(Springfield-jm) -- The Illinois legislature is taking steps to help prevent unemployment fraud. A bill heading to the Senate would stop the Illinois Department of Employment Security from sending someone’s Social Security number out during department letters or correspondence. Instead of printing and sending Social Security numbers, IDES would have to develop a new system of identifying information.
New
(Springfield-jm) -- A bill is looking to help educate Illinois students on gun safety. House Bill 3173 would allow school districts to offer firearm safety courses as part of the curriculum or as an after-school program. The Illinois State Board of Education would also provide resources that may be used to develop these courses. The legislation passed in the Illinois House and is being considered by the Senate.
(Springfield-jm) -- If COVID-19 numbers continue to improve, Governor J-B Pritzker says Illinois is on track to enter Phase Five in July. Chicago Mayor Lori Lightfoot announced that her goal is to fully reopen the city by July 4th. That’s a real possibility statewide says Governor Pritzker, so long as the variants don’t cause an increase in cases and hospitalizations…
Illinois Governor J-B Pritzker. The Governor is hopeful Illinois will soon be in the Bridge phase. Then, if numbers hold or decline for a 28 day period, the state can move to Phase Five, which is a full reopening. Yesterday Illinois reported 2,211 new cases and 19 additional deaths. Champaign County reported 21 new cases bringing their total to 20,358. Vermilion County reported 18 new cases bringing their total to 9,277. Iroquois County reported 4 new cases and 2 additional deaths bringing their total number of cases to 2,975 and deaths to 63. Ford County did not have a report Tuesday.
(Rantoul-jm) -- Rantoul is seeing an increase in the number of new businesses coming to the village. Mayor Chuck Smith says they are seeing an economic development boom…
Rantoul Mayor Chuck Smith.
(Rantoul-jm) -- Rantoul Police are looking for two people who may be involved in a shooting Sunday afternoon. Officers were called around 4 p.m. to the 600 block of Autumn Fields Lane for a report of multiple shots being fired. A day earlier a male juvenile was shot in the chest. Police are unsure if the shootings are related.
(Champaign-jm) -- Champaign County will be hosting a spring electronics recycling. The recycling will take place on May 22nd. Registration information and more details will be available in the coming weeks.
(Springfield-jm) -- Several area lawmakers are facing a significant number of complaints when it comes to the renewal of FOID cards. 106th District State Representative Tom Bennett says it's one of the top complaints his office receives…
106th District State Representative Tom Bennett of Gibson City.
(Champaign-jm) -- Christian band MercyMe is coming to the State Farm Center later this year. The group will perform in Champaign on November 6th. Micah Tyler will open.
(Springfield-jm) -- Fewer people are going to college. Enrollment across all higher education institutions in Illinois is down more than 7%. However, all universities say they are seeing a push from students to return to the classroom and freshmen wanting to attend.
(Springfield-jm) -- Illinois is among the worst places for business, according to Chief Executive Magazine. The magazine said, “Despite powerful human capital, high costs remain a turnoff” for businesses for the bottom five. Illinois was among California, New York, New Jersey and Washington ranked in the bottom five. Texas was selected as the best state for business.
(Rantoul-jm) -- The Rantoul Township High School FFA will be hosting their annual plant sale coming up on Saturday, May 8th from 8 to noon at the high school. FFA Advisor Theresa Porter talks about the types of plants that will be for sale…
Rantoul Township High School FFA Advisor Theresa Porter. Proceeds from the sale will go to the chapter.
(Gibson City-jm) -- East Central Illinois Community Action Agency will be holding a drive thru health fair later this week in Ford County. The drive thru health fair will be at the New Beginnings Church in Gibson City on Friday from 11 to 3.
(Buckley-jm) -- Buckley and Loda Alumni will be gathering this summer. The 68th alumni banquet will take place on June 12th at the 103 in Buckley. Cost is $25 per person. Reservations are required by June 3rd.
(Paxton-jm) -- Youth football and cheer will be underway soon in the Paxton Buckley Loda Area. Spokesperson Matt Vaughan says they are still looking for kids to sign up…
Vaughan says the deadline to sign up is fast approaching…
PBL Youth Football and Cheer Spokesperson Matt Vaughan.
(Ford County-jm) -- Ford County Sheriff Mark Doran’s office has released their April activity report. During the month, deputies responded to 8 traffic accidents and issued 19 citations for speeding, 6 for driving on a suspended or revoked license, 3 for operating an uninsured motor vehicle, 2 each for disregard or a traffic signal and leaving the scene of an accident and 1 each for fleeing and eluding police, improper lane usage and no driver’s license. Deputies also handled 9 custody disputes, 8 harassment reports, 4 thefts, 2 burglaries and 1 report each of fraud, stolen vehicle and a police chase.
