 323 cases have been in Rantoul, 187 in Mahomet, 101 in St. Joseph, 80 in Gilman, 65 in Clifton, 59 in Watseka, 52 in Paxton, 47 each in Hoopeston and Chebanse, 46 in Fairbury, 38 in Fisher, 32 in Onarga, 28 in Gibson City, 24 each in Potomac and Forrest, 21 in Cissna Park, 17 each in Thomasboro and Ashkum, 16 in Danforth, 15 each in Rossville, Milford and Ogden, 12 in Gifford, 11 each in Saybrook and Piper City, 10 in Crescent City, 9 each in Foosland and Donovan, 8 each in Buckley, Martinton and Cabery, 7 in Bellflower, 6 each in Ludlow, Loda, Rankin, Chatsworth, Cullom and Beaverville, 5 in Dewey, 4 each in Arrowsmith and Colfax and 2 in Penfield.
(Paxton-jm) -- This week has been Fire Prevention Week and all week long we have talked with the Paxton Fire Department about things you should do to make sure you and your family are prepared for a fire. Today Paxton Firefighter Alan Meyer talks about making sure your dryer doesn’t become a fire source…
Paxton Firefighter Alan Meyer.
(Savoy-jm) -- Flights are being added back into the weekly schedule at Willard Airport in Savoy. Flights to Dallas-Fort Worth will be returning with 12 flights per week. Flight to O'Hare in Chicago will be returning with six flights per week. One flight will per day leave to Charlotte, just as it has since the flight schedules were altered.
(Champaign-jm) -- An autopsy is scheduled for today on an Urbana man who was shot and killed in Champaign yesterday morning. Champaign County Coroner Duane Northrup says 29 year old Martin Morrow was pronounced dead at Carle Foundation Hospital. Police say Morrow was shot several times near Williams and Duncan on Champaigns west side.
(Champaign-jm) -- The state is allowing those who want to avoid going to the polls on election day because of the Coronavirus pandemic, the option to request a mail in ballot. Champaign County Clerk Aaron Ammons says it’s a safe option…
Champaign County Clerk Aaron Ammons.
(Champaign-jm) -- Champaign has been ranked in the top 30 places to live in the U-S. Livability ranked Champaign 27th out of 100 best places to live. The group says Champaign is great for young families and ranks the communities fine arts and food scene best in the Midwest.
(Paxton-jm) -- A new boutique is open in Paxton. AnnRose Boutique Clothing Company opened at 165 S. Market Street in downtown Paxton next to city hall. Hours are Monday from 10-1 and Wednesday 4-6.
(Washington-jm) -- The signup period for USDA's Dairy Margin Coverage program is about to begin. Gary Crawford reports…
Paxton townwide garage sales will take place today and tomorrow. 57 garage sales are listed on the Paxton Area Chamber of Commerce’s facebook page.
Christie Clinic will be offering a drive thru flu clinic on Saturday from 7 am to noon at their location in Rantoul.
Paxton IGA will be hosting a cookout benefiting the PBL FFA on Saturday from 10-2.
The St. Malachy Fall Festival is Sunday at 11.
(Springfield-jm) -- Average residents of Illinois will spend $1,118,865 during their retirement years, in a state where the cost of living is 1.9 percent less than the national average, according to a new study from the website 24/7 Wall St. The analysis used data from the Bureau of Economic Analysis, Bureau of Labor Statistics, and the independent Institute for Health Metrics and Evaluation to examine what it costs to retire comfortably in each state. Whether someone saves enough to live comfortably during his golden years depends on several factors, such as whether he will receive pension payments in addition to Social Security, according to 24/7 Wall St. In Illinois, the average monthly housing cost for those 65 and older who own their homes was estimated at $609. And the share of seniors in the state population is 15.6 percent, according to the report. Nationwide, Americans will spend on average $987,000 during their retirement years, with the average life expectancy at age 65 estimated at 19.4 years, according to 24/7 Wall St.
(Springfield-jm) -- Despite the massive amount of mail-in votes and the extended early voting hours across all 108 election jurisdictions, Illinois public sector employees will still have election day off. Governor J.B. Pritzker reiterated the updated law, which makes Tuesday, Nov. 3rd a state holiday saying voters who do decide to vote on election day should know they can go to the polls with the confidence they’ll be safe.
(Springfield-jm) -- Governor J-B Pritzker says he’s feeling well as he finishes out the last few days of quarantine. The Governor has been in a 14 day quarantine since September 29th, when a member of his staff tested positive for the Coronavirus. He says he hasn’t had any problems so far…
Illinois Governor J-B Pritzker. Governor Pritzker says he’s been tested twice for the virus since being in quarantine and both tests have come back negative.
(Springfield-jm) -- The Illinois Municipal League says there’s millions of already approved federal dollars for local government COVID-19 relief that the state is still holding. IML Executive Director Brad Cole said it’s been seven months since the first federal package sent dollars to states for local governments and not one dime he says has been distributed by the Pritzker administration. Pritkzer’s office has declined to address the situation.
(Undated-jm) -- The U.S. Department of Agriculture has just begun a confidential survey of 300 Illinois soybean farmers to gather information about fertilizer and pesticide use. The National Agricultural Statistics Survey is asking Illinois soybean farmers to have their fertilizer and spray records handy to help speed up the data collection process. The results of the survey help policymakers and farm groups understand the factors driving the costs and returns of crop production.
(Springfield-jm) -- The Illinois Department of Labor is stressing the importance of grain bin safety this time of year. Grain bins can be a very dangerous place on the farm, so it’s vital that farmers put safety first says Labor Department Assistant Director Jason Keller…
Illinois Department of Labor Assistant Director Jason Keller. Keller says workers should avoid entering grain bins if possible and follow the lock out, tag out protocol of powering off all equipment and tagging it to remain off. So far this year, 11 grain entrapment cases have been reported in Illinois, killing four people.
(Undated-jm) -- Illinois now has more than 310,000 Coronavirus cases and 8,910 deaths. As for local active and recovered cases, McLean County reported 3,263 have recovered, 184 are in isolation, 11 are hospitalized with 2 in the ICU. Champaign County reported 4,744 have recovered, 332 are in isolation with 2 hospitalized. Livingston County reported 435 have been removed from isolation, 37 cases are active with 2 hospitalized. Ford County reported 151 have been released from isolation, 17 remain in isolation with 3 hospitalized. Kankakee County reported 2,537 have recovered, 325 cases are active with 11 hospitalized. Vermilion County reported 755 have been released from isolation, 213 are in isolation with 8 hospitalized. Iroquois County reported 382 have been released from isolation, 24 are in isolation with 2 hospitalized.
(Undated-jm) -- 8 coronavirus deaths were reported in the 7 county WPXN listening area. Champaign County reported 4 deaths while McLean, Livingston, Kankakee and Vermilion Counties each reported 1 death each. McLean County has 24 deaths, Champaign County has 27 deaths, Livingston County has 9 deaths, Ford County has 5 deaths, Kankakee County has 74 deaths, Vermilion County has 6 deaths and Iroquois County has 19 deaths.
(Paxton-jm) -- This week’s Scott’s Tips for Success has to do with winterizing your boat and camper. Scott Allen with Paxton Hardware and Rental has some tips…
Scott Allen with Paxton Hardware and Rental. You can hear more tips about winterizing your boat or RV tomorrow morning at 7:30.
(Rantoul-jm) -- Police from multiple agencies were looking for a suspect involved in a Champaign robbery in Rantoul Thursday evening. Champaign police say the suspect robbed the T-Mobile store on Prospect at knifepoint around 5:30 pm. State police spotted the vehicle near Rantoul and chased it. They found the car near the Walmart but the suspect had not been located.
(Urbana-jm) -- A University of Illinois student has been arrested for defacing property. Joshua Gray was identified as the person who spray painted a sidewalk near the Alma Mater during a demonstration in August.
(Gibson City-jm) -- School has been in session for a couple of months so far and some districts are faring better than others. Gibson City Melvin Sibley Schools Superintendent Jeremy Darnell talks about how his district has done so far…
GCMS Schools Superintendent Jeremy Darnell.
(Ashkum-jm) -- District 21 Illinois State Police in Ashkum have released results of recent Occupant Restraint Enforcement Patrols. Troopers say during the patrol, conducted in Kankakee County, 18 safety belt citations were issued.
(Buckley-jm) -- Three village of Buckley employees will receive a pay increase next year. The Buckley village board approved the 3 percent raises that are set to begin January 1st.
(Washington-jm) -- U.S. agricultural export values are down slightly from 2019, including soybeans. Rod Bain reports…
The Mississippi Valley Regional Blood Center will host a blood drive at OSF St. James-John Albrecht Medical Center in Pontiac today from 10 to 4.
The American Red Cross will hold a blood drive at the First Presbyterian Church in Hoopeston today from 11 to 4.
Champaign County will be hosting an electronics recycling today and tomorrow.
The Illinois Environmental Protection Agency will host a household hazardous waste collection on Saturday from 8:30-3:30 in Watseka at the Administrative Center.
The Mahomet Chamber of Commerce is hosting a Shop Hop on Saturday starting at 10 am.
