(Springfield-jm) -- The Illinois Department of Natural Resources is urging new hunters to get their license and apply early for upcoming hunting seasons. While DNR is switching to a new system, Spokesperson Rachel Torbert says those who plan to hunt in the coming months should get their license now. She explains why…
State Department of Natural Resources Spokesperson Rachel Torbert. Torbert says once you get that customer number you can apply for permits for hunting season like dove, upland game and bobcat.
(Springfield-jm) -- There's more good news for the State of Illinois' credit rating. S&P Global Ratings improved the state's bond rating on Thursday. This is the second rating upgrade in the past two weeks. Moody's upgraded Illinois' bond rating at the end of June.
(Springfield-jm) -- Teens can now get their work permit remotely under a new state law. The remote option was offered during the pandemic and now the new law makes it permanent, says Illinois Department of Labor Spokesperson Paul Cicchini (chick-kini)...
Illinois Department of Labor Spokesperson Paul Cicchini. Cicchini says all teens under 16 need a state permit to work and certain rules are in place about the hours they can spend on the job.
(Gilman-jm) -- Did farmers plant more corn or soybeans this year? Ford Iroquois Farm Bureau Manager David Treece says for the two counties it's an even split of corn and soybeans…
Ford Iroquois Farm Bureau Manager David Treece.
(Champaign-jm) -- Champaign will be getting a new top cop. Chief Anthony Cobb announced he is resigning in August. Cobb has been chief for 9 years.
The 2021 Historic Farm Days continues through Sunday, July 11th in Penfield. This year’s featured tractors include Massey Harris Ferguson, Minneapolis Moline and B.F. Avery.
Christ Lutheran High School will hold their annual golf outing today at Shagbark Golf and Country Club in Onarga at 1pm. Cost is $75 per person or $300 for a team of 4. Call 217-394-2547 to sign up.
The Gibson Area Hospital Foundation will hold a pork chop lunch today at 11 am in the Doctor’s Park parking lot. Cost is $8.
The Rantoul Area Chamber of Commerce is hosting their Freedom Fridays Live Music with 90s Daughter Acoustic tonight from 6 to 9 pm.
Balloons over Vermilion will take place tonight and tomorrow at the Vermilion County Regional Airport in Danville.
Paxton IGA will be hosting their cookout benefiting the Paxton Covenant Church tomorrow from 10 to 2.
The Shop in the Park in Cissna Park will take place tomorrow from 10 to 2.
St. John the Baptist Catholic Church in L’Erable will hold their annual Parish Homecoming on Sunday with Mass at 11 and dinner to follow.
(Washington-jm) -- The USDA will incorporate new planted acreage numbers in its upcoming crop supply and demand forecasts, but will it change its previous yield estimates? Gary Crawford reports…
(Washington-jm) -- Senator Dick Durbin of Illinois, says the expanded Child Tax Credit, which is part of the American Rescue Plan, will start sending out checks to eligible families next week. The checks will come on a monthly basis from July 15th through December and will directly help children living in poverty. Families with children under the age of six can now receive up to $3,600 per child, and families with children ages 6 to 17 can receive up to $3,000 per child for 2021. Monthly advance payments of up to $300 per child under six and up to $250 per child between the ages of six and 17 will begin next Thursday. The IRS says the remainder of the tax credit will be applied to taxes filed next Spring. Families will automatically be sent checks if they have filed tax returns during the past two-years. Senator Durbin says he hopes Congress can pass legislation that will make those payments permanent.
(Springfield-jm) -- A new exhibit at the Illinois State Fair this year will hi-lite the history of Route 66. State Fair Manager Kevin Gordon says the Route 66 experience is a multi-year project, with the first phase opening during the fair next month. It’s being set up inside gate 2 and will offer visitors a chance to walk the iconic mother road from Chicago to the Chain of Rocks Bridge, with stories about historical attractions and businesses along the way…
State Fair Manager Kevin Gordon. The Illinois State Fair runs August 12th through the 22nd in Springfield.
(Springfield-jm) -- According to a new report from Self Financial using data from the US Bureau of Labor Statistics, Illinois has the seventh largest wage gap between whites and minorities in the entire nation with a 32.2% gap for the state. The report says the median minority wage is $40,000 in Illinois while non-Hispanic Caucasians make $59,000 - a 32.2% difference.
(Paxton--jc) A Blood drive is set for Paxton on Monday. There is still time to set up an appointment, Blood drive coordinator Kevin Hanson provides information on how to sign up…
Paxton Blood Drive coordinator Kevin Hanson
(Fisher-jm) -- Last night at the Fisher Fair was the rodeo. Fair President Todd Cotter talks about what’s happening today…
Cotter also has the schedule for the final day on Saturday…
Fisher Fair President Todd Cotter.
(Champaign County-jm) -- Rural Champaign County residents could see improved internet connection and speed. The county is looking to improve internet access for those residents. They recently approved hiring a consultant for a study on broadband access and to identify service providers.
(Washington-jm) -- Brazil's current corn crop, now being harvested, has had to deal with a number of challenges. Analysts are at odds over the effect of those challenges. Gary Crawford reports…
