(Springfield-jm) -- New daily COVID-19 cases rose above four thousand Friday for the first time since the end of January. Four thousand four new and probable cases of infection are being reported along with 21 additional deaths. The number of COVID patients in the hospital is also increasing with about 18 hundred currently admitted. The good news is that it was another record day for vaccinations, with more than 164 thousand given, says Governor J-B Pritzker…
Illinois Governor J-B Pritzker. The governor says those that are ending up in the hospital typically haven’t been vaccinated. You can find a vaccination site near you online at: coronavirus dot illinois dot gov. On Friday, Iroquois County reported 5 new cases bringing their total to 2,884. Champaign County reported 58 new cases bringing their total to 19,351. Vermilion County reported 17 new cases and 1 additional death, a woman in her 30s, bringing their total number of cases to 8,899 and deaths to 126. Ford County did not have a report.
(Springfield-jm) -- House lawmakers are hearing from the tourism and hospitality industry. During a committee meeting, members of hotel, restaurant and convention groups stressed that they can’t survive another summer under low capacity limits. And, while they appreciate the need to move ahead based on COVID numbers, Navy Pier CEO Marilyn Gardner said they need more notice…
Navy Pier CEO Marilyn Gardner. Hotel industry representatives expressed frustration that their staff, including housekeepers, were not included in the initial priority groups eligible for the vaccine. Others said there needs to be a coordinated effort to promote what’s open in Illinois so travelers and event organizers aren’t having to try and figure that out.
(Paxton-jm) -- One person was taken to the hospital with non life threatening injuries following a car vs semi accident near Paxton Friday evening. Emergency personnel were called to the accident just before 5pm on I-57 near mile marker 263.
(Rantoul-cf)-- The Village of Rantoul will be getting a new building for multiple businesses. Rantoul Mayor Chuck Smith says that he doesn’t know who will be in the new building but that there are more tenants wanting the location then the building has space…
Rantoul Mayor Chuck Smith.
(Springfield-jm) -- Could the graduated income tax proposal still come to fruition? There are talks Democratic legislative leaders are considering the idea again says 106th District State Representative Tom Bennett of Gibson City…
Representative Bennett goes on to say raising the income tax while recovering from the pandemic is not a good idea…
106th District State Representative Tom Bennett of Gibson City.
(Undated-jm) -- Several area schools are receiving federal COVID money. Thomasboro Grade School is receiving $1,468,270. Rantoul City Schools is receiving $9,109,926. Gifford Grade School $255,934. Rantoul Township High School $3,590,051. Paxton Buckley Loda $3.3 million. Gibson City Melvin Sibley $2.6 million and Tri Point Schools $1.2 million.
The American Red Cross will host a blood drive at the Crescent City Community Center today from 1-6 pm.
(Springfield-jm) -- The pandemic has taught the Illinois Emergency Management Agency some valuable lessons. IEMA Director Alicia Tate-Nadeau says Illinois has become a national leader in PPE preparedness, building a system of purchasing and transporting valuable supplies like masks and gloves and keeping a 60 day stockpile on hand. But there is concern for the future…
Illinois Emergency Management Agency Director Alicia Tate-Nadeau. Tate-Nadeau says they also realized they didn’t really have a logistical arm to the agency. That’s changed with the addition of new warehouses around the state to quickly disperse supplies to communities in case of disaster. She says more training for local emergency management personnel is also needed.
(Rantoul-jm) -- A Rantoul business has moved to a new location. Sheer Excellence held a ribbon cutting yesterday at their new location across from the south Casey’s along Route 45. The business offers hair cuts as well as tanning.
(Gilman-jm) -- There will be a slight fee increase in the Iroquois West School District. Superintendent Angelo Lekkas says only Head Start students will be affected by the increase…
Iroquois West Schools Superintendent Angelo Lekkas.
(Iroquois County-jm) -- The Iroquois County Republican Women is announcing they will be awarding a $500 scholarship to a graduating female high school senior. To qualify you must be a resident of Iroquois County at least 3 years, register to vote if 18 by November 2, 2021, proof of citizenship, letter of recommendation, copy of recent high school transcript and be a member or relation of a member of the group. The deadline to apply is April 15th. Email iroquois gop women at gmail dot com.
(Springfield-jm) -- An area lawmaker is calling out Governor J-B Pritzker’s handling of the pandemic. 53rd District State Senator Jason Barickman of Bloomington says the Governor is ignoring calls to have the legislature involved in the reopening plan…
Senator Barickman also talks about Governor Pritkzer’s recent announcement creating a bridge phase…
53rd District State Senator Jason Barickman of Bloomington.
(Iroquois County-jm) -- The Iroquois County Public Health Department will be hosting a series of COVID vaccination clinics this week. The Moderna vaccination clinic will take place on Wednesday, April 14th with the Pfizer vaccination clinic on Thursday, April 15th and the Johnson and Johnson vaccination clinic on Friday, April 16th.
