(Springfield-jm) -- The growth domestic product of Illinois dropped 3 percent between the third quarter of 2019 and the third quarter of 2020, the 28th best economic performance among the 50 states, according to a new ranking by the website 24/7 Wall St.  Nationwide, according to data from the Bureau of Economic Analysis, the U.S. economic output declined 2.8 percent over that same time period, and only three states saw their economies expand, 24/7 Wall St. reported.  In Illinois, the fastest-growing industry during the period was agriculture, forestry, fishing and hunting, while arts, entertainment and recreation was judged the fastest-shrinking industry, according to the analysis.

 

 

(Undated-jm) -- The Illinois Department of Public Health reported 2,312 new Coronavirus cases Monday and 16 additional deaths bringing the state’s total number of cases to 1 million 128 thousand 613 and deaths to 19,259. Locally, Ford County reported 9 new cases bringing their total to 1,439. McLean County reported 83 new cases bringing their total to 13,851. Champaign County reported 182 new cases and 1 additional death bringing their total number of cases to 16,421 and deaths to 109. Livingston County reported 38 new cases and 2 additional deaths bringing their total number of cases to 3,930 and deaths to 69. Iroquois County reported 7 new cases bringing their total to 2,685. Vermilion County reported 112 new cases bringing their total to 7,461. Kankakee County did not provide an update.

 

 

(Springfield-jm) -- Area legislative leaders continue to discuss the actions of the lame duck session held in January. One of those is 106th District State Representative Tom Bennett of Gibson City. He says he felt the Black Caucus dominated the lame duck session in passing their four pillars…

 

 

One of those pillars dealt with police and criminal justice reform which several GOP lawmakers felt was rushed through. Representative Bennett says he reached out to several entities in the criminal justice area for their thoughts and opinions on the bill..

 

 

106th District State Representative Tom Bennett of Gibson City. Bennett says because of those concerns he voted against the bill and is encouraging Governor Pritzker to do the same.

 

 

(Paxton-jm) -- The Paxton Buckley Loda School District needs your help. The district is asking people to subscribe to their youtube channel so they livestream events. They need 1,000 subscribers.

 

 

(Undated-jm) -- Those handling anhydrous ammonia will have to undergo mandatory training. Champaign County Farm Bureau Manager Brad Uken says the training is online this year…

 

 

Champaign County Farm Bureau Manager Brad Uken.

 

 

(Undated-jm) -- Unemployment rates were up and jobs were down across the state’s 14 metro areas. Locally Champaign County’s rose from 3.2 percent to 5.1 percent. Ford County’s rose from 4.1 percent to 4.6 percent. Vermilion County’s rose from 5.2 percent to 6.4 percent. Iroquois County’s rose from 4.6 percent to 4.7 percent.

 

 

(Champaign County-jm) -- Champaign County home sales surpassed expectations and was the highest since 2006. According to the Champaign County Realtors Association, 3,098 homes were sold in 2020 up almost 12 and a half percent. Median prices also rose 7.28 percent to $167,625.

(Springfield-jm) -- Attorney General Kwame Raoul and Idaho Attorney General Lawrence Wasden led a coalition of 23 attorneys general calling on the Food and Drug Administration to ban menthol cigarettes. In a letter submitted, Raoul and the coalition argue that a ban on menthol cigarettes would benefit public health overall, decrease youth smoking, and help mitigate the harm menthol cigarettes do to minority populations.

 

 

(Undated-jm) -- The Illinois Department of Public Health reported 2,312 new Coronavirus cases Monday and 16 additional deaths bringing the state’s total number of cases to 1 million 128 thousand 613 and deaths to 19,259. As for local active and recovered cases, McLean County reported 13,235 have recovered, 443 are in isolation and 21 are hospitalized. Champaign County reported 15,703 have recovered, 609 are in isolation and 27 are hospitalized. Livingston County reported 3,743 have been removed from isolation and 118 cases are active. Iroquois County reported 2,591 have been released from isolation, 35 remain in isolation and 2 are hospitalized. Vermilion County reported 526 cases are active with 22 hospitalized.

 

 

(Springfield-jm) -- Nearly a year after the pandemic started, unemployment rates are up and many businesses are either opened at limited capacity or not at all. 53rd District State Senator Jason Barickman outlines some priorities for dealing with the pandemic…

 

53rd District State Senator Jason Barickman of Bloomington.

 

 

(Champaign-jm) -- The Champaign Urbana Public Health Department is offering COVID-19 vaccinations to essential frontline workers who live or work in Champaign County. Those include: grocery store workers, food and ag workers, shelter and adult day care workers, postal service workers, manufacturing workers and public transit workers. To schedule your appointment call 217-902-6100.

 

 

(Danville-cf)-- The East Central Illinois Community Action Agency has been granted money to assist individuals with their utility bills during the pandemic. East Central Illinois Community Action Agency Spokesperson Chris Bay has the details… 

 

 

East Central Illinois Community Action Agency Spokesperson Chris Bay

 

 

(Champaign-jm) -- Parkland College is once again hosting summer fun and learning opportunities for area youth, as registration opens for its 2021 College for Kids and Summer Discovery camps. Registration begins Monday, February 15 for elementary, middle, and high school students. An early bird discount of $15 per registered class is available until March 12 for College for Kids.

 

 

(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…

 

 

 

(Champaign-jm) -- State Senator Scott Bennett of Champaign is announcing he will chair the Senate Higher Education Committee in the upcoming General Assembly. The committee mainly deals with laws that will affect both state and private institutions. Senator Bennett’s district includes the University of Illinois at Urbana Champaign, Parkland College and Danville Area Community College.

 

 

(Pontiac-jm) -- Free developmental screenings for children from newborn to three years are available at OSF HealthCare Saint James – John W. Albrecht Medical Center in Pontiac. A screening takes approximately one hour and includes speech, gross and fine motor development, problem solving and interpersonal/social skills. Any parent can schedule a screening if they have developmental concerns regarding their child. To schedule or for more information, call (815) 842-4591.