(Paxton-jm) -- A portion of Route 9 in Paxton could be renamed for a fallen State Trooper. State Representative Tom Bennett of Gibson City introduced the legislation at the state capitol…

 

 

State Representative Tom Bennett of Gibson City. 

 

 

(Springfield-jm) -- Governor J-B Pritzker says conventions are back this summer, starting with the Chicago Auto Show in mid-July. The nation’s longest running auto show will run July 15th through the 19th and will be the first large convention to be held in Illinois since the start of the pandemic…

 

 

Illinois Governor J-B Pritzker. Governor Pritzker says a temperature scan will be done upon entry and visitors will have to wear a mask and fill out a short medical questionnaire, but proof of vaccination will not be required.

 

 

(Springfield-jm) -- Lawmakers are beginning to draw new legislative districts despite not having census data. 53rd District State Senator Jason Barickman of Bloomington says there is overwhelming support to take the map making process away from lawmakers…

 

 

53rd District State Senator Jason Barickman of Bloomington.

 

 

(Undated-jm) -- Illinois reported 2,410 new Coronavirus cases and 30 additional deaths bringing the state’s total number of cases to 1,346,398 and deaths to 22,096. Ford County reported 9 new cases bringing their total number of cases to 1,760. Champaign County reported 55 new cases bringing their total to 20,413. Iroquois County reported 12 new cases bringing their total to 2,987. Vermilion County did not have a report.

 

 

(Paxton-jm) -- Many area schools are making plans for in person graduation. Paxton Buckley Loda Schools Superintendent Cliff McClure talks about the districts tentative plans…

 

 

PBL  Schools Superintendent Cliff McClure.

 

 

(Watseka-jm) -- The Iroquois County Public Health Department in conjunction with Iroquois Memorial Hospital will be conducting a Johnson and Johnson, one dose COVID-19 vaccination clinic tomorrow. The free walk in vaccination clinic will be held at Iroquois Memorial Hospital tomorrow evening from 5 to 8 pm.

 

 

(Washington-jm) -- U.S. agricultural product exports continue to climb. Gary Crawford reports…

 

 

(Springfield-jm) -- Public schools could lose some state funding if they apply student dress codes to hairstyles under a bill being discussed in the Illinois Senate. The measure was discussed in a legislative committee, where Senator Mike Simmons of Chicago said it’s time to end old policies that discriminate against minority students…

 

 

State Senator Mike Simmons of Chicago. Schools that don’t comply would have their state funding kept at the previous year’s levels. While committee members agreed the change is needed, some questioned the harsh penalty. Simmons says negotiations are ongoing.

 

 

(Springfield-jm) -- This is Arson Awareness Week, with a focus on arson due to civil unrest. The Illinois State Fire Marshal’s Office urges local fire departments to have a comprehensive plan in place should civil unrest and fires break out says Spokesperson J-C Fultz…

 

 

Illinois State Fire Marshal’s Spokesperson J-C Fultz. Last year in Illinois, state investigators responded to more than one thousand suspected cases of arson. The office also has seven accelerant detection dogs that were brought in for 263 cases.

 

(Undated-jm) -- Illinois reported 2,410 new Coronavirus cases and 30 additional deaths bringing the state’s total number of cases to 1,346,398 and deaths to 22,096. As for local active and recovered cases, Champaign County reported 19,863 have recovered, 405 are in isolation and 17 are hospitalized. Iroquois County reported 2,882 have been released from isolation, 41 are in isolation and 1 is hospitalized. Vermilion County did not have a report.

 

(Rantoul-jm) -- Rantoul Township High School is planning for in person graduation this year. Superintendent Scott Amerio talks about the districts plan…

 

 

Rantoul Township High School Superintendent Scott Amerio.

 

(Gilman-jm) -- Commodity prices are impacting what farmers plant this spring. Ford Iroquois Farm Bureau Manager David Treece talks about how prices impact farmers decisions…

 

 

Ford Iroquois Farm Bureau Manager David Treece.

 

 

(Hoopeston-jm) -- A Hoopeston juvenile is facing attempted murder charges among other charges following an incident. Police say they were called to Parkview Court in Hoopeston for a person injured following an altercation. The 15 year old suspect was gone when police arrived but was found a short time later and charged with attempted murder, aggravated battery, armed violence and aggravated battery with a dangerous weapon. Further details were not immediately available.

 

 

(Washington-jm) -- Corn prices and corn exports are still making news. Gary Crawford reports…