(Springfield-jm) -- Independent analysis of COVID-19 data in Illinois by Wirepoints shows the death rate plummeted from nearly 5 percent to 0.9 percent and is clearly more deadly for people of advanced age. Wirepoints President Ted Dabrowski said the data also shows the state is failing to control the virus in nursing homes where nearly half the deaths continue to occur eight months into the pandemic.
(Springfield-jm) -- Secretary of State Jesse White is announcing that all driver’s services facilities will be closed for a few weeks. As a precaution during the pandemic, the facilities will close Tuesday the 17th and then reopen December 7th says Secretary of State Spokesperson Henry Haupt…
Illinois Secretary of State Spokesperson Henry Haupt. Haupt reminds there are things you can take care of online at: cyber drive illinois dot com, such as renewing your vehicle registration. Additionally, the expiration date for state driver’s licenses and ID cards has been extended to June 1st of next year.
(Springfield-jm) -- Illinois has the second-worst recovery of unemployment in the nation. Consumer finance website WalletHub said despite the U.S. dealing with an uptick of COVID-19 cases, new unemployment claims decreased from the week before nationwide. Illinois saw a decrease of new filings by 2,800, but still saw more than 70,000 initial unemployment claims last week. All neighboring states have among the best recovery, with Kentucky ranked 7th best.
(Springfield-jm) -- Governor J-B Pritzker is extending the ban on evictions in Illinois, but with some restrictions. The eviction moratorium will last another 30 days, but will only apply to renters who really need the help says Governor Pritzker…
Illinois Governor J-B Pritzker. Renters will have to submit a declaration to their landlord, saying they can’t pay because of loss of income due to COVID-19. That form will be available online at: ihda dot org.
(Watseka-jm) -- A soldier from Watseka has been identified as one of five U-S service members killed in a helicopter crash in Egypt last week. Army Sergeant Jeremy Sherman was on a peacekeeping mission in the Sinai Peninsula when their helicopter crashed. Sherman was a graduate of Watseka High School.
(Champaign-jm) -- The Parkland College Foundation is announcing they are accepting scholarship applications for Spring 2021. Applications are due by 5pm today.
(Paxton-cf)-- The Paxton- Buckley-Loda FFA Chamber is accepting donations through this Tuesday. They are accepting small items that can fit into shoe boxes. PBL FFA Members Hope Watts has the details…
PBL FFA Member Hope Watts.
(Undated-jm) -- Several area school boards meet tonight. The Fisher School Board meets at 630 where they will discuss their tax levy, district report card and the CEO program. At 7 the Mahomet Seymour school board will meet where they will discuss their tax levy and hear an update on the COVID situation within their district. The Fisher School Board meeting gets underway at 6:30 with the Mahomet Seymour School Board meeting getting underway at 7.
(Champaign-jm) -- Local health officials are raising red flags after a recent surge in Coronavirus cases. Cases have risen significantly not just locally but around the state and even the country. Champaign Urbana Public Health Administrator Julie Pryde says the pandemic will likely get worse this winter…
Champaign Urbana Public Health Administrator Julie Pryde.
(Urbana-jm) -- A historic building on the University of Illinois campus will be getting a makeover. Altgeld and Illini Halls will undergo a massive $200 million renovation. Illini Hall will be torn down in summer 2021 with Altgeld renovations expected to start in the fall of 2021. Both projects are expected to be completed by 2026.
(Springfield-jm) -- Governor J.B. Pritzker said those who ask questions about his metrics to drive public policy are fueling “conspiracy theories.” All 11 regions of the state are under enhanced mitigations and the Governor has threatened to implement another stay at home order.
(Springfield-jm) -- As part of the state’s “Rebuild Illinois” program, downstate communities are receiving $112 million in grants for transit needs. 31 downstate transit providers are receiving the funds says Illinois Department of Transportation Spokesperson Paul Wappel…
Illinois Department of Transportation Spokesperson Paul Wappel. Wappel says for many people, transit services can be a lifeline for them to get to work, school or the doctor’s office.
(Springfield-jm) -- Governor J.B. Pritzker is still stopping short of calling a special session. The governor acknowledged his power to bring lawmakers back to deal with issues, but said with the COVID-19 concerns some lawmakers raised in canceling the fall session, even calling a special session doesn’t mean they’ll come back. The Illinois constitution requires lawmakers to meet if the governor calls a special session.
(Springfield-jm) -- The state is launching a new campaign to promote healthy ways to celebrate the holidays this year. “Healthy Holidays to You” comes as the second wave of COVID-19 is hitting Illinois with a vengeance, and offers advice for the coming weeks says Governor J-B Pritzker…
Illinois Governor J-B Pritzker. The broadcast and social media campaign features quips such as decking the halls with sanitizer, masking before you mistletoe, and if you’re going to jingle, jingle six feet apart.
(Paxton-jm) -- Those wanting to get tested for COVID can do so in Paxton this week. The Illinois Department of Public Health announced a free mobile testing site is coming to the Ford County Public Health Department in Paxton Friday from 8 to 4.
(Mahomet-cf)-- There is a Community Fund that was established in June of this year for the Village of Mahomet. There are plenty of places for families to get food, clothes and other resources in the community but not pay their bills. Spokers person for the fund Leah Wenger details why the fund was started…
Spokesperson for the Mahomet Community Fund Leah Wenger.
(Undated-jm) -- Several area school boards meet tonight. The Iroquois West school board meets at 7 where they will hear a presentation of their tax levy, discuss their FY 20 audit, hear their school report card from the state and discuss winter athletics. Also meeting tonight at 7 is the Tri-Point School board where they will discuss their tax levy, Ag department staffing and consider winter sports. The Iroquois West and Tri-Point school board meetings get underway at 7.
(Champaign-cf)-- The Parade of Lights that takes place in downtown Champaign will take place on Small Business Saturday this year, which is November 28. The Executive Director of the Champaign Center Partnership Xander Hazel has the details…
Executive Director of the Champaign Center Partnership Xander Hazel.
(Pontiac-jm) -- The Livingston County Public Health Department is issuing a stern warning to businesses, employees and customers must wear masks and social distance. The health department sent a letter out giving all businesses their first warning and said they will be conducting compliance checks. They say any business repeatedly failing to comply could be fined.
