(Springfield-jm) -- The first shipment of the new COVID-19 vaccine has made it to Illinois. The shipment to the Illinois Strategic National Stockpile Warehouse includes about 43 thousand doses of Pfizer’s vaccine, with more on the way. Governor J-B Pritzker says distribution is being carefully orchestrated…
Illinois Governor J-B Pritzker. Doses are very limited, so health care workers as well as staff and residents of long term care facilities will get the shots first. Like other big cities, Chicago will receive its own shipments of the vaccine.
(Undated-jm) -- The Illinois Department of Public Health reported 7,214 new cases and 103 additional deaths Monday bringing the state’s total to 856,118 and deaths to 14,394. Locally since Friday, McLean County reported 309 new cases bringing their total to 10,115. Champaign County reported 259 new cases bringing their total to 12,503. Livingston County reported 56 new cases bringing their total to 2,751. Ford County reported 51 new cases bringing their total number of cases to 1,005. Kankakee County reported 171 new cases bringing their total number of cases to 9,959. Iroquois County reported 43 new cases bringing their total to 2,076. Vermilion County reported 159 new cases bringing their total to 4,250.
(Undated-jm) -- As for cases in area communities, 32 in Ludlow, 1063 in Rantoul, Gifford 123, Penfield 49, St. Joseph 380, Thomasboro 64, Loda 79, Roberts 22, Dewey 31, Foosland 29, Fisher 136, Mahomet 660, Paxton 406, Gibson City 312, Sibley 28, Melvin 49, Buckley 34, Rankin 45, Potomac 97, Hoopeston 426, Cissna Park 148, Wellington 36, Milford 125, Thawville 18, Onarga 168, Gilman 232, Crescent City 51, Watseka 412, Sheldon 59, Piper City 100, Danforth 64, Ashkum 128, Clifton 224, Chebanse 202, Martinton 58, Beaverville 40, Donovan 44, Cabery 27, Kempton 20, Cullom 54, Chatsworth 82, Forrest 124, Fairbury 404, Strawn 26, Cropsey 7, Anchor 9, Saybrook 48 and Bellflower 25.
(Springfield-jm) -- The Pritzker administration expects to get $2 billion in borrowing from a federal loan program late this week, but it still owes $1 billion on a bridge loan from the previous fiscal year. The Governor’s Office of Management and Budget said it’s only paid $200 million of the $1.2 billion loan it used to bridge the previous fiscal year. That’s expected to be paid back through the next year. Taxpayers are on the hook for the additional $2 billion over the next three years.
(Paxton-jm) -- You have time before you have to file your 2020 tax documents. The filing deadline is April 15th and Jeff Shaffer with Shaffer Tax and Accounting in Paxton has what you need to bring with you for your tax meeting…
Shaffer Tax and Accounting in Paxton Owner Jeff Shaffer.
(Paxton-jm) -- A Paxton sex offender is facing soliciation and violating terms of his release. Wilbur White was arrested over the weekend after police were notified by PBL school officials. Police say they were called after White was observed on school property and associating with juveniles. When officers went to arrest White, he resisted arrest and battered an officer. He is charged with unlawful presence in a school zone, solicitation of a sexual act with a minor, resisting a peace officer and aggravated battery to a peace officer. He remains in the Ford County Jail.
(Undated-jm) -- Jury trials in the 21st circuit will continue to be on hold through February. Chief Judge Michael Kramer made the announcement citing an abundance of caution as the pandemic continues. The 21st circuit includes Iroquois and Kankakee Counties.
(Rantoul-cf)-- The annual Rantoul Chamber of Commerce Christmas Parade that takes place the first weekend in December has been canceled due to the on-going coronavirus pandemic. However, there will be a drive through parade says Chamber Director Amanda Vickery…
Rantoul Chamber of Commerce Director Amanda Vickery.
(Champaign-jm) -- Parkland College is announcing winter break details. The Champaign based community college announced campus will be closed December 24th through January 3rd. Student services will open with limited hours starting January 4th. The spring semester begins January 11th.
(Washington-jm) -- USDA's latest look at the U.S. soybean balance sheet shows another decrease in ending stocks, but the question is why? Rod Bain reports…
(Undated-jm) -- Illinois now has 856,118 Coronavirus cases and 14,394 COVID related deaths after the state reported another 7,214 cases and 103 deaths Monday. As for local active and recovered cases, McLean County reported 8,810 have recovered, 1221 are in isolation and 15 are hospitalized. Champaign County reported 11,506 have recovered, 922 are in isolation and 14 are hospitalized. Livingston County reported 2,524 have been released from isolation and 180 cases are active. Kankakee County reported 4,649 have recovered, 5165 cases are active and 56 are hospitalized. Iroquois County reported 1,636 have been released from isolation, 389 remain in isolation and 8 are hospitalized. Vermilion County reported 3,901 have been released from isolation, 262 remain in isolation and 33 are hospitalized.
(Undated-jm) -- Area COVID deaths also rose Monday. Ford County reported their 26th death. Kankakee County reported 3 additional deaths bringing their total number to 135. Vermilion County reported 5 additional deaths bringing their total to 54.
(Springfield-jm) -- A state vaccine review board is giving the go ahead to the new COVID-19 shot. Illinois experts looked at all the FDA data on the Pfizer vaccine, which is recommended for everyone age 16 and up. Southern Illinois University School of Medicine’s Dr Michael Olson is on the board and says side effects may include redness at the injection site…
Southern Illinois University School of Medicine’s Dr Michael Olson. State officials urge pregnant women and those who have had a severe reaction to a vaccination in the past to talk to their doctor about whether or not to get the shot.
(Springfield-jm) -- Illinois' electors met Monday to cast their 20 ballots in the presidential election. The electors formally cast their ballots for Democratic former Vice President Joe Biden. Biden's victory over Republican President Donald Trump in Illinois was certified earlier this month.
(Undated-jm) -- One area state representative is calling for answers as the state’s unemployment situation continues to decline. Not only has the Illinois Department of Employment Security failed to get benefits to people in a timely manner, 106th District State Representative Tom Bennett of Gibson City says there are thousands of cases of fraud…
106th District State Representative Tom Bennett of Gibson City.
(Paxton-jm) -- No injuries were reported after two vehicle fires in Paxton Monday. The first fire happened on Route 45 near the stop light late in the morning. No word on the cause of the fire. Just before 7 last night crews were called to a semi fire on I-57 just south of the Paxton exit. No word on the cause of that fire either.
(Paxton-jm) -- A Paxton man was sentenced to 14 years in prison for brutally beating a man in September of last year. Clayton Marcum received the maximum sentence after being found guilty of two felony counts of aggravated domestic battery. During sentencing, the victim's wife said her husband's injuries were so severe he is no longer able to care for himself and had to live in a nursing home since his release from the hospital.
(Ashkum-jm) -- Illinois State Police will be conducting Nighttime Enforcement Patrols. WPXNs Jason Madden has the details…
(Champaign-jm) -- A Champaign Urbana non profit is receiving a matching gift pledge. CU at Home is receiving $15,000 from Harrington Law for the non profits year end fundraising drive. The money will go towards the non profits One Winter Night 2021 campaign.
(Washington-jm) -- Cattle feedlot inventories are high, but may be worked down in the coming months. Gary Crawford has the details…
