(Paxton-jm) -- The Paxton Buckley Loda School District provided an update last yesterday on an incident that occurred at the high school. PBL High School was put on lockdown after a student was found with a loaded handgun. According to a release from the district, the student was not connected to a fight that occurred earlier in the day and there is no threat related to the incident. The incident remains under investigation by the Paxton Police Department. The district says school will be in session today.
(Urbana-jm) -- The man found guilty of murdering two people in St. Joseph will spend the rest of his life in prison. Jonathan Perry received the sentence Thursday after pleading guilty to shooting and killing Kimberly Coyne and her daughter Blair last year.
(Springfield-jm) -- Around 13,000 Illinoisans filed for initial unemployment claims last week. That’s nearly 5,900 fewer than filed the week before. Despite that, when including continued filing by independent contractors for Pandemic Unemployment Assistance, the state has nearly 87,400 more people getting unemployment benefits than the week before for a total of 404,700.
(Springfield-jm) -- "Fix the FOID” legislation is advancing in the Illinois House. The measure requires fingerprints and a background check for those wanting a FOID card, offers an electronic version of the card and creates an online prohibited persons portal for law enforcement agencies to check if someone is not legally allowed to own a gun. It’s sponsored by Representative Kathleen Willis of Northlake…
State Representative Kathleen Willis of Northlake. Opponents argue that people shouldn’t have to submit fingerprints for what is a constitutional right, and also disagree with a provision in the bill that prohibits the private sale of firearms. The bill has passed a House committee.
(Springfield-jm) -- The Illinois General Assembly took the next step Thursday towards implementing term limits on House and Senate Leadership. By a unanimous 115-1 vote, the Illinois House passed House Bill 0642 which imposes 10-year term limits on the Speaker of the House, Senate President, and the minority leaders in both chambers. This bill will now head to the Senate for approval where it is widely expected to pass with strong bipartisan support. If passed by the Senate and signed into law by Governor JB Pritzker it would take effect in the 103rd General Assembly in January of 2023.
(Springfield-jm) -- Illinois may soon join New York in adopting a law adding more food allergy training for teachers, staff and caregivers. The House passed a bill requiring the state to help schools, at home daycares and daycare centers set up policies and procedures for dealing with kids with food allergies and responding to anaphylaxis emergencies. It’s sponsored by Representative Jonathan Carrol of Northbrook…
State Representative Jonathan Carrol of Northbrook. The measure now moves to the Illinois Senate.
(Undated-jm) -- The Illinois Department of Public Health reported 3,170 new Coronavirus cases and 33 additional deaths Thursday bringing the state’s total number of cases to 1,312,722 and deaths to 21,755. Champaign County reported 21 new cases bringing their total to 19,910. Vermilion County reported 16 new cases bringing their total to 9,072. Iroquois County reported 4 new cases bringing their total to 2,924. Ford County did not have a report Thursday.
(Paxton-jm) -- Youth sports are underway at the Paxton Park District. The park district is now preparing for summer ball says Director Cody Evans…
Paxton Park District Director Cody Evans. You can sign your child up at the Paxton Park District office. No decision was made on whether or not to open the pool at this week’s meeting.
(Paxton-jm) -- The Paxton police department is opening the shooting range up to the public again this year. The range will be open the second Saturday of each month from 10 to noon. You must have a valid FOID card, provide your own weapon, ammunition and safety equipment. Cost is $10 per session.
Buckley townwide garage sales will take place today and tomorrow
The Loda American Legion will host their fish and chicken fry tonight from 4-7 pm.
Ford County will be hosting an electronics recycling on Saturday from 9 to 1 at 115 S. Sangamon in Gibson City.
Paxton IGA will host their cookout benefiting the Hands of Christ Food Pantry on Saturday from 10 to 2.
(Springfield-jm) -- The final tab on back to school shopping can get pretty big. One lawmaker in Springfield, is trying to cut that down as much as they can. Representative Katie Stuart proposed a bill that would decrease the state sales tax for one week in August from 6.25 percent to 1.25 percent. The idea would be to create a big back to school shopping week in order to save parents and students money before they go to the classroom.
(Springfield-jm) -- Illinois may soon have a new state holiday. Senate lawmakers voted Thursday to officially celebrate the end of slavery on June 19th each year. The bill is sponsored by Senator Kimberly Lightford of Maywood…
State Senator Kimberly Lightford of Maywood. Juneteenth marks the day in 1865 when the last slaves were freed in Texas. If approved by the House and the Governor, Juneteenth would become a state holiday on par with the Fourth of July, New Year’s Day and Christmas.
(Springfield-jm) -- Lawmakers from both sides of the aisles at the Illinois statehouse are looking to vote on legislation to decrease the small trailer tax from $118 to $18, but such a measure has yet to advance. State Rep. Mike Zalewski chairs the House Revenue and Finance Committee.Last week he told the House he won’t advance a bill decreasing taxes unless there’s a proposal to make up the difference. There are several bills from Democrats and Republicans to slash the fee by $100.
(Springfield-jm) -- House lawmakers approved legislation Thursday licensing home birth midwives in Illinois. The number of families opting to have their baby at home is growing, so the state should be regulating and licensing these professionals says bill sponsor, Representative Robyn Gable of Evanston...
State Representative Robyn Gable of Evanston. 35 other states have a similar law. The bill now needs Senate approval.
(Undated-jm) -- The Illinois Department of Public Health reported 3,170 new Coronavirus cases and 33 additional deaths Thursday bringing the state’s total number of cases to 1,312,722 and deaths to 21,755. As for local active and recovered, Champaign County reported 19,449 have recovered, 320 are in isolation and 17 are hospitalized. Vermilion County reported 93 active cases and 7 are hospitalized. Iroquois County reported 2,836 have been released from isolation, 24 remain in isolation and 3 are hospitalized.
(Paxton-jm) -- Paxton Mayor Bill Ingold was re-elected to another term as mayor earlier this month. Mayor Ingold talks about why he decided to run again…
Paxton Mayor Bill Ingold.
