(Springfield-jm) -- Another 13,000 Illinoisans filed for initial unemployment claims last week. That’s in addition to around 2,400 independent contractors from the state that filed for benefits last week. All filers combine getting continued benefits in Illinois totals nearly 391,000 workers out of work getting benefits.

 

 

(Springfield-jm) -- Some lawmakers are backing another effort to require Illinois gun owners to submit their fingerprints to Illinois State Police in order to get a Firearm Owner Identification Card. State Senator Ram Villivilam’s bill would also increase the cost of the FOID card. It’s unclear how such a bill would clear a backlog of applications. The state faces several lawsuits in state and federal court over backlogs of applications lasting months and in some cases more than a year.

 

 

(Undated-jm) -- The Illinois Department of Public Health reported 3,526 new Coronavirus cases and 25 additional deaths Thursday bringing the state's total number of cases to 1,248,111 and deaths 21,326. The seven day positivity rate is 4 percent.  Iroquois County reported no new cases leaving their total at 2,857. Champaign County reported 45 new cases bringing their total to 19,023. Ford and Vermilion County did not have a report Thursday.

 

 

(Paxton-cf)--  The Paxton Area Chamber of Commerce has a few events scheduled for the 2021 calendar year. The Swine-and-Dine will take place Saturday Sept. 18, and the Wine and Chocolate Walk will take place Oct. 2 says Chamber President Alan Meyer… 

 

 

To go along with the Swine-and-Dine, the Chamber is also hosting their Farmers Market in the Spring and Summer on Thursdays says Meyer… 

 

 

Paxton Area Chamber of Commerce President Alan Meyer. 

 

 

(Urbana-jm) -- The Executive Committee of the University of Illinois System Board of Trustees on Thursday approved a request by the three universities to allow high school students to apply for admission in the 2022-23 and 2023-24 academic years without taking standardized tests. Thursday’s decision extends a policy allowing test-optional admissions at the University of Illinois Urbana Champaign, University of Illinois Chicago and University of Illinois Springfield for the 2021-22 academic year.

 

 

(Urbana-cf)-- If you live in Rantoul, and want to vote early in the consolidated election, you can do so at The Gathering Place. However, early voting will not be permitted on Easter Sunday at the location says Champaign County Clerk Aaron Ammons… 

 

 

Champaign County Clerk Aaron Ammons.

 

 

(Champaign-jm) -- The HOT ROD Power Tour is coming back to Champaign for one night only. The tour comes to Champaign on Friday, August 27th to the State Farm Center.

 

 

(Washington-jm) -- Corn markets got a surprise in USDA's Prospective Plantings Report. Gary Crawford reports…

 

 

The American Red Cross will hold a blood drive at the Hoopeston First Prisbyterian Church today from 11-4.

 

Parkland College’s Staerkel Planetarium will host their final virtual Kaler Lecture Series this evening at 7pm as University of Illinois Assistant Research Professor Daniel Andruczyk discusses why nuclear fusion is seen as the energy of the future.

 

The Onarga American Legion will host a breakfast with the Easter Bunny tomorrow from 7 to 10 am with an Easter Egg hunt to follow at Durham Park at 10:15.

 

The Paxton Community Sale will take place tomorrow at 10 am at Coady Park.

 

The Easter Bunny will be at Buckley Lake tomorrow from 10 to 11:30.

 

Paxton IGA will host their cookout benefiting the Loda Truck and Tractor Pull tomorrow from 10 to 2.

 

The Moyer District Library will host an Easter egg hunt at North Park in Gibson City tomorrow starting at 10 am.

 

(Springfield-jm) -- A new bill would provide state's attorneys with a new resource in investigations of abuse and neglect. Lawmakers say it could help protect the state's children. Currently cases are broken down into two categories: unfounded, where there was no evidence found in the investigation and indicated, where evidence was found. This bill would allow the state's attorneys to receive unfounded reports when they try these cases.

 

 

(Springfield-jm) -- A new bill making its way through the Illinois House aims to make it easier to sue police officers. The "Bad Apples in Law Enforcement Accountability Act" would eliminate qualified immunity statewide. If passed, it would allow for civil litigation against law enforcement if they deprive any individual rights guaranteed under the Illinois Constitution. The bill would also make it so that there is legal liability for police officers who don't intervene when other officers are breaking the law. Municipalities would also be required to publicly disclose any legal settlements with law enforcement.

 

 

(Undated-jm) -- The Illinois Department of Public Health reported 3,526 new Coronavirus cases and 25 additional deaths Thursday bringing the state's total number of cases to 1,248,111 and deaths 21,326. The seven day positivity rate is 4 percent. As for local active and recovered cases, Champaign County reported 18,531 have recovered, 354 are in isolation and 13 are hospitalized. Iroquois Counties numbers remained the same. Ford and Vermilion County did not have a report Thursday.

 

 

(Paxton-jm) -- The Paxton Community Sale will be making a return this year to Coady Park. The sale last year was canceled because of the pandemic. Paxton Park District Director and Community Sale Spokesperson Cody Evans talks about this year’s event…

 

 

Paxton Park District Director and Community Sale Spokesperson Cody Evans.

 

 

(Urbana-jm) -- The University of Illinois Police Department is investigating a sexual assault report. A U of I student said they were sexually assaulted in a residence hall by a person they know. 

 

 

(Paxton-jm) -- The Paxton Buckley Loda School District will be doing some projects this summer. Superintendent Cliff McClure talks about the work to be done…

 

 

PBL Schools Superintendent Cliff McClure.

 

 

(Danville-jm) -- A Danville man will spend the rest of his natural life behind bars for the sexual assault of two children. Travis Vannote was sentenced to Natural Life in the Illinois Department of Corrections for Predatory Criminal Sexual Assault. Predatory Criminal Sexual Assault is a Class X felony. Vannote pleaded guilty to two counts; one count for each victim.

 

 

(Paxton-cf)-- Ford County is starting to make progress in the vaccination process. Ford County Public Health Department Community Educator Megan Reutter has the details… 

 

 

FCPHD is also reminding residents and employees of Ford County to still sign up to get the vaccination through the Health Department says Ruetter… 

 

 

Ford County Public Health Department Community Educator Megan Ruetter.

 

 

(Rantoul-jm) -- A former Rantoul motel will be demolished. The village announced the former Knights Inn will be under new ownership. The developer plans to redevelop the former motel at the corner of Murray Road and 136. The village says the developers plans will focus on varying types of retail. The deal is expected to close sometime this month.

 

 

(Washington-jm) -- Farmers intend to boost soybean acreage this year, but not by as much as many had expected.  Gary Crawford has the details…