(Springfield-jm) -- Governor J.B. Pritzker Friday extended his COVID-19 executive orders and emergency declarations that were set to expire Saturday. Since the beginning of the pandemic in March 2020, Pritzker has now issued 16 months of consecutive 30-day disaster proclamations. Friday's disaster declaration and the reissued executive orders are set to expire on July 24, 2021. That includes a moratorium on residential evictions.  

 

 

(Sibley-jm) -- The Sibley Burr Oaks Area Tractor Club will hold their tractor drive coming up this Saturday. Spokesperson Russ Tjarks talks about this year’s route…

 

 

Sibley Burr Oaks Area Tractor Club Spokesperson Russ Tjarks.

 

 

(Undated-jm) -- Strong storms came through the WPXN listening area this weekend. A confirmed tornado was reported in Danforth in Iroquois County and a tornado was reported between Mahomet and Dewey in Champaign County Friday evening. Late Saturday afternoon more severe storms came through with a tornado reported in Chatsworth in Livingston County. Heavy rains were also reported with widespread totals of 2-5 inches. The State Department of Natural Resources closed Clinton Lake due to high water levels.

 

 

(Champaign-jm) -- A building partially collapsed in Downtown Champaign on Saturday. The Old Chester Street Bar suffered a structural collapse. The Champaign Fire Department says its unclear what caused the building to partially collapse.

 

 

(Rantoul-jm) -- The village of Rantoul has seen a development boom with the creation of the new sports complex. Mayor Chuck Smith talks about the development and the future developments coming to the village…

 

 

Rantoul Mayor Chuck Smith.

 

 

(Undated-jm) -- Metro unemployment rates were down in May. The unemployment rate in May for Champaign County was 4.4 percent down from 10.5 percent in May 2020. In Ford County the rate went from 11.4 percent to 3.8 percent. Vermilion County went from 14.8 percent to 5.8 percent. Iroquois County went from 9.1 percent to 3.8 percent.

 

(Springfield-jm) -- The state’s budget that begins this week includes taxpayer funds to “jumpstart” segments of the economy held back by Governor J.B. Pritzker’s economic restrictions during the pandemic. But some say other areas didn’t get enough funding. Democrats say the $42 billion state budget that begins July 1 is balanced and doesn’t increase taxes. Republicans say the decreased tax incentives will mean $666 million in tax increases on job creators. The $42 billion spending plan includes hundreds of millions for the hospitality sector and money for the state’s health care sector, housing development and more.

 

 

(Paxton-jm) -- The Paxton Area Chamber of Commerce is gearing up for the city’s annual Old Fashioned 4th of July celebration. Chamber President Alan Meyer talks about the day's activities…

 

 

Paxton Area Chamber of Commerce President Alan Meyer.

 

 

(Urbana-jm) -- The University of Illinois at Urbana Champaign is designated as the first Purple Heart University in the state. The Chez Veteran Center helps veteran students feel a sense of community and belonging during their transition from the military to campus life. The center is the largest student veteran center in the country.

 

 

(Champaign-jm) -- A Champaign woman has died after a two-vehicle crash on Friday. Champaign County Coroner Duane Northrup says 51-year-old Towanda Frazier was pronounced dead. The crash happened at Bradley and Walnut. An autopsy was held over the weekend.

 

 

(Gilman-jm) -- Most people know the old adage knee high by the 4th of July when it comes to crops and how they are doing. So how are the crops doing in the Ford and Iroquois County areas? Farm Bureau David Treece provides an update…

 

 

Ford Iroquois Farm Bureau Manager David Treece. 

 

(Kankakee County-jm) -- Two bats in Kankakee have tested positive for rabies. The Kankakee County Public Health Department made the announcement Friday. So far 13 bats in Illinois have tested positive for rabies.