(Springfield-jm) -- The first drawing for the state's COVID-19 vaccine lottery will be held today. The initial prize in the “All in for the Win” promotion is one million dollars. College scholarships worth 150 thousand dollars each will be picked from the pool of Illinoisans who received at least one dose of the vaccine by July 1st. Earlier this week Governor J-B Pritzker made another plea for people to get the shot…

 

 

Illinois Governor J-B Pritzker. The Governor says winners will be notified by the state Department of Public Health either via phone, email or both. Drawings will be held through the end of August so there is still time to enter by getting vaccinated. Visit: all in dot illinois dot gov for more details.

 

 

(Springfield-jm) -- The state finished the previous fiscal year with more than $317 million in cannabis taxes. That far eclipsed the $52.7 million the state collected for the previous year with just six months worth of sales. More than a third of the revenue goes to the state’s general revenue fund. Ten percent goes to the state’s backlog of unpaid bills. A quarter of every cannabis tax dollar goes to community groups in certain areas. Total sales for May were nearly $116.4 million. That’s nearly $1.5 million more than was sold in April.

 

 

(Rantoul-jm) -- Rantoul has seen an economic boom since the development of the Rantoul Family Sports Complex. Rantoul Area Chamber of Commerce Director Amanda Vickery talks about how the village has benefited from the complex…

 

 

Rantoul Area Chamber of Commerce Director Amanda Vickery.

 

 

(Mahomet-jm) -- The village of Mahomet is another step closer to having an indoor recreation facility. The village purchased land to develop the facility. Village leaders have looked into building a facility since 2008.

 

 

(Fisher-jm) -- Last night at the Fisher Fair was the Ehler Brothers ITPA truck and tractor pulls. Fair President Todd Cotter talks about what is happening at the fair today…

 

 

Fisher Fair President Todd Cotter.

 

 

(Champaign County-jm) -- Could Champaign County employees receive a pay bonus? That’s the question before county board members after two department heads approached the board with the request. Circuit Clerk Susan McGarth and Michael Williams, director of probation and court services, are asking the board for county employees to receive $10 an hour back pay from March 17, 2020 through March 1, 2021.

 

 

(Washington-jm) -- The U.S. is selling to other countries far more food and agricultural products than last year. Gary Crawford reports…

 

 

(Springfield-jm) -- The Illinois Department of Transportation is installing highway signs to indicate where alternative fuel is available. More than 30 signs have been posted statewide along highways like I-55, 70, 90 and 80, letting drivers know where they can fuel up, says IDOT Spokesperson Paul Wappel…

 

 

IDOT Spokesperson Paul Wappel. Additional signs will be posted later near exit ramps providing more direction. They will first focus on electric charging but will later include information on other alternative fuels like hydrogen and natural gas.

 

 

(Springfield-jm) -- Those placing sports bets in Illinois wagered fewer dollars in May than they did in April by 5.6 percent. Despite being the second monthly decline, industry analysts with PlayIllinois.com say the state is still the No. 2 sports betting jurisdiction in the country. Illinois saw $507.3 million in May, down from $537.2 million in April. That generated nearly $6 million in state and local taxes.

 

 

(Penfield-jm) -- The 2021 Historic Farm Days gets underway today in Penfield and runs through Sunday. This year’s featured tractors include Minneapolis Moline, Massey Ferguson and BF Avery. I and I Club President Chuck Stelter talks about the show…

 

 

I and I Historic Farm Days President Chuck Stelter. The WPXN summer Fun tour continues over the noon hour today the the event in Penfield

 

(Gilman-jm) -- The 2021 Gilman Super Saturday will take place this year. Organizers announced the event will take place on Saturday, September 11th. More details will be coming in the coming days.

 

 

(Paxton--jc)  --  Blood supplies are short in the local area and state. A blood drive is set for Monday at the First Lutheran Church in Paxton. Event coordinator Kevin Hanson says those wanting to give blood must pre-resgister…

 

 

Paxton Blood Drive event coordinator Kevin Hanson

To register...go on line at blood-center-dot-org and use code 71-252

 

 

(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.

 

 

(Gibson City-jm) -- Gibson City police have released their recent activity report. On June 28th, Dewey Couch Jr of Rankin was arrested for possession of drug paraphernalia. On June 29th, Eric Welch of Farmer City was arrested for possession of drug paraphernalia.

 

 

(Washington-jm) -- Americans are buying more and more food and agricultural products from other countries. Gary Crawford reports…