(Springfield-jm) -- Illinois House GOP lawmakers want to ban your workplace from requiring you to prove you've received the COVID-19 vaccine. The proposed legislation would make it illegal for an employer in Illinois to require an employee to show proof of receiving a vaccine that is only approved for emergency use authorization by the FDA. The bill would only apply to vaccines that have emergency use authorization, not vaccines that have full FDA approval.
(Springfield-jm) -- Illinois came up $1 billion short in expected transportation tax revenue last year. Due to COVID-19, the Illinois Economic Policy Institute estimates the state's travelers did so up to 40% less compared to 2019. Taxes on things like fuel pay for infrastructure spending.
(Vermilion County-jm) -- The Vermilion County coroner’s office is releasing the name of an inmate that died at the county jail. Coroner Jane McFadden says 43 year old Joshua Edwards of Hoopeston died Sunday morning at the counties jail. An autopsy was scheduled for yesterday.
(Undated-jm) -- The Illinois Department of Public Health reported 2,433 new Coronavirus cases and 18 additional deaths bringing the state’s total number of cases to 1,282,205 and deaths to 21,523. Champaign County reported 112 new cases bringing their total to 19,463. Iroquois County reported 6 new cases and 2 additional deaths bringing their total number of cases to 2,890 and deaths to 61. Ford County reported 13 new cases bringing their total to 1,675. Vermilion County did not have a report Monday.
(Undated-jm) -- The Rantoul village board and Paxton city council both meet tonight. In Rantoul at 6, village trustees are expected to approve the purchase of 70 new radios for the police and fire departments, waive certain liquor license fees and approve their fiscal year 21-22 budget. In Paxton at 7, city aldermen are expected to consider motor fuel tax projects, approve the purchase of a new police vehicle, consider changes to the city’s tree ordinance and discuss the 4th of July. The Rantoul village board meeting gets underway at 6 with the Paxton city council meeting getting underway at 7.
(Paxton-jm) -- Two Paxton Buckley Loda teachers have received grants. Superintendent Cliff McClure recognizes those teachers…
PBL Schools Superintendent Cliff McClure.
(Savoy-jm) -- Willard Airport will be receiving over a million dollars in federal funding. The Savoy based airport received $1.17 million to purchase a new aircraft rescue and fire fighting truck as well as snow removal equipment. The funding is part of $627 million in federal infrastructure and safety grants.
(Springfield-jm) -- Corn planting has begun in Illinois. Nearly four days were suitable for fieldwork this past week, giving producers time to start planting says Crop Statistician Mark Schleusener…
State Crop Statistician Mark Schleusener. Three percent of winter wheat has headed and 73 percent of the crop is rated in good to excellent condition. Rain was more than an inch above normal, boosting average statewide topsoil moisture to six percent short, 73 percent adequate and 21 percent surplus.
The American Red Cross will host a blood drive at the Milford Fire Department today from 1-6 pm.
(Springfield-jm) -- More than a third of small businesses in Illinois have closed a full year into COVID-19 restrictions.Those restrictions the governor says are to slow the spread of the virus continue to this day. The Illinois Policy Institute analyzed data from Harvard University that showed 35% of small businesses are closed compared to before the pandemic, more than in any other Midwestern state, except Michigan.
(Springfield-jm) -- A new study at Northwestern University is shedding light on the long-term effects of COVID-19 on the body. Eighty-five percent COVID-19 “long haulers” reported four or more neurological symptoms such as attention and memory problems, loss of taste and smell, headaches and blurred vision. The average age of people in the study was 43.
(Springfield-jm) -- The Illinois Department on Aging is working to make sure seniors stay connected. The state has distributed more than 11 hundred i-pads, tablets and access to wifi and hotspots to older Illinoisans and people with disabilities thanks to a nearly two million dollar federal grant. Department on Aging Director Paula Basta says the technology has provided a valuable lifeline during the pandemic…
Illinois Department on Aging Director Paula Basta. More resources are available to seniors and families struggling to get through the pandemic on the agency’s website at: illinois dot gov slash aging.
(Rantoul-jm) -- One person is in the hospital and one person is behind bars following a weekend shooting in Rantoul. Police were called to the 600 block of Autumn Fields Lane. Darrion Miles was arrested for aggravated battery with a firearm.
(Undated-jm) -- The Illinois Department of Public Health reported 2,433 new Coronavirus cases and 18 additional deaths bringing the state’s total number of cases to 1,282,205 and deaths to 21,523. As for local active and recovered cases, Champaign County reported 18,926 have recovered, 399 are in isolation and 12 are hospitalized. Iroquois County reported 2,808 have been released from isolation, 19 remain in isolation and 2 are hospitalized. Ford County is unable to provide an active and recovered report at this time. Vermilion County did not have a report Monday.
(Undated-jm) -- The Rantoul village board and Paxton city council both meet tonight. In Rantoul at 6, village trustees are expected to approve the purchase of 70 new radios for the police and fire departments, waive certain liquor license fees and approve their fiscal year 21-22 budget. In Paxton at 7, city aldermen are expected to consider motor fuel tax projects, approve the purchase of a new police vehicle, consider changes to the city’s tree ordinance and discuss the 4th of July. The Rantoul village board meeting gets underway at 6 with the Paxton city council meeting getting underway at 7.
(Champaign-jm) -- Parkland College is announcing student artists selected to attend the 2021 Illinois Community College Juried Exhibit. Katy Geurtz of Loda and Grant Siegmund of St. Joseph were among those selected to participate.
(Springfield-jm) -- Corn planting has begun in Illinois. Five percent of corn acres have now been planted. That’s ahead of last year and the five year average says Crop Statistician Mark Schleusener. He turns to winter wheat…
State Crop Statistician Mark Schleusener. Pasture conditions improved quite a bit, to 70 percent in good to excellent condition. Average statewide topsoil moisture increased to six percent short, 73 percent adequate and 21 percent surplus.
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