(Springfield-jm) -- House lawmakers are discussing making more fireworks legal in Illinois. A legislative committee voted to add “ground sparklers'' to the short list of allowed products. They sit on the ground and emit a shower of sparks. Representative Norrine Hammond of Macomb says they are already legal in 46 other states…
State Representative Norrine Hammond of Macomb. Opponents say ground sparklers are too dangerous and are much more powerful than handheld sparklers. If this legislation is eventually passed, fireworks like firecrackers, bottle rockets and roman candles would still be illegal in Illinois.
(Springfield-jm) -- Governor J-B Pritzker received his COVID-19 vaccination Wednesday at a mass vaccination site in Springfield. The Governor received the one time Johnson and Johnson version, saying he’s thankful for the life saving shot that will help get life back to normal…
Illinois Governor J-B Pritzker. Governor Pritkzer says more than five million doses have been administered in Illinois so far, including 66 percent of seniors 65 and older. 70 percent of older people need to be vaccinated in order for the state to move to the “Bridge” phase of mitigations.
(Undated-jm) -- Looking at the latest COVID numbers, the state recorded 2,793 new cases and 20 additional deaths bringing the total to 1,227,708 and deaths to 21,136. Ford County reported 5 new cases bringing their total to 1,632. Iroquois County reported 3 new cases bringing their total to 2,830. Champaign County reported 38 new cases and 1 additional death bringing their total number of cases to 18,714 and deaths to 137. Vermilion County did not have a report.
(Urbana-cf)-- The consolidated election is just a few weeks away. In Champaign County, this election will look different than the presidential election in November. Champaign County Clerk Aaron Ammons says that one change is the amount of polling locations…
Champaign County Clerk Aaron Ammons.
(Paxton-jm) -- Paxton police have released their recent activity report. On March 13th, Stephen Ernst of St. Peters, Missouri was arrested for driving under the influence and driving with a suspended license and cited for illegal transportation of alcohol, disobeying a stop sign, improper lane usage and operating an uninsured motor vehicle. Also on the 13th, Joshua Wright of Paxton was arrested for possession of meth with intent to deliver, possession of meth, possession of drug paraphernalia and resisting a peace officer. On March 18th, Analyh Zarata of Cissna Park was charged with driving on a suspended license, speeding and operating an uninsured motor vehicle. On March 20th, an unidentified vehicle struck the stop sign at Patton and Market and Aubrey Beene of Paxton was arrested for battery, the victim, a man in his 50s was taken to the hospital for his injuries. On March 21st, Christian King of Paxton was arrested on a Ford County warrant for failure to appear and Steven Adkins of Ludlow was arrested for driving under the influence and cited for operating an uninsured motor vehicle and a driver’s license classification offense.
(Watseka-cf)-- Early voting is still open in Iroquois County. Any registered voter can go to the Iroquois County Clerk's office from 8 to 4:30 Monday-Friday says County Clerk Breein Suver…
Iroquois County is also holding a grace period for voting. If you are not a registered voter, you can go to the Clerk's office, register and vote on the same day, says Suver…
Iroquois County Clerk Breein Suver.
(Springfield-jm) -- The Illinois State Police is asking for a few tweaks in state law to help reduce the backlog of FOID and concealed carry cards to be processed. There’s been a 167 percent increase in FOID card applications over the past few years, overwhelming an already antiquated system says State Police Director Brendan Kelly. He’s looking for some common sense changes that will make the system more streamlined for the state, and the public…
Illinois State Police Director Brendan Kelly. Kelly says they would also like to get the renewal process in sync, so that when you renew a concealed carry license, you’re also automatically renewing your FOID card. And he thinks the cards should be electronic, removing the need for a paper license.
(Undated-jm) -- According to the Illinois Department of Public Health, 2,793 new cases were reported Wednesday and 20 additional deaths bringing the states total number of cases to 1,227,708 and deaths to 21,136. As for local active and recovered cases, Iroquois County reported 2,752 have been released from isolation, 17 remain in isolation and 2 are hospitalized. Champaign County reported 18,327 have recovered, 250 are in isolation and 8 are hospitalized. Ford County could not provide active and recovered case numbers and Vermilion County did not have a report.
(Danville-jm) -- The consolidated election is just under two weeks away. Voters will go to the polls to vote in local races. Vermilion County Clerk Cathy Jenkins talks about how early voting is going in her county…
Vermilion County Clerk Cathy Jenkins. Jenkins reminds residents they can vote early at their office in Danville or request a mail in ballot. Those requests must be in by April 1st.
(Undated-jm) -- The Illinois Department of Natural Resources has announced spring trout fishing dates and locations. The opening day for spring trout fishing is April 3rd. Nearby locations to be stocked for trout include Lake of the Woods in Mahomet, Kaufman Lake in Champaign, Weldon Springs in Clinton and Clear Lake at Kickapoo State Park. In order to trout fish you need a fishing license and an inland trout stamp.
(Paxton-cf)-- The State of Illinois currently sits in Phase 4 of the Rebuild Illinois Plan. In order to reach phase 5, Illinoisans must move through a bridge phase. Ford County Public Health Department Community Educator Megan Reutter has the details…
In order to move out of the bridge phase, and into phase 5 there are certain metrics the state has to hit says Ruetter…
Ford County Public Health Department Community Educator Megan Reutter.
Don’t forget coming up over the noon hour, we will continue our series, talking with the 3 mayoral candidates for the village of Rantoul.
