(Springfield-jm) -- For the first time in months, Illinois saw a decrease in monthly cannabis sales. February sales of adult-use cannabis were $80.7 million, down more than $8 million from the month before. Since the program began in January 2020, the state has collected more than $233.5 million in cannabis taxes. Taxes on the drug can be as high as 40 percent or more, depending on its potency.

 

 

(Springfield-jm) -- Illinois Treasurer Mike Frerichs says the state’s investment earnings from 2015 now top one billion dollars. When he took office, Treasurer Frerichs says he asked lawmakers for a series of tweaks to state law to help boost investment profits…

 

 

State Treasurer Mike Frerichs. Frerichs says he also works closely with the Illinois Comptroller and Governor’s Office to estimate when money is needed and when money can remain invested to keep earning a higher rate of return.

 

 

(Undated-jm) -- The Illinois Department of Public Health reported 782 new Coronavirus cases and 12 additional deaths Monday bringing the state’s total number of cases to 1,210,113 and deaths to 20,955. Locally since Friday, Champaign County reported 79 new cases bringing their total to 18,602. Iroquois County reported 3 new cases bringing their total to 2,812. Ford County reported 3 new cases and 1 additional death bringing their total number of cases to 2,812 and deaths to 44. Vermilion County reported 114 new cases and 3 additional deaths bringing their total number of cases to 8,687 and deaths to 121.

(Paxton-cf)-- The Paxton Area Chamber of Commerce has made changes to their Chamber Bucks. Starting with the $10 chamber buck, there is a QR Code that is on the back that can be scanned to see if that business accepts Chamber Bucks says Chamber President Alan Meyer… 

 

 

Paxton Area Chamber of Commerce President Alan Meyer. Chamber Bucks can be purchased at Paxton IGA, Hudson's Drug and Hallmark Shop, and the Chamber Office. 

 

 

(Urbana-jm) -- OSF broke ground yesterday afternoon on a new helipad at their Urbana hospital. The new helipad will be located on the east side of OSF Heart of Mary Medical Center. The new helipad will allow OSF to bring their Lifeflight helicopter to the Urbana hospital. Work is expected to be completed in 8 to 10 weeks.

 

 

(Sibley-jm) -- The western Ford County village of Sibley is looking for members to serve on a zoning committee. The village is looking for 3 to 5 people to volunteer to be on the committee. Once the committee is formed, a zoning ordinance will be created.

 

 

(Springfield-jm) -- An area state lawmaker is concerned about the Governor’s budget proposal. Governor J-B Pritkzer proposed a $41.6 billion dollar budget which 53rd District State Senator Jason Barickman of Bloomington called reckless…

 

 

53rd District State Senator Jason Barickman of Bloomington.

 

 

(Iroquois County-jm) -- Illinois State Police conducted Alcohol Countermeasure Enforcement details in Kankakee and Iroquois Counties. 19 businesses in Gilman, Onarga, Kankakee and Bourbonnais were checked for compliance when it came to selling alcohol to minors. Three local establishment employees were charged with unlawful delivery of alcoholic liquor to a minor, Destiny Miller of Wasmer’s Phillips 66 Gilman, Brooke Condon of Best Supermarket Onarga and Jacob Kilby of Fred’s Fuel n Feed in Gilman.

 

 

(Undated-jm) -- The freezing rain and strong winds caused havoc around the area yesterday. Emergency crews were busy handling downed tree limbs and powerlines. Ameren Illinois reported some power outages.

 

The Paxton Emergency Response Service chili supper scheduled for this Thursday has been cancelled. 

 

 

(Washington-jm) -- What might be more profitable for producers this year when comparing price and crop rotation for corn and soybeans? Rod Bain reports…

 

 

(Springfield-jm) -- Illinois is below the middle of the pack when it comes to the cost of vehicle insurance. Consumer finance website WalletHub ranked No. 28 of all 50 states. In Illinois, WalletHub said the cheapest insurance is Geico, Country Financial and Pekin Insurance. The cheapest insurance in the country was found in Wyoming. The most expensive car insurance was in Michigan.

 

 

(Normal-jm) -- An area lawmaker is teaming up with the National Safety Council to improve safe senior access. State Representative Dan Brady talks about the bill that would allow seniors to participate in online trainings…

 

 

State Representative Dan Brady.

 

 

(Undated-jm) -- The Illinois Department of Public Health reported 782 new Coronavirus cases and 12 additional deaths Monday bringing the state’s total number of cases to 1,210,113 and deaths to 20,955. As for local active and recovered cases, Champaign County reported 18,257 have recovered, 211 are in isolation and 8 are hospitalized. Iroquois County reported 2,742 have been released from isolation, 9 are in isolation and 2 are hospitalized. Vermilion County reported 279 cases are active and 6 are hospitalized. Ford County is unable to report local active and recovered cases at this time.

 

 

(Rantoul-cf)--Two Rantoul businesses are hosting a Spring Fling. A House of Flowers by Paula, as well as Schitts and Giggles are hosting the event. If you bring an item to either store that can be donated to Seek and Find ministries, you will receive 15% off your purchase and be entered into a spring cleaning drawing says House of Flowers owner Paula Hopkins… 

 

 

Spring Fling Spokesperson Paula Hopkins.

 

 

(Kankakee-jm) -- Kankakee Community College is announcing a tuition freeze. The Kankakee based community college says tuition will remain at $165 per semester hour. For a full time student its expected to cost them about $4,950 a year to attend.

 

 

(Mahomet-jm) -- The Mahomet Area Chamber of Commerce is seeking vendors for their market. The Mahomet Market will return in June. Those interested can reach out to the chamber at 217-586-3165.

 

 

(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 Thomasboro…

 

 

 

(Champaign County-jm) -- The former Champaign County Chief Deputy Treasurer is suing the county and her former boss for allegedly violating her FMLA rights. Amy Jo Foster filed the suit in federal court claiming she told former Treasurer Laurel Prussing the office was struggling to keep up with deadlines and other duties. Prussing began blaming the struggles on Foster’s absence. Foster allegedly told Prussing she was able to return to work in November 2019, however Prussing put her on indefinite administrative leave before firing her. Prussing resigned from the Treasurer position part way through her term.

(Undated-jm) -- Two area hospitals are partaking in a pilot program to get more COVID vaccines into the arms of people. Gibson Area Hospital and Carle Hoopeston Regional Medical Center are participating in the pilot program to get an additional 6,000 vaccines from the federal government.

 

 

(Washington-jm) -- Except for one dairy product category, most milk product and class prices were increased from the previous month in USDAs latest dairy forecast. Rod Bain reports…