(Springfield-jm) -- Fitch Ratings revised the outlook on Illinois’ General Obligation bonds from negative to positive. With this action, Illinois’ GO bond rating moves from BBB- with a negative outlook to BBB- with a positive outlook. Fitch is the third rating agency to upgrade the state’s outlook.
(Springfield-jm) -- The state’s Rental Payment Program has paid out 70 million dollars to Illinois landlords in just the first month. The Illinois Housing Development Authority received more than 70 thousand applications from landlords, requesting assistance on behalf of their tenants. 70 million has already gone out, and another 17 million has been approved for payment. Hundreds of millions more in assistance is expected in the coming weeks. The Authority’s Rodrigo Carrillo says it’s clear the need is out there…
Illinois Housing Development Authority’s Rodrigo Carrillo. The program allowing landlords to apply has ended. Tenants may start submitting requests on Monday, June 28th via the website: ihda dot org.
(Springfield-jm) -- State lawmakers were back in Springfield last week to tackle a handful of issues. One of the issues brought before lawmakers was an issue with the state budget. During the rush to pass the budget during the middle of the night in the final hours of the spring session, lawmakers failed to notice an error that would make the state budget invalid until 2022. 106th District State Representative Tom Bennett of Gibson City discusses the issue…
106th District State Representative Tom Bennett of Gibson City.
(Undated-jm) -- Tax bills for Ford and Iroquois County residents have gone out. The first installment for Ford County residents is due July 2nd with the 2nd installment due September 10th. For Iroquois County residents the first installment is due July 7th with the 2nd installment due September 7th.
(St. Joseph-jm) -- St. Joseph has hired a village administrator. Village trustees approved hiring Joseph Hackney. Hackney comes from Valley Falls, Kansas where he currently serves as village administrator. His first official day will be July 26th.
(Gifford-jm) -- The 2021 Gifford Celebration will take place this Saturday. One of the hi-lites of the celebration is the parade. Spokesperson Logan Hesterburg talks about the different awards for the parade…
Gifford Celebration Spokesperson Logan Hesterburg.
(Hoopeston-jm) -- Three Hoopeston residents have been arrested on warrants from various area counties. Travis Begley was arrested on a Vermilion County warrant. Darren Wood turned himself in on a Ford County warrant. Haley Edwards was arrested on a Vermilion County warrant and a Champaign County warrant.
(Champaign County-jm) -- Champaign County is receiving $1.7 million in state funds for bike paths and walking trails. Some of the $1.7 million will go to the Maplewood multi-use path in Rantoul.
(Washington-jm) -- What are some examples of U.S. ag exports finding new and expanded markets in China via the Phase One Trade Agreement, and what other products could also benefit from this deal? Rod Bain reports…
(Springfield-jm) -- The Illinois Tollway is expanding it’s “I-Pass Assist” program to help more people get the transponders. Now that the tollway has gone cashless and using an I-Pass saves motorists 50 percent on tolls, Spokesperson Dan Rozek says they’re really working to make it easier for lower income Illinoisans to get an I-Pass. He explains the changes…
Illinois Tollway Spokesperson Dan Rozek. More information about signing up for the I-Pass Assist Program is available online at: illinois tollway dot com.
(Paxton-jm) -- The 2021 Paxton Swine n Dine will return in September. Paxton Area Chamber of Commerce President Alan Meyer talks about this year's concert…
Paxton Area Chamber of Commerce President Alan Meyer.
(Champaign-jm) -- The C-U at Home Board of Directors is pleased to announce two important changes to our leadership structure. First, Rob Dalhaus III will continue in leadership in the new position of Director of Development and Community Outreach. Secondly, a search has begun for an Executive Director to assume broader administrative responsibilities for C-U at Home.
(Pesotum-jm) -- Illinois State Police will be conducting roadside safety checks. WPXN’s Jason Madden has the details…
(Paxton-jm) -- Paxton police have released their recent activity report. On June 18th, Charley Marcum was ticketed for driving with a suspended drivers license, improper use of registration and operating an uninsured motor vehicle following a traffic stop in downtown Paxton, Diana Lohrbach of Buckley was arrested on a pair of Ford County warrants for failure to appear, no injuries were reported and no tickets issued on the 18th following a two vehicle accident on the offramp from northbound I-57. On June 13th police responded to a two vehicle accident at the Village Pantry. No tickets were issued and no injuries were reported.
(Gilman-jm) -- The Iroquois County community of Gilman is receiving a $2 million grant to redesign their business district. The grant will focus on Central Street from Route 24 to 3rd Street, Front Street from Central to Main and 2nd from Central to the Canadian National Railroad tracks.
(Washington-jm) -- One part of the government's farm safety net system continues to get high marks from most farmers. Gary Crawford reports…
