(Springfield-jm) -- The former chief of staff to former Illinois House Speaker Michael Madigan has been indicted. Timothy Mapes was charged with one count of making false declarations before a grand jury and one count of attempted obstruction of justice. Maps is accused of making false statements during a grand jury investigation into possible violations of federal criminal law. If convicted on obstruction charges he faces up to 20 years and a maximum of 5 years for false declarations.
(Springfield-jm) -- Voters will be asked if Illinois workers should have a fundamental right to unionize in the March election. The amendment to the state constitution would make it a fundamental right for workers to form a union and collectively bargain. It was sponsored by Representative Marcus Evans of Chicago, who urged his colleagues to vote yes…
State Representative Marcus Evans of Chicago. The amendment also prohibits municipalities from passing local right to work laws. It’s passed both the House and Senate and will now be put to the voters.
(Undated-jm) -- The Illinois Department of Public Health reported 1,139 new Coronavirus cases and 27 additional deaths Wednesday. 66 percent of Illinoisans have received at least one dose of the COVID vaccine and 49 percent are fully vaccinated. Champaign County reported 32 new cases. Iroquois County reported 5 new cases. Vermilion County reported 25 new cases. Ford County reported 16 new cases.
(Springfield-jm) -- May 31st. That’s the deadline state lawmakers have to pass a state budget. The state is receiving several billion dollars in federal stimulus funds which 53rd District State Senator Jason Barickman says should be used carefully…
53rd District State Senator Jason Barickman of Bloomington.
(Ford County-jm) -- A Cabery man has filed a lawsuit against the Ford County Jail. The lawsuit filed by David Horn claims the jail denied him medication for his diabetes. Horn was incarcerated at the jail on July 2, 2020. According to the suit, Horn was taken to the hospital after experiencing headaches, blurred vision and numbness on one side. Doctors discovered several blood clots and a stroke. Horn is seeking $100,000 in damages.
(Vermilion County-jm) -- District 10 Illinois State Police will be conducting special traffic enforcement patrols in Vermilion County. WPXN’s Jason Madden has the details…
(Rantoul-jm) -- Rantoul is moving their Freedom Celebration parade. The parade was originally scheduled for 10 am on July 4th. It will now take place at 9:30 am on Saturday July 3rd.
(Iroquois County-jm) -- Two Iroquois County communities are receiving $30,000 from the state. As part of a one million dollar effort by the Illinois Environmental Protection Agency to assist unsewered communities to address wastewater collection and treatment, Buckley and Woodland are each receiving $30,000.
(Mahomet-jm) -- A portion of road in Mahomet will become a no u-turn zone starting next week. No U-Turns will be allowed on State Street from Franklin to Crowley near Lincoln Trail Elementary and the Mahomet Seymour Junior and Senior High Schools starting June 1st.
(Washington-jm) -- The USDA is rolling out several market-based education tools for cattle and livestock producers over the next few weeks. Rod Bain reports…
(Springfield-jm) -- Republican senators this week raised concerns about four Prisoner Review Board members who have continued to serve for almost two years despite not being confirmed by the Senate Executive Appointments Committee, a constitutional requirement in the state. The appointees in question include Aurthur Mae Perkins, Joseph Ruggiero, Oreal James and Eleanor Wilson. All four were appointed members of the Prisoner Review Board by Pritzker in March and April of 2019, but were never confirmed by the Senate. In accordance with the Illinois Constitution, the appointees are required to testify before the Senate Executive Appointments Committee to be confirmed or rejected within 60 legislative session days of their appointment. As the 60 session days deadline for confirmation approached in March 2021, Senate Republicans said Pritzker withdrew the four appointments and reappointed each of them days later, which reset the 60 session days.
(Springfield-jm) -- Illinois Secretary of State Jesse White’s Office is warning the public about new email and text scams. The scams are targeting Illinoisans and include unsolicited text and email messages claiming to be from the Secretary of State. Spokesperson Beth Kaufman says they are bogus…
Secretary of State Spokesperson Beth Kaufman. The scam messages mention pending DMV fees or ask to update your information. Kaufman says they are working with the Illinois Attorney General’s Office on the matter.
(St. Joseph-jm) -- Traffic on I-74 was slowed Wednesday evening after a car ran into the back of a semi and rolled. The accident happened in the eastbound lanes between St. Joseph and Urbana.
(Springfield-jm) -- The spring legislative session is winding down. With just a few days left, lawmakers are trying to pass as many bills as possible. 106th District State Representative Tom Bennett of Gibson City talks about two issues he says are important…
106th District State Representative Tom Bennett of Gibson City.
(Paxton-jm) -- An electronics recycling will be held in Paxton next month. The recycling will take place on Saturday, June 19th from 9 to 1 at the city shed behind the police station.
(Fisher-jm) -- Fisher residents will be receiving new updated tax bills. The village missed a deadline to submit documents to the county causing residents to see a significant increase in their property taxes. The village submitted the documents and new tax rates were calculated bringing the rates back down. Residents should start receiving the new tax bills over the next week.
(Pesotum-jm) -- Illinois State Police have released results of a recent distracted driving patrol in Champaign County. During the patrol troopers issued 18 citations for hand-held phone or device violations and 1 texting while driving citation.
(Washington-jm) -- Prospects for U.S. agricultural exports continue to improve. USDA has once again raised its export forecast. Gary Crawford reports…
