(Springfield-jm) -- Preliminary fall enrollment data shows fewer students are enrolling in community colleges across Illinois in the latest enrollment report compiled by the Illinois Community College Board. The 2020 Fall Enrollment Report shows total fall enrollment throughout Illinois’ Community College System is down 13.7 percent compared to last year in enrollment for the fall semester. Preliminary data indicates enrollment of students over age 30 decreased at twice the rate as compared to students younger than 30.
(Springfield-jm) -- The Illinois unemployment rate continues to fall. September was the third month in a row for a decline in the state’s jobless rate says Illinois Department of Employment Security Spokesperson Rebecca Cisco...
Illinois Department of Employment Security Spokesperson Rebecca Cisco. Unfortunately the state lost about 12 thousand jobs last month, especially in the professional and business services, government and health and education sectors. The national unemployment rate for September came in at seven point nine percent.
(Undated-jm) -- The Illinois Department of Public Health reported 4,554 new Coronavirus cases Friday and 38 additional deaths bringing the state’s total number of cases to 336,174 and deaths to 9,165. Locally, McLean County reported 35 new cases bringing their total number to 3,782. Champaign County reported 81 new cases bringing their total number to 5,505. Ford County reported 2 new cases bringing their total number to 232. Livingston County reported 16 new cases bringing their total to 542. Kankakee County reported 39 new cases bringing their total to 3,115. Vermilion County reported 40 new cases bringing their total to 1,251. Iroquois County reported 4 new cases bringing their total to 485.
(Rantoul-jm) -- Lincoln’s Challenge in Rantoul is reporting an outbreak at their facility. 29 cadets and 5 staff members have tested positive for the Coronavirus. The 97 cadets were tested after a staff member tested positive. Those that were positive have been separated from the others and the entire academy is being sanitized.
(Champaign-jm) -- Grace period voting begins today in Champaign County. County Clerk Aaron Ammons explains grace period voting and what you need to do…
Champaign County Clerk Aaron Ammons.
(Paxton-jm) -- A Paxton home was damaged by fire early Saturday morning. Firefighters from Paxton, Loda and Buckley were called to the house in the 300 block of E. Chestnut around 5:30 Saturday morning. No word on the cause of the fire or how much damage was caused.
(Onarga-jm) -- The Seminary Street railroad crossing in Onarga is closed starting today. The Canadian National Railroad is redoing the crossing. The closure is expected to last 7-10 days.
(Urbana-jm) -- A University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign told police he was the victim of identity theft. According to U of I Police, a student reported that someone used his name, birth date, and Social Security number to purchase a cellphone contract.
(Paxton-jm) -- The Ford County Public Health Department is offering the flu vaccine again this year. With the COVID-19 pandemic, Brandi Williams with the Ford County Public Health Department says they are doing things a little different than normal…
Ford County Public Health Department Spokesperson Brandi Williams. To make your appointment, call 379-9281.
(Cissna Park-jm) -- Cissna Park firefighters were called to a combine fire early Friday afternoon. Crews were called to the fire at 1133 and 400 just after noon. No injuries were reported.
(Gibson City-jm) -- Construction on the Ed Day skatepark in Gibson City continues. The $180,000 project is being built at West Park and was named after the former alderman who died days after being elected to the council. Leaders hope the project will be completed by the end of the month.
(Washington-jm) -- Forecasted corn yields across the country reach record highs -- nationally, and in a dozen states. Stephanie Ho has the details…
(Springfield-jm) -- Should Illinois voters remove the state’s constitutional requirement that all income be taxed at the same flat rate, a new report estimated the state would become one of the nation’s worst destinations in terms of business competitiveness. The nonprofit Tax Foundation analyzed the progressive tax ballot initiative, along with the rate structure lawmakers approved on the condition of its passage. Should the measure succeed next month, the report said the subsequent changes would send Illinois from 36th-worst to 47th-worst in the nation in terms of its "state business tax climate index," which measures each state’s tax structure against others in factors important to job creators.
(Springfield-jm) -- It’s been a dry fall so far in Illinois. According to the U-S Drought Monitor, the bottom half and nearly all of the eastern border in Illinois is either abnormally dry or in a moderate drought. That makes sense given the latest rain totals says State Climatologist Trent Ford…
State Climatologist Trent Ford. Ford says the dry weather has been good for crop harvesting, although soil moisture will need replenishing for the spring planting season.
(Undated-jm) -- The Illinois Department of Public Health reported 4,554 new Coronavirus cases Friday and 38 additional deaths bringing the state’s total number of cases to 336,174 and deaths to 9,165. As for local active and recovered cases from Friday, McLean County reported 3,459 have recovered, 282 are in isolation with 11 hospitalized. Champaign County reported 5,113 have recovered, 364 are in isolation and 5 are hospitalized. Ford County reported 155 have been released from isolation, 61 remain in isolation and 7 are hospitalized. Livingston County reported 483 have been removed from isolation, 50 remain in isolation and 1 is hospitalized. Kankakee County reported 2,622 have recovered, 418 cases remain active with 18 hospitalized. Vermilion County reported 979 have been released from isolation, 255 remain in isolation with 9 hospitalized. Iroquois County reported 408 have been released from isolation, 57 remain in isolation and 1 is hospitalized.
(Undated-jm) -- Two area counties also reported additional deaths Friday. Ford County reported two new deaths, a man in his 90’s and a woman in her 80’s. Champaign County also reported one additional death, a woman in her 60’s with underlying health conditions.
(Champaign-jm) -- If you’re looking for something to do with the kids, the Champaign County Chamber of Commerce may have something for you. The chamber is putting on a scarecrow contest. Participating businesses pay $75 for a scarecrow scavenger hunt. Marketing Director Lindsay Quick says they have maps available for your adventure…
Champaign County Chamber of Commerce Marketing Director Lindsay Quick.
(Watseka-jm) -- Several fire departments were called to a fire on Watseka’s west side Saturday evening. The fire happened at D&S Excavating on outskirts of Watseka just before 7 pm. No word on the cause of that fire.
(Champaign-jm) -- Work on a portion of road in northwest Champaign is expected to begin again this week. IDOT announced work on I-57 at the Mattis Avenue bridge will resume October 20th with lane closures. IDOT says southbound lanes will be closed October 20th and 21st from 10 pm to 6 am while northbound lanes will be closed October 22nd from 10 pm to 6 am. Its part of the reconstruction of the I-57/I-74 interchange project.
(Champaign-jm) -- Another Target is opening in Champaign-Urbana, this time in Campustown. The franchise is set to open on Sunday, October 25, at 706 S. 6th St. The new location is a two-story building with approximately 17,000 square feet.
(Paxton-cf)-- The PBL FFA Chapter is hosting the Discover Ag Day Camp over the next few weeks. The class is full, however the kids participating will not be at the high school. FFA Member Christina White has the details…
PBL FFA Member Christina White. The first lesson will take place Thursday October 22.
(Undated-jm) -- Paxton first responders were called to a two vehicle rollover accident late Friday morning. Crews were called to the accident at Patton and Union just before noon. No injuries were reported. Onarga first responders were called to a single vehicle accident on I-57 south of Onarga. No word on if there were any injuries.
(Ashkum-jm) -- District 21 Illinois State Police have released results of a pair of enforcement patrols. During criminal enforcement patrols, 33 citations and 36 written warnings were issued including 4 for civil cannabis and 1 for DUI. 4 criminal arrests were also made along with 5 warrant arrests. During Alcohol Countermeasure Enforcement Patrols, 1 person was cited for drug or alcohol related offenses, 4 were cited for registrations offenses, 11 for drivers license offenses and 2 for insurance offenses.
