(Springfield-jm) --  Child welfare officials in Illinois reported a 17 percent decline in the number of child death cases they investigated during the previous fiscal year, an indicator, they say, of progress in addressing previous shortcomings. According to the latest annual report by the Department of Children and Family Services’ inspector general, the agency opened 102 child death investigations during the fiscal year that ended June 30, down from 123 the previous year. Of the 102 deaths that occurred during the year, 41 were determined to be the result of natural causes, 30 were the result of accidents. Homicides accounted for 12 of the deaths. Five were caused by suicides and 14 were from undetermined causes.

 

 

(Springfield-jm) -- State lawmakers will be able to get vaccinated against COVID-19 in the current Phase 1-B. Governor J-B Pritzker says legislators can now sign up for the shot. He notes the change came at the request of some concerned individual members…

 

 

Illinois Governor J-B Pritzker. It will be up to lawmakers whether or not they want to get the vaccine now. Some say they will wait their turn. Governor Pritzker says he will also wait.

 

 

(Springfield-jm) -- Kindergarteners could get initial lessons on sex education under a proposal Planned Parenthood of Illinois is working to advance. The measure would require standards for sex ed lessons in public schools for each grade level. Kindergarten through second grade would teach about personal safety and respecting others. Future grades would build on that to include gender identity and prevention of STDs.

 

(Springfield-jm) -- Republicans in the Illinois House say a sweeping criminal justice reform bill sitting on the Governor’s desk poses a threat to public safety and crime victims. Most lawmakers agree that reforms are needed, but the House GOP says the measure is confusing and doesn’t do enough to protect victims. Vermilion County State’s Attorney Jacqueline Lacy agrees, and explains the potential ramifications of one portion of the bill that gives those arrested three phone calls instead of one…

 

 

Vermilion County State's Attorney Jacqueline Lacy. Republicans say another concern is the elimination of cash bail and what they say are inconsistent standards of whether or not someone arrested poses a threat if they are released until trial.

 

 

(Undated-jm) -- The Illinois Department of Public Health reported 3,328 new Coronavirus cases Thursday and 69 additional deaths bringing the state’s total number of cases to 1 million 137 thousand 559 and deaths to 19,444. Locally, Ford County reported 14 new cases bringing their total to 1,472. Champaign County reported 89 new cases bringing their total to 16,693. McLean County reported 35 new cases bringing their total to 13,977. Livingston County reported 29 new cases and 1 additional death bringing their total number of cases to 3,978 and deaths to 70. Iroquois County reported 6 new cases bringing their total to 2,703. Kankakee County reported 22 new cases bringing their total to 12,062. Vermilion County did not provide a report.

 

 

(Rantoul-cf)-- The Village of Rantoul is hosting a virtual forum with the candidates that are running for local offices. If you live in Rantoul and want to ask the candidates a question Spokesperson Debbra Sweat explains how you can do so… 

 

 

Rantoul Virtual Forum Spokesperson Debbra Sweat.

 

(Watseka-jm) -- Iroquois Memorial Hospice will be celebrating a milestone next weekend. The hospice associated with Iroquois Memorial Hospital is turning 25 on February 14th and serves Ford, Iroquois, Kankakee, Livingston and Vermilion Counties.

 

(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) -- The University of Illinois Flash Index rose to 96.3 from its 95.9 level in December. The report said January results suggest only modest gains for the economy because of the resurgence of the virus and the mandated closures. Author Fred Giertz says the index dropped to around 93 last May during the height of the pandemic. Giertz says all three components of tax receipts used in his analysis, personal income, sales and corporate taxes were higher in January. The Flash Index has remained below 100 since last March, showing Illinois’ economy is not growing.

 

The American Red Cross will hold a blood drive at Clifton Central High School on Saturday from 8 to 1.

 

Christ Lutheran High School will hold a drive thru spaghetti lunch on Sunday from 11-1.

(Springfield-jm) -- The Illinois General Assembly Retirement System is only 16 percent funded.  This could be the year lawmakers end it, but that will come with a cost to taxpayers. As of 2019, the average legislative pension was $64,408 annually, up from $47,061 in 2008. The most recent audit from the Illinois Auditor General pegs the funding ratio at 16.48 percent. That audit for the year that ended June 30, 2020, showed of the 176 potential legislators that could take part in the fund, there were only 124 active members. There were 427 benefit recipients costing the fund $26.2 million for the year. The net position of the fund was $63 million of a total of $382 million in overall liability. 

 

 

(Springfield-jm) -- The state is redirecting nearly 100 thousand unused doses of the vaccine away from a federal pharmacy program. The program utilized Walgreens and CVS to vaccinate the state’s most vulnerable, setting aside a certain amount of doses says Governor J-B Pritzker…

 

 

Illinois Governor J-B Pritzker. Pritkzer says the feds overestimated how many residents each facility has and how many staff and residents would decline the vaccine so there’s some left over. Those doses will go to people eligible to get the shot under Phase 1-B.

 

 

(Springfield-jm) -- An Illinois bill that would put an interest cap on loans under $40,000 is under fire. The Predatory Loan Prevention Act would cap interest rates at 36 percent. Under the bill, any loan made in excess of a 36 percent APR would be considered null and void, and no entity would have the right to collect, receive or retain any principal, fee, interest or charges related to the loan. The Illinois Small Loan Association says the legislation was rushed through and says thousands of licensed lenders will be forced to close if the bill is signed into law.

 

 

(Springfield-jm) -- House and Senate Republicans are proposing a series of constitutional amendments to empower Illinois voters. One amendment makes it easier for citizens to propose changes to the constitution on a wider variety of topics. Senate Minority Leader Dan McConchie says another allows for voter-initiated referendums on recently enacted laws…

 

 

Senate Minority Leader Dan McConchie. The third amendment lets voters recall elected officials at all levels of state constitutional officers, lawmakers and local officials.

 

 

(Undated-jm) -- The Illinois Department of Public Health reported 3,328 new Coronavirus cases Thursday and 69 additional deaths bringing the state’s total number of cases to 1 million 137 thousand 559 and deaths to 19,444. As for local active and recovered cases, Champaign County reported 15,920 have recovered, 661 are in isolation and 29 are hospitalized. McLean County reported 13,385 have recovered, 418 are in isolation and 22 are hospitalized. Livingston County reported 3,776 have been removed from isolation and 132 cases are active. Iroquois County reported 2,617 have been released from isolation and 29 remain in isolation. Kankakee County reported 11,186 have recovered and 704 cases are active.

 

 

(Paxton-jm) -- Mareci’s Bakery is on the move. The bakery will move from its current location at Market and Franklin to the old Country Thyme Tea Room location next to Hardee’s. Owner Dawn Long says they will have a drive thru at the new location…

 

 

Mareci’s Bakery Owner Dawn Long.

 

 

(Hoopeston-jm) -- Carle is encouraging women living in the Hoopeston or Mattoon areas who have never had breast cancer to participate in an eight year study.  It will focus on the risk factors affecting breast imaging. Eligible women, ages 45 to 74, who plan to have a routine screening can easily participate.  Carle says there is no additional cost involved for the mammogram, and no extra time will be needed for the exam.  The study also involves a one-time voluntary collection of saliva and blood to help develop a more personalized approach to breast cancer screening. Those interested in learning more about participating can call (217)-431-7657.

 

 

(Paxton-cf)-- If you have already had the COVID-19 virus you might have some immunity but it isn’t sure how long that immunity will last. Hudson Drug and Hallmark Owner Andy Hudson says that even if you have had the virus, you should still get vaccinated… 

 

 

Hudson Drug and Hallmark Owner Andy Hudson.

 

 

(Hoopeston-jm) -- A Hoopeston man is behind bars facing drug charges. Police were called to the 500 block of East Penn Street around 11 am Wednesday for an alleged domestic battery in progress. James Mannin the second was found to be in possession of an illegal substance. He was arrested and charged with possession of a controlled substance and possession of drug paraphernalia. 

 

Staerkel Planetarium will host Dr. Jessica Conroy for the Kaler Lecture Series as she talks about "Climate, Water, Life, and Rock: Past Climate Information in Tropical Pacific Lake Sediments" tonight at 7pm.