(Springfield-jm) -- Governor J-B Pritzker is calling on communities to boost COVID-19 vaccination outreach efforts. Whether it be by helping seniors who aren’t internet savvy get an appointment or church leaders encouraging their congregation to get the shot. Governor J-B Pritzker says its vital to ensure as many people get vaccinated as possible…

 

 

Illinois Governor J-B Pritzker. The Governor says this is especially crucial in minority communities, where residents are disproportionately affected by COVID-19.

 

 

(Undated-jm) -- The Illinois Department of Public Health reported 1,557 new Coronavirus cases Tuesday and 47 additional deaths bringing their total number of cases to 1,189,416 and deaths to 20,583. Locally, Vermilion County reported 6 new cases bringing their total to 8,473. Ford County reported 2 new cases bringing their total 1,588. Iroquois County reported 5 new cases bringing their total to 2,783. Champaign County reported 20 new cases bringing their total to 18,256.

 

 

(Springfield-jm) -- Many GOP lawmakers believe the state will get a federal bailout. The state has pushed the Biden Administration and Democrats in Congress to pass a Coronavirus relief package that includes money for states. 53rd District State Senator Jason Barickman of Bloomington says it's not the right way to handle the state’s budget deficit…

 

53rd District State Senator Jason Barickman of Bloomington.

 

 

(Champaign-jm) -- Tuition will not be going up at Parkland College. The board of trustees voted to freeze tuition at $148.50 per credit hour. 

 

(Paxton-jm) -- The pandemic has slowed down the City of Paxton’s streetscape project. Mayor Bill Ingold provides an update on the project…

 

 

Paxton Mayor Bill Ingold.

 

 

(Watseka-jm) -- Kankakee Community College is announcing a Fast Pack information night. The night will be tomorrow at 6pm at the Miner South Extension Center in Watseka.

 

 

(Washington-jm) -- What are some areas that may reflect, or perhaps play a part in, a new Biden Administration approach to ag trade over the next few months? Rod Bain reports…

 

(Springfield-jm) -- New legislation requires trampoline parks in Illinois to be regulated by the state. The bill classifies trampoline courts as an amusement ride to be inspected by the Illinois Department of Labor. It’s sponsored by Representative Denyse Stoneback of Skokie who says it’s about safety…

 

 

State Representative Denyse Stoneback of Skokie. A similar bill passed in 2017 but was vetoed by then Governor Bruce Rauner. Nine other states regulate trampoline parks.

 

 

(Undated-jm) -- The Illinois Department of Public Health reported 1,557 new Coronavirus cases Tuesday and 47 additional deaths bringing their total number of cases to 1,189,416 and deaths to 20,583. Locally Vermilion County reported 269 active cases and 8 hospitalized. Iroquois County reported 2,720 have been released from isolation and 4 are in isolation. Champaign County reported 17,828 have recovered, 299 are in isolation and 15 are hospitalized.

 

 

(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…

 

 

 

(Gibson City-jm) -- Construction at two Gibson City Melvin Sibley Schools is expected to begin later this month. School board members approved the $5.24 million bid from Champaign based Petry-Kuhne for a new addition at the elementary school and renovations at the elementary and high school.

 

 

(Buckley-cf)-- The deadline for Crop Insurance this year is March 15. Unlike filing for taxes, there is not an extension offered if the deadline is missed. Dylan Reetz of Diversified Insurance in Buckley says that this year is especially important for Crop Insurance based on the drought maps…. 

 

 

Diversified Insurance Agent Dylan Reetz. You can visit the office in Buckley or contact Dylan at 815-822-5477

 

 

(Undated-jm) -- The Illinois Department of Agriculture, along with the University of Illinois Extension Service, is hosting the Certified Livestock Manager Online Training and Webinars for 2021. The webinar date is Thursday.  These will have the same format as previous workshops starting at 9:00 am. After the webinar, those with over 1,000 AUs will be required to log in and take the 40-question online test in lieu of the IDoA's paper-based test. Pre-registration is required ($40). Please go to go.illinois.edu/CLMT to register. For questions with registration, please contact UI Extension at (815) 858-2273.

 

 

(Washington-jm) -- Agricultural trade is being viewed as a smoothing and calming factor in what some call "rocky" relations between the U.S. and China.  Gary Crawford reports…