(Springfield-jm) -- Another 23,000 Illinoisans filed for initial unemployment claims last week, an increase of nearly 3,200 from the week prior. The U.S. Department of Labor also reports another nearly 4,600 independent contractors filed for benefits, an increase of more than 1,000 from the week before. In total, there are an estimated 425,300 Illinoisans getting unemployment benefits.

 

 

(Springfield-jm) -- Illinois’ limited adult-use cannabis stores sold another $116.4 million in the month of May. That’s up around $1.4 million from April. Total since January this year is more than $509 million. From January through April, the state has collected nearly $121 million in taxes. That’s split with a third going to general funds and a quarter to community groups in certain areas. The rest is distributed between unpaid bills, police and public safety campaigns.

 

 

(Undated-jm) -- The Illinois Department of Public Health reported 674 new Coronavirus cases and 24 additional deaths Thursday. Iroquois County reported 5 new cases. Champaign County reported 8 new cases. Vermilion County reported 9 new cases. Ford County did not have a report Thursday.

 

 

(Springfield-jm) -- Lawmakers passed a $42 million dollar budget this week. 106th District State Representative Tom Bennett of Gibson City talks about the budget…

 

 

106th District State Representative Tom Bennett of Gibson City.

 

 

(Rantoul-jm) -- Rantoul will be hosting a Juneteenth celebration. A celebration will take place on Saturday, June 19th from noon to 6 at Wabash Park. 

 

 

(Urbana-jm) -- A Foosland man has been sentenced to 30 months probation for stealing thousands of dollars from an elderly man. Preston Griffith was ordered to repay $8,072. Griffith pleaded guilty in late April to theft, admitting that between November 2019 and February 2020, he stole about two dozen checks from a then-87-year-old man for whom Griffith’s mother acted as a caretaker, then cashed them to fund his addiction.

 

 

(Champaign-jm) --  Passes for the 22nd annual Roger Ebert’s Film Festival, or “Ebertfest,” will go on sale June 7. Festival passes cover all of the screenings during the festival, which runs September 8-11 at the Virginia Theatre. The lineup of films, guests and other events will be announced several weeks before the festival.

 

 

(Washington-jm) -- What's in store for dairy operators in 2022? Gary Crawford reports…

 

 

 

(Springfield-jm) -- While half the states in the country have ended or plan to end extended unemployment benefits, including several neighboring states, Governor J.B. Pritzker maintains the status quo in Illinois. Pritzker said people aren’t going back to work because they’re afraid of COVID-19, despite vaccines being widely available. He also said some may not want to take jobs they feel won’t help pay their bills.

 

 

(Springfield-jm) -- While numerous states tried to deal with budget gaps by tapping into rainy day funds, Illinois did not have that luxury. According to Pew Charitable Trusts, the total amount set aside in state rainy day funds fell for the first time since the Great Recession. State rainy day funds nationwide had a balance of $71.6 billion in fiscal year 2020, an amount second only to the pre-pandemic record-setting total of $78.7 billion. The state’s current rainy day fund could run government operations for one tenth of one day.

 

 

 

(Springfield-jm) -- Legislation dealing with new legislative maps were passed along party lines during the final hours of the spring legislative session. 106th District State Representative Tom Bennett of Gibson City talks about the legislation…

 

 

106th District State Representative Tom Bennett of Gibson City.

 

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(Champaign-jm) -- 52nd District State Senator Scott Bennett held a townhall meeting last night in Champaign. Senator Bennett met with constituents at Parkland College.

 

 

(Gibson City-jm) -- Gibson City is looking to get a new swimming pool. The current pool is 100 years old and Mayor Dan Dickey says they hope to have the new pool done by next summer…

 

 

Gibson City Mayor Dan Dickey.

 

 

(Mahomet-jm) -- There has been a concert line up change for the Mahomet Music Festival. Due to some scheduling conflicts, most previously announced artists for the 2021 Mahomet Music Festival have been changed. The artists who will not be coming to the festival as previously announced are Hardy, Lainey Wilson and Champaign Freight. Saturday night will feature country music artists Jordan Davis, Tyler Rich, and Onoleigh. Friday night’s lineup includes Hairbanger’s Ball and Strung Out! General Admission to the concert is free. More information on the event is available at www.MahometMusicFest.com.

 

 

(Watseka-jm) -- The Iroquois County Public Health Department is announcing two walk in COVID vaccination clinics. The first is a Johnson and Johnson one dose clinic today from 9 to 3:30 at the public health department office in Watseka. The second clinic is also a Johnson and Johnson one dose clinic which will take place on Tuesday, June 8th from 9 to 3:30 also at the health department.

 

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(Washington-jm) -- Brazil's crop production this year has been reduced by drought, but is Brazil in line for yet another year of rainfall shortages? Gary Crawford reports…

 

 

 

Paxton townwide garage sales will take place today and tomorrow.

 

Paxton IGA will be hosting their cookout benefiting the Knights of Columbus Council on Saturday from 10 to 2.