(Springfield-jm) -- Illinois Attorney General Kwame Raoul’s office says reports of online child sexual exploitation are on the rise. Cyber Crime Specialist Christine Feller says they are expecting to see a 16 percent increase in reports this year. And while most involve adults abusing children, kids are also posting inappropriate content on instagram and snapchat. Additionally...
Cyber Crime Specialist Christine Feller. The Illinois Internet Crimes Against Kids Task Force works to investigate these reports, train law enforcement agencies and provides online safety education to kids and adults
(Springfield-jm) -- Students would learn more about the dangers of sexting under a bill passed by Illinois lawmakers. The measure requires schools teaching sex education in grades 6 through 12 to include curriculum on sexting. It’s sponsored by Senator Steve Stadelman of Rockford…
State Senator Steve Stadelman of Rockford. It’s now up to the Governor to sign the bill into law.
(Springfield-jm) -- The Illinois House approved a summer school bill sponsored by Representative Mike Marron. The Illinois Pension code requires an employer to make an additional contribution to the System for certain salary increases greater than 6%, Senate Bill 1646 excludes salary increases resulting from teaching summer school on or after May 1, 2021 and before September 15, 2022…
State Representative Mike Marron of Fithian. The measure now heads back to the Senate for consideration.
(Paxton-jm) -- Paxton’s Grand Ole Flag will be raised this weekend. A parade and dedication will take place on Sunday says spokesperson Denny Kingren…
Paxton Grand Ole Flag Spokesperson Denny Kingren. The parade gets underway at 3pm.
(Urbana-jm) -- A Loda man is facing multiple charges in Champaign. According to the Champaign News Gazette, officers were called to the Target on North Prospect just after 6pm Wednesday after a woman reported her purse was stolen from her truck as she returned her shopping cart to a corral. Security cameras showed 26 year old Andrew Stover getting out of his vehicle and approaching the truck. Stover was stopped a short time later where officers found the purse as well as a bag containing two tenths of a gram of cocaine and a second bag containing 20 grams of meth. Stover is charged with delivery of meth, possession of meth, possession of a controlled substance and burglary. If convicted of the delivery of meth charge, he faces a mandatory 6 to 30 years in prison.
(Springfield-jm) -- As lawmakers continue a final push to get a new budget in place before the end of the fiscal year, the state received some positive economic news. The state saw an increase in revenue last year despite the pandemic, which 106th District State Representative Tom Bennett of Gibson City says could help the state pass a balanced budget before the May 31st deadline…
106th District State Representative Tom Bennett of Gibson City.
(Gibson City-jm) -- Gibson City Melvin Sibley senior Ethan Garard has been awarded a $1,000 scholarship from Mediacom. Garard was selected to receive one of 60 scholarships.
The Paxton American Legion Auxiliary will have poppies available for Memorial Day today and tomorrow.
Paxton IGA will be hosting their cookout benefiting the Girl Scouts Toy Drive on Saturday from 10 to 2.
The Hoopeston Sesquicentennial Committee will host a golf cart parade on Sunday at 2pm.
Paxton’s Grand Ole Flag will be hoisted up on Sunday starting with a parade from the Paxton firehouse to the location at PBL High School starting at 3pm.
(Springfield-jm) -- School dress codes can’t ban certain hairstyles under legislation passed by the Illinois House. The measure was prompted by an incident in Chicago, where a four year old African American boy was sent home from pre-school because his hair was in braids. Representative Greg Harris says there should be no discrimination based on how a student wears their hair…
State Representative Greg Harris. Opponents argued this shouldn’t apply to private schools. The Senate needs to approve a small change to the bill and then it goes to the Governor’s desk.
(Springfield-jm) -- State and local police in Illinois will be participating in a nationwide seatbelt campaign over the Memorial Day holiday weekend. Police are taking click it or ticket enforcement, border to border in Illinois, looking for those not buckling up, as well as drunk, speeding and distracted drivers says IDOT Spokesperson Paul Wappel…
IDOT Spokesperson Paul Wappel. Wappel says the campaign includes additional police patrols and seat belt enforcement zones across the state.
(Springfield-jm) -- You may soon be able to get a free drink if you’re vaccinated against COVID-19. Under legislation passed by the Illinois House, bars can offer one free alcoholic beverage to patrons showing proof of vaccination. It’s sponsored by Representative Mike Zalewski of Riverside…
State Representative Mike Zalewski of Riverside. The promotion would run for one month, from June 10th through July 10th. The bill also extends a law enacted during the pandemic allowing cocktails to go and for delivery. It still needs Senate approval.
(Vermilion County-jm) -- Illinois State Police will be conducting roadside safety checks in Vermilion County. WPXN’s Jason Madden has the details…
(Champaign-jm) -- The Champaign County State’s Attorney's office and Illinois State Police have released a report and videos from last week's deadly shooting in Champaign that left one officer dead and another officer injured. On May 19th, officers Chris Oberheim and Jeffrey Creel responded to the Town Center Apartments for a domestic issue. The officers confronted the suspect, Darion Lafayette, a struggle ensued and Lafayette pulled a gun and started shooting at the officers. Officer Oberheim was taken to Carle Hospital where he died, Lafayette died at the scene. Officer Creel was shot three times and was taken to the hospital where he has since been released. Oberheim was laid to rest this week in Decatur.
(Paxton-jm) -- The city of Paxton could be increasing the number of liquor licenses they issue. Mayor Bill Ingold says there has been interest in Class C and E licenses…
Paxton Mayor Bill Ingold.
(Paxton-jm) -- Paxton police have released their recent activity report. On May 23rd, Erica Baur of Rankin was arrested for forgery, theft and unlawful use of a credit card after police were called to the Cobblestone hotel for a report of a stolen wallet and a credit card used to buy $530 worth of products online. On May 21st, no tickets were issued and no injuries were reported after a vehicle struck a parked vehicle in the 300 block of East Pells. On May 20th, Timothy Price of Paxton was arrested for disorderly conduct and unlawful possession of a weapon by a felon after police were called to a disturbance in the 500 block of East Orleans. Price allegedly threatened to shoot a neighbor. Also on May 20th, no tickets were issued and no injuries were reported following a two vehicle accident at Pells and Railroad.
