(Paxton-jm) -- Paxton police are investigating after a convenience store was robbed Sunday evening. Police were called to the Village Pantry around 7:30 pm after a man entered the store with a club and demanded money and cigarettes. The man was identified as John Beck. He is also wanted for a string of robberies in Livingston of Sangamon Counties. 

 

 

(Springfield-jm) -- Illinois House Democrats are looking to create safe and monitored spaces for drug use. It's all part of House Bill 0110 introduced by State Representative LaShawn Ford of Chicago. The spaces would be staffed by medical professionals and provide free needles and syringes, plus their safe disposal. Use of illegal substances inside the injection spaces would not be subject to criminal charges. The proposed legislation is currently awaiting a vote on the House floor.

 

(Springfield-jm) -- Illinois state lawmakers return to Springfield today to continue the spring session. They’ll have six weeks to pass measures with simple majorities, including a budget. 

 

 

(Springfield-jm) -- House lawmakers are voting to create a new domestic violence task force. The task force would work to build a statewide system to better protect victims and survivors of domestic violence. Its named after Colton Miller who was shot and killed by his own father in 2019 says Representative David Welter of Morris…

 

 

State Representative David Welter of Morris. Legislation setting up the task force was passed unanimously by the House and now moves to the Senate for approval.

 

 

(Undated-jm) -- The Illinois Department of Public Health reported 1,959 new Coronavirus cases and 22 additional deaths Monday. Ford County reported 8 new cases bringing their total to 1,700. Iroquois County reported 5 new cases bringing their total to 2,914. Vermilion County reported 73 new cases and 2 additional deaths bringing their total number of cases to 9,021 and deaths to 128. Champaign County reported 100 new cases and 2 additional deaths bringing their total number of cases to 19,772 and deaths to 140.

 

 

(Undated-jm) -- Ameren Illinois is asking the Illinois Commerce Commission if it can raise its electric rate. The adjustment would add about $2.75 per month to the delivery portion of residential customer bills next year. If approved by the ICC, the new rates would start in 2022.

 

 

(Springfield-jm) -- Road construction season is upon us. With the warmer weather, road projects will be getting underway especially with the help of additional funding from the state says 106th District State Representative Tom Bennett of Gibson City…

 

 

106th District State Representative Tom Bennett of Gibson City.

 

 

(Springfield-jm) -- Corn planting progress continues a little ahead of schedule as we hear in the weekly crop report. It was a cool, dry week, with nearly five days suitable for fieldwork says Crop Statistician Mark Schleusener…

 

 

State Crop Statistician Mark Schleusener. Five percent of winter wheat acres have headed with 69 percent of the crop rated in good to excellent condition. Average statewide topsoil moisture is rated as one percent very short. eight percent short, 82 percent adequate and nine percent surplus.

 

(Dixon-jm) -- First Lady Dr Jill Biden made a stop in Illinois Monday. The First Lady visited Sauk Valley Community College in Dixon to discuss the importance of community college to the nation’s economy. 

 

 

(Springfield-jm) -- The Illinois Senate will now be asked to apply regulations to trampoline parks. House Bill 60 passed the House and would levy fees, require inspections and apply other regulations used for amusement parks on such facilities.

 

 

(Springfield-jm) -- Monday marked the 16th Anniversary of the Abraham Lincoln Presidential Library and Museum in Springfield. The museum marked its five millionth visitor last summer and celebrates continued success over the years. Acting Director Melissa Coultas says they are proud to offer a strong educational component, reaching tens of thousands of students and teachers each year...

 

 

Abraham Lincoln Presidential Library and Museum Acting Director Melissa Coultas. The museum is currently open to visitors, although you need to book your tickets online ahead of time. More information is available at: president lincoln dot Illinois dot gov.

 

 

(Undated-jm) -- The Illinois Department of Public Health reported 1,959 new Coronavirus cases and 22 additional deaths Monday bringing the state’s total number of cases to 1,304,200 and deaths to 21,685. Iroquois County reported 2,830 have been released from isolation, 21 are in isolation and 2 are hospitalized. Vermilion County reported 79 active cases and 9 are hospitalized. Champaign County reported 19,190 have recovered, 442 are in isolation and 13 are hospitalized.

 

 

(Paxton-jm) -- The Paxton Community Sale was a huge success. That’s the word from the Paxton Park District after the sale was canceled last year because of the pandemic says Paxton Park District Director Cody Evans…

 

 

Paxton Park District Director Cody Evans.

A decision about the use of the Paxton pool for this year is expected to be a topic for Paxton Park District members when they meet tonight. 

 

(Champaign County-jm) -- The Champaign County Clerk’s vital records area is now accepting walk ins for certain items. Those needing notaries, or copies of birth, death or marriage certificates can do so without an appointment. Those needing a marriage certificate, you still need to make an appointment.

 

 

(Rantoul-cf)-- The Rantoul Chamber of Commerce will be working with the Rantoul Downtown Businesses to host some events throughout the summer. Chamber Director Amanda Vickory has the details… 

 

 

Rantoul Chamber of Commerce Director Amanda Vickory.

 

(Champaign-jm) -- The Parkland College Foundation will host a virtual Scholarship Reception on April 28 to honor those who have contributed to scholarship funds. The Virtual Scholarship Reception will premiere a slideshow recognizing student scholarship recipients, their awards, and their testimonials. Participants can view the reception at parkland.edu/foundationreception, which will go live at 10 a.m. on April 28.

 

 

(Springfield-jm) -- Corn planting progress continues a little ahead of schedule as we hear in the weekly crop report. 12 percent of corn has now been planted. That compares to seven percent at this time last year and eight percent for the five year average. Soybean planting is also underway, with five percent of acres planted says Crop Statistician Mark Schleusener. Looking at winter wheat…

 

 

State Crop Statistician Mark Schleusener. Conditions are drier, with average statewide topsoil moisture at one percent very short, eight percent short, 82 percent adequate and nine percent surplus.