(Rantoul-jm) -- Two juveniles were taken to the hospital over the weekend after they were shot in Rantoul. Police were called to the 1300 block of Harmon Drive for a reported shooting around 11pm Sunday night. When they arrived they found a male and female juvenile who had been shot. They were taken to the hospital with what police believe were non life threatening injuries. Officers located the shooting scene near the intersection of Sycamore and Rosewood. Anyone with information is asked to call Rantoul police at 217-892-2103.
(Springfield-jm) -- Lawmakers are approving a decrease in small trailer fees. The 18 dollar fee was hiked by 100 bucks in 2019 to help pay for the state’s Rebuild Illinois capital construction program. But Chicago Senator Antonio Munoz’s bill offers a reprieve…
State Senator Antonio Munoz of Chicago. Additionally, the bill increases the vehicle title transfer fee by five dollars to 155. It now goes to the Governor’s desk.
(Springfield-jm) -- Nursing homes will have to offer residents virtual visits under a bill headed to the Governor’s desk. The pandemic highlighted the need for seniors to be able to see their loved ones, even if it’s only over a computer, says Representative Anna Moeller of Elgin…
State Representative Anna Moeller of Elgin. Moeler says social isolation can have a negative impact on a person’s health. The virtual visit mandate doesn’t have to be met until 2023 to give facilities time to set this up and state assistance will be available to help pay for the equipment.
(Springfield-jm) -- A new gaming bill has emerged in the Illinois House. The measure lets people bet on Illinois college sports teams as part of a two year pilot program with a few stipulations, says Representative Bob Rita of Blue Island…
State Representative Bob Rita of Blue Island. The measure also limits home rule communities to a fee of no more than 250 dollars for a video gaming machine and prohibits local push taxes for most areas.
(Ford County-jm) -- The Ford County Public Health Department is encouraging everyone to get their COVID vaccine. Community Educator Megan Reutter says they will be offering more vaccine clinics in the month of June…
Ford County Public Health Department Community Educator Megan Reutter.
(Springfield-jm) -- Legislation allowing county boards to seek outside counsel when there is a conflict with their state’s attorney has been given approval in the Illinois House. The legislation is sponsored by Representative Dan Caulkins of Decatur…
State Representative Dan Caulkins of Decatur.
(Rantoul-jm) -- The Knights Inn hotel in Rantoul is now being demolished. The old hotel at the corner of US 136 and Murray Road is being torn down and in its place will be some form of new development that has yet to be announced.
(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.
(Springfield--jc) Lawmakers, along party lines, have passed a new 42 Billion dollar state budget for the state of Illinois. WPXN news will have reaction from area lawmakers on the new budget on later news casts today. The budget was brought to the floor of the Illinois House at 11-49 Sunday night and was voted on 7 minutes later.
(Springfield-jm) -- Illinois lawmakers are working on several changes to state election law, including moving the March primary to June. The change would only be in effect for next year, holding the primary on June 28th instead of March 15th says Representative Maurice West of Rockford…
State Representative Maurice West of Rockford. The large elections package also makes general election day in November a state and school holiday, lets people register for permanent vote by mail status and more.
(Springfield-jm) -- Your local bar may soon be offering a vaccine drink promotion. The Senate approved legislation letting bars offer a free shot, beer or glass of wine to those who can show proof of vaccination. If now signed into law by the Governor, the promotion would run June 10th through July 10th. The measure also lets bars and restaurants continue to offer cocktails to go, which proved vital during the pandemic, says Senator Sara Feigenholtz of Chicago…
State Senator Sara Feigenholtz of Chicago. The cocktails to go law would be extended until 2024 under the bill.
(Springfield-jm) -- Illinois may soon have a new state holiday, Juneteenth. Lawmakers passed a measure creating the Juneteenth holiday. It’s sponsored by Representative La Shawn Ford of Chicago who explains the significance of the day…
State Representative La Shawn Ford of Chicago. If the Governor signs this bill into law, the first Juneteenth National Freedom Day holiday will be observed this month.
(Gibson City-jm) -- Gibson City leaders are moving onto their next big project. Over the past several years, the city has looked at separating their combined sanitary sewer system. Now Mayor Dan Dickey says they are going to look at upgrades to the water plant…
Gibson City Mayor Dan Dickey.
(Springfield-jm) -- The Illinois House of Representatives held their annual Memorial Day tribute Saturday morning, honoring military personnel from Illinois who died during the previous year. Since there was no ceremony last year because of COVID19, House members also honored those who passed over the past two years. Included in those honored this year was Sgt. Jeremy Cain Sherman of Watseka, who died November 12, 2020, in a helicopter crash while on a peacekeeping mission on Egypt's Sinai Peninsula. Five U.S soldiers were killed in the crash along with a French and Czech service member. State Representative Tom Bennett…
State Representative Tom Bennett of Gibson City.
(Urbana-jm) -- An employee at the University of Illinois Urbana Champaign was arrested by the University of Illinois Police. Randy Parkhurst was arrested for the offenses of possession of methamphetamine, possession of drug paraphernalia and unlawful possession of a firearm.
(Mahomet-jm) -- The Mahomet Seymour school district will be hosting another Bulldog Blueprint session coming up in June. The next meeting is set for June 8th.
