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The University of Illinois' saliva testing ability could be coming out to the community sooner rather than later

(Springfield-jm) -- Illinois’ economy continues to stagnate. The University of Illinois Flash Index for years showed economic expansion. But since April, the index contracted. After a few months of slight growth, the index stalled from October to November.

 

 

(Springfield-jm) -- The Illinois State Police is reporting a 48 percent reduction in the backlog of DNA testing. On March 1, 2019 the state reported a backlog of 9,289 pending assignments. As of November 30th, that number was down to 4,857. 

 

 

(Springfield-jm) -- A grim new daily record set Wednesday, with 238 people in Illinois lost to the Coronavirus. The latest single day death toll surpasses the high of 191 set back in mid-May. Some of the increase may be attributed to a delay in reporting data over the Thanksgiving holiday weekend, but Governor J-B Pritzker says regardless, the numbers are heartbreaking…

 

 

Illinois Governor J-B Pritzker. More than 12 thousand 600 people have now died from COVID in Illinois. The state also reported 9,757 new cases bringing the state’s total to 748,603. Locally, McLean County reported 90 new cases and 2 additional deaths bringing the state’s total number of cases to 8,771 and deaths to 58. Champaign County reported 151 new cases bringing their total to 11,104. Livingston County reported 38 new cases and 7 additional deaths bringing their total number of cases to 2,331 and deaths to 31. Ford County reported 56 new cases and 3 additional deaths bringing their total number of cases to 829 and deaths to 22. Kankakee County reported 161 new cases and 3 additional deaths bringing their total number of cases to 9,073 and deaths to 123. Vermilion County reported 74 new cases bringing their total to 3,311. Iroquois County reported 58 new cases and 4 additional deaths bringing their total number of cases to 1,785 and deaths to 31.

 

 

 

(Paxton-jm) -- The impact of the Coronavirus pandemic may have some positives. Nick Reutter, President of the Farmers Merchants Bank of Illinois Paxton  says interest rates should remain low…

 

 

Farmers Merchants Bank of Illinois Paxton  President Nick Reutter.

 

 

(Watseka-jm) -- Several county officials were sworn in this week in Iroquois County. Among those being sworn in for new 4 year terms include State’s Attorney Jim Devine, Circuit Clerk Lisa Hines and Coroner Bill Cheatum. County Clerk Briann Suver was sworn in for a 2 year term. David Penny and Thomas Lynch will be sworn in as new county board members Monday during the counties organizational meeting.

 

 

(Champaign-jm) -- Those visiting downtown Champaign can take advantage of free parking for the rest of the month. The City of Champaign is offering up to two hours of free parking in the Hill Street Parking Deck for the month of December. It’s part of an effort to encourage people to visit downtown Champaign businesses during the holiday season.

 

 

(Mahomet-jm) -- The driver of a semi that struck and killed a bicyclist on Route 47 near Lake of the Woods in Mahomet has been fined $500 for the incident. Roman Sydoruk was driving a semi on Route 47 when he and 46-year-old David Powell crashed. Powell died three days later. Sydoruk was ticketed for improper passing and pleaded guilty to driving on the wrong side of the road.

 

 

(Fisher-cf)-- In addition to the drive-thru Santa in Fisher this year, village residents can decorate their house and enter in to win a prize for the best decorated house. Spokesperson Kristin Darling has the details… 

 

 

Fisher Parade Spokesperson Kristin Darling.

 

 

(Rantoul-jm) -- One company is helping to close the digital divide for students in Rantoul. Mediacom’s ‘Connect2Compete’ is a program that provides students and families with affordable and reliable internet. 32 families in Rantoul currently use it. To qualify, you must have one child in the household that gets free or reduced lunch. There is no contract and a flat-fee cost per month.

 

 

(Washington-jm) -- USDA wants livestock producers to know there are crop insurance tools that are relevant to them. Stephanie Ho has the details…

 

 

 

(Washington-jm) -- 2020 farm sector income may be much higher than had been projected a few months ago. Gary Crawford reports…

 

 

(Springfield-jm) -- Four people, including a close friend of Illinois House Speaker Michael Madigan, have entered not guilty pleas in a federal bribery case alleging a scheme with the state’s largest utility. The pleas were entered Wednesday, weeks after they were charged with federal counts of bribery and conspiracy. Among those who entered pleas was Michael McClain, a one-time state lawmaker and close friend of Madigan. The others are former ComEd CEO Anne Pramaggirore, lobbyist and former ComEd executive John Hooker, and consultant Jay Doherty. Madigan hasn't been charged and has denied any wrongdoing.

 

 

(Springfield-jm) -- An Illinois lawmaker has introduced a bill to get rid of the cash bail system in the state. Illinois, an outlier in how it handles bonding out of jail after an arrest, would see cash bail eliminated under the proposed legislation. In 2017, Illinois became one of just a handful of states that don’t use a bail bondsman in its court system. Instead, Illinois, Kentucky, Oregon, and Wisconsin, all require 10% payment of the total bail in payment before the arrested individual can be released before trial. State Senator Robert Peters announced in November legislation that would eliminate cash bail entirely. The bill would need to be considered in the final days of the current 101st General Assembly or be refiled in January once the new session commences.

 

 

(Gibson City-cf)-- It is tax levy time for all schools in the WPXN listening area. Gibson City-Melvin-Sibley Superintendent Jeremey Darnell has the details on the levy… 

 

 

Gibson City-Melvin-Sibley Superintendent Jeremey Darnell.

 

 

(Rural St. Joseph-jm) -- One person was taken to the hospital following a crash north of St. Joseph Wednesday afternoon. Emergency crews were called to the accident on 2200 E. a couple miles north of St. Joseph around 4pm. Traffic had to be diverted while crews cleaned up the scene.

 

 

(Pesotum-jm) -- District 10 Illinois State Police in Pesotum have released results of recent patrols. During Special Traffic Enforcement Patrols, 3 were cited for DUI, 4 for occupant restraint offenses, 1 for distracted driving and 126 for speeding. During Occupant Restraint Enforcement Patrols, 26 were cited for safety belt citations and 4 for child restraint violations.

 

(Undated-jm) -- People need to be vigilant when it comes to scams. That's the word from Senator Jason Barickkman. After discovering he was the victim of unemployment insurance identity theft, Barickman reminds people to be more aware and report any suspected unemployment fraud to the Department of Employment Security and the Illinois Attorney General.

 

 

(Paxton-jm) -- The Paxton Area Chamber of Commerce says chamber bucks make a great gift this holiday season. Chamber bucks spend like cash and can be used at any chamber business says Paxton Area Chamber of Commerce President Alan Meyer…

 

 

Paxton Area Chamber of Commerce President Alan Meyer.

The chamber still has a deal when you buy 50 dollars in Paxton Chamber bucks, you get 10 dollars free.

 

 

(Urbana-jm) -- The University of Illinois' saliva testing ability could be coming out to the community sooner rather than later. The Senate Executive Committee met this week to discuss the future of the university's saliva testing. The annex lab is currently going through the authentication steps to extend its Clinical Laboratory Improvement Amendments certification, comparing its performance to an FDA emergency use authorized test. They will introduce it to the community in phases and have already started with both the Champaign and Urbana Fire Departments.

 

 

(Washington-jm) -- Overall farm cash receipts for 2020 will be lower than 2019, but farm sector income will be higher than last year. Gary Crawford has the details…

 

 

 

(Washington-jm) -- USDA takes into account the needs of livestock producers when it develops risk management programs. Stephanie Ho reports…

 

 

 

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