(Undated-jm) -- The man accused of several armed robberies including one in Paxton has been arrested. U-S Marshals arrested John Beck in Springfield Wednesday. Beck is accused of robbing the Village Pantry in Paxton Sunday evening. He is also accused of robberies in Livingston, Sangamon and Peoria Counties.

 

 

(Springfield-jm) -- Legislation passing the Illinois House Wednesday reduces the penalties for possessing smaller amounts of illegal drugs. Under the bill that was narrowly approved, those busted with certain amounts of drugs like meth, heroin and cocaine will only be charged with a misdemeanor instead of a felony and jail time. It’s sponsored by Representative Carol Ammons of Urbana who says it’s time to right the wrongs of the failed war on drugs…

 

 

State Representative Carol Ammons of Urbana. Opponents worry this may backfire, by not motivating drug users enough to get help.

 

 

(Undated-jm) -- The Illinois Department of Public Health is reporting 2,765 new Coronavirus cases and 28 additional deaths bringing the state’s total number of cases to 1,309,552 and deaths to 21,722. The seven day positivity rate is 4.5 percent. Vermilion County reported 17 new cases Wednesday bringing their total to 9,056. Ford County reported 8 new cases bringing their total to 1,708. Iroquois County reported 4 new cases bringing their total to 2,920. Champaign County reported 72 new cases and 1 additional death, a woman in her 100’s, bringing their total number of cases to 19,889 and deaths to 141.

 

(Springfield-jm) -- More community college students would likely be able to get into the University of Illinois under a bill passed by the Illinois House. The measure sets up a pilot program where community college students with at least a three point oh average and 36 credit hours completed automatically get into the U of I. It’s sponsored by Representative Deanne Mazzochi of Elmhurst and was agreed to by the University…

 

 

State Representative Deanne Mazzochi of Elmhurst. Mazzochi says she would like to see this expanded to include all high school students in the top 10 percent of their class. The bill now moves to the Senate.

 

 

(Mahomet-jm) -- Community members in the Mahomet Seymour school district are encouraged to attend a series of community engagement programs focusing on facility planning starting tonight. The programs, called Bulldog Blueprint, will focus on long term needs of the district. Tonight’s session gets underway at 6:30 at Middletown Prairie Elementary School.

 

(Springfield-jm) -- The Illinois House is voting to make it illegal to release more than 50 balloons into the air. Those busted for releasing a big bunch of balloons would get a warning the first time, and then an up to 500 dollar fine for a second offense. Representative Sam Ying Ling of Round Lake Beach explains why this is needed…

 

 

State Representative Sam Ying Ling of Round Lake Beach. The Senate will take up the bill next.

 

 

(Undated-jm) -- The Illinois Department of Public Health is reporting 2,765 new Coronavirus cases and 28 additional deaths bringing the state’s total number of cases to 1,309,552 and deaths to 21,722. The seven day positivity rate is 4.5 percent. Champaign County reported their 141st death, a woman in her 100’s. As for local active and recovered cases, Vermilion County reported 88 active cases and 5 are hospitalized. Iroquois County reported 2,836 have been released from isolation, 20 are in isolation and 3 are hospitalized. Champaign County reported 19,274 have recovered, 474 are in isolation and 17 are hospitalized. 

 

(Springfield-jm) -- Public school students would get more play time under a bill advancing in the Illinois Senate. A Senate committee passed the “Right to Play” Act, requiring schools to give kindergartners through 8th graders 60 minutes of unstructured play time each day. It’s sponsored by Senator Robert Peters of Chicago…

 

 

State Senator Robert Peters of Chicago. Peters says the 60 minutes can be broken up throughout the day, such as in 15 minute increments. Supporters say this is just as important as what’s taught in the classroom.

 

 

(Champaign-jm) -- I-57 will be closed several nights as crews work to place new bridge beams on the Mattis Avenue bridge. IDOT says the closures are expected to begin at 10 pm and last until 6 am. It started last night and will continue tonight in the southbound lanes. Northbound lanes will be closed overnight April 26th and 27th.