(Springfield-jm) -- Illinois has the highest taxes in the nation. That’s according to consumer finance website WalletHub. The analysis compared all states' local taxes, income taxes, real estate taxes, sales and excise taxes and vehicle property taxes. All combined, the average Illinois household pays nearly $9,500 a year in state and local taxes, the highest in the nation. Illinois doubled the gas tax recently, catapulting the state to the top of the list.

 

 

(Springfield-jm) -- Illinois’ credit rating remains a notch above “junk” status, but rating agencies have different outlooks for the state. Rating agency Fitch issued a report saying the state’s outlook is negative. S&P Global Ratings changed Illinois’ negative outlook to stable. Both said the state’s long-term unfunded pension liability is a major issue holding the state’s crediting rating down.

 

 

(Springfield-jm) -- The Illinois State Board of Education and the Illinois Department of Public Health are now both saying they are in support of a return to in-person learning. Among the new guidelines issued include: required use of masks and social distancing, require contact tracing and isolation of those suspected or confirmed with COVID and quarantine of those possibly exposed and require enhanced cleaning. Another change reduces social distance from 6 feet to 3 feet for students and fully vaccinated staff.

 

 

(Springfield-jm) -- This is Ladder Safety Month and the Illinois Department of Labor has some tips for ladder use at home and on the job. One of the most important things to remember is to use the correct ladder for the job says the Department’s Hap Hileman. Take an a-frame ladder for example…

 

 

Illinois Department of Labor’s Hap Hileman. Hileman says you should also consider a ladder’s weight limit, including not just your own weight but the weight of any tools you’ll be climbing up with. More safety tips are available in free weekly webinars at: ladder safety month dot com.

 

 

(Undated-jm) -- The Illinois Department of Public Health reported 1,682 new Coronavirus cases and 30 additional deaths Wednesday bringing the state’s total number of cases to 1,202,709 and deaths to 20,810. Locally Champaign County reported 34 new cases bringing their total to 18,473. Ford County reported 12 new cases bringing their total to 1,614. Iroquois County reported 4 new cases bringing their total to 2,805. Vermilion County did not provide a report Wednesday.

 

 

(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 in Gifford…

 

 

 

(Champaign-jm) -- Carle officials said their clinic for those receiving the second dose of the Pfizer vaccine has been postponed. In a news release, Carle said the clinics were supposed to take place today and tomorrow at Kohl’s Plaza. Now, they have been postponed to March 15 and 16. They said the decision was made because of a lack of Pfizer vaccine. 

 

 

(St. Joseph-jm) -- A new bike and walking trail will be coming to parts of Champaign and Vermilion Counties. The Kickapoo Trail will extend from Kickapoo State Park near Danville to Urbana. A portion of the trail has already been completed and St. Joseph Mayor Tami Fruhling says thanks to a grant some amenities will be added in the St. Joseph portion of the trail this summer…

 

 

St. Joseph Mayor Tami Fruhling.

 

 

(Champaign-jm) -- The Champaign County Health Department has a plan on how to improve the community’s health. The Champaign-Urbana Public Health District, in conjunction with Carle Foundation Hospital, OSF HealthCare, and the United Way of Champaign County all worked together on the plan. A survey of community leaders helped narrow the team's goals to three top health priorities for the community; behavioral, reducing obesity and promoting healthy lifestyles, and violence.

 

The American Red Cross will hold a blood drive at The Garage Community Center in Gilman today from 9 to 3.

 

(Washington-jm) -- USDA's latest look at the global soybean balance sheet led to revisions up for Brazilian soybean production. Rod Bain reports…

 

 

(Springfield-jm) -- The Illinois House has canceled all but one session day next week. An email from House Speaker Chris Welch’s office said the House will convene on Thursday, March 18, but Tuesday, Wednesday and Friday are off. Committees will continue to meet virtually.

 

 

(Springfield-jm) -- As the state of Illinois continues to grapple with a massive deficit in its finances, it continues to pour out millions of dollars into abandoned properties state officials have deemed as "surplus." Currently, Illinois has 380 properties, 11 of which are surplus. The state paid a total of $1,786,647.08 of taxpayer money in 2020 alone to maintain the "surplus" properties.

 

 

(Washington-jm) -- Democratic U.S. Senator Tammy Duckworth took to Twitter to announce plans to run for a second term in 2022. In a brief tweet, Duckworth claimed her work for Illinois families and veterans isn’t finished. Duckworth is launching her re-election bid without a prominent Illinois Republican actively mounting a challenge.

 

 

(Undated-jm) -- The Illinois Department of Public Health reported 1,682 new Coronavirus cases and 30 additional deaths Wednesday bringing the state’s total number of cases to 1,202,709 and deaths to 20,810. As for local active and recovered cases, Champaign County reported 18,114 have recovered, 225 are in isolation and 9 are hospitalized. Iroquois County reported 2,731 have been released from isolation, 14 remain in isolation and 1 is hospitalized. Ford County is unable to report active and recovered cases at this time. Vermilion County did not provide a report Wednesday.

 

 

(Springfield-jm) -- State lawmakers will have some tough choices to make when it comes to creating the next budget year. 53rd District State Senator Jason Barickman of Bloomington says it will be especially harder with handling the financial disaster of last fiscal years budget…

 

53rd District State Senator Jason Barickman of Bloomington.

 

 

(Vermilion County-jm) -- The Vermilion County Board approved a $24,000 budget amendment this week. The amendment will go to the counties animal control budget to pay expenses for animals in an alleged animal cruelty case.

 

 

(Roberts-cf)-- The Village of Roberts has one main priority on the docket for this summer, and that is updating, and maintaining the water system within the village. Roberts Mayor Matt Vaughn has the details on what is happening… 

 

 

Roberts Mayor Matt Vaughn.

 

(Mahomet-jm) -- Farm Credit Illinois is announcing ag scholarships. The scholarships are for high school seniors enrolling in college this fall and majoring in an ag related field. Applications are due by March 12th. More details are available at farm credit il dot com.

 

 

(Washington-jm) -- So far this year food price inflation has been surprisingly stubborn.  Gary Crawford reports…