(Springfield-jm) -- The Illinois Department of Financial and Professional Regulation joined with 47 state regulators, 50 attorneys general and the District of Columbia along with the federal Consumer Financial Protection Bureau to announce a $90 million dollar settlement with Nationstar Mortgage LLC, also known as Mr. Cooper, one of the nation’s largest mortgage loan servicers. The settlement resolves a wide range of allegations regarding Nationstar’s past origination and servicing practices, including failing to provide required origination disclosures, failing to timely fund loans, engaging in wrongful foreclosures, failing to properly administer escrow accounts, charging impermissible fees, failing to properly terminate private mortgage insurance, and mishandling loan modifications and servicing transfers.

 

 

(Springfield-jm) -- Governor J-B Pritzker says the next four weeks will be crucial in the fight against COVID-19. With Hanukkah, Christmas and New Year’s coming up, it's vital that everyone continue to wear a mask and not get together with big groups of people, says Governor Pritzker. He notes that with three out of four staffed hospital beds currently in use statewide, hospitals may not be able to handle another surge…

 

 

Illinois Governor J-B Pritzker. The Governor says it's more important than ever to wear a mask, wash your hands and socially distance.

 

 

(Undated-jm) -- The Illinois Department of Public Health reported 8,691 new cases and 90 additional deaths Monday bringing the state’s total number of cases to 796,264 and deaths to 13,343. Locally since Friday, McLean County reported 263 new cases bringing their total number to 9,337. Champaign County reported 370 new cases and 3 additional deaths bringing their total number of cases to 11,795 and deaths to 65. Livingston County reported 98 new cases and 3 additional deaths bringing their total number of cases to 2,513 and deaths to 35. Vermilion County reported 163 new cases and 2 additional deaths bringing their total number of cases to 3,755 and deaths to 46. Iroquois County reported 61 new cases and 1 additional death bringing their total number of cases to 1,926 and deaths to 40. Ford County reported 32 new cases and 3 additional deaths bringing their total number of cases to 861 and deaths to 25. Kankakee County did not provide an update.

 

 

(Undated-jm) -- The Illinois Department of Public Health has been tracking cases in area communities. Since the pandemic began, Rantoul has reported 1,010 cases, Ludlow 30, Gifford 107, Penfield 43, St. Joseph 338, Thomasboro 62, Dewey 29, Fisher 125, Foosland 29, Mahomet 614, Potomac 85, Rossville 81, Hoopeston 364, Rankin 41, Paxton 357, Gibson City 242, Sibley 27, Melvin 45, Roberts 20, Loda 70, Buckley 33, Cissna Park 126, Wellington 33, Milford 113, Thawville 15, Onarga 150, Gilman 221, Crescent City 48, Watseka 382, Sheldon 52, Piper City 97, Kempton 17, Cabery 26, Danforth 60, Ashkum 127, Clifton 219, Martinton 55, Donovan 42, Beaverville 38, Chatsworth 74, Forrest 115, Strawn 25, Fairbury 384, Cropsey 6, Anchor 6, Saybrook 41 and Bellflower 21.

 

 

(Watseka-jm) -- The consolidated election will take place in April. That election is primarily for local races including town presidents or mayors, school boards and more. Those interested in running can now circulate petitions to be on the ballot. Iroquois County Clerk Breein Suver has the deadline for filing your petitions and how you can get your petitions if you want to run for office…

 

 

Iroquois County Clerk Breein Suver.

 

 

(Ford County-jm) -- Ford County has a new county board chairman. Debbie Smith was chosen to replace Robert Lindgren last night. 

 

 

(Rantoul-cf)-- The Rantoul Chamber of Commerce will host their Drive-thru Christmas Parade this year at the Happ-Parker Aquatic Center parking lot December 19th starting at 5:30 pm. Chamber Director Amanda Vickery details some of the events that will be happening at the drive-thru parade… 

 

 

Rantoul Chamber of Commerce Director Amanda Vickery.

 

 

(Urbana-jm) -- The University of Illinois has released their Native American Imagery Implementation Plan. The plan has input from a communitywide discussion started in 2018. As part of the plan, students of federally recognized tribal nations will receive the same tuition rate as in state students, strengthen their partnership with the Peoria tribe and explore permanent structures to acknowledge and represent Peoria and other tribal nations.

 

The Iroquois Memorial Auxiliary Scholastic Book Sale will take place today and tomorrow from 8 to 4.

 

 

(Washington-jm) -- The new fiscal year is getting off to a flying start for U.S. agricultural export sales. Gary Crawford reports…

 

 

(Springfield-jm) -- Illinois sold another $75 million of legal cannabis products last month, about level with the month before, but more than the first two months of the year combined. The latest sales figures released by the Illinois Department of Financial and Professional Regulation showed the state’s adult-use cannabis dispensaries have sold more than $582 million worth of the drug. That doesn’t include the total tax revenue from the past eleven months, which is now more than $150 million.

 

 

(Springfield-jm) -- Governor JB Pritzker and the Illinois Department of Human Services announced the Illinois Commission on Poverty Elimination and Economic Security. The Commission, which was signed into law by Governor Pritzker earlier this year as part of the Intergenerational Poverty Act, builds on the administration’s efforts to improve the lives of low- and middle-income Illinoisans. The Commission is tasked with developing and adopting a strategic plan that will develop anti-poverty programs that ensure long-term, multigenerational economic mobility regardless of race, ethnicity, gender, age, sexual orientation or identity, ability, or geographic location. The plan will be available in spring 2021. Goals for The Commission outlined in state statute include reducing poverty in Illinois by 50 percent by 2026, eliminating child poverty by 2031 and eliminating all poverty by 2036. 

 

 

(Springfield-jm) -- The Illinois Department of Transportation is asking the public to participate in a new traveler survey. IDOT is seeking input about the state’s transportation system, says Spokesperson Paul Wappel. You can take the survey online…

 

 

IDOT Spokesperson Paul Wappel. The survey also asks respondents about their travel habits during the pandemic. Provide your input at idot dot illinois dot gov.

 

 

(Undated-jm) -- Illinois is nearing 800,000 cases after the state reported an additional 8,691 new cases Monday. As for local active and recovered cases, McLean County reported 8,016 have recovered, 1246 are in isolation and 17 are hospitalized. Champaign County reported 10,729 have recovered, 1001 are in isolation and 20 are hospitalized. Livingston County reported 2,292 have recovered and 186 cases are active. Vermilion County reported 3,377 have been released from isolation, 298 are in isolation and 34 are hospitalized. Iroquois County reported 1,452 have been released from isolation, 424 remain in isolation and 10 are hospitalized. Ford County could not provide an update on active and recovered cases. Kankakee County did not provide a report Monday.

 

 

(Undated-jm) -- The state has been tracking cases at long term care facilities around the area. In Ford County, 214 cases and 20 deaths have been reported at facilities. Champaign County reported 356 cases and 26 deaths have been reported at facilities. In Iroquois County 229 cases and 21 deaths have been reported at facilities. In Vermilion County, 174 cases and 18 deaths have been reported at facilities. 

 

 

(Ashkum-jm) -- Illinois State Police will be conducting Nighttime Enforcement Patrols. WPXNs Jason Madden has the details…

 

 

 

(Savoy-jm) -- The Savoy 16 will reopen after all. The theatre was bought by Knoxville Tennessee based Phoenix Theatre Entertainment. The previous owners reopened some of their theatres, except the Savoy 16, after the pandemic forced theatres across the country to close.

 

(Cissna Park-jm) -- The Cissna Park FFA Chapter is hosting their annual scholarship auction again this year. The auction is typically held in person but with the Coronavirus pandemic, it will look different this year says Cissna Park FFA Advisor Jeff Clifton…

 

 

Cissna Park FFA Advisor Jeff Clifton. A drive thru or carryout pork chop dinner will also take place Saturday night from 4-7.

 

 

(Undated-jm) -- The state board of elections has certified election results from the November election. This week, we look at results from around the area. Up first we look at voter turnout. In Champaign County, 127,848 people are registered to vote while 96,185 turned out to vote. In Ford County, 9,359 are registered to vote while only 7,007 actually voted. In Iroquois County, 17,887 are registered to vote while 14,121 voted in the election. In Vermilion County, 46,303 are registered to vote while 31,881 voted.

 

The American Red Cross will hold a blood drive at the Kruse Center in Gibson City today from 12 to 5:30 pm.

 

 

(Washington-jm) -- This week's new USDA forecasts for U.S. crop demand and prices will be tied closely to South America crop prospects. Gary Crawford has the details…