(Springfield-jm) -- The enrollment period for health care coverage under the Affordable Care Act is now open. If you’re in need of health insurance, there are plenty of choices through the marketplace says Illinois Department of Insurance Director Robert Muriel…
Illinois Department of Insurance Director Robert Muriel. Three different levels of coverage are offered and a tax credit for premium costs is available to those who qualify. To start searching for a plan that works for you, visit: get covered illinois dot gov.
(Springfield-jm) -- With one remaining region of the state set for COVID-19 mitigations Wednesday, and more businesses filing county-level lawsuits against the governor, the Illinois Restaurant Association says it won’t file a lawsuit. Rather, they’d support the lawsuits its members are filing across the state. President Sam Toia said the association decided to file statements on existing cases in counties across the state.
(Springfield-jm) -- COVID-19 conditions continue to decline in Illinois. The daily number of new confirmed cases has been over six thousand for six days in a row now and the pandemic doesn’t seem to be letting up says Governor J-B Pritzker…
Illinois Governor J-B Pritzker. As of Wednesday, the entire state will be under stricter safety guidelines such as no indoor dining or bar service due to rising positivity rates.
(Undated-jm) -- Looking at the numbers reported yesterday locally. Since Friday, McLean County reported 125 new cases bringing their total to 4,483. Champaign County reported 258 new cases bringing their total to 6,588. Livingston County reported 63 new cases bringing their total to 840. Vermilion County reported 51 new cases bringing their total to 1,701. Kankakee County reported 245 new cases bringing their total to 4,014. Iroquois County reported 46 new cases bringing their total to 648.
(Undated-jm) -- The Illinois Department of Public Health along with area health departments are reporting cases in area communities. Since the pandemic started, 538 cases were in Rantoul, 266 in Mahomet, 149 in St. Joseph, 135 in Hoopeston, 101 in Fairbury, 89 in Gilman, 86 in Clifton, 84 in Paxton, 76 in Watseka, 71 in Chebanse, 61 each in Fisher and Piper City, 48 in Cissna Park, 44 in Gibson City, 41 in Forrest, 40 each in Onarga and Potomac, 39 in Ashkum, 37 in Milford, 28 each in Thomasboro and Rossville, 23 in Chatsworth, 22 in Danforth, 20 in Gifford, 19 each in Loda and Crescent City, 17 each in Rankin and Donovan, 15 in Sheldon, 14 in Saybrook, 13 in Cabery, 12 in Beaverville, 11 in Ludlow, 10 each in Penfield and Wellington, 9 each in Foosland, Buckley, Roberts, Bellflower and Martinton, 8 in Dewey, 7 in Cullom, 6 each in Kempton, Melvin and Strawn and 6 in Colfax.
(Undated-jm) -- The election is today. Ford County Clerk Amy Frederick has the races for Ford County…
Ford County Clerk Amy Frederick. Champaign County voters will have a variety of positions to vote for in this year’s election. County Clerk Aaron Ammons runs through the ballot…
Champaign County Clerk Aaron Ammons. Champaign County residents will be asked to approve a referendum for the forest preserve. In addition, voters will also be asked about a change to the state’s tax structure. Polls close tonight at 7.
(Champaign-jm) -- 32 businesses in Champaign and Vermilion Counties have received Business Interruption Grant funding. 52nd District State Senator Scott Bennett made the announcement recently. The 32 businesses received a total of $1.65 million to cover payroll, rent and utilities during the pandemic.
(Ashkum-jm) -- District 21 Illinois State Police in Ashkum have released numbers for two recent patrols. During Occupant Restraint Enforcement Patrols, 15 safety belt citations were issued. During Alcohol Countermeasure Enforcement patrols, 2 were cited for drug or alcohol related offenses, 2 for occupant restraint offenses, 2 for registration offenses and 1 for drivers license offenses.
(Paxton-jm) -- Ford County Treasurer Krisha Shoemaker is reminding residents the 2nd installment of 2019 payable in 2020 real estate taxes are due this Friday. Taxes can be paid at the courthouse, the dropbox in front of the courthouse, at any Ford County bank, online at gov tech tax pro dot com or by mail if postmarked by this Friday.
(Undated-jm) -- COVID-19 has adjourned a federal courtroom in Illinois for the remainder of the year. The U.S. 7th District Court in Central Illinois announced late Friday that it would suspend all jury trials and public gatherings until Jan. 25, 2021. The 7th District covers 46 counties including Ford, Iroquois, Champaign, Vermilion, McLean, Kankakee and Livingston Counties.
(Undated-jm) -- Corn and soybean harvesting continues ahead of the five year average. About four and a half days were suitable for fieldwork this past week, with wet conditions in southern counties. Overall, harvesting is on track says State Crop Statistician Mark Schleusener…
State Crop Statistician Mark Schleusener. 94 percent of winter wheat has been planted and 82 percent has emerged. Average statewide topsoil moisture increased to three percent very short, 18 percent short, 68 percent adequate and 11 percent surplus.
OSF St. James-John Albrecht in Pontiac will hold their diabetes support group tonight at 6pm.
(Springfield-jm) -- Governor J-B Pritzker is urging the public not to rely on social media for election results. With so many mail in ballots to be counted, it may take at least a few days to finalize winners. The Governor says you need to be careful about election information on social media sites…
Illinois Governor J-B Pritzker. Pritzker advises people to get election results from reputable news sources or their local election authority’s website.
(Springfield-jm) -- Illinois Lottery players got particularly lucky in September. Lotto reports Pick 3 and Pick 4 players won more than $40 million in prizes – the largest amount ever paid out to Illinois Lottery Pick players in any single month.
(Undated-jm) -- Vermilion County reported 2 new deaths Monday. According to the Vermilion County Public Health Department says both are men in their 80s. That brings their total to 14.
(Undated-jm) -- Voters go to the polls today to cast their ballots for the next President and Vice President of the United States as well as a possible constitutional amendment. Vermilion County Clerk Cathy Jenkins talks about the races in her county…
Vermilion County Clerk Cathy Jenkins. Iroquois County voters will have a variety of positions to vote for in this year’s election. County Clerk Breein Suver has the list of local races…
Iroquois County Clerk Breein Suver. In addition, voters across the state will also be considering a possible change to the state’s constitution when it comes to taxes. Polls close tonight at 7.
(Urbana-jm) -- New details are coming out on the kidnapping scheme busted in Urbana Friday evening. Police say the victim was taken from his family 14 years ago. In court proceedings Monday, prosecutors accused 27 year old Felipe De Jesus Guevara Sanchez of demanding the victims parents pay thousands of dollars in ransom money to bring their son back from Mexico. A meeting to exchange the 25 year old victim was to take place Friday evening at a gas station in Urbana. Police arrested Guevara Sanchez at the gas station. 6 others were in the vehicle at the time. Police believe they too were kidnapping victims. Guevara Sanchez remains in the Champaign County Jail.
(Cissna Park-jm) -- The Cissna Park FFA Chapter is getting some new equipment thanks to a donation. The chapter received the donation from the family of Harold Froehling. The chapter used the money to purchase new auto-darkening welding helmets and safety glasses. Froehling was the 1st President of the Cissna Park FFA Chapter and was inducted into the Cissna Park FFA Chapters Hall of Fame in 2017.
(Champaign-cf)-- The Champaign County Forest preserve has a referendum on this years ballot in this years primary election that constituents can vote to increase the tax levy to five dollars and thirty three cents for every one-hundred thousand dollars of assessed value. There has been a lot of backing from various county entities says Sarah Livesay Vice President of the Champaign County Forest Preserve….
Sarah Livesay Vice President of the Champaign County Forest Preserve.
(Pesotum-jm) -- District 10 Illinois State Police in Pesotum have announced roadside safety checks in Champaign County during the month of November. Troopers will be watching for those driving under the influence, safety belt and child restraint use, speeding and distracted driving.
(Champaign-jm) -- Parkland College is announcing enrollment for Spring 2021 is underway. Classes are set to begin January 16th.
(Undated-jm) -- Corn and soybean harvesting continues ahead of the five year average. 89 percent of corn has been harvested, compared to 83 percent normally, and 93 percent of soybeans are now out of the ground. State Crop Statistician Mark Schleusener looks at winter wheat…
State Crop Statistician Mark Schleusener. Average statewide topsoil moisture increased to three percent very short, 18 percent short, 68 percent adequate and 11 percent surplus.
