(Springfield-jm) -- Roads across Illinois that have been closed for construction will soon reopen. The Illinois Department of Transportation says those lanes will reopen, where possible, for the Fourth of July holiday. The change is an effort to keep travel disruption to a minimum. Roads will reopen starting at 3 p.m. today and remain open until 11:59 p.m. on Monday, July 5.

 

 

(Springfield-jm) -- Illinois Comptroller Susana Mendoza says the state is beginning the new fiscal year with the lowest bill backlog in decades. The current backlog is two point six billion dollars down from a high of 16 point seven billion just four years ago. Comptroller Mendoza says this is a great way to kick off fiscal year 2022…

 

 

State Comptroller Susana Mendoza. Mendoza notes this was done without using any of the federal American Rescue Plan money coming to Illinois.

 

 

(Charleston-jm) -- Eastern Illinois University officials have announced that vaccines will be the expectation for all eligible students and employees. In a letter sent to all students and staff regarding vaccination expectations for the Fall 2021 semester, the school says it recognizes some people with health or other factors may not be candidates for the COVID-19 vaccine. EIU says unvaccinated students and faculty will have to wear masks indoors and outdoors when social distancing is not possible.

 

 

(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.

 

 

(Ford County-jm) -- Ford County residents are being reminded today is the deadline to pay the first installment of property taxes. They can be paid at any Ford County bank, at the county treasurer’s office, by mail or in the dropbox outside the courthouse. The second installment is due by September 10th.

 

 

(Rantoul-jm) -- The village of Rantoul will be celebrating the 4th of July holiday with several days of activities. Rantoul Area Chamber of Commerce Director Amanda Vickery says the activities kick off this evening…

 

 

Rantoul Area Chamber of Commerce Director Amanda Vickery.

 

The Rantoul Area Chamber of Commerce is hosting their Freedom Fridays Live Music with Chrissy Sparks tonight from 6 to 9 pm.

 

The Rantoul Freedom Celebration will take place tonight and tomorrow. Tonight its the 5k at 6 with fireworks at dusk. Tomorrow at 9:30 is the parade.

 

The Sibley Burr Oaks Area Tractor Club will hold their tractor drive tomorrow starting at 9:15 in Sibley.

 

Paxton IGA will be hosting their cookout benefiting the Top Star Cheerleading tomorrow from 10 to 2.

 

Buckley St. John’s School, church and community will have its annual picnic on Saturday. Food stand opens at noon. Fun and games from noon -6pm, bingo, and worship service in the evening with fireworks at dark. 

 

Onarga will hold their 4th of July celebrations tomorrow with a parade at 11, 3 on 3 tournament and fireworks at Durham Park at dusk.

 

Paxton’s old fashioned 4th of July will take place on Sunday with a car show, watermelon eating contest and more at Pells Park then fireworks at Bixby Park at dusk.

 

Buckley will hold a 4th of July parade on Sunday starting at 3pm.

 

The Livin’ La Vida Loda charity event for the PBL Youth Football and Cheerleading and the Bayles lake Auxiliary is set for Sunday at Lakeview Country Club. Come out and meet Chicago Bears greats Dan Hampton and Otis Wilson. Music from the Bears group Chicago 6 Band. The event starts at 9am, meet and greet at Noon music at 12-30 and steak dinner at 2:30.

 

630 am New

(Washington-jm) -- Food safety experts say many of the food poisoning cases that will flare up on July 4th will be from two common grilling mistakes. Gary Crawford reports…

 

 

 

(Springfield-jm) -- The Illinois State Police is reminding drivers not to drink and drive this Fourth of July holiday weekend. There have been 509 traffic fatalities in Illinois so far this year, which is an increase of 33 from one year ago. ISP recommends designating a sober driver to stay safe during the holiday weekend.

 

 

(Washington-jm) -- 16th Congressional Congresswoman Mary Miller joined former President Donald Trump and other Republicans during a recent visit to the southern border. Congresswoman Miller said she wanted to see the situation firsthand.

 

 

(Sibley-jm) -- The Sibley Burr Oaks Area Tractor Club will hold their tractor drive tomorrow. The group will leave Sibley around 9 and head to Gibson City where they will stop and visit with residents and the three nursing facilities before returning to Sibley that evening. Spokesperson Russ Tjarks says they will also be honoring several people during the drive…

 

 

Sibley Burr Oaks Area Tractor Club Spokesperson Russ Tjarks.

 

 

(Rantoul-jm) -- An iconic downtown building in Rantoul will be coming down. The village approved a bid to tear down the old First National Bank building. A demotion company was awarded a $147,000 contract to tear down the building.

 

(Penfield-jm) -- The 2021 Historic Farm Days gets underway next week in Penfield. The tractor show runs July 8th through the 11th and features Massey Ferguson, BF Avery and Minneapolis Moline. Show President Chuck Stelter anticipates a lot of people attending this year’s show…

 

 

I and I Historic Farm Days President Chuck Stelter.