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While some states are fully opening back up and ditching mask requirements, that won't be happening in Illinois anytime soon

(Springfield-jm) -- While some states are fully opening back up and ditching mask requirements, that won’t be happening in Illinois anytime soon. Texas and Mississippi most recently lifted mask mandates and rolled back many COVID restrictions. Governor J-B Pritzker says Illinoisans will need to continue to mask up for awhile…

 

 

Illinois Governor J-B Pritzker. The state’s current mask mandate lasts until early June. The Governor says while COVID numbers are definitely improving, there are still concerns such as the variant strains of the virus and getting as many people as possible vaccinated.

 

 

(Undated-jm) -- The Illinois Department of Public Health reported 1,740 new Coronavirus cases and 42 additional deaths Thursday bringing the state’s total number of cases to 1,193,260 and deaths to 20,668. Locally, Iroquois County reported 1 new case bringing their total to 2,788. Champaign County reported 44 new cases bringing their total to 18,340. Ford and Vermilion Counties did not provide a report Thursday.

 

 

(Springfield-jm) -- The Illinois Department of Public Health is urging those who have received the COVID-19 vaccine to sign up for the federal “V-Safe'' program. V-Safe puts people in direct contact with the CDC regarding any side effects they may be experiencing. Depending on the answer, someone from the CDC may check on the person and get more information says Spokesperson Melaney Arnold…

 

 

Illinois Department of Public Health Spokesperson Melaney Arnold. To sign up, visit the CDC’s website or search online for “V-Safe.”

 

 

(Chicago-jm) -- A Champaign man has been arrested for a shooting on a Chicago freeway. Terrell Jackson is charged with aggravated discharge of a firearm and reckless discharge of a firearm. Chicago and Illinois State Police say Jackson allegedly fired shots at a vehicle on I-80 in Chicago.

 

 

(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 Mahomet Seymour school board ballot…

 

 

 

(Rantoul-jm) -- Those who want to get a tour of the new Rantoul Family Sports Complex can do so in March. A tour was originally scheduled in February however due to inclement weather it was rescheduled for Sunday at 2 and 3pm. Reservations are required and can be made by calling 893-5731.

 

 

(Mahomet-jm) -- There will be a candidate forum for the Mahomet Seymour school board. The candidate forum will take place on Sunday at 2pm at the Mahomet Public Library.

 

 

(Paxton-jm) -- There are some signs of economic development in the City of Paxton. Mayor Bill Ingold provides an update on development in the city…

 

 

Paxton Mayor Bill Ingold.

 

(Springfield-jm) -- Secretary of State Jesse White’s Office is warning the public about the latest investment scams. The investment opportunities to be most cautious often come through the internet or social media says Secretary White’s Spokesperson Beth Kaufman…

 

 

Secretary of State Spokesperson Beth Kaufman. Foreign exchange related investment schemes are also a problem. Again the website is: avoid the scam dot net.

 

 

(Undated-jm) -- The Illinois Department of Public Health reported 1,740 new Coronavirus cases and 42 additional deaths Thursday bringing the state’s total number of cases to 1,193,260 and deaths to 20,668. As for local active and recovered cases, Iroquois County reported 2,720 have been released from isolation and 9 remain in isolation. Champaign County reported 17,917 have recovered, 294 are in isolation and 14 are hospitalized. Ford and Vermilion Counties did not have reports Thursday.

 

 

(Springfield-jm) -- The graduating Class of 2020 is receiving high marks for improvements in advanced placement exam scores. 29 percent of students in the class of 2020 received a three or higher on at least one exam. That’s an increase of more than 12 percent from 2010, a bigger jump over the decade than all but four other states. The Illinois Board of Education’s Jen Kirmes says these AP classes are really beneficial…

 

 

Illinois Board of Education’s Jen Kirmes. ISBE says new data also shows that waiving the AP exam fee for qualifying students has led to a historic number of low income teens scoring a three or higher.

 

 

(Paxton-jm) -- Ford County Sheriff Mark Doran is encouraging members of the public to become Associate members of the Illinois Sheriff’s Association. Individual memberships are $20 while business memberships are $50. Sheriff Doran says it helps build a strong partnership in the fight against crime. Visit ilsheriff dot org for more information or call the Ford County Sheriff’s Office at 217-379-2324.

 

 

(Sibley-jm) -- The future of a wind farm near Sibley is up in the air after the county’s zoning officer rejected the building permit application. Apex Clean Energy filed the application to build the Ford Ridge Wind Farm near Sibley. Zoning officials say they found substantial modifications to the project. Apex says they will appeal the ruling.

 

 

(Piatt County-jm) -- Piatt County is one of the nation’s largest soybean producers. In 2020, the county averaged 70.5 bushels per acre making it the 3rd largest in the country. Champaign County averaged 65 bushels per acre, Ford County 55.4, Iroquois County 59 and Vermilion County 60.7. Turning to corn, Champaign County averaged 193.7 bushels per acre, Ford County 192.3, Iroquois County 191.2 and Vermilion County 191.0.

 

 

(Paxton-cf)-- There are a lot of questions as to why we should get the vaccine for the novel coronavirus. The main answer is herd immunity. Hudson Drug and Hallmark Owner Andy Hudson answers why we should get the vaccine as a person, and as a country… 

 

 

Hudson Drug and Hallmark Owner Andy Hudson.

 

Parkland’s Staerkel Planetarium will host their next virtual Kaler Lecture Series tonight at 7pm with Jeffrey Bryant presenting “Birds of East Central Illinois”

 

The Mahomet Area Youth Club will hold their virtual auction on Saturday starting at 6pm.

 

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