(Undated-jm) -- Winter weather again struck the area yesterday and overnight causing slick roads. Slow down and use caution as you head to work this morning. Check the latest road conditions at getting around illinois dot com. Many schools are on remote learning today and county government offices are closed.

 

 

(Springfield-jm) -- Illinois state and local government could get more than $13 billion in financial support from federal taxpayers under President Joe Biden’s COVID-19 aid package. Schaumburg Democratic U.S. Rep. Raja Krishnamoorti’s office shared a spreadsheet with estimates showing $7.5 billion would go directly to the state’s budget with $5.7 billion going to local governments.

 

 

(Springfield-jm) -- Governor J-B Pritzker is set to deliver his annual budget address Wednesday and Illinois House Republicans say it’s more important than ever that than ever that the proposal is balanced. The Illinois constitution requires the state budget be balanced each year, with spending matching revenues. But sometimes expected revenues don’t pan out. That can’t happen this year says House GOP Leader Jim Durkin…

 

 

House GOP Leader Jim Durkin. The state is facing a three billion dollar budget deficit. Governor Pritkzer has said his proposal will keep spending at the same levels as last year and will not include a tax increase. He says Republicans should offer suggestions about where cuts can be made to help keep costs down.

 

 

(Undated-jm) -- The Illinois Department of Public Health reported 1,420 new Coronavirus cases Monday and 41 additional deaths bringing the state’s total number of cases to 1,163,574 and deaths to 20,002. Champaign County reported 229 new cases and 7 additional deaths bringing their totals to 17,536 and 123 respectively. All other health departments did not issue reports due to the President’s Day holiday.

 

 

(Rantoul-jm) -- The Forum Fitness Center in Rantoul will be undergoing a major renovation. The Rantoul Recreation Department received an $850,000 grant for the work says Director Luke Humphry…

 

 

Rantoul Recreation Department Director Luke Humphry.

 

 

(Paxton-jm) -- The Ford County 2020 tax sale has been postponed due to COVID-19 regulations. The new scheduled date is tomorrow at 1:00 pm.  Property owners will be able to make payments on delinquent 2019 payable 2020 taxes until the end of the day today. If you still need to make a tax payment, please contact the treasurer’s office for current amount due.  All payments must be in the form of cash, certified check or payments will be accepted online at gov tech tax pro dot com through the first week of February.  For more information, please contact the treasurer’s office or visit the Ford County Treasurer’s website at ford county dot illinois dot gov.

 

 

(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…

 

 

 

(Rantoul-jm) -- A Rantoul man who admitted to touching an underage girl has been sentenced to 4 years probation. Darwayne Barton received the sentence after pleading guilty to aggravated criminal sexual abuse. He must also register as a sex offender for life.

 

(Springfield-jm) -- Illinois taxpayers are paying retired state lawmakers more than $2.1 million a month from a pension fund that’s just 16 percent funded. Numbers from the General Assembly Retirement System show 40 former lawmakers or their surviving spouses are getting at least $10,000 a month with the highest payout for one former lawmaker more than $18,000 a month.

 

(Undated-jm) -- Illinois topped 20,000 deaths yesterday after the state reported 1,429 new cases and 41 additional deaths. Champaign County was the only county to issue a report yesterday because of the President’s Day holiday. They reported 16,694 have recovered, 719 are in isolation and 17 are hospitalized. They also reported 7 new deaths bringing their total to 123.

 

 

(Gibson City-cf)-- The Village of Gibson City is hosting a photo contest within the village. You can show off your camera skills by taking photos of landmarks, old and new inside the village to showcase the history of the village says Spokesperson Suzie Tongate… 

 

 

Gibson City Photo Contest Spokesperson Suzie Tongate. The contest will run until the middle of August. 

 

 

(Watseka-jm) --Congressman Adam Kinzinger has been censured by the Iroquois County Republican Central Committee. Kinzinger spoke out against former President Donald Trump and joined 9 other GOP members in seeking impeachment following the January 6th insurrection. 10 of the 19 members of the Iroquois County Republican Central Committee voted to censure the politician. You can hear from Congressman Kinzinger on his vote to impeach the former President tonight on our news at 4 and 5.

 

 

(Hoopeston-jm) -- An area community is hitting a major milestone this year. Hoopeston will celebrate their sesquicentennial this summer. Spokesperson Brad Hardcastle talks about some of the planning in the early going…

 

 

Hoopeston Sesquicentennial Spokesperson Brad Hardcastle.

 

 

(Potomac-jm) -- A Potomac man has been named the 2021 Soybean Master Adviser. Randy Niver received the title by the Illinois Soybean Association. Niver has been a certified crop advisor since 2012.