(Springfield-jm) -- The Illinois Senate has canceled its legislative session for next week. In a statement, Senate President Don Harmon and Senate Minority Leader Dan McConchie said they are working to develop policies and best practices to allow the Senate to safely conduct business during the COVID-19 pandemic. The next time the Illinois Senate is scheduled to meet is Tuesday, February 9th.

 

 

(Washington-jm) -- Now that there’s a new president, dozens of restaurants from across Illinois have joined with hundreds of others from across the country in urging President Joe Biden for relief. One request a group of 104 restaurant owners from the state asked the incoming administration last month was to lift the 25 percent tariff on food, wine and spirits from Europe.

 

 

(Springfield-jm) -- The Illinois Conservation Police is seeking the public’s input on enforcement efforts and recreational activities. A new survey has been launched, asking people about things like their interactions with Conservation Police, favorite activities and how often they visit state parks says Illinois Department of Natural Resources Spokesperson Rachel Torbert…

 

 

Illinois Department of Natural Resources Spokesperson Rachel Torbert. The survey is open through February 15th. You can take it online at dnr dot illinois dot gov and click on law enforcement or on dnr’s facebook or twitter page.

 

 

(Undated-jm) -- Illinois has 1 million 86 thousand 333 Coronavirus cases and 18,520 deaths. Champaign County reported 73 new cases and 2 additional deaths bringing their total number of cases to 15,631 and deaths to 104. Ford County reported 2 new cases bringing their total to 1,400. Iroquois County reported 8 new cases bringing their total to 2,620.

 

(Springfield-jm) -- A major and controversial piece of legislation passed during the lame duck session of the Illinois General Assembly, reforms the law enforcement and criminal justice system. The legislation would end cash bail, mandate body cameras and increase training. 53rd District State Senator Jason Barickman of Bloomington voted against the measure and says he worries it will have negative impacts on area communities…

 

 

53rd District State Senator Jason Barickman of Bloomington.

 

 

(LeRoy-jm) -- A Mahomet woman is behind bars in McLean County on several charges. LeRoy police arrested 36 year old Danielle Tarter on charges of burglary, forgery and resisting arrest. Police say Tarter allegedly tried to pass off a fake check at the LeRoy IGA. It’s believed other businesses between Champaign-Urbana and Bloomington-Normal were also victim of this check fraud scheme.

 

 

(Urbana-jm) -- The University of Illinois Board of Trustees on Thursday voted to freeze tuition for incoming in-state freshmen and non-resident undergraduates for the 2021-22 academic year. Trustees also approved modest increases in the cost of room and board. 

 

 

(Washington-jm) -- An area Congressman is explaining his reason for voting to impeach President Donald Trump. Adam Kinzinger joined a handful of Republicans to impeach the President following an attack at the U-S Capitol earlier this month…

 

 

Congressman Adam Kinzinger of Illinois.

 

 

(Washington-jm) -- President Joe Biden's administration has extended a pause of payments on federal student loans through at least September.  The pause gives even more relief to America's 42 million student loan borrowers. The interest rate will be kept at 0 percent. 

 

 

(Springfield-jm) -- Public and private universities in Illinois received nearly $550 million in federal COVID-19 relief, according to the U.S. Department of Education. An allocation spreadsheet shows nearly 90 institutions got federal funds ranging from $29,000 for the private non-profit Spertus College of Judaica to $47 million for the University of Illinois Chicago. U of I Urbana-Champaign received $44.6 million.

 

 

(Washington-jm) -- What do USDA crops reports say about production estimates for South America? Stephanie Ho reports…

 

 

(Washington-jm) -- Members of Illinois’ congressional delegation are taking sides on the proposed Domestic Terrorism Prevention Act. The measure filed by Illinois Democratic U.S. Representative Brad  Schneider and U.S. Senator Dick Durbin gives federal agencies more tools to investigate what proponents say is a domestic terrorism threat. Peoria Republican U.S. Representative Darin LaHood said there are legitimate concerns the measure could impede on people's civil liberties.

 

 

(Washington-jm) -- U-S Senator Dick Durbin of Illinois is encouraging rural EMS agencies to apply for new SIREN grant program funds. The funds help rural fire and EMS departments in retaining and recruiting new members as well as funding for new equipment purchases.

 

 

(Springfield-jm) -- A little more than a year after Illinois became the eleventh state to legalize recreational cannabis, legal-aid groups are working to help residents get past cannabis convictions expunged through a state-funded program called the New Leaf Initiative. Lily Bohlke reports…

 

 

 

(Undated-jm) -- The Illinois Department of Public Health reported 4,979 new Coronavirus cases and 123 additional deaths Thursday. As for local active and recovered cases, Champaign County reported 14,831 have recovered, 696 are in isolation and 27 are hospitalized. Iroquois County reported 2,498 have been released from isolation, 63 remain in isolation and 3 are hospitalized.

 

 

(Springfield-jm) -- A new General Assembly was sworn in last week. 104th District State Representative Mike Marron talks about his primary focus during the 102nd General Assembly…

 

 

104th District State Representative Mike Marron of Fithian.

 

 

(St. Joseph-jm) -- One person was injured after a semi crashed into the median on I-74. The crash happened yesterday afternoon, on I-74 west near milepost 193 near St. Joseph. Illinois State Police said a tanker semi truck rear ended a vehicle, then crashed into the median. Authorities said the driver of the semi was taken to a local hospital to receive treatment for non-life-threatening injuries.

 

 

(Undated-jm) -- The consolidated election will take place April 6th but several area races are taking shape. WPXN’s Jason Madden takes a look at who is on the ballot in Mahomet…

 

 

 

(Urbana-jm) -- The University of Illinois is taking precautions as students return for the spring semester. In a message to students, Chancellor Robert Jones said their Shield Team is predicting an increase in COVID-19 cases as more people get back to campus. Students are asked to participate only in essential activities until February 8. Those activities include: taking COVID-19 tests, going to class, buying groceries, going to work, individual outdoor activity, attending religious services and getting medical attention. The chancellor said students should also refrain from traveling outside the Champaign-Urbana area once they arrive on campus. Jones also cautioned about the UK variant and the potential of it coming to campus.

 

(Hoopeston-jm) -- Hoopeston police are investigating an assault. Police say they were called to a residence in the 600 block of East Penn in reference to a male causing problems. Officers arrested Bradley David and charged him with aggravated assault.