(Springfield-jm) -- The state is releasing COVID-19 contact tracing data, showing outbreaks and possible sources of exposure. The information is updated weekly and is available on the Illinois Department of Public Health’s website. It includes outbreak locations and the top sources of exposure says Governor J-B Pritzker…
Illinois Governor J-B Pritzker. The Governor says they have improved the system so that you’re called, the number will show up as “Illinois COVID Help” instead of an unknown number that you may ignore.
(Springfield-jm) -- Governor J-B Pritzker is self isolating after coming in contact with someone who tested positive. The Governor’s office said the exposure occurred Monday during a meeting in his office. The Governor was tested and came back negative.
(Springfield-jm) -- With Coronavirus cases soaring, the Illinois Department of Public Health says families need to rethink how they usually celebrate the holidays. Family gatherings where you see relatives you haven’t been around since the pandemic began have been a significant source of spread of the virus. State Public Health Director Dr Ngozi Ezike says it may be just too big of a risk to get everyone together this year…
Illinois Public Health Director Dr Ngozi Ezike. Ezike reminds that even if you aren’t showing symptoms you could be carrying the virus and spreading it to those at high risk, and that there are several sources of exposure no matter how you choose to travel.
(Springfield-jm) -- Illinois Senate Minority Leader Dan McConchie said taxpayers who are the victim of unemployment fraud should do everything they can to get it cleared up. There could be tax implications for filings next year. McConchie recently got unemployment benefits sent to him fraudulently. He said the state’s unemployment agency needs to tell the legislature what it needs to clear up the issue and clear through backlogs for getting benefits out.
(Springfield-jm) -- The Illinois Department of Natural Resources is reminding hunters to take important safety precautions as they head out into the fields. When it comes to hunting accidents, unsafe tree stands are often the culprit. Department of Natural Resources Spokesperson Rachel Torbert recommends checking your tree stand before using it…
Illinois Department of Natural Resources Spokesperson Rachel Torbert. Torbert says hunters should also wear either blaze orange or pink and be certain of their target before pulling the trigger. Last year there were 20 hunting incidents reported in Illinois.
(Paxton-jm) -- A St. Joseph woman was arrested in Paxton on drug charges. Casey McCartney was arrested following a traffic stop for speeding at Pells and Stockholm. As the officer approached the vehicle, they noticed the smell of cannabis. A search of the vehicle uncovered over 10 grams of cannabis and four tenths of a gram of cocaine. McCartney was charged with possession of a controlled substance and illegal possession of adult use cannabis.
(Rantoul-jm) -- A 16 year old was arrested following a shots fired incident in Rantoul over the weekend. Rantoul police were called to the 700 block of Willow Pond Road just before 1:30 Saturday afternoon. Officers located evidence of shots fired and were given a description of a possible vehicle. That vehicle was located and a search uncovered a handgun with a defaced serial number. The juvenile was charged with possession of a stolen firearm and defacing identification marks of a firearm.
(Undated-jm) -- Several city council meetings and one county board meeting are scheduled for tonight around the area. The Ford County Board will meet at 7 tonight where they will discuss setting the salary for the circuit clerk position as well as some other department heads, consider an electronics recycling and discuss the sale of 3 properties for delinquent taxes. Gibson City leaders will meet tonight at 7 where they will consider a zoning variance for a residence in the 300 block of S. State Street and consider medical plan benefits. Gilman city leaders will also meet tonight at 7 where they are expected to consider an engineering proposal for the Third, Main and Maple roadway improvement project, consider the city’s tax levy and consider an agreement with the Iroquois County Sheriff’s office for coverage. The Ford County Board, Gibson City city council and Gilman city council all meet tonight at 7.
(Rantoul-cf)-- The Community Service Center of Northern Champaign County is teaming up with the Salvation Army again this year for the Holiday Bureau. With the ongoing pandemic, families will not be able to go to the Bethany Park Christain Church church in Rantoul and select their items for their kids. This year families are being asked to register, and fill out the needs of each child says Director Andy Kulczsicki…
Community Service Center of Northern Champaign County Director Andy Kulyzcki.
(Champaign-jm) -- The Parkland College Foundation is announcing they are accepting scholarship applications for Spring 2021. Applications are due by 5pm on Monday, November 16th.
(Springfield-jm) -- Illinois Department of Public Health Director Dr Ngozi Ezike says the cost of trying to establish COVID-19 herd immunity is too great. Some have suggested that if enough people get the virus, the majority of the population will become immune and the pandemic will end. But Dr Ezike points out with less than 10 percent of Illinoisans testing positive so far, over 10 thousand have already died…
Illinois Department of Public Health Director Dr Ngozi Ezike. Ezike says that is not a moral solution to the problem.
(Springfield-jm) -- The risk of catching the virus in the dentist’s chair is low, according to infection rates in the industry. Infection data compiled up to June found fewer than one percent of dentists nationwide had been infected with COVID-19, even ones that had continued to see customers.
(Springfield-jm) -- More COVID-19 restrictions may be in the future for Illinoisans. Governor J.B Pritzker said his administration may implement new, more stringent restrictions statewide if virus numbers continue to increase. Months ago, the governor’s orders prohibited indoor restaurant and retail service and also limited elective medical procedures.
(Springfield-jm) -- The Illinois Department of Natural Resources is announcing COVID safety precautions for deer C-W-D stations. Deer hunters in some counties are required to take their harvest to a chronic wasting disease check station. Department of Natural Resources Spokesperson Rachel Torbert says there are a few changes this year…
Illinois Department of Natural Resources Spokesperson Rachel Torbert. The firearm deer hunting season in Illinois is November 20th through the 22nd and December 3rd through 6th.
(Urbana-jm) -- A man who defrauded the University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign of more than $265,000 was sentenced to three and a half years in federal prison. Eric Marcel Mboule of Tucker, Georgia will spend 42 months behind bars for his role in the defrauding. He will also serve three years of supervised release following his sentence. Mboule pleaded guilty to conspiracy to commit wire fraud. Officials said that in 2016, Mboule worked with others to execute a fraudulent scheme against the university. They deceived U of I officials into believing that a building contractor working for the university had changed banking information prior to the contractor receiving the next scheduled payment. Mboule was also ordered to pay the university over $265 thousand.
(Rantoul-jm) -- Construction on the $20 million Rantoul Family Sports Complex continues. Village Administrator Scott Eisenhower talks about the projects timeline…
Rantoul Village Administrator Scott Eisenhower.
(Undated-jm) -- Two area school districts are expected to make a decision about basketball tonight. The Tri-Point School District will hold a special meeting to make their decision tonight at 6. Also at 6 Rantoul Township High School will discuss that as well as their tentative tax levy and appointing a new school board member. Both the Rantoul Township High School and Tri-Point School Boards get underway at 6pm.
(Springfield-jm) -- The state announced another round of funding to expand broadband access around Illinois. 106th District State Representative Tom Bennett of Gibson City talks about the program and how it will help rural communities…
106th District State Representative Tom Bennett of Gibson City.
(Ashkum-jm) -- District 21 Illinois State Police have released October enforcement numbers. During the month, troopers issued 606 citations and 911 written warnings including 20 DUIs, 50 seatbelt citations and 40 criminal arrests. Troopers also responded to 74 traffic accidents.
